Sri Navadvipa - January 4, 2005
A report by Radharaman das & Gaura das
On the auspicious occasion of the Appearance Day of Nitya Lila Pravista Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja a beautiful celebration of his character and glories took place in Sri Sri Keshavaji Gaudiya Matha, Navadvip.
The vaisnava festival was held at the construction site of the new Gaudiya Matha of the IGV Trust, under the guidance of Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Gosvami Maharaja. The new Navadvip Math is located in Kolerdang Lane, Hari Tala, Nadiya.
Immediately following mangal arati some devotees started kirtan, while others began cooking and decorating for the festival.
After kirtan many senior vaisnavas began speaking the qualities and pastimes of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja, including bhaktas from other Gaudiya Mathas. After Harikatha and Bhoga Arati the vaisnavas began to honor mahaprasadam on the roof of the temporary temple, while hundreds of dhamvasis honored inside a large pandal nearby. For over five hours devotess freely distrubted prasadam to aproximatly 5000 guests. Many special preperations were made, including rice, dhal, shak, subjis, fruit, chutnies, kitchary, khir, rasagullas, and sweet yogurt. All were enthusiastic to honor prasadam, and many villagers took back prasadam to offer to their families.
After a short rest the devotees once again gathered for kirtan and further glorifications of Srila Vamana Maharaja, which included class in English. There was no end to his glories, and his rememberance gave great pleasure and inspirations to all the attending bhaktas. By the unlimited causeless mercy of Srila Vamana Maharaja, the vaisnavas were happily engaged in service throughout the entire day. We pray at the lotus feet of nitya-lila pravistha om vishnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami Maharaja on this day that we can follow his divine example and instructions that perhaps one day our lifes will become perfect. Gaur-premanande!
