Report Coimbatore, India, 2024
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept our respectful obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to your Divine lotus feet!
Please accept our wishes and prayers for your 75th appearance day! We are fortunate at Coimbatore Śrī Jagannātha Mandir to have the blessing of Lord Kṛṣṇa, enabling us to seek refuge at Guru Mahārāja’s lotus feet.
We successfully concluded the Vyāsa-pūjā festivities at ISKCON Coimbatore, on Friday the 19th of April, Kāmada Ekādaśī. Despite it being a Loksabhā election day, we're pleased to share that over 300 enthusiastic devotees and well-wishers joyously took part in the celebrations that commenced with a special Narasiṁha Homa for Guru Mahārāja.
Homage offerings were made by various devotees, including His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Swami, Senior devotees such as His Grace Bhakta Dāsa Prabhujī, His Grace Bhāgavatāmṛta Prabhujī, His Grace Śrīnivāsa Hari Prabhujī, His Grace Śeṣarūpa Nitāi Prabhujī, His Grace Ratnākara Gaura Prabhujī, His Grace Tāraka Kṛṣṇacandra Prabhu, His Grace Madhu Gopāla Prabhujī, Her Grace Padmā Sakhi Devī Dāsī, Her Grace Viśesvarī Devī Dāsī. Many other disciples offered their heartfelt tributes. The overwhelming response led to a shortage of time, as is always the case. His Grace Seva Parāyaṇa Prabhujī coordinated the glorification event.
Abhiṣekam to the lotus feet of Guru Mahārāja was performed by all the assembled disciples amidst mesmerizing kīrtana. His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Swami Mahārāja’s lecture emphasized Guru Mahārāja’s lifelong dedication to fulfilling Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. His insights into the significance of the Spiritual Master in the spiritual progression of disciples were truly inspiring, resonating with both seasoned practitioners and beginners alike. His Grace Śrīnivāsa Hari Prabhujī performed the ārati, while His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Swami Mahārāja led an uplifting kīrtana. Puṣpāñjali was led by His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Swami, followed by prasāda at 1:30 pm to guests and devotees. Each year, the Vyāsa-pūjā celebrations grow grander with creative decorations of Prabhupāda’s vyāsāsana and Your Holiness’s vyāsāsana. Devotees marveled not only at the decorations but also at the extensive variety of prasāda offered on Ekādaśī day. Infused with love, these preparations were relished by all. We are delighted to inform Guru Mahārāja that, by your causeless mercy, we prepared around 50 delightful offerings for Your Holiness’s pleasure. These included a beautifully adorned Ekādaśī cakes, potato fingers, paneer kabab, potato chips, puri, paneer sabji, carrot halwa, Gaur lotus seeds, cutlet, sabudana sweet, payasam, vada, fruit juices, bonda, salad, dry fruits, cut fruits among others.
On the 20th of April, nearly 150 grain-based preparations, lovingly and devotedly made by various devotees, were offered to Guru Mahārāja and shared with all the gathered devotees at 2pm on the temple premises once more. Here we mention a few of them: poli, payasam, paniyaram, bonda, bajji, muruku, mixture, boondhi, mysurpa, halwa, vada, variety rice, plain rice, sambar, more kulambu, kootu, vadagam, cookies, elai-adai, kaja, curd rice, mango thokku, pickle, dry fruits, etc.
His Grace Kīrtivān Giridhara Dāsa and His Grace Sanātana Dharma Dāsa skillfully coordinated the entire Vyāsa-pūjā event, making outstanding arrangements. Every participant, including aspirants and sheltered disciples, actively engaged in various devotional services such as donating lakṣmī, administering, emceeing, cooking, making garlands, decorating Guru Mahārāja’s vyāsāsana and the temple altar, cleaning, audio/video services, and more. Noteworthy are the contributions of many well-wishers who actively participated in various services, contributing to the success of this Vyāsa-pūjā celebration. This has truly been a collaborative effort by the JSSS Coimbatore family, aiming to make this year’s Vyāsa-pūjā celebrations another grand success for Guru Mahārāja’s pleasure.
We remain steadfast in our prayers, hoping for your complete recovery and eagerly anticipating your presence with us in Coimbatore soon. Seeking the cause less mercy and blessings of His Holiness.
We have attached the Video highlights and some photos of the Vyāsa-pūjā event with this email for Your Holiness’s viewing pleasure.
From your spiritual children at Śrī Jagannātha Mandir, ISKCON Coimbatore.
