The first thing I did when I got back almost immediately was grab my bead bag, take off my shoes and walk barefoot on the cool grass in front of the temple while I chanted.
It is so nice tonight, the air is cool and a bit of a chill in the air which is just perfect.
You have no idea how much I love walking on the grass here In NV, West virginia....It's so amazing to walk on the soft cool grass here without stepping on any stickers, ant piles or rocks.
While I was chanting I walked feeling the earth underneath my feet and with the cool air I breathed in the smell of the Jasmine flowers as well mixed into the air with the smell of other fragrant flowers.
I took a moment to listen to the birds again and as it started getting dark fireflies started glowing across the temple grounds , and the crickets started chirping in.
I saw a beautiful male peacock walking around as well, finding things to eat (ate some flowers) and during my chanting paused to help a devotee find her knife she dropped.
It was very nice chanting today and so peaceful, I think chanting in the evening is one of my favorite times to chant. I'm awake enough and I love seeing the process happen of everything retiring from the long day into night. Just beautiful, I need to read more so I can come up with more descriptive words to describe these things I come to experience.
While I was walking in the cool grass and chanting I had such nice thoughts of Krishna walking in Vrindaban and how the texts mentioned how tender his feet was when he walked and how with a slight touch it changed color. And when I saw the peacock I remembered one of the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya I had heard over the course of the past week about how he went into ecstatic bliss over seeing a peacock feather because it reminded him of Krishna.
So all in all very nice to be back from New York city. Really did miss the beautiful nature here and sounds and smell of New Vrindaban. I could not see myself ever really living in New York, maybe visit for a few weeks but not more than that. To much hussle and bussle for me and smog.
Give me fresh air any day,and fresh clean grass to walk in. Even San Antonio I prefer over New York.
The New York Ratha Yatra was indeed ecstatic. The largest Ratha Yatra I have ever been too thus far, and still more to come! And one of the biggest that Malati told me today we'll be going too is in Canada! So what a treat haha I feel so fortunate and blessed.
I took lots of video and pictures from NY adventures I'll post on FB.
Ok so we left Friday @ 8 pm and made our way to NY city. Malati didn't go because she wasn't feeling well so we had to pay our own gas which luckily because we put in 5 people in the car it was only 40 per person to pay for gas (plus tolls) to and from NY.
It was a looong long trip to NY, took 12 hrs total (w/o stopping is only supposed to take 8 hr) because we decided to stop by Hersey chocolate factory on the way.
Which I was shocked by considering we are all devotee's I thought chocolate was not reccomended by devotee's etc...but all the girls eat it plus some of the maha from the NY ratha yatra cart was a chocolate cookie bar.... it was chocolate and not substitute.
So yea....I'm just going to eat chocolate personally.
Doesn't seem to be outlawed per say and as long as you don't go overboard with it I think it should be fine.
Herseys was like bathing in Maya lol
we all split a package of 30 bars lol...which i still have.
Than we finally arrived @ the house we were staying at in queens.
We slept on the floor in sleeping bags 3 nights (friday, sat and sunday night)
Friday we pretty much just came and went to sleep.
Sat we woke up and on the way to the broocklan temple stopped by Krishna and Balaram temple in Queens which is officially my second favorite set of deities.
There is just something so sweet about those deities I can't explain.
I really enjoyed seeing them so much.
Than we went to the Brooklyn temple go too see the deities and jaganath being sent off by car.
The festival was HUGE, three carts one for Balaram, subadra and one for Jaganathha!
Amazing, three huge Kirtans going on at each cart as it went down 5th avenue, one of my favorite parts about the Ratha Yatra were the three different flavors of kirtan.
There were over 3,0000 devotees there and at least 10,0000 people in general there.
I got some footage but i was so hard! Ran out of battery very quickly.
Afterwards got some maha off the carts and what was beautiful about the Ratha Yatra as well was that during the whole of it there was a beautiful light cool drizzle the whole time though later it poured temporarily.
The prashadum was excellent and hundreds lined up to eat.
Next day an 8 course meal for eckadashi to commemorate for a Devotee that had passed recently. It was very opulent feast for a fast...lol. Than kirshna das (sweet boy who gave me and Govinda Mohini a tour , the son of the man who let us stay in the extra house) gave us a wonderful tour of 2nd avenue and 23 street, we got to see ground zero, Prabhuphadas tree, matchless gifts store front (first temple/center for KC in U.S) and the bhakti center nearby. Than the after party @ Brooklyn temple!
So many devotees could barely fit in the room. Amazing kirtan, good feast.
During dinner was interesting, this russian devotee hit on me, and than a Ridvick piped in and explained to me what he believed in. I had barely just found out what a Ridvick was until someone told me. Even than no one was really explaining to me which was annoying. Finally Arya's wife told me some definition to it. Even than didn't really go deep into it. But it's enough to know to stay away from, Met some other nice devotee's than left. Oh and I found out they can have not only men but women stay at the ashram which is nice to know. Making some connections in case I ever plan on staying at different temples and where I can stay etc.
And than Monday long drive home, and back!
So that was New York Ratha Yatra in a nutshell. Once again another amazing experience.
I thank Krishna that I am here and experiencing all of this and try my best to not take for granted all I am experiencing.
~Kim
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
On The Way To The Big Apple
So were leaving today for the big apple (a.k.a New York etc) I have to pack...but it's only for three days so not that much.
So Malati Isn't feeling well so it's just 5 girls going now, packing In Malati's car.
To my (and the other girls disappointment) the gas is actually not going to be paid for because Malati isn't going...*sigh* So that will be 40 or 50 our of my pocket more.....
We were really surprised by this...it's not like me or the other helper (us two at least) are making any income. And thought that she would be nice enough to do that or at least help with it.
Ah...oh well.
I heard sometimes you can do odd jobs around here, so we'll have to see about that so I can get some cash flow...I've already spent quite a lot of dinero on just things I needed (q tips, shampoo, condit, washing clothes,etc)
Blah....Money.
So yea, we'll see what happens...there this beautiful sound of the birds outside chirping...especially this one right outside my window...
Ok time to boil corn for the trip! Will inform when I come back of the venture to New York Ratha Yatra!
Haribol
~Kim
So Malati Isn't feeling well so it's just 5 girls going now, packing In Malati's car.
To my (and the other girls disappointment) the gas is actually not going to be paid for because Malati isn't going...*sigh* So that will be 40 or 50 our of my pocket more.....
We were really surprised by this...it's not like me or the other helper (us two at least) are making any income. And thought that she would be nice enough to do that or at least help with it.
Ah...oh well.
I heard sometimes you can do odd jobs around here, so we'll have to see about that so I can get some cash flow...I've already spent quite a lot of dinero on just things I needed (q tips, shampoo, condit, washing clothes,etc)
Blah....Money.
So yea, we'll see what happens...there this beautiful sound of the birds outside chirping...especially this one right outside my window...
Ok time to boil corn for the trip! Will inform when I come back of the venture to New York Ratha Yatra!
Haribol
~Kim
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Itinerary list for this summer!
This is a list of all the places I'll be traveling w/Malati and doing here In New Vrindaban while I'm here!
.
MAY 28/29 BALTIMORE RATHAYATRA
JUNE 3RD LEAVE FOR ATLANTA RATHAYATRA
JUNE4/5 ATLANTA RATH
JUNE 10TH-12 NYC RATHAYATRA
13(RETURN TO VRINDAVAN)
JUNE 18TH 24 HR KIRTAN NEW VRINDAVAN
JUNE 23 RATHA YATRA IN COLUMBUS
JUNE 24TH-30TH DETROIT TEMPLE (24TH WEDDING, 28-30 RADHANATH SWAMI INITIATIONS)
JULY 9TH NEW VRINDABAN (WEST VIRGINIA) RATHAYATRA
JULY 15TH-17 TORONTO, CANADA RATHAYATRA
18(RETURN TO NV)
JULY 20TH COLUMBUS
JULY 22-23 DETROIT RATHA YATRA
JULY 24 GITA NAGARI
SEPTEMBER 3RD NV JANMASTAMI (KRISHNAS B DAY)
4TH FAST TILL NOON
SEPTEMBER 17TH-18TH BOSTON RATHAYATRA
SEPTEMBER 19-23 ART CLASSES KC
SEPTEMBER 24TH PHILLI RATHAYATRA
So that's pretty much everything that's going on, big things at least.
I'll be back in October lol...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
From the heart
It's raining In New Vrindaban, West Virginia right now. I could see the storm clouds coming in. It's only 11:33 am in the morning and it looks like 8 pm in the day. Still, it's so peaceful hearing the rain fall while I type at the desk here in my room.
There's something beautiful about rainy days, and sometimes it's very reflecting as well.
Ahh...what a rare opportunity to just sit down and reflect. Typically I would be doing service right now but Malati is giving us a break since we had such a long drive yesterday.
I'm still going to see if they need help though to make sure after I clean up here a bit.
I've been posting a lot of what's happened here and there but really haven't had a chance to post something really deep/heart felt yet. Well, I mean there are pieces of it here and there but I just haven't got a chance to write spiritually whats going on inside, rather than just outside.
I am taking this whole trip seriously and know this isn't just a whole funtastic trip full of adventure and wonder. The main reason I'm still here, is because of God. Yea, traveling's fun, meeting new people is great but that's not what keeps me here. I really desire to develop a deep relationship with God and greater love than I have even now. A more selfless love. In other words too become a less selfish, self centered person and in that love of God share the unconditional love with others.
The more I've stayed here the more I've realized how selfish and self consumed I am, how "fallen" (as I've heard many say in Krishna consciousness say) and how conditioned I am.
It's frustrating, the more I am here the more flawed I find I am (and though it sucks) that's a key when you know a cleansing process is working. It's just like with the body similarly. If you go through a body cleansing process do you notice how you get sick first before you get better? The body is detoxifying and that's what this trip is for me, a spiritual detoxifier. Oh yes, there is some relief, but there is also some yuckyness apart of the mix too.
We can't better ourselves if we only see the good things about ourselves.
We have to be able to see all that ugliness to and face it.
Look at that ugliness in the mirror and accept it, understand it's there and work through it.
Thank God for the training I have gotten from the temple in San Antonio, and help from the Devotee's from San Antonio, but from Dallas too (shout out to Lavanga and her husband, my spiritual parents <3 in Kc that have helped support my existence in this movement as well). Both of which this trip would have been WAY more difficult to deal with and understand. Advaita das is a great teacher and I owe a lot of this knowledge and experience to him. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here hands down.
I would have ran out the door assuming all these people were mad half way in this trip, lol.
Also every single warning he has ever given me, advice to have while I am here and even just advice while being at different temples has been used and utilized. Not even joking. I have met so many different types of people here and run into so many situations already that before would have really been a challenge for me but now are way easier to handle and understand.
Thank you Advaita Prahbu!! May Krishna bless the San Antonio temple and you for your great service!
Brady prahbu as well, who has so a lot of endurance and is serving so nicely there, and Brian for telling me about the temple, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have even walked through the temple doors.
I make sure to tell good things about Advaita and the San Antonio temple/preaching center w/e wherever I go (at the diff Ratha Yatra festivals too) and give credit. Though not many people here know there was such a center in San Antonio, lol.
It's ok, I still put in a good word anyways and spread the word.
I wish I had some dvd's to sell for the temple! I know I could have sold quite a few already.
So yes, Krishna really helped prepare me to come here and experience this, if I didn't have all those experiences In Dallas and San Antonio I would have been way overwhelmed here and wouldn't have handled it correctly or understood everything as well as I do coming now.
Being here and staying at a community like this takes discerning. People are people but Krishna is Krishna. That's is something to remember.
I hope when I get home too make a complete revamping off my life.
In terms of what I eat, how I live. It's so nice to just have few things to worry about, it is true. The more stuff you have the more anxiety you have over taking care of it, keeping it, protecting it (that can go under the animalistic tendency to defend). I'm a lot healthier after being here too, I don't have low Iron anymore (if you pull your eye lid down and its red that's good, pink or white is low Iron in your body.) and my body is regulating more since I'm going on a more regular sleeping schedule and eating schedule. I didn't realize how important it is for us to eat every day at the regular times, it really helps your body regulate better.
I may write some later. Right now I'm going to rest a bit than see if they need any help.
Feeling a bit feverish at the moment, probably just need to drink more water.
~<3 HK
Monday, June 6, 2011
Atlanta Ratha Yatra and Chipped Rice Panihati Festival!
So my last two blogs were not the most organized, I was in a rush so posted what I could pick out off my brain before more new events came up and clouded over my past experiences.
I just keep having new experience, new stories that keep being developed I'm not having enough time to document it all!
Anyways, this weekend me, Malati, and Govinda went to the Ratha Yatra and Chipped Rice Panihati Festival In Atlanta, Georgia. It was the longest drive so far (12 hour drive) and to make it all fit into a day we left around 5 am in the morning arriving at the Atlanta temple around 12 pm or so though because on the way the van we were driving in broke down. Yup, that's right so when we were 2/3 hours away from Atlanta the engine started smoking we had to pull over and call a tow truck. Though we had to wait 2 hours for the tow truck to come it wasn't so bad because we took some Prashadum, chanted some rounds and what not.
Before I go on with how the weekend went I really feel I should mention Malati and commend her in being one of the most clean and organized people I have ever met.
She has great attention to detail which has tested my own attention to detail, in well a lot of things lol.
From folding my chudder and the table banner on the correct folds to putting away the utensils in the right container separated correctly. Yes, traveling with Malati is definitely an interesting experience.
But I noticed her strengths are my weakness so I hope in my stay and travels with her here that some of it can rub off.
Anyways, after getting that sorted out we finally made it to the temple at 12 am. We had a very nice room in the (what I found out later) bed and breakfeast portion of the self discovery house right next to the temple. We each had our own bed and a private bathroom, overlooking the festival/stage below. All this while people were sleeping in tents around the buildings below. The plus of traveling with Malati prabhu, as there are other amazing things that i have found to happen while traveling and serving her as well.
We were to exausted to wake up for mongalarti but we did wake up at 6 am, chanted, attended the service in the morning. What beautiful deities! I can understand why Prahbupahda was so emotional when he saw them, especially Gaura Nita, I believe those are the ones he commented on specifically too.
But wow, the Rahda and Krishna are so beautiful, I have never seen a Radarani look so blissful haha : P
Like she was being swept away with love, blissed out so too speak. And I think these are my favorite Gaura Nita deities so far, and the deity of Rahdarani is my favorite from the ones I have seen!
Though the temple room was somewhat smaller than I expected (compared to Dallas and Vrindaban temple rooms) it's still very nice with its marble floors and intimate atmosphere. Every temple has it's own personality and the mood I felt from this one was very sweet, very warm, very loving.
Malati than spoke about her experience with Prahbupada and the beginnings of the first Ratha Yatra festival, she also talked about how Jagannath came to the movement it was awesome to hear these detailed sweet memories of Malati Prabhu's of Prabhupada. Again, glad I recorded it ; )
Jayapataka Swami was there, So far all I had heard about him was that he was that he had the most diciples out of anyone in the movement ( more than a 1,000) and that he was merciful, loving, kind and that prahbupada said he was a diciple of Lord Chatanya in a past life.
So pretty good things, but meeting and seeing the person is always the best to base on.
He had a lot of devotee's, disciples cheering him on as they rolled him in on a wheel chair. It's amazing he survived the stroke he was said to have and was even able to speak.
After morning service helped set up our table (Malati's table for New Vrindaban) which sales Ghee though the main purpose of the table is too help get more people to come to visit Vrindaban. More was done then the Ratha Yatra started! I ran to catch up (got some footage of the festival i'll try and post) and started walking.
It was so HOT not just hot it was HOT.....And to top it off I wore a plastic thick non breathable sari that day so by the end of the festival that day I pretty much felt like I was going to either die of heat exaustion or turn into a puddle of kim sweat.
Besides the heat this was another lovely Ratha Yatra, these devotee's moved much faster than the last ones and the Kirtan was very ecstatic!
After the Ratha Yatra everyone started spreading out at the temple field for the festival and I saw Jayapataka Swami , one girl that I made friend with (also traveled with malati last year and was a friend with Govinda) told me she got blessing from Jayapataka swami for her grandfather to become a devotee and sure enough he did at the age of 90 something. wow....So I asked her If I could get blessings and she said of course.
She introduced me too Jayapataka swami and even though he has trouble speaking (again he had a stroke recently and is now recovering) he spoke to me for a good while. He asked how long I have been in Krishna consiousness, and what do I wish a blessing for, I told him right away to always remain near Krishna. He seemed surprised and gave a big Haribol! Than he asked what I wanted specifically, my mind went blank and so he said "I will pray that you always remain and grow strong in Krishna consciousness "
He than touched my head and gave me a blessing. And I kid you not, for the next two hours I felt a difference in my energy after that. Like I really felt...blessed lol. Such a kind and wonderful soul, just by him doing that and the energy I got from him, I could feel the love and compassion he has for everyone. No wonder he is so loved.
After that there was lunch and helping with the table some more, got to hang out with the lovely Bhaktin Jennifer a bit , talked with some really sweet girls from Florida (all the devotee's I've met from there so far are awesome)
got some really REAlly cheap cholis that were much needed at the shop right next to ours and some gifts for people and temple back home.
Most of the time after Ratha Yatra was spent at the table but when Malati and Govinda went to bed early around 8:30 or so I went to the festival which goes on later in the night, at least when it's back to back.Walked over to the temple room first to see the fire initiaion before it ended, got to catch the last 20 minutes. Was my second time seeing it, so interesting. They threw the rice and bananas to smother the fire at the end. Will have to learn the exact meanings of these actions later.
Than last got to see some songs from Mayapuri's who I had been wanting to see. Very good show of course, but what I really liked was after the dancers left the stage the lead singer invited everyone in their seats to come on stage and do kirtan! Lovely, lovely kirtan. That lead singer for the Mayapuris is amazing. Not only good voice but sings with such soul. I started falling asleep while on stage (almost fell off the stage was so tired) so went to bed around 10 while the kirtan went on into the night.
Woke up a bit late for Mongalarti , forgot they started at 4:30 not 5 like in NV. Did some chanting, than Malati came up to me and said she wanted me and Govinda to go help for the panihatti festival , that's the reason she wanted us to get up early. Oppps! Had forgotten that so we rushed to go help. Luckily there was plenty to help with. Helped chopped vegitables and slice, got cutting advice and talked with a very wonderful cook at the Atlanta temple by the name Makunda who while we were cutting cucumbers told me about how he joined the movement and his experiences traveling across the world at different temples, serving them by cooking all kinds of dishes.
I enjoyed helping in the kitchen and when I was done there I helped serve out breakfeast for everyone with a crew of other lovely devotees. While serving out the food I saw Alan prabhu! Which was awesome, haven't seen him for months since he came to the San Antonio Temple. After I was done serving I went over and sat nearby and we talked about where Kc has taken us so far. He said how he was living in Florida now at the temple where they have the food for life (serving the large lunch for the college nearby). He also told me how he was playing violin for the mayapuris the night before (I was wondering who that was on violin!) And how they had asked him if he wanted to play with them on tour! Whoa! haha I am really happy so many good things are happening for him
And we got in a coversation about where we are supposed to be. I told him how I want to be in the place I am needed most, can be utilized the most for service. Another reason why I am coming back for sure home. New Vrindaban is nice, been offered to even stay in North Carolina now, but San Antonio is my home for now. It is where at the least I feel I can help the most right now.
Anyways, watched the table a bit than Malati relieved me and Govinda to see the Panihatii bidding of the pots. Basically Panahattii is a festival (next day right after Ratha yatra) of chipped rice where they cook all types of chipped rice in different pots. This gives furthur details of what the festival is and how it started....http://e-vedas.com/panihati/whatispanihati.html
The biggest pot and most expensive was sold for 2,500 which came with a set of deities and full of chipped rice of course. The indian gentleman who bought it distributed it of course (how could you not, it was so much!) as did most people who bid on big pots etc. There was a yogurt, salty, mexican style chipped rice, condensed milk chipped rice.
All had different ingredients but chipped rice based in all. I got to a point where I had stuffed my stomach until it was going to explode, me and Jennifer had more than enough and had to even save it because we couldn't eat anymore. I came back to the table to find that someone had given me, Malti and Govinda our very own small pots for us filled with sweets and chipped rice. Couldn't even touch it was to full. So ended up eating a good amount the next day.
I'm sure I gained like 5 pounds just from that one day. I hope I don't come back a fat Matajii to San Antonio ;.;
I had so much maha that day I could have exploded with maha @_@
Oh and my favorite flavor was the salty and spicy ones. I think I am just burned out on sweet in general though, nothing personal to the sweet rice.
I had so much sweet chipped rice...ugh
but all of it was so delicious and really high quality ingredients too, cashews, and what not
After that they were playing some toss the honey soaked donut (what are those called?) which they were throwing from long distances and devotee's were catching with just their mouths. Crazy! I tried it too but just catched it with my hands, missed twice and got it on my sari though lol. Oh and the winner was one of the boys from the mayapuri's...got these hilarious moments recorded too. How am i going upload all of this. Later I stalked Lavangas Guru and took some photos than watched the table some more.
Next I had had one devotee girl invite me to come on stage when she was on to jam and so I went on stage when i noticed her there. She was singing and in their band (later found out this was a band, I just thought they were jamming at first) another girl singer who played kartals, harmonium girl player, and a male bassist and guitarist. I sang with them on their song than asked if they wanted to join me on Uke so they did and we had a great time. Afterwards the guy recording said he would send me a copy! Than I had several comments saying it was very nice, sold a cd to the bassist, who with his fiance were so sweet to me and invited me to stay any time with them and too come visit North Carolina and even that I should go stay there lol and join in on their music or if I ever needed hookups where to play etc. So got their information , you never know you know. They were all so sweet to me, sold 3 other cd's to these very sweet lady devotee's who said they loved the kirtan and met this nice Prabhupada disciple from Venezuela.
Next met up with alan again and we talked before he left,
after that she even gave us free pizza. Which was very kind, after that I looked at the flute and fell in love with this bamboo flue that I will start learning so I can play in kirtan now. The man who made them and was selling them was so kind he just gave me the flute (which he normally would sell for at least 25 if not 30) and said it's for the lordships and to play for them. : )
And on way back we stopped by to visit the friend of the driver who was driving us. nice indian lady gave me shawl and 21 dollar donation each for me and Govinda.How sweet is that....
Devotees I can't take it! Their to awesome....
On the way back the driver we were driving with (since we had to ride separately from Malati because she had to take care of the van incident) accidentally ran over a racoon's and he asked if we should go chant to it, Govinda said yes right away and to my suprise he turned around and we went in front of the racoons and chanted....I love Devotees.
I mean seriously what "normal" person would do that? Typical people would just not even bat an eyelash and a dying animal like that but he was visibly distraught.
Krishna is so sweet, and if you want to know how just see how the devotee's treat you.
That is only a sliver of the love and kindness Krishna has for us.
It only takes an open heart and mind to see this.
So in conclusion to this blog, this was indeed a truly inspiring and beautiful weekend.
I was given so much by the devotee's, by Krishna I only hope to give back even more in service and love back. This is one of the things we should aspire too.
To give even more than we are given and in this purify our self centered souls.
I know I need it.
Much love to you all, and thank you for reading my blogs so far! I apologize if some of them are a bit all over the places, I can get very busy here and sometimes I have to just post quick bits what happened or I wont remember the fine details later.
And please if your reading this leave me a comment even if it's just to say your reading!
It's nice to know who's reading this, whether it be 2 or 5 people or however many.
It's nice to know the audience.
Hare Krishna, God bless
~Kim
I just keep having new experience, new stories that keep being developed I'm not having enough time to document it all!
Anyways, this weekend me, Malati, and Govinda went to the Ratha Yatra and Chipped Rice Panihati Festival In Atlanta, Georgia. It was the longest drive so far (12 hour drive) and to make it all fit into a day we left around 5 am in the morning arriving at the Atlanta temple around 12 pm or so though because on the way the van we were driving in broke down. Yup, that's right so when we were 2/3 hours away from Atlanta the engine started smoking we had to pull over and call a tow truck. Though we had to wait 2 hours for the tow truck to come it wasn't so bad because we took some Prashadum, chanted some rounds and what not.
Before I go on with how the weekend went I really feel I should mention Malati and commend her in being one of the most clean and organized people I have ever met.
She has great attention to detail which has tested my own attention to detail, in well a lot of things lol.
From folding my chudder and the table banner on the correct folds to putting away the utensils in the right container separated correctly. Yes, traveling with Malati is definitely an interesting experience.
But I noticed her strengths are my weakness so I hope in my stay and travels with her here that some of it can rub off.
Anyways, after getting that sorted out we finally made it to the temple at 12 am. We had a very nice room in the (what I found out later) bed and breakfeast portion of the self discovery house right next to the temple. We each had our own bed and a private bathroom, overlooking the festival/stage below. All this while people were sleeping in tents around the buildings below. The plus of traveling with Malati prabhu, as there are other amazing things that i have found to happen while traveling and serving her as well.
We were to exausted to wake up for mongalarti but we did wake up at 6 am, chanted, attended the service in the morning. What beautiful deities! I can understand why Prahbupahda was so emotional when he saw them, especially Gaura Nita, I believe those are the ones he commented on specifically too.
But wow, the Rahda and Krishna are so beautiful, I have never seen a Radarani look so blissful haha : P
Like she was being swept away with love, blissed out so too speak. And I think these are my favorite Gaura Nita deities so far, and the deity of Rahdarani is my favorite from the ones I have seen!
Though the temple room was somewhat smaller than I expected (compared to Dallas and Vrindaban temple rooms) it's still very nice with its marble floors and intimate atmosphere. Every temple has it's own personality and the mood I felt from this one was very sweet, very warm, very loving.
Malati than spoke about her experience with Prahbupada and the beginnings of the first Ratha Yatra festival, she also talked about how Jagannath came to the movement it was awesome to hear these detailed sweet memories of Malati Prabhu's of Prabhupada. Again, glad I recorded it ; )
Jayapataka Swami was there, So far all I had heard about him was that he was that he had the most diciples out of anyone in the movement ( more than a 1,000) and that he was merciful, loving, kind and that prahbupada said he was a diciple of Lord Chatanya in a past life.
So pretty good things, but meeting and seeing the person is always the best to base on.
He had a lot of devotee's, disciples cheering him on as they rolled him in on a wheel chair. It's amazing he survived the stroke he was said to have and was even able to speak.
After morning service helped set up our table (Malati's table for New Vrindaban) which sales Ghee though the main purpose of the table is too help get more people to come to visit Vrindaban. More was done then the Ratha Yatra started! I ran to catch up (got some footage of the festival i'll try and post) and started walking.
It was so HOT not just hot it was HOT.....And to top it off I wore a plastic thick non breathable sari that day so by the end of the festival that day I pretty much felt like I was going to either die of heat exaustion or turn into a puddle of kim sweat.
Besides the heat this was another lovely Ratha Yatra, these devotee's moved much faster than the last ones and the Kirtan was very ecstatic!
After the Ratha Yatra everyone started spreading out at the temple field for the festival and I saw Jayapataka Swami , one girl that I made friend with (also traveled with malati last year and was a friend with Govinda) told me she got blessing from Jayapataka swami for her grandfather to become a devotee and sure enough he did at the age of 90 something. wow....So I asked her If I could get blessings and she said of course.
She introduced me too Jayapataka swami and even though he has trouble speaking (again he had a stroke recently and is now recovering) he spoke to me for a good while. He asked how long I have been in Krishna consiousness, and what do I wish a blessing for, I told him right away to always remain near Krishna. He seemed surprised and gave a big Haribol! Than he asked what I wanted specifically, my mind went blank and so he said "I will pray that you always remain and grow strong in Krishna consciousness "
He than touched my head and gave me a blessing. And I kid you not, for the next two hours I felt a difference in my energy after that. Like I really felt...blessed lol. Such a kind and wonderful soul, just by him doing that and the energy I got from him, I could feel the love and compassion he has for everyone. No wonder he is so loved.
After that there was lunch and helping with the table some more, got to hang out with the lovely Bhaktin Jennifer a bit , talked with some really sweet girls from Florida (all the devotee's I've met from there so far are awesome)
got some really REAlly cheap cholis that were much needed at the shop right next to ours and some gifts for people and temple back home.
Most of the time after Ratha Yatra was spent at the table but when Malati and Govinda went to bed early around 8:30 or so I went to the festival which goes on later in the night, at least when it's back to back.Walked over to the temple room first to see the fire initiaion before it ended, got to catch the last 20 minutes. Was my second time seeing it, so interesting. They threw the rice and bananas to smother the fire at the end. Will have to learn the exact meanings of these actions later.
Than last got to see some songs from Mayapuri's who I had been wanting to see. Very good show of course, but what I really liked was after the dancers left the stage the lead singer invited everyone in their seats to come on stage and do kirtan! Lovely, lovely kirtan. That lead singer for the Mayapuris is amazing. Not only good voice but sings with such soul. I started falling asleep while on stage (almost fell off the stage was so tired) so went to bed around 10 while the kirtan went on into the night.
Woke up a bit late for Mongalarti , forgot they started at 4:30 not 5 like in NV. Did some chanting, than Malati came up to me and said she wanted me and Govinda to go help for the panihatti festival , that's the reason she wanted us to get up early. Oppps! Had forgotten that so we rushed to go help. Luckily there was plenty to help with. Helped chopped vegitables and slice, got cutting advice and talked with a very wonderful cook at the Atlanta temple by the name Makunda who while we were cutting cucumbers told me about how he joined the movement and his experiences traveling across the world at different temples, serving them by cooking all kinds of dishes.
I enjoyed helping in the kitchen and when I was done there I helped serve out breakfeast for everyone with a crew of other lovely devotees. While serving out the food I saw Alan prabhu! Which was awesome, haven't seen him for months since he came to the San Antonio Temple. After I was done serving I went over and sat nearby and we talked about where Kc has taken us so far. He said how he was living in Florida now at the temple where they have the food for life (serving the large lunch for the college nearby). He also told me how he was playing violin for the mayapuris the night before (I was wondering who that was on violin!) And how they had asked him if he wanted to play with them on tour! Whoa! haha I am really happy so many good things are happening for him
And we got in a coversation about where we are supposed to be. I told him how I want to be in the place I am needed most, can be utilized the most for service. Another reason why I am coming back for sure home. New Vrindaban is nice, been offered to even stay in North Carolina now, but San Antonio is my home for now. It is where at the least I feel I can help the most right now.
Anyways, watched the table a bit than Malati relieved me and Govinda to see the Panihatii bidding of the pots. Basically Panahattii is a festival (next day right after Ratha yatra) of chipped rice where they cook all types of chipped rice in different pots. This gives furthur details of what the festival is and how it started....http://e-vedas.com/panihati/whatispanihati.html
The biggest pot and most expensive was sold for 2,500 which came with a set of deities and full of chipped rice of course. The indian gentleman who bought it distributed it of course (how could you not, it was so much!) as did most people who bid on big pots etc. There was a yogurt, salty, mexican style chipped rice, condensed milk chipped rice.
All had different ingredients but chipped rice based in all. I got to a point where I had stuffed my stomach until it was going to explode, me and Jennifer had more than enough and had to even save it because we couldn't eat anymore. I came back to the table to find that someone had given me, Malti and Govinda our very own small pots for us filled with sweets and chipped rice. Couldn't even touch it was to full. So ended up eating a good amount the next day.
I'm sure I gained like 5 pounds just from that one day. I hope I don't come back a fat Matajii to San Antonio ;.;
I had so much maha that day I could have exploded with maha @_@
Oh and my favorite flavor was the salty and spicy ones. I think I am just burned out on sweet in general though, nothing personal to the sweet rice.
I had so much sweet chipped rice...ugh
but all of it was so delicious and really high quality ingredients too, cashews, and what not
After that they were playing some toss the honey soaked donut (what are those called?) which they were throwing from long distances and devotee's were catching with just their mouths. Crazy! I tried it too but just catched it with my hands, missed twice and got it on my sari though lol. Oh and the winner was one of the boys from the mayapuri's...got these hilarious moments recorded too. How am i going upload all of this. Later I stalked Lavangas Guru and took some photos than watched the table some more.
Next I had had one devotee girl invite me to come on stage when she was on to jam and so I went on stage when i noticed her there. She was singing and in their band (later found out this was a band, I just thought they were jamming at first) another girl singer who played kartals, harmonium girl player, and a male bassist and guitarist. I sang with them on their song than asked if they wanted to join me on Uke so they did and we had a great time. Afterwards the guy recording said he would send me a copy! Than I had several comments saying it was very nice, sold a cd to the bassist, who with his fiance were so sweet to me and invited me to stay any time with them and too come visit North Carolina and even that I should go stay there lol and join in on their music or if I ever needed hookups where to play etc. So got their information , you never know you know. They were all so sweet to me, sold 3 other cd's to these very sweet lady devotee's who said they loved the kirtan and met this nice Prabhupada disciple from Venezuela.
Next met up with alan again and we talked before he left,
after that she even gave us free pizza. Which was very kind, after that I looked at the flute and fell in love with this bamboo flue that I will start learning so I can play in kirtan now. The man who made them and was selling them was so kind he just gave me the flute (which he normally would sell for at least 25 if not 30) and said it's for the lordships and to play for them. : )
And on way back we stopped by to visit the friend of the driver who was driving us. nice indian lady gave me shawl and 21 dollar donation each for me and Govinda.How sweet is that....
Devotees I can't take it! Their to awesome....
On the way back the driver we were driving with (since we had to ride separately from Malati because she had to take care of the van incident) accidentally ran over a racoon's and he asked if we should go chant to it, Govinda said yes right away and to my suprise he turned around and we went in front of the racoons and chanted....I love Devotees.
I mean seriously what "normal" person would do that? Typical people would just not even bat an eyelash and a dying animal like that but he was visibly distraught.
Krishna is so sweet, and if you want to know how just see how the devotee's treat you.
That is only a sliver of the love and kindness Krishna has for us.
It only takes an open heart and mind to see this.
So in conclusion to this blog, this was indeed a truly inspiring and beautiful weekend.
I was given so much by the devotee's, by Krishna I only hope to give back even more in service and love back. This is one of the things we should aspire too.
To give even more than we are given and in this purify our self centered souls.
I know I need it.
Much love to you all, and thank you for reading my blogs so far! I apologize if some of them are a bit all over the places, I can get very busy here and sometimes I have to just post quick bits what happened or I wont remember the fine details later.
And please if your reading this leave me a comment even if it's just to say your reading!
It's nice to know who's reading this, whether it be 2 or 5 people or however many.
It's nice to know the audience.
Hare Krishna, God bless
~Kim
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Part 2 catch up blog! The journey continues...
I typed this out this past Friday because again, I have been so busy with service and traveling this past weekend to Baltimore for the Ratha Yatra festival I didn't have time to post it or add more to it until now. So this is an update of the past week!
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I'm here typing in the registration house (a guest house me and Govinda were preparing for a swami who is visiting tomorrow) because it started down pouring while I was helping with the gardening outside, planting flowers outside the temple. I'm amazed I've even got a chance to have a second to write , lol. Malati keeps us (me and Govinda, the other girl who will be traveling with Malati) busy with service which is good. Just would like even a few moments to post on this blog and share the nectar at least.
So far my few days here it has rained everyday. But whats different about this rain compared to rain in Texas is how refreshing it feels. It's cool and just feels cleaner, don't know any other way to describe it.
NV has to have this to keep it's rich green color all aroun
NV has to have this to keep it's rich green color all aroun
I have to say it's only been my third full day and I officially love New Vrindaban.
A lot of firsts, and new experiences have just happened within such a short time, and we haven't even started traveling yet!
A lot of firsts, and new experiences have just happened within such a short time, and we haven't even started traveling yet!
The First full day I woke up at 4 am for mongalarti (they have it at 5 am instead of 4:30 am I found out) which was awesome considering I didn't even set my alarm. Attended Mongalarti and saw the beautiful deities they have here. At first I couldn't help feeling an affinity for Kalachandj but these deities are growing on me. I still have a soft spot for Kalachandj though.
They have a huge life size set of Jjagannath, Balaram and Subhadra which I love! X ) Their faces are the most ecstatic I've seen of any of the versions of the three before. And their huge of course.
They also have a huge larger than life deitie of Lord Nrasimadave, beautiful as well as the form of the boy they have next to him. Nityagora is to the left of Krishna and Rahdarani and to the right is the boy form of Krishna lifting Govardan hill with a real (biggest I've ever seen) piece of Goverdan hill next to him. This dieitie of Krishna as a boy is the only one at the temple here I just find a big strange looking, the facil expression maybe throws me off a bit. But Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra's face wow! Like Kalachandjis I swear their expressions look like they have changed! They are very beautiful.
They also have a huge larger than life deitie of Lord Nrasimadave, beautiful as well as the form of the boy they have next to him. Nityagora is to the left of Krishna and Rahdarani and to the right is the boy form of Krishna lifting Govardan hill with a real (biggest I've ever seen) piece of Goverdan hill next to him. This dieitie of Krishna as a boy is the only one at the temple here I just find a big strange looking, the facil expression maybe throws me off a bit. But Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra's face wow! Like Kalachandjis I swear their expressions look like they have changed! They are very beautiful.
Anyways ,after Mongalarti
(I don't even remember right now what I did after mongalarti...I didn't finish this sentence for some reason....)
So yea this is my hilarious break down of the week that flew by...if people want details just ask and I'll edit it and add more later anyways lol...
Wednesday 05/25/11
-served Malati cleaned Prabhupadas books and shelves and cleaned out a temple room.
-Than met Shadrannana and went over to her house with Kearney (awesome devotee brand spankin new to KC haha she's awesome) and had tea and dried fruits
watched Prabhupad movie
-got a garden tour! Learned a lot about gardening, Bhakta Tom educated himself very well.
-milked a cow for the first time with lalita, she drank the cow pee, I missed my chance because I was wearing a sari and chickened out. Kissed a cow and had fresh milk squirted in mouth (will drink cow pea later)
-more tea and fresh salad from the garden
-danced in kirtan, saw Krishna
-again had fresh milk from the cows but boiled this time with cinnamon yum
Thursday 05/26
-Went to Mogalarti later , woke up at 7:30 to Malati waking us up in the hall ways.
-chanted in the morning
-served Malati and temple, cleaned krishna and rhadhas huge swing, dusted other Lord Chaitanya books
-Helped in the garden and planted some lettuce seedlings for first time than started pulling out weeds and transplanting chocolate mint plant!
-Got more sari's lol. And some weird punjavis to wear around here. Malati likes it classic.
-Had most amazing cheese cake maha i've ever had in my life. Will have to learn this recipe.
-Played some uke kirtan for ayee and his wife sundanna, more lettuce and tea and philiosphic talk about kirtan and chanting and what that is allowed and not allowed.
-got jaganauth maha from puja devotee and pretty garland. Very sweet
Friday 05/27
-Woke up mongalarti! On time and chanted
-Served malati and temple, dusted charitot in temple, dusted books and shevles, swept stair way for devotee's to their rooms, Helped clean out room for swami to visit. Took out trash
-Helped with some garden work again
- Got caught in some auspicious rain
-Replaced lock on my door to my room with lots o help.
-went to bed
Saturday 05/28
-Mongalarti in the morning,
-traveled 5-6 hours to Baltimore,Maryland for Rathe yatra
-Arrived at a older couple devotee's house that we stayed at 2 nights.
-since we arrived the day before the Ratha yatra we helped make garlands for Lord Jagganath and decorations for the cart. I remember Malati saying afterwards how she wanted us to help decorate the cart and decorations for Lord Jagganath because any decoration you do for the cart and Jagganath is no different from direct service to Krishna
Also connected with a sweet devotee named Shilla. She had actually trained up for a year in the temple with the other male monks! crazy cool haha She gave me a tour of the temple which was a roomy three story house converted into temple. It's not a new temple by any means though, was around in the early 80's , Prabhupada even visited it. Saw the beautiful deities there, Jagannath was sick of course so wasn't able to see him till tomorrow.
Sunday
The big day! My third Ratha yatra, we got there after breakfeast, set up the table and got it ready for us to be at after the Rathayatra. We had pamphlets advertising New Vrindaban for people to come visit (the most important part and point of the table Malati expressed) and cd's, Festival of inspiration t shirts, and of course Vrindaban Ghee...which is what people kept being attracted too when they came to the table. I mean half the time I was just explaining to people what Ghee was....they didn't take though!
Ok so after that we chanted on a hill for 20 min's, made our way to Lord Jagannath cart, Jai Jagannath!
Malati gave us a little bit of Jagannaths story to us and we started the Ratha Yatra. There were hundreds of people there to say the least. I said this was the biggest Ratha yatra I had ever been in she laughed and said this one was small in comparison.
So tired will continue writing this another time. Add ons will come later.
Haribol
~Kim
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Time to catch you up on the experience here so far...
So it's been almost two weeks now since I came too New Vrindaban last tuesday.
About time to update haha....oh boy. So tired....hasn't even been two weeks yet and I'm wiped out.
But that blog (about today etc ) will come after I post these two blogs that I wrote on my lap top to post later (no internet in the Prahbus or women's rooms, maybe their afraid we'll look at smutt or something)
and I agree with Malati Majtagee is annoying if called all the time...I don't remember hearing Prabhupada calling women by that address either....
Anyways here is what I wrote on my first day arriving in New Vrindaban...
I'm typing outside the temple room, you can hear the peacocks in the background calling out in the night and the faint drone humming from someone chanting outside. Many people have already gone to bed getting ready for Mongalarti in the morning, some have stayed up in the dining hall eating late prashadum, you can hear cheering and laughing from inside. Nearby in the temple room next door a gentleman chants in the temple room, while a older mataji reads in front of Prabhupada. There's a cool breeze, maybe even a bit chilly atmosphere outside as I sit here typing. It's a beautiful night, me and the other girls were going to go sleep outside tonight under the stars but since there was a chance for rain we decided to opt out for tomorrow instead and sleep in our rooms tonight. Oh yea, there is enough rooms to where each of us can have our own to sleep in. I moved a desk in there and chair , it's simple but I like it like that.
About time to update haha....oh boy. So tired....hasn't even been two weeks yet and I'm wiped out.
But that blog (about today etc ) will come after I post these two blogs that I wrote on my lap top to post later (no internet in the Prahbus or women's rooms, maybe their afraid we'll look at smutt or something)
and I agree with Malati Majtagee is annoying if called all the time...I don't remember hearing Prabhupada calling women by that address either....
Anyways here is what I wrote on my first day arriving in New Vrindaban...
I'm typing outside the temple room, you can hear the peacocks in the background calling out in the night and the faint drone humming from someone chanting outside. Many people have already gone to bed getting ready for Mongalarti in the morning, some have stayed up in the dining hall eating late prashadum, you can hear cheering and laughing from inside. Nearby in the temple room next door a gentleman chants in the temple room, while a older mataji reads in front of Prabhupada. There's a cool breeze, maybe even a bit chilly atmosphere outside as I sit here typing. It's a beautiful night, me and the other girls were going to go sleep outside tonight under the stars but since there was a chance for rain we decided to opt out for tomorrow instead and sleep in our rooms tonight. Oh yea, there is enough rooms to where each of us can have our own to sleep in. I moved a desk in there and chair , it's simple but I like it like that.
All right so, if you haven't gotten the hint already New Vrindaban is beautiful, even at night. You can hear the crickets out here and see the stars in the sky and hear the peacocks crying making a lovely song for the night. So where is New Vrindaban and what else makes it so beautiful you may wonder?
New Vrindaban is located in West Virginia nestled deep in the woods, away from bustling cities and Smokey streets, NV (New Vrindaban) is definitely a unique place in and of its own.
Driving through even the roads through Pennsylvania to cross over to West Virginia was beautiful too, green everywhere, hills behind every corner. Passing by old gravesites, churches and some victorian aged homes. I was picked up at the airport today by a nice devotee by the name off ------(I'll get that name in a second) and had a plate of prashadum waiting for me in the car when I got in. As we drove it's when I first saw Prabhupadas memorial as we made our way through New Vrindabans borders that I was astounded. So beautiful! I look forward to when I get to get closer and get a better look and experience in it.
As we got closer you could see houses everywhere on the property scattered around as we drove, devotee houses who live on this huge piece of land called NV. We passed by a herd of cows laying about lazily enjoying the sun and grass. Did I mention the color Green, Green GREEN is everywhere.
Haven't seen so much green since...well since Portland, Oregon and even than this somehow seems greener to me,haha. As we drove towards the main temple , pointed out the old remains of the first temple and a few more other devotee houses. Once we drove up to the temple I stepped out to hear birds chirping everywhere around the temple I walked. Flowers surround the temple as you could see in a few of the pics i posted.
(will post those later)
Just got done talking to Lolita Gopi, a devotee mother who lives here In Nv. She popped in and saw me here typing and looked like she was going to pass by but decided to come and approach me. She asked me where I was from, if this was my first time at a temple etc. Lalita said she milks the cows in the evening and that I can come milk cows with her whenever she milks and she'll show me how. Sweetness...I mentioned to her too asking if they ever made ice cream. She said she wanted too and that maybe she could bring her ice cream machine here so we can make some! yumm....
Very sweet Devotee
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Anyways, after I got in I greeted Malati who gave me a warm smile and nice hug welcoming me to NV. I was showed to my room and where I'll be staying the next couple of months when were not on the road traveling.
The temple houses both Bhaktas and Bhaktins (male and female) in the temple. The men get the top floor and the women right below
There is no air conditioner, but theres a fan and a window so it's fine lol.
We all share a community bathroom (3 bathroom stalls and 3 showers) and that's about it. I met some really nice girls here who just came to Krishna consciousness, searching souls that deserve as many answers as they have questions. Were planning on swimming sometime this week in the lake nearby the temple and sleeping under the stars tomorrow hopefully.
So yea, NV k Jai!
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