All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga |
Experiencing 'Villa Govinda Ashram' |
Srila Gurudev's Center near Milan |
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An enchanting place |
Villa Govinda is an enchanting place in the summertime. Located just outside of Milan in a small town called Merate, it sits atop a hill that overlooks green cornfields, grassy meadows, lush hillsides spotted with terracotta-roofed houses and one majestic church. The clock tower of this church rises high as the central beacon of the skyline. Srila Gurudeva often gives afternoon darshan outdoors against the backdrop of this stunning view. Every hour the bell from the tower tolls, its sweet, sonorous pitch resonating throughout the valley. Once, Srila Gurudev smiled at the sound and said, "This is your time. Arise, awake and search for Sri Krishna, Reality the Beautiful. That bell is very nicely giving some remembrance." Sounds of the countryside fill the air at Villa Govinda. Roosters from a small farm next door wake everyone at 5:30 in the morning with their familiar call. The birds that nest in the evergreen, apricot, hazelnut, fig, and persimmon trees in the backyard are lively singers during the day. And at night, the cornfields and bushes come alive with the buzzing of crickets; their steady hum almost seems to make the ground vibrate. |
Sleepy town wakes to The Call |
Most of
all, the continuous chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord amplifies all
of this natural beauty. Morning, noon, and evening Kirtan rings from the
Villa at the top of the hill and purifies the atmosphere in the surrounding
neighborhoods when the devotees go out on Harinam Sankirtan. The sleepy
town is finally waking up to the real call of the spirit.
Everyone is honoring prasadam very happily because the cooks at this Italian ashram, needless to say, really know how to make Italian food. The kitchen is always exuding aromas of fresh herbs from the garden like sage, basil, parsley, mint and rosemary. Bright red tomatoes, eggplants, zucchinis, and all types of pasta are the staples of almost every meal, not to mention a generous amount of fresh feta and mozzarella cheese. On some days, the cooks bake giant loaves of fresh bread spread with olive oil and pesto. The lovely environment and the sumptuous prasadam help to create a pleasant, peaceful mood. Most devotees are staying in tents or crowded rooms, and over 100 people are sharing three bathrooms. But somehow everyone is living harmoniously like a massive, internationally populated family. All are relishing the nourishing presence of our Srila Gurudeva and the constant association of other devotees. |
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Guests share their impressions of Villa Govinda: |
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