Sri Janmastami Day
August 24, 2008
Photos courtesy of Sripad B.C. Parvat Maharaj
Sri Janmastami celebrations started early. Sripad Janardan Maharaj visited many of the local Indian stores to collect donations for the festival. He filled the temple van many times.
Jagadananda Prabhu helped his wife Madhumati Didi with her weekly seva of going to the Farmers Market and collecting bhoga donations. We just may need a bigger vehicle.
Kalindi and Madhura Priya Didis made beautiful garlands for Their Lordships and for the Temple decorations.
Uma Didi taking care of the gardens around the Temple.
Giridhari Prabhu with his superior height helped Divyashakti Didi with the Temple room decorations.
As the day progressed decorations were hung. Here is Madhurya Priya and Amrtamayi Didis
Nicole, Mahadevis' little sister helped with the cleaning.
Will cleaned the 108 wick ghee lamp.
The kitchen crew was busy all day. Here is Sureshvari, Rasa Rajani and Vrnda Didis.
Sara helped with the vegetable preparations with Srutasrava and Giridhari Prabhus and a guest.
Vidya Sundar Prabhu, visiting from Canada, was the lunch cook.
Ramachandra Prabhu visiting from Portland Oregon.
Giridhari Prabhu from Hungary, has come to stay with us here in Soquel and we are very happy to have his enthusiastic association.
Neelamani Prabhu offers the Sandhya Arotik.
The devotees begin to gather.
An enlivening kirtan.
Siddhanti Maharaj leads everyone in the Tulsi Puja kirtan.
Sushila and Kalindi Didis.
Many guests arrive and join in the Parikram.
Krishnapriya Didi is Tulsidevi's caretaker.
Dinatiharo Prabhu a great friend and supporter of the Seva Ashram.
The evening also included two plays. Kumari Shyama Mohini gets costume help from her mother, Braja Mohini Didi and Kumari Anuradha for her role as Sri Krishna in the play about the Aghasura demon.
Madhumati Didi is really creative with organizing these plays. Here the cowherd boys and the residents of Vrndavan are seen going into the mouth of the demon.
Then Krishna comes and saves them all!
There were several showings of the plays and the audience was very happy.
The next play was about when Mother Yasoda tied Krishna up with a rope. Mother Yasoda (played by Jahnavi) and the gopis (played by little Krishnapriya and Devaki) and baby Krishna (played by Sivani, granddaughter of Krishnapriya Didi).
Krishna ran away as Mother Yasoda chased him.
The gopis danced.
Krishna freed the twin Arjuna trees.
Sripad Janardan Maharaj enlivens everyone by reading about the divine appearance of our Lord.
As the midnight hour arrives the devotees engage in heartfelt kirtan.
Their Lordships appear radiant in Their new dress.
Their ever vigilant servitor Sripad Ramai Prabhu offers flowers during Arotik.
The kirtan picked up its pace,
and happy faces were packed into the Temple room.
The excitement increases as the awesome 108 wick ghee lamp is readied
by Neelamani and Vidura Krishna Prabhus.
by Neelamani and Vidura Krishna Prabhus.
The Deities receive the offering and then the devotees happily receive the mercy.
The children find their way up front to be seen by Their Lordships.
We had the great fortune of having the auspicious association of Sripad Yudhamanyu Seva Vikram Prabhu with us on this holy occasion.
Then one more festivity left,
Prasadam!
Prasadam!
Giridhari Prabhu helps to serve the delicious feast.
Shambhunath's mother was happily visiting
for the first time.
for the first time.
All Glories to Sri Janmastami!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare