Camp: Raipur, Madhya Pradesh
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to Guru Maharaja.
Unfortunately I do not have much time to write at the moment, because of extremely hectic schedule. Guru Maharaj is taking rest at the moment and I decided to use this opportunity and describe the events which took place in the last few days.
Guru Maharaj came to Bombay on April 10th afternoon in order to participate in ICC (Indian Continental Committee) meeting. It was the meeting of temple presidents, local managers, zonal secretaries, and everyone else holding managerial position in temples from all over India. ICC meeting is being held on regular basis and usually goes on for 2-3 days.
On April 13th morning we caught an 11am Indian Airlines flight to Raipur. As usual, we "flew in" into the airport at 10:30, and ran towards security check. Although it was only a local flight, security check was very strict this time. On the way to airplane we got stopped 3-4 times being asked to open our bags and show the contents. They did it to everyone because of high security risk, considering current usafe situation in India.
When they stopped us second or third time, I thought..
"Oh no, not again.." While opening his Gaura-Nitai bag, Guru
Maharaj was convincing the security officer that it was just the "Murti
of the Lord" in his bag. Maintaining stone-like doubtful expression
on his face, this officer with big mustaches, without uttering a word
gestured Guru Maharaj to continue opening his Deity bag. Finally uncovering
Nityananda's face, Guru Maharaj "See, this is just the form of the
Lord.. Lord Nityananda." To my surprise, this big elderly rough guy,
with green uniform and a few "stars" on his shoulders, who seemed
to have so much self-esteem and false ego folded his hands in great respect
before the Lord and humbly said "Now that I have seen the Lord, my
day should be successful." Big childish sincere smile came across
his stone-like face, whether he wanted it or not and he warmly gestured
us to go on "Please.."
All Glories to Lord Nityananda! All Glories to Sri Gauranga!
While Guru Maharaj was walking away, I smiled at this
guy seeing the
manifestation of Lord Gauranga's and Nityananda's mercy. Catching my glance
he stopped me with the words.. "Wait, what have you got in your bag?"
He looked serious again. My mood immediately changed and I told him..
"Some books about Krishna, tape recorder, camera.."
"And how about prasadam? Do you have any prasaram in your bag? Where is my prasadam? I remember one of your Hare Krishnas was also flying, and he gave me some nice prasadam sweets. Have you got any of those?" Unfortunately I didn't have any prasadam with me, but I told him that if I shall give him some when I fly from Bombay next. In returned he gently said "Hare Krishna.", and I replied him the same.
At 1pm we landed at Raipur's tiny airport. While I
was waiting for our
luggage to come, Guru Maharaj went to see devotees and friends of Krishna
who have come to receive him. They were all very happy to see Guru Maharaj
after such a long time. After garlanding him they bowed down in respect.
It was a scene full of joy, and excitement. My heart has melted with happiness
when I saw how sincere and simple these people were.
The weather in Raipur was very sunny, dry and hot. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, and everything was quiet. Everyone was hiding from scorching heat. While driving from airport, the whole place looked deserted and abandoned, but upon reaching the city the scene has changed.
Ratha-yatra festival was supposed to start at 3:30pm, and Guru Maharaj has gone straight from airport to the pandal to oversee Ratha-yatra preparations and devotees' accommodations. There were quite a few people running here and there, many of them wearing red and white caps with "ISKCON Raipur" printed on them. They were all excited about the Festival of Chariots, and were trying to arrange everything in the best way. This is the second Ratha-yatra festival in Raipur, the city of steel industry and capital of the Madhya Pradesh state. First Ratha-yatra was in 1996.
Ratha-yatra proccession started at 4:30pm. Newspapers and TV reporters were running here and there, trying to take as many pictures and video as they could. Many people were popping out of windows, and standing on the balconies trying to get the best view of Lord Jagannath, Srimati Subhadra and Lord Balarama. After getting darshan they folded their hands with great respect and satisfaction. Some, not desiring to loose the chance ran out on the street and with great joy joined harinama-sankirtana procession and pulled the Lord's Chariot.
The whole way, road was beautifully decorated with
traditional colorful
ornaments meant to welcome Lord Jagannath. Many big, rich people came
to participate in the festival and joining their hands with poor, chanted
Hare Krishna Mahamantra completely forgetting themselves. Simple people
of Raipur accepted the festival with great pleasure and whoever saw it
either smiled, or looked at the procession with great respect.
The route wasn't long, around 4kms, and we have reached
our final
destination at around 8pm. Upon arrival everyone had wonderful prasadam
at the pandal, and Guru Maharaj gave evening lecture to all assembled
there. To my surprise, prasadam here was far better than on many other
Ratha-yatras that I have attended. Devotees and friends of Krishna have
worked very hard in order to please the Lord of the Universe, and I am
sure that He was pleased by their hard work and a successful Jagannath
Ratha Yatra.
April 14th. Last night we went to sleep at 12am and got up by 5am. After getting ready Guru Maharaj went for his 1hr morning walk and upon coming back did his puja. At around 10am he went to the temple and gave morning class. Temple is tiny building situated 5-7kms from Raipur city. We have got 3 acres of land donated there, and soon local devotees headed by Siddharta prabhu, Srila Prabhupada's disciple who used to be the head pujari at the Bombay temple for a long period of time, will start working on a big project at Raipur.
It's 6:20pm and Guru Maharaj has gone to the pandal to give evening lecture. As there is no direct flight or train from Raipur to Siliguri, our next destination, we will be catching a train at 9:30pm this evening to go to Calcutta. We will be reaching Calcutta by 3:50pm tomorrow afternoon, come to the temple for couple of hours and then catch another overnight train to Siliguri at 9:30pm tomorrow. They are opening a huge temple in Siliguri and Guru Maharaj has been invited to attend the opening from April 16th to 18th.
Due to technical reasons I am not able to download
lots of pictures that I have been taking during our trips to Bombay and
Raipur. I will be able to transfer the pictures only upon my arrival in
Delhi on April 19th. I will
try to send them from Delhi at around that time.
I hope this meets you well.
Your servant,
Sri Balaram das
P.s. Please forgive if there were any mistakes in my letter above, I didn't have time to check or re-read it. I have to rush to pack Guru Maharaja's things and leave for Calcutta.Hare Krishna.
