All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga Sri Radhastami Celebrations 2004 Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram Caracas, Venezuela Pictures by Gaurachandra Prabhu. Report by Laksmi Kanti Devi Dasi.

Sri Radhastami Celebrations, Caracas Report by Laksmi Kanti Devi Dasi Dandavat pranams to all the honourable Vaisnavas and friends To be honest we don’t have words to describe the magnificence of the festival of Srimati Radharani’s Appearance. As you will see in the pictures, the Deities were dressed with a beautiful clothing made by our dearest Triveni Devi Dasi, who also made a costume for Srimati Tulasi Devi. The design of the whole decorations was made by the excellent team: Srimati Shyamagouri Didi, Amita Shakti Didi and Govardhana Prabhu. A week before the festival they were working on this service, and finally the altar was beautiful that day, in red, white and golden colours. They were helped by our dearest and young god brothers and sisters. The night before the festival many devotees arrived at the temple from the early hours until late at night, and we had the opportunity to receive devotees who had never visited the temple before, such as Raga Devi and her mother. Many came including Syamandi Didi, Priya Lochana Didi, the sweet Laksmi Priya Didi and Ananta Das Prabhu. Continued below...

The mood of our devotees is currently sweet, especially in festivals, and we see this quality was reflected in their service. They made wonderful cakes for the pleasure of our Lordships and the Vaisnavas. Once again the great devotees Anu Rupa Didi and Jagadyanani Didi made a big, extraordinary cake in the shape of a lotus, and our dearest and sweet Nanda Priya Didi made another cake, helped with some god-sisters, and other devotees made many wonderful preparations for the Lord. Although Srimati Radharani’s Appearance is specifically observed at noon, the festival was celebrated in the evening also, as many devotees were able to participate in the festival after their jobs. At Sundar Arati time, the temple was unable to receive more devotees, we estimated we had about 200 people participating in the joyful and longer kirtan. Many devotees chanted and danced in a happy and glad mood. Continued below...

Honestly we can be proud because in these times and during the recent festival season many devotees are always able to help with the service, especially in the prasadam time, they are organized, fast and really happy in this service, so in the end of the festival is easier for the rest of the team, and on completion almost everything is left clean and organized. Having the devotees stay with us for more days is really pleasant because we are nourished in their association and devotional mood. It would be almost impossible to type the names of everyone here, but we have to be thankful with our beloved Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, because he blessed us with this family and especially with the merciful Deities, our Lordships Parama Karuna Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra, who always allow us to serve Them although we feel we don’t deserve it. May Srila Gurudev, the Lord and the Honourable Vaisnavas accept our intent of service for Their pleasure. Dandavat pranams to all from the aspirant of servant of Parama Karuna Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra. Transc. By Laksmi-Kanti didi Caracas-Venezuela.

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip http://scsmath.com | Main Centres | What's New?