Halloween Harinam

October, 31, 2010

Photos courtesy of Laksmipriya Didi and Maheswari Didi ::: Click on the pictures for larger view (you must have javascript enabled)
Captions by Sushila Devi

After festivals to honor Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Divine Appearance day and Harinam in San Jose, the community gathered together in Santa Cruz for the annual Halloween Harinam on Pacific Avenue.

Nitai Prabhu with Madhumati, Ashapurna, and Kalindi Didis loudly chant "Nitai Gaur Hari Bol!"

Jayananda and Ratan Krishna Prabhus.

Nicole and Mahadevi Didi.

Virachandra and Bahulavan Prabhus.

Krishna Madhuri Didi.

Maheshwari Didi, visiting from Hungary.

The whole street filled with costumed revelers and our Harinam party was very happily received.

The crowd dancing and chanting was thick and rambunctious.

Laksmipriya Didi is always enthusiastic for Harinam Sankirttan.

Iti Devi Dasi records the loud and happy scene.

Guests joined with their own instruments.

Several people who have recently visited the Ashram were happy to find us and joined in.

The devotees chanted enthusiastically until two o'clock in the morning

Hundreds of Halloween celebrants joined the Harinam party.

Superheros, pirates, witches, sandwiches, fruits, and animals all appeared to be chanting the Holy Names of the Lord.

Nowla Kishor Prabhu.

Krishnananda Prabhu arranged for the program to be filmed.

Mahadevi, Kalindi, and Ashapurna Didis.

Some costumed guests dancing with our group.

On and on ... but by the grace of Sri Guru energy and inspiration came to keep going.

Halloween Harinam is so exciting that everyone will be happy if they try it at least once in this lifetime!

By the grace of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga all the devotees and revelers will be purified by the potency of the Holy Name.

ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam
sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purn?amr?tasvadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam

"The Holy Name of Krishna cleanses the mirror of the heart and extinguishes the fire of misery in the forest of birth and death. As the evening lotus blooms in the moon’s cooling rays, the heart begins to blossom in the nectar of the Name. And at last the soul awakens to its real inner treasure—a life of love with Krishna. Again and again tasting nectar, the soul dives and surfaces in the ever-increasing ocean of ecstatic joy. All phases of the self of which we may conceive are fully satisfied and purified, and at last conquered by the all-auspicious influence of the Holy Name of Krishna."
—Sri Sikshastakam