Second retaining wall goes up.

July, 4, 2010

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

"The sun rises and sets. It does not take birth or die. So the appearance and disappearance of the pure Vaisnava is like the sunrise and sunset. Both are good for the conditioned souls of this world. When they depart, they cast their merciful glance everywhere, and whoever remembers them will get that mercy."

—Srila Govinda Maharaj

These pictures were taken in February 2005. They show our beloved Srila Gurudev riding his scooter near the current site where His Pushpa Samadhi Mandir is being built.

He so much enjoyed going on his scooter all over the Ashram property with the devotees.

Sarva Bhavana Prabhu cuts the boards that will be used to make the forms for the next wall.

Prabhus Harindhu, Shatrughna and Gaur Nataraj start to dig the trenches for the next section of retaining wall.

This is very strenuous work but the devotees put their hearts as well as their backs into it.

Not just a man's job. Mallika and Annapurna also help out.

Radhika Devi gets all the metal stakes ready.

The site is just above Srila Gurudev's house.

Building the wall takes many hands,

and many hours.

Annapurna was really happy she got the opportunity to help.

Shatrughna Prabhu helps with the measurements.

This section was much more difficult than the first.

The forms were built in six-foot sections.

They were secured with metal stakes

and wooden support posts.

Sripad Parvat Maharaj donned his overalls and joined the work party.

Many measurements were taken to make the complex calculations to make sure the forms lined up correctly.

The wall needs to curve around the hillside in front of the Mandir and also slant upwards to meet with the first wall.

Special Brazilian treats were sent down from Bimala Didi via her visiting family. The devotees were very happy to accept.

Sanatani Didi and Devaki made a refreshing nectar for the hard working devotees.

Finally the forms are finished.

The next day started early and the weather was pleasantly overcast as is typical for this time of year.

The forms were given a last check by Hasyapriya and Giridhari Prabhus.

Time to mix the concrete. Srutasrava Prabhu was the mix master this time.

Giridhari Prabhu took the task to wheel the heavy barrow down the hill,

back up the slope

and carefully along the edge to the locations of the forms.

Once there, it could not be set down since there was not enough level ground so it had to be held in place while the devotees shoveled the wet concrete into the forms.

Madhavananda Prabhu and Hasyapriya Prabhu .

When Shatrughna Prabhu arrived he also took up this seva.

Making a bridge over the trench he took the barrow to the high side of the wall.

The crew is growing, now Neelamani Prabhu

and Vrinda Didi have joined the in.

As the forms fill up with concrete the tamping begins.

And the concrete keeps coming.

Jahnavi Devi also joins the work crew.

Harindhu Prabhu joined Srutasrava Prabhu and the mixer never stopped working.
We even had two wheelbarrows going at the same time.

Nearing the end.

Radhika Devi Dasi

Giridhari Prabhu

One more batch them it’s time for cleanup.

After a couple days the forms were removed and Hasyapriya Prabhu waters the fresh concrete to aid in the curing process.

Next weekend section three!

If you would like to help with this project please contact Hasyapriya@sevaashram.org or click on the donate button in our navigation bar at the top of this page.