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                     In 
                      the morning we stop briefly about four times. Apparently 
                      the first time was at another small lake where some people 
                      took bath. I say apparently, because I have only heard but 
                      have no memory of this. Unashamedly I declare that this 
                      was the only half-hour's peaceful rest I'd had 
                      all night.  
                     
                      The next stop is shortly after, at a chai stall. More showers 
                      and toilets are available but I only superficially refreshed, 
                      looking forward to reaching the Math's comfortable facilities. 
                      I'd received a nasty gash near my right ankle while pulling 
                      Jagannath's car so I medicated it with some iodine solution 
                      and antibacterial powder to dry it out - and soon I look 
                      up to find tens of people sticking their legs out before 
                      me to show a different array of cuts and knotches all incurred 
                      during the Ratha Yatra. Sripad Acharyya Maharaj is famous 
                      to be the 'doctor' with his magic tablet medicine box, and 
                      here now I feel like a nurse! 
                     
                      The Tata Sumo that had been travelling with us has disappeared 
                      since last night. We finally find it waiting at an intersection 
                      just near Kolkata. It had been there for one and a half 
                      hours, waiting in order to change some passengers from car 
                      to bus and vice versa since it is heading towards our Dum 
                      Dum Park Temple whereas we will head directly to Nabadwip 
                      on another road. 
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                          | The 
                            devotees visit Konarak Sun Temple on the way back 
                            from Puri to Nabadwip. | 
                         
                       
                      
                     
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                A 
                  little later we stop in a small village where Sripad Acharyya 
                  Maharaj does potato collection prior to each Gaura Purnima festival 
                  time, and here we have a muri, banana and samosa breakfast on 
                  a leaf plate while still seated on the bus.... Only an hour 
                  left to go! 
                 
                  As we wind through Nabadwip area's towns, which all look the 
                  same to me, anticipation grows. And sweet relief washes through 
                  my tired body when we turn a corner and I see our Math, ever 
                  glorious, welcoming us home - and just in time for lunch Prasadam! 
                   
                First 
                  of all, however, I go pay dandevats to the Deities from a little 
                  distance (I feel too dirty from the journey, and can't wait 
                  to take bath!) and to Mahananda Prabhu to tell that we are safely 
                  back.  
               
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 My 
                        jelly legs somehow carry me to the Prasadam Hall, and 
                        after honouring Prasadam, like all the others, I am very 
                        relieved to lie in a horizontal position and sleep for 
                        a few hours. 
                      By 
                        evening the other devotees are asking about Puri Dham 
                        and the Ratha Yatra, and we happily share our experiences. 
                        Then Sandhya Arati, kirttan and so on. The regular programme 
                        of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip, draws us back 
                        into the moment - the regulated bhajan and bhakti seva 
                        we practise for the pleasure of our Gurudev and our sweet 
                        Lord. 
                       
                        The Jagannath Puri bus pilgrimage was an unforgettable 
                        experience, I am very happy to have experienced it fully, 
                        from beginning to end. The whole experience leaves my 
                        devotional mood revitalised and recharged. 
                      Tomorrow, 
                        though, is another day, and although I will carry the 
                        nourishment I have received from this experience within 
                        my heart, I cannot wallow in it as every day there is 
                        more service to be done, and more practise... makes perfect. 
                         
                      Imperfect 
                        as I am, I hope I have not caused any offences in the 
                        process of preparing this diary to share with you, which 
                        I hope may have enabled you to also participate in some 
                        way in this pilgrimage. My wish is to make Srila Gududev 
                        and His devotees happy. 
                      Hari 
                        Bol! 
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                          mayi bhaktir hi bhutanam 
                          amrtatvaya kalpate 
                          distya yad asin mat-sneho 
                          bhavatinam mad-apanah 
                       
                       
                        "Lord 
                          Sri Krsna said: 'Devotional service unto Me is the only 
                          way to attain Me. My dear gopis, whatever love and affection 
                          you have attained for Me by good fortune is the only 
                          reason for My returning to you.' " 
                          (Madhya 13.160) 
                           
                           
                       
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                    | Credits: 
                      Art pictures and translation of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta 
                      from the one-volume edition published by Bhaktivedanta Book 
                      Trust. | 
                   
                 
                
               
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