Sri Gaur Purnima Festival
March 19, 2011
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Captions by Sushila Devi
Captions by Sushila Devi
"May that Lord, who is known as the son of Srimati Sachidevi, be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the age of Kali by His causless mercy to bestow knowledge of the mellow taste of His service."
"The loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord's internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krishna are one in Their identity, They separated Themselves eternally. Now these two transcendental identities have again united in the form of Sri Krishna Chaitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Srimati Radharani although He is Krishna Himself."
"Desiring to understand the glory of Srimati Radharani's love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Srimati Sachidevi, as the moon appears from the ocean."
-Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi Lila 1.4-6
"The loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord's internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krishna are one in Their identity, They separated Themselves eternally. Now these two transcendental identities have again united in the form of Sri Krishna Chaitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Srimati Radharani although He is Krishna Himself."
"Desiring to understand the glory of Srimati Radharani's love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Srimati Sachidevi, as the moon appears from the ocean."
-Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi Lila 1.4-6
Their Divine Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridharijiu in beautiful new garments made by Swarnangii Devi and her helpers.
Srila Swami Maharaj, Sriman Mahaprabhu, and Sri Sri Gaura Radha Krishna.
Sri Giriraj.
The vyasasan of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
Sripad Srutasrava Prabhu led the program, which included congregational chanting of Lord Gauranga's divine appearance pastimes.
Sarvabhavana Prabhu with Jaganath Swami Prabhu, who brought a group of devotees from Tijuana just for this occasion.
Everybody in attendance chanted very happily.
Nanda Priya Devi (left) from Brazil extended her say in the United States in order to attend the festival.
Krishna Madhuri Devi organized all the temple decorations. This year the ceiling was covered with particularly beautiful leaf and flower garlands.
Their Lordships presided over the whole occasion, of course, and we all felt very blessed to receive Their Darshan.
Our friend, Taposhi Didi and her daughters, Priyanka and Ishika came down from Dublin to celebrate with us.
Deva Bandhu Prabhu from Brazil and his wife Nanda Priya Devi brought fresh inspiration to our local community. We all feel very honored to have had their association.
Jahnavi Didi, Madhu Gopal Prabhu, and Purna Brahma Prabhu visiting from Mexico.
Navadwip Prabhu affectionately reunites with some dear friends before honoring Prasadam.
Ramai Prabhu peaks out from "behind the curtain" as he carries on tirelessly with his devotional service to their Divine Lordhips Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridharijiu
Gopal Prabhu (left) came all the way from Miami just to do Seva at the Ashram for Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga during this festival. Arindam Krishna Prabhu (in white) is one of their Lordship's regular cooks and Nilamani Prabhu (front) has been serving their Lordhips under Ramai Prabhu as a pujari for many years.
Prasadam is always a happy time. Here Raghavindu Prabhu is telling Chinmoyananda Prabhu a joke.
Giridhari Prabhu happily comes several days a week to do Seva under the direction of Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu and always honors Prasadam with great respect.
Dinatihara Prabhu never misses an opportunity to serve Prasadam. Little Janava (with her father Gaur Nataraj Prabhu) very happily honored the Lord's remnants.
Radhika Devi served aloo tikis after cooking expertly for hours under the direction of Sanatani Devi.
All these Vaishnavas received the mercy of Lord Gauranga just by faithfully honoring Prasadam.
Annapurna Devi also spent hours in the kitchen, and then served Prasadam to the Vaishnavas.
Some of our youngest members: Gopal and Ajita Krishna Prabhus.
The daughter of Priti Lata Didi , kumaris Anjali and Shivani.
Madhu Krishna Prabhu played very happily all evening. He loves the Ashram and the devotees!
Our honorable visitors from Tijuana and Southern California: Jaganath Swami Prabhu, Jahnavi didi, Ana, Naveen Krishna Prabhu (who is actually staying at the Ashram for several months), Madhu Gopal Prabhu, and Purna Brahma Prabhu. Gopal from Miami took the picture.
All Glories to our benevolent Guru Varga!
All Glories to the Divine Appearance Day of Sriman Gauranga Sundar Mahaprabhu!
All Glories to the Devotees and Friends of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram!
All Glories to the Divine Appearance Day of Sriman Gauranga Sundar Mahaprabhu!
All Glories to the Devotees and Friends of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare