Soquel, California: Janmastami 2006

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

Janmastami Celebration

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram
Soquel, California

16, August 2006

Photos taken by Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj and Kamal Krishna Prabhu. Web-page by Vaidehi Devi Dasi.

The Janmastami celebration was celebrated spectacularly in Soquel, California. The devotees bustled about decorating the temple room and preparing the offerings for Their Lordships. Everyone within our community was eager to participate in any way they could; this sweetened the mood of the Soquel Seva Ashram and made way for the appearance celebration of Sri Krishna.

Sri Sri Guru Gauranga-Gandharvika Giridhari.

In the prasadam hall, the model for the future Soquel Seva Ashram attracted both devotees and visitors.

To the left you can see the parking lot and a small road representing the driveway to the Seva Ashram.

Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj read to us from: Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead.

"Once the world was overburdened by the unnecessary defense force of different kings, who were actually demons, but were posing themselves as the royal order. At that time, the whole world became perturbed, and the predominating deity of this earth known as Bhumi, went to see Lord Brahma to tell of her calamities due to the demoniac kings."

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on the earth very soon along with His supreme powerful potencies, and as long as He remains on the earth planet to execute His mission of annihilating demons and establishing the devotees, the demigods should also remain there to assist Him. They should all immediately take birth in the family of the Yadu dynasty, wherein the Lord will also appear in due course of time." (Chapter 1 The Advent of Lord Krsna.)

After hearing about Lord Krishna's appearance for several hours, the devotees went outside to watch a play. On our way out we saw Dikshavati Devi Dasi distributing books and selling honey from the bees at the Ashram.

The play began with Jagai and Madhai gambling with a thief.

Sita Devi Dasi narrating the story.

The three gamblers complaining as Nityananda Prabhu's sankirttan party approached.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, (Played by Rohini Devi Dasi) angry at Jagai and Madhai for hitting Nityananda Prabhu in the head.

The entire cast from left to right: Ramananda Prabhu as Haridas Thakur, Jahnavi Devi Dasi as Nityananda Prabhu, Rohini Devi Dasi as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Devaki Devi Dasi as Madhai, Madhumati Devi Dasi, the director; Premananda Das as a thief, Sita Devi Dasi as the narrator, and Krishnapriya Devi Dasi as Jagai.