I have been in Mayapur for the last one month. Nevertheless, I want to share some thoughts about my visit to Hyderabad at the end of November.
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From an external point of view, Mysore in South India is maybe one of the most pleasant cities in India. With a population of less than one and half million people, it is not so congested and thus known for good air quality. Many parks make it into a very green and relaxed city, and being located at an altitude of 770 meters above sea level brings along a pleasant climate.
On the 8th of November I arrived in Vishakapatnam/South India - my first visit to this temple. Samba Prabhu and his good wife Nitaisevini Mataji (JPS) are heading up a huge project under construction - a big temple complex directly on the beach front. She has a PHD in education and has also established a nice school - the Divine Touch School, where children learn academics combined with devotional subjects and skills.
I was invited to give a couple of programs in the temple and the congregation, and Nitaisevini Mataji requested me to visit the school and answer some questions of the students. And they had a lot of good and meaningful questions - much to my surprise....! This was my first visit to Noida - the Radha Govind Dev Mandir, a spiritual oasis in the polluted area of Delhi.....
Being the home base of HH Lokanath Maharaja, the temple shows a beautiful blend of contemporary and traditional architectural styles - it took 8 years to establish it and was opened to the public around 10 years ago. For the month of Kartik, the devotees had created a nice diorama of mother Yashoda's courtyard and naughty Damodar in the temple room, with the grinding mortar, cows and other animals, a well and a tulasi mandap. Very creative and sweet, engaging our minds in remembering the famous pastime for one entire month...! The mangal artiks were especially well attended during the month of kartik, and so was the singing of Damodarastakam in the evenings - everybody was eager to get the beautiful darshan of Their Lordships and offer a lamp with love and devotion. Since the Kartik month was rather late this year, I decided to come to Vrindavan already ten days before the beginning of this auspicious month and offer a 4-session seminar on the False Ego in the Balaram Hall. Many devotees had already arrived - at Mangal Artik it was almost as packed as during Kartik...! For the first time I was requested to offer an evening class on the BG which I gratefully accepted - for my own purification.
Even though I am not such a friend of huge crowds, nevertheless, it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with devotees and distribute my books. I also enjoyed inviting devotees for lunch in the MVT restaurant while sharing thoughts and realisations. |
Devaki Devi Dasi's Traveling DiaryDevaki Devi Dasi is sharing her realizations and adventures in her Traveling Diary. Welcome to relish this nectar! |
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