Sri Govardhan Puja Celebration

November, 7, 2010

Photos courtesy of Krishnapriya Didi ::: Click on the pictures for larger view (you must have javascript enabled)

deve varsati yajna-viplava-rusa vajrasma-varsanilaih
sidat-pala-pasu-striy atma-saranam drstvanukampy utsmayan utpatyaika-
karena sailam abalo lilocchilandhram yatha
bibhrad gostham apan mahendra-mada-bhit priyan na indro gavam

"Indra became angry when his sacrifice was disrupted, and thus he caused rain and hail to fall on Gokula, accompanied by lightning and powerful winds, all of which brought great suffering to the cowherds, animals and women there. When Lord Krishna, who is by nature always compassionate, saw the condition of those who had only Him as their shelter, He smiled broadly and lifted Govardhana Hill with one hand, just as a small child picks up a mushroom to play with it. Holding up the hill, He protected the cowherd community. May He, Govinda, the Lord of the cows and the destroyer of Indra's false pride, be pleased with us."

The driveway of the Ashram was decorated with balloons and flags to welcome the devotees!

Under Their Lordships merciful glance Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj leads the program.

Ramananda Prabhu helps in the kitchen.

Radhika Didi fries samosas.

Abha Didi and Satyabhama Didi roll puris.

Their Lordships offering.

There is corn, potato subji and salad, laddhus and apple pie amongst other preparations.

This year the Govardhan Hill is made out of Curd!

The devotees circumambulate Govardhan Hill!

Guided by the inspiration of Laksmipriya Didi the devotees worked very heard to decorate the Temple room for this special day.

Madhumati Didi organized the Children's play as they recreate the Govardhan Hill pastime.

Everybody is charmed by the beautiful play!

Kumari Sivani dressed as little Krishna goes around collecting the service donations

The devotees honor prasadam happily.

Srila Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj, said in his welcoming lecture to Govardhan, as it is recorded in Divine Guidance:
"Srila Ragunatha Dasa Goswami always prayed to Giriraja Govarddhan: nija-nikata-nivasah dehi govarddhana tvam. And Rupa Goswami Prabhu also said: vaikunthaj janito vara madhu-puri tatrapi rasotsavadvrndaranyam
udara-pani-ramanat tatrapi govarddhanah
radha-kundam ihapi gokula-pateh premamrtaplavanat
kuryyad asya virajato giri-tate sevam viveki na kah

At first we can see Vaikuntha-Dham as being a very high place, but above that, the more important place is Mathura — janito vara madhu-puri. Why? Because Krisha Himself is born there, that is His Lila there. Narayana, though, does not take birth. He has no birth, He has no father and no mother, but Krisha has His father and mother — that is within His Lila. And, vaikunthaj janito vara madhu-puri tatrapi rasotsavad� better than Mathura is Vrindavan, where Krishna has His Pastimes with the Gopis. And over that place, is the highest place, Sri Govarddhan — Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur says; giridhari-gandharvika yatha krida kaila."