Disappearance Festival in honor of Srila Gurudev
April 6, 2010
Photos courtesy of Vrinda Didi, Laksmipriya Didi, Dhanistha Didi, Priyanka Didi and Vidya Sundar Prabhu ::: Click on the pictures for larger view (you must have javascript enabled)
"Your two lotus feet are reservoirs of immortal nectar where one may live free from sorrow and fear. I have found peace there now and have given up the fear of worldly existence."
From Atma-nivedana by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur
The devotees gathered to remember Srila Gurudev's beautiful auspicious form and pastimes, his merciful mood and glories. So many devotees came from far away to be here in this most auspicious day. Everybody was glowing with the memories of our Divine Spiritual Master in their hearts.
Earlier in the day all the preparations for the feast started, including our Swaranangii Didi's world famous coconut cream pie.
There were 14 preparations for the 4 o'clock offering including chana and samosas.
Swaranangii and Rajani Didi's were getting their offerings ready.
Rattan Krishna and Virachandra Prabhus were doing the necessary cleaning of Their Lordships paraphernalia and pots.
Kalindi Didi and Krishna Vani Didi, visiting from L.A., got all the flower arrangements together while Dhanista Didi cuts potatoes for her offering.
The temple room has been decorated with much love.
Vrinda Didi and Neelamani Prabhu help get the 108 Wick Ghee Lamp ready.
Shatrughna Prabhu helps in the kitchen.
Srila Gurudev's Vyasasana is beautifully decorated by Virachandra Prabhu, Sushila Didi, Kalindi Didi, Amrita Mayi Didi, Diksavati Didi and Para Didi.
The Bhajans start as our Laksmi Priya Didi is dutifully engaged in making Garlands.
Around 4:30 pm all our guests and Devotees start arriving and so Sarvabhavana Prabhu leads the program.
Virachandra Prabhu gets the video ready.
Giridhari Prabhu always engaged in service around the asram.
Linda Rae, mother of Isthadevika Didi and Chinmayi Didi attend the bhajans.
Dhinartahara Prabhu speaks about Srila Gurudev's Glories.
Murali Mohan Prabhu always ready to serve plays the mrdanga.
Priyanka Didi visiting from San Francisco.
Abhay Charan Prabhu, his son Devon, and his mother, Sureswari Didi, who is always bringing so much joy to the Ashram.
Diksavati Didi gives much affection to little Devon and everybody at the Ashram.
Harindu and Madhav Prabhus.
Gaura Nataraj Prabhu and his daughter Jahnava.
The temple room was glowing with so many flowers and beautiful devotees.
The evening arotik starts.
Sarvabhavana Prabhu was leading Arotik.
Srutasrava Prabhu lead the program after Arotik
He gave a beautiful talk about Srila Gurudev's unflinching mercy and beauty.
The temple room was full of all of Srila Gurudev's disciples, friends and family.
Pusta Krishna Prabhu, Hasyapriya Prabhu and Sarvabhavana Prabhu spoke of Srila Gurudev's glorious pastimes.
Everybody listens attentively remembering Srila Gurudev's beautiful mood.
and so Sri Guru Arotik starts.
Ramai Prabhu offers the arotik.
Vidura Krishna Prabhu gets the big Ghee Lamp ready
The kirtan goes on very sweetly while the devotees offer flowers to Srila Gurudev's lotus feet.
Our stalwart lady section, Srimatis Bimala Didi and Sureshwari Didi pay their obeisances to Srila Gurudev.
Srutasrava Prabhu made his famous Kitchuri while Kalachand Prabhu made Halavah and Satrughna Prabhu prepared the rice.
Kalachand Prabhu helps with the Pakoras and Radhika Didi and Sureswari Didi checked the recipe for aloo dam.
Neelamani Prabhu was the pujari for the evening offering, and Vidura Krishna Prabhu helped with all the preparations for the offering.
Malika Didi rolls puris
Dhanista Didi gets her enchiladas ready.
Dhruva Prabhu gets Their Lordships offering plate ready.
The evening offering had 35 different preparations.
Rice, Kitchuri with fried paneer, Chana Dahl, Cauliflower, Curd, Tomato Subji, Dahi Wada, Sak, Puspanna Rice, Samosas, Pakoras, Puris all fried in ghee, Chapatis, Tomato soup, Stir fry, Chickpea Subji, Mac and Cheese, Asparagus fried in ghee, Dokra, Fried okra, Homemade Linguini, Tomato, Coconut and Tamarind Chutney, Kanvhi, Fried Mula subji, Sweet Rice, Khir, Coconut Cream Pie, Steamed Sandesh and Sandesh garnished with honey and toasted almonds, along with Ladhu and Gulabjamuns and a delicious Mango Lassi for the nectar!
The khir was artfully bruleed by Radhika Didi.
Everyone honours Maha Mahotsav prasadam!
Nowla Kishora Prabhu under Vidura Krishnas guidance serves the dessert boats.
The Prasadam was amazing.
Srila Gurudev's beautiful Vyasasana decorated with flowers and the affection of the devotees!
All Glories To our most beloved Srila Gurudev
His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
It is stated in the Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam:
anugraha-nigrahabhedena sevyanuraga eva atma-niksepah
viracaya mayi dandam dinabandho dayam va
gatir iha na bhavattah kacid anya mamasti
nipatatu sata-kotir nirbharam va navambhas
tad api kila payodah stuyate catakena ⌊21⌋
∼Sri-Rupapadanam
Genuine self-dedication is deep attachment for one’s Master, considering reward and punishment equally —
O friend of the needy, whether You chastise me or reward me, in the whole wide world I have no other shelter but You. Whether the thunderbolt strikes or torrents of fresh water shower down, the Cataka bird (who drinks only falling rainwater) perpetually goes on singing the glories of the rain cloud.
∼Sri Rupa Goswami
Captions by Vrinda Didi
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare