All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

September 3rd 2003

  • The 20th World Tour of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj has safely returned to India and to the shelter of Sri Anu Giriraj at the Govardhan Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. After leaving St. Petersburg Srila Gurudev returned via Moscow.

    Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaking by phone from Govardhan gives the first tangible news of recent events in Moscow on his 20th World Tour. Srila Gurudev, with his holy voice sounding strong and full with enthusiasm, said:

"This year in Moscow very big events took place. Sripad Bhakti Bimal Avadhut Maharaj arranged everything and it is inconceivable that one man with his associates can do so much. The programmes were all very exalted and the Indian Ambassador came to see us and visit our Temple.

"We are making a cultural institute there, and Sripad Avadhut Maharaj arranged a big cultural show. The day I went there, the 29th August, there were 5 to 7,000 people gathered. It was a big public meeting in a large public park with two or three cultural meetings taking place simultaneously. The Ambassador sent his representative to give me honour. All the sannyasis went onto the stage and were garlanded.

"It was a cultural event, and I spoke about Krishna because without Krishna I cannot say anything! Krishna is manifested in the culture of India all the way from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean. And now all over the world Krishna's Pastimes are taking place, and I am very happy to see that.

"The Moscow people were very happy to see this event. I was surprised to see so many people gathered there. Just a few years ago they were communist, and now they are feeling attracted by seeing dramas of Ramachandra Lila and other Pastimes of the Lord, including Nrsmha's Pastimes and depictions of many types of Krishna-Lila and dances showing His Lila.

"I am sitting with some devotees from Vrindavan and with Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Vijay Trivikram Maharaj and others from the tour. Everyone is very tired.

"More fully some report will come about Moscow, but Avadhut Maharaj is very much busy now. The report of Moscow is so very exalted. What can I say more!"