All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga Initiations this morning at our Dum Dum Park Temple by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj Sevaite-President-Acharyya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and its Branches world-wide Pictures taken 9 June 2005 Pictures and web-page by Malini Devi Dasi using SCSMath template for Mac and for PC

Srila Gurudev, ever glorious and ever gracious, on his verandah, Sree Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha, Dum Dum Park, Kolkata.

Fortunate devotees sit with their offerings, ready to receive the Gayatri Mantra from Srila Gurudev.

After giving the Mantra, Srila Gurudev hands the devotees a slip of paper with the written Mantra to help them memorise it.

They then make flower offerings to the lotus feet of Srila Gurudev, as directed by Nitya Gopal Prabhu (far right).

Left to right: before receiving their threads and names, Uttam, Murari, Rohini Kumar Prabhu (from Mexico), Nitai and Hara Prasad seated as the fire-sacrifice begins. The yajna ceremony for receiving their Gayatri thread is performed by Sripad Bhagavat Maharaj assisted by Amrita Krishna Prabhu. Sripad Bhagavat Maharaj and Nimai Prabhu came from Govardhan for last Tuesday's Anniversary Festival of the installation of the Deities here at the Dum Dum Park Temple.

Bipul Prabhu, the pujari, tends to the fire assisted by young Pavitra Prabhu while the brahmacharis receive their Brahman threads.

Indians receive a new name during their second initiation, however Westerners receive a new name at the time of Harinam initiation. So Rohini Kumar Prabhu's name remained the same while Uttam became Uttam Krishna Das Brahmachari, Murari became Murari Das Brahmachari, Nitai became Nitai Pada Das Brahmachari and Hara Prasad became Hara Prasad Das Brahmachari.

Sripad Bhagavat Maharaj and Amrita Krishna Prabhu finish the formalities of the fire-yajna as the newly initiates leave to beg alms.

The brahmacharis return with donations of rice, fruit and funds given by the generous neighbours - and they are not shy to ask for more as they enter the nat-mandir!

All smiles to have offerings for His Divine Grace.

Fortunate devotees, fortunate givers, and a great fortune for us all to have Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on the planet to give such opportunity of true service; such opportunity to receive the Holy Names; and such opportunity to receive the affectionate guardianship of such an exalted saint.

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