Prabhupada Festival in Alachua

By Nalinikanta das

Ratnesvari dasi and Nalinikanta dasa’s house, recently expanded with the addition of a nice-sized Temple room, was “initiated” with a festival to honor His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada on Feb. 27, 2010. More than 200 devotees participated, and all acclaimed the ecstatic atmosphere.

Joy spreads wherever and whenever Srila Prabhupada is glorified. By his mercy we know of Lord Krishna, Lord Caitanya, the disciplic succession and the divine path of going back to Godhead through chanting the Holy Names in love of God. Without Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, we are destined to wander in the covered shell of this dark universe, seeking sense gratification through millions of life-forms, and repeating the never-ending cycle of birth and death.

Who can sufficiently honor such a great pure devotee and acharya? Certainly it is beyond our power, but on this wonderful evening we joined together to try. Badahari and Purusartha Prabhus led an ecstatic bhajan, while Prabhupada’s murti was bathed by all the devotees in milk, honey, sugar water, Ganga jal and yogurt. Then, Balavanta, Trivikrama Swami, Ambarish dasa, Samapriya dasi, Adwaita Acharya das, Hamsavatara, Nalini, and Haripuja all told short stories about His Divine Grace’s lila in different areas of the world. Remembrances were followed by a great feast of at least ten large preparations cooked by different devotees who volunteered their services.

After 375 plates were distributed (I guess many Hare Krishnas take two plates!), our featured speaker, Guru das from SF, talked for 1 1/2 hours on Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes in SF, London (with George Harrison) and in Vrndavan.

The festival ended with a bhajan and abhiseka christening the new Srila Prabhupada Memorial Hall. The Memorial Hall is a lovely room decorated with pictures of Srila Prabhupada, plaques honoring him for various accomplishments, and a glass case filled with items he personally used during his lifetime among us.

Without question, a great time was had by all, and Ratnasvari and I are committed to holding it again next year—so put it on your calendar! It will be held Friday March 18, the day before Gaura Purnima. And remember, the day after the Srila Prabhupada Memorial Festival the Alachua ISKCON Temple celebrates Gaura Purnima, a wonderful event with hundreds of devotees attending throughout the day. So make your travel plans early to be here next spring—-the more people who participate, the more service we can do for Srila Prabhupada!