Most dear and beloved Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, standing here today, looking back at this past year in Simhachalam, we feel a mixture of exhaustion, gratitude, and something deeper – a quiet certainty that somehow, despite all our limitations, you are still carrying everything forward.
This year tested us.
Especially our summer season: six continuous weeks of festivals, one flowing into the next, like waves that never paused to let us breathe. Kirtan, cooking, organizing, welcoming guests, cleaning, guiding, serving … again and again, day after day. At some point, we stopped asking, “Can we still do this?” and simply continued.
Our devotees were tired, truly tired. Bodies weak, minds stretched … But at the same time, hearts full. Because somehow, in that intensity, your presence became more real.
We saw it in the kirtans that lifted us when we had no strength left. We saw it in the smiles of guests who had come for the first time. We saw it in the way devotees kept showing up, even when there was nothing left to give.
And after this intense summer, although there was never a complete break – as there is always something unfolding at Simhachalam – you guided us into a season of reorganization.
In the autumn we were able to step back, clean up, restructure, and regain clarity. At the same time, a new temple council was established and then expanded, bringing in additional experienced devotees into the leadership. This newly formed team creates greater stability, shared responsibility, and continuity in guiding Simhachalam forward.
And now, in the spring of 2026, we find ourselves again in your service – but this time with renewed determination. Twice a week we gather for Clean Scene – that is, cleaning, organizing, and preparing your temple for Narasiṁha Caturdāśi.
And as always, these weeks before the festival carry a certain tension:
Will everything be ready?
Will all services be covered?
Will the devotees come?
Will we manage?
Yet at the same time, there is deep excitement. Because we know what is coming: the most powerful darshans of the year. The amazing pavitram mālā-pūjā. The overwhelming beauty of Śrī Śrī Prahlāda-Lakṣmī-Narasiṁhadeva’s mahā-abhiśeka. The fire of yajñas. The waves of kirtan. The nectar of hari-kathā spoken by your direct disciples.
And the breathtaking flower outfit, arranged with such devotion, revealing the Lord in a special, radiant splendor, along with the offering of sandesh in all its sugary opulence, prepared with love and presented in such abundance.
Narasiṁha Caturdāśi is not just a festival for us. It is a moment where the spiritual world touches Simhachalam.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, at the same time, something else has begun to move forward. After many discussions, efforts, and much patience, doors are slowly opening with the local authorities. We are now moving toward submitting a repurpose application for our oversized barn, with the vision of transforming it into a guest facility, so that we may properly host the increasing number of visitors coming to your temple.
But before that, we are taking a practical first step: the construction of a children’s hut – a space for your youngest devotees, a place where they can grow, play, learn, and feel protected. This project might seem small in scale, but it is large in meaning, because, Śrīla Prabhupāda, the future of Simhachalam is already running through our courtyard every day.
We pray that these children will develop deep roots in your mission, that they will not only inherit this place but carry your vision forward with strength and conviction.
Along with this hut, a new Tulasī house is planned so that Vṛndā Devī can reside throughout the entire year without the need to be moved seasonally.
In addition, the restructuring of the barn requires further preparations: as the upper level, currently used for hay storage, is intended to become sleeping space for guests, a new, suitable shelter for hay storage must be established as part of the goshala infrastructure.
All of these steps are essential prerequisites and must be completed before we can formally submit the usage application for the barn conversion.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we also want to offer you our heartfelt reflections on saṅkīrtana, which remains the life and soul of Simhachalam.
The saṅkīrtana community events have grown beautifully. Again and again, devotees come together to organize harināmas, book distribution, kirtan, and prasādam outreach in nearby cities. These events carry a special spirit of cooperation, enthusiasm, and a taste of your movement alive on the streets.
And yet at the same time, we feel a deeper prayer arising. We pray for new saṅkīrtana devotees. We pray for a strong and stable brahmacārī ashram, where devotees can fully dedicate themselves to your mission. We make these prayers because although the structure is there and the events are taking place, your saṅkīrtana mission is asking for new strength.
We feel it.
We pray that you send the right souls – those who are ready to go out, take risks, depend on your mercy, and distribute your books with conviction and faith.
Please empower us, Śrīla Prabhupāda, to not only maintain saṅkīrtana but to revive it in full force.
Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, we don’t know how everything will come together. But one thing is clear: our roots are deeply planted in this sacred place. And our life’s purpose is simple: to continue what you have started.
We pray for our community: for unity among the devotees of Simhachalam. For stronger relationships between families and ashrams. For cooperation in service.
Because we are learning, again and again that without your devotees, Simhachalam cannot exist. Please bless them with intelligence to serve properly; with humility to work together; with devotion to stay steady; with strength to continue; and with your mercy, always.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, thank you for giving us this life. Thank you for giving us Simhachalam. Thank you for protecting us and engaging us in the service of Śrī Śrī Prahlāda-Lakṣmī-Narasiṁhadeva. Every challenge we face only reminds us that we are still under your shelter.
Your insignificant servants trying to serve you at Simhachalam