Installation Festival in Calcutta, March 16th - 17th 2006

TOUR REPORT

Installation Festival in Calcutta, March 16th - 17th 2006

After completing a very successful Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama and celebrating the divine appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Narayana Maharaja went to Calcutta for the installation of the deities in his new temple, Srila Vamana Gosvami Gaudiya Matha. This Matha is situated in an area called Maniktala, which is in the eastern part of Calcutta. Devotees from all over the world had gathered for the 2-day program. On the evening of the first day all went out on a big nagara-sankirtana. Srila Narayana Maharaja, who was observing a strict rest schedule at that time, came out for a few minutes to watch Mahaprabhu ascend His chariot and to lead the devotees on their way. The next morning the prana-pratistha (installation) ceremony was performed under his guidance.

 Front view of the new Srila Vamana Gosvami Gaudiya Matha in eastern Calcutta

 The presiding deities of the Matha

 Devotees chanting the Holy Names in the streets of Calcutta

Resting in Govardhana, March 21th – 27th 2006

After the Calcutta program, Srila Narayana Maharaja went to the Sri Giridhari Gaudiya Matha in Govardhana. The main purpose of his visit was to rest before departing on his summer World-Preaching tour. Upon his arrival on March 21st, the devotees welcomed him with a foot bathing ceremony and guru-puja. After that he spoke a few words, glorifying the recent Navadvipa Dhama parikrama. He said this recent parikrama was the most successful in the history of performing this parikrama over the last 60 years. There were no obstacles at all. Prasadam was distributed to thousands of people, and when the devotees were still out on parikrama at lunch time, prasadam for thousands of people would be brought to places like Mayapura, Nrsinga Pali and Champahatti. Sri Navadvipa Dhama is so beautiful. Srila Narayana Maharaja said that those who were not present cannot imagine how beautiful it is. Those who could not come this year should come next year, so that they may also see the beauty of the holy dhama.

 Arrival at Sri Giridhari Gaudiya Matha

 Foot-bathing ceremony

 Guru-puja

 Sri Giriraja Govardhana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Sri Radha Vinoda-bihari and Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja

 Entering his quarters
Report written by Janaki dasi
Edited by Sripad Brajanath dasa
HTML: Bhutabhavana dasa