Vancouver, British Columbia
Free Plum
“Free Plum” read the sign tacked onto the tree trunk. I guess the reason for the singular and not the plural to the word ‘plum’ is that it must have been scripted by the tree’s proprietor who doesn’t have English as their first language. I couldn’t’ find a plum during this morning’s walk at least from the branches overhanging by my walking path. Those golden balls of juice were visible on the other side of the owner’s fence.
“There will be other opportunities,” I thought while in last for an organic fruit. Who can blame me?”
Well, I did find another plum tree. I helped myself to one delicious edible and moved on. I trekked by more berry bushes, orchard gardens. The smells emanating from the various growth was phenomenal. The experience reminded me of a statement by Chanakhya Pandit regarding a dominant plant in a garden known for its fragrance and size and how in the illustrious dynasty of the moon, Sri Krishna had been born taking dominance.
You might say that it’s purely a coincidental situation when I was ear marked to give a class. It just so happened that the verse from the ‘Bhagavatam’ was centered on the sun and moon dynasties and that Krishna shines through as the dominant person in that lineage. Cool, isn’t it?
May the Source be with you!
12 KM
Sunday, August 10th, 2014
August 14th, 2014 – Darshan
→ Mayapur.com
The post August 14th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
ISKCON Participates in Hindu Forum of Europe General Assembly
→ ISKCON News
Several ISKCON leaders participated in the Hindu Forum of Europe’s General Assembly meetings in Savona, Italy on July 3rd and 4th this summer. “We’re trying to make sure that Hinduism is considered an official religion in EU countries, not an obscure sect,” says HFE President Radj Bhondoe. “So far it’s only officially recognized in three EU countries: the Netherlands, the UK and recently Italy. So there’s a lot of work to do.”
Joyful Balaram Poornima Celebration at Sri Jagannath Mandir Kuala Lumpur (Album 188 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
On 10th August Sri Jagannath Mandir Kuala Lumpur celebrated Sri Balaram Purnima in a grand manner .The festival started from mangala arati .The whole atmosphere was filled with joy. Later for deity greeting more congregation members gathered in the temple hall. When the curtain was opened the Lordships gave darshan with new multi-coloured outfits. Darshan arati was followed by Guru Puja. Then the Lordships Sri Sri Krsna Balaram was brought to the abhisheka mandapa and They were bathed with many auspicious items. After abhishekam while the Lordships were being dressed up H.G Simheswara Prabhu , Regional Secretory ISKCON Malaysia, spoke and inspired everyone highlighting the glories of Lord Balarama. Read more › Serbian Summer Camp 2014 (Album 74 photos)
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Vaishnava summer camp at Fruska Gora mountain takes place every year since 2004. Read more › Pictures of the marble workshop
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The post Pictures of the marble workshop appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
What are the renovations for Radha-Syama about anyway?
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post What are the renovations for Radha-Syama about anyway? appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The God who conceals his divinity so that love can reign supreme (Janmashtami Meditation)
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Is the holy name transcendental or immanent?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
In ISKCON, we often say that the holy name is a transcendental sound vibration. But a manifestation of the divine in matter is said to be immanent, the opposite of transcendent. Then why do we call the holy name transcendental.
Saturday, August 9th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Vancouver, British Columbia
The Change Within the Change
On a trail you’ll never see the foliage along the way to be the same as before. Plants come up to replace old ones. New invasive ones will eventually be invaded.
It was only three weeks ago that I was walking this trail in prime farmland and it was not hard to see the transitory nature of what happens along both sides of me.
Humans seem to always respond to the plant dynamics. For instance, the blackberry bushes come in like an army. It’s vines hug (or choke) trees. They climb fences and start to crawl on the trail or rail. Someone will come along with a serious cutting instrument to fight back the invasion. It appears to be one siege after another on behalf of both sides.
It looks like some people give up the comfort and just let nature in the form of colder weather get the aggressors to tone down. Perhaps it’s like letting old age take to natural course, to subdue youthful passions.
Today also brought me to Stanley Park as it did so may other people. I was impressed with a man who, as an artist, balanced irregular shaped rocks upon other rocks turning the nook along the beach at English Bay into a gallery to view with awe. No double, a strong wind or a strong wave will change that and make it disappear. Hence, a rearrangement of the physical continues on.
This was my observations our humble chanting party breezed through the crowd along the attractive beach.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
How is the holy name different from ordinary sound
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Bhakti Retreat Switzerland (Album 68 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
This years' Bhakti Retreat in Switzerland had special momentum. The organizers' goal was to facilitate spiritual experiences as much as possible - which they evidently did. Lots of devotional association, kirtan and katha was embedded in detailed care for life's necessities (like nourishing and delicious food) and a breathtaking landscape filled with energy which rejuvenated the body and mind during the breaks. Read more › Robin Williams, depression and a Krishna conscious analysis by Sura das (Video)
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This is a recorded video of Srimad Bhagavatam class of Sura dasa (ACBSP) given in Los Angeles 13 August 2014 Read more › Amazing Madhudvisa Prabhu Memorial Homages Part 1 and Part 2, Los Angeles, 9th August 2014, 2 videos
→ Dandavats.com
Madhudvisa Prabhu, one of the most prominent pioneers of our Melbourne Hare Krishna Yatra, is no more. We holded a memorial ceremony in his honour, at the New Dwarka Iskcon Temple of Los Angeles. Read more › Harinama in Pula, Croatia (Album 36 photos)
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The holy name and the Lord Himself are the same. Krsna personally positioned the chanting of His holy name at the very top of all auspicious activities. He is fully independant, autocratic and omnipotent. All processes have come into force due to His energy. He invested karma kanda with his material energy, and jnana kanda with his impersonal energy. Krsna then invested of His own accord His entire personal potency in the syllables of His holy name. There is no point in objecting to these arrangements. An intelligent person will therefore carefully avoid offending the allpowerful name of the Lord. Read more › Hare Krishna Kirtan by H G Amiya Ras Das on 04 August 2014 at ISKCON Juhu
→ Gouranga TV - The Hare Krishna video collection
Hare Krishna Kirtan by H G Amiya Ras Das on 04 August 2014 at ISKCON Juhu
Queens, New York – Rath Yatra & Balarama Purnima (Album 84 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
Simply by namabhasa chanting one gains all the results of the paths of karma and jnana. So if mere namabhasa offers such wonderful results, then surely the pure name will offer so much more, unlimitedly. Therefore, whatever results the scriptures say are gained from chanting are easily obtainable by the devotee who is attached to the pure name. Read more › New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/14/14
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/14/14.
Similar to last week, since the people in the photo are not easily recognizable we’ll ask a broader question.
This week’s challenge: How many devotees can you name who were part of the New Vrindaban construction crew around the time of this photo?
Extra credit: When and where was this photo taken? (hint: same as last week!)
What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit Website.
Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!
Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.
Don’t centralize – train for individual growth
→ The Spiritual Scientist
“You want to make big plans for centralization of management. I do not at all approve of such a plan. Do not centralize anything. … The movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments and action not for making bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility…”
(Letter to Karandhar in ‘72)
- Srila Prabhupada
HG Ananga Manjari Mataji / SB 10.68.01
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
Reflections on the Soul
→ Seed of Devotion
January 3rd, 2013
Today I went to Tim Carter's ash immersion ceremony.
Our small party took a boat to the other side of the sacred river Ganga. When the actual ceremony began, Tim's family members gathered around and the ashes were brought out. I had been asked to lead everyone in singing, so I began to sing the Hare Krishna melody that Lilananda Prabhu had composed in honor of Tim. Seeing those ashes of Tim felt strange. The pile of ashes was gray and formless.
Those ashes couldn't be Tim. They couldn't.
Tim was in the melody I was singing.
Nevertheless, there was something so complete and powerful about the ceremony, recognizing this deep need for closure, to release a soul to Krishna. When Jananivas Prabhu packed mud around the ashes and poured and sprinkled different substances on the ashes, I felt as though Tim was getting cooled from a high fever. Like, "Ahhh... at last, you're letting me go."
There was a timeless moment when I stood on the banks of the river, the wind blew my sari, and the sun glinted off the water and shone on my face. I watched the sacred ceremony unfold to put Tim to rest. I had a moment of realizing that we will all die, our bodies will all become ash one day. Memories of us will also fade.
There must be a soul. There must be a soul, an eternal soul that is bright and beautiful and eternal.
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 02:10:00 →
1958 August 14: "I wish that a personality like yourself may accept the leadership. Responsible gentlemen who are managing all other affairs, must also take up the responsibility of this missionary activity as well then it will successful. I hope you will take the matter very seriously and do some practical service for the satisfaction of the Lord."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64
Has the Lord come under Maya in Kali-yuga that he is not able to protect Deities
→ The Spiritual Scientist
From Ajay Gauranga Prabhu
During Moghal empire the kings broke many temples as well as beautiful deities. Few Sultans kept those deities as stepping stone of their Mosques so that people would trample it. It gives chance to impious people or Mayavadis to say that Lord is not able to protect Himself because He is currently under influence of Maya. So He will not be able to protect His devotees also. Hence what should be our answer to them?
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 02:09:00 →
1958 August 14: "They are very busy to bring peace in the world by continuously holding expensive conferences, meetings, summit talks etc. but such attempts are being made without any relation of God and they are all manifold creations of Maya, the External Potency of the Absolute Truth."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 02:08:00 →
1965 Saturday, August 14 :
"The ship started majestically at 11 o'clock in the morning. On reaching the Bay of Bengal, the sea appeared like a big plate of water. It is a vivid example of God's Maya because it appears like something but factually it is something else."
Jaladuta Dairy :: 1965
"The ship started majestically at 11 o'clock in the morning. On reaching the Bay of Bengal, the sea appeared like a big plate of water. It is a vivid example of God's Maya because it appears like something but factually it is something else."
Jaladuta Dairy :: 1965
Why were Indian rulers other than Shivaji not empowered by the Lord to protect Vedic culture?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
From Ajay Gauranga Prabhu
Recently I read few pages about Indian history. I was shocked to know how India was till 10th century & how it is now. There were beautiful temples having beautiful deities. There were many spiritual universities. There were many nice vaishnavas.
But Moghals ruled around 500 years followed by Britishers for about 200 years. There were lots of persecutions done by Moghals. Each & every ruling Sultan destroyed innumerable temples, killed Vaishnavas, broke beautiful deities just because there was some cultural & philosophical difference between what they followed & what Indians followed.
Also King Shivaji could resist these invaders in quite good amount in Maharashtra, Kranataka as well as Tamilnadu. Then why his descendants were not enough empowered like him?
Also we see in consecutive years there was Maratha kingdom but due to lack of cooperation between each other they lost their ruling thus few Britishers could easily rule India. Thus Britishers systematically destroyed Indian spiritual heritage simultaneously killed many cows.
Hence should we see this as Lord’s plan to create impious atmosphere because living entities in kaliyuga don’t want spiritual atmosphere. Also is this right understanding that Lord wants to create impious atmosphere as per the karma of the people in this age?
How do you maintain consistency in your daily writing year after year?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
From Shubham R Gole
how do u maintain consistency in ur activities? prabhuji what u do when u feel bored of writing? from two years i m reading gita wisdom u r so consistent prabhu.
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 02:04:00 →
1968 August 14: "The whole Srimad-Bhagavatam is full of philosophical discussions and we are prepared for that. But at the same time we are concerned mostly with the mass of people - therefore Hare Krishna kirtana is our life and soul."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 02:00:00 →
1971 August 14: "Yes, we were saved by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Road. We shall always expect to be saved by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada. Whatever success we have had in preaching Lord Caitanya's mission all over the world it is only due to his mercy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 01:56:00 →
1971 August 14: "There are complaints against the GBC which is not very favorable. We require to hold this important meeting of the GBC to formulate the rules and regulations how things will be worked on."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 01:54:00 →
1971 August 14: "I set up the GBC with hope that I shall get relief from administration of the mission but on the contrary I have become the center of receiving so many complaints. So it is not a relief for me, rather it is becoming troublesome."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 01:49:00 →
1974 August 14: "Yes, I can be made President and Trustee of the Corporation as you have suggested. Now I want to make an International Trust Board for the whole Society. Make a draft and kindly send to me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
ISKCON Scarborough – Special Krsna Janmastami program coming Sunday at 10.30 am
→ ISKCON Scarborough
Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
A special Krsna Janmastami program will take place at ISKCON Scarborough coming Sunday – 17th August 2014
Schedule for Friday - Sri Krsna Janmastami celebrations:
10.00 am- Grand abhishek on the deities of Sri Radha Krsna
10.30 am- Tulasi Arti
10.45 am – Guru Puja
11 am- Janmastami class by His Grace Gaura das prabhu /His Grace Kaliyapahni das prabhu
12 noon- Arti
12.30 pm- 1 round of group chanting of Maha Mantra
Devotees fast until midnight on this day
Sri Krsna Janmastami
The auspicious day of the appearance of Lord Krishna is celebrated all over the world as Sri Krishna Janmastami. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Shraavan. Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in Mathura as son of Vasudeva and Devaki.
In Bhagavad Gita 4.8, Lord Krsna teaches the reason for his descend:
paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge
"To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium".
In Bhagavad Gita 4.9, Lord krsna teaches us how to get out of this wheel of misery
janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so 'rjuna
"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna".
The Appearance day of Srila Prabhupada falls on Monday 18th August.
Vyasa-puja means "worship of Vyasa," Vyasa being the compiler of the Vedic scriptures and thus the original spiritual master.
Devotees honour Srila Prabhupada - our Param Guru on the spiritual master's appearance day (a respectful term for "birthday") because he authentically transmits the teachings of Vyasa.
Although ISKCON has many spiritual masters, or acaryas, Srila Prabhupada, the founder-Acharya, holds a permanent position of special esteem. So just as when he was physically present (1965 through 1977), each year devotees gather on his appearance day to praise him and recall his glories.
Devotees fast until noon on this day
Special feast on Friday- 22nd August 2014:
We will have a grand feast on this day to celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day on 22nd Aug 2014
We invite you, your family and your friends to join us for the Janmastami celebration coming Sunday at 10.30 am
ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7
Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.com
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
A special Krsna Janmastami program will take place at ISKCON Scarborough coming Sunday – 17th August 2014
Schedule for Friday - Sri Krsna Janmastami celebrations:
10.00 am- Grand abhishek on the deities of Sri Radha Krsna
10.30 am- Tulasi Arti
10.45 am – Guru Puja
11 am- Janmastami class by His Grace Gaura das prabhu /His Grace Kaliyapahni das prabhu
12 noon- Arti
12.30 pm- 1 round of group chanting of Maha Mantra
Devotees fast until midnight on this day
Sri Krsna Janmastami
The auspicious day of the appearance of Lord Krishna is celebrated all over the world as Sri Krishna Janmastami. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Shraavan. Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in Mathura as son of Vasudeva and Devaki.
In Bhagavad Gita 4.8, Lord Krsna teaches the reason for his descend:
paritranaya sadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge
"To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium".
In Bhagavad Gita 4.9, Lord krsna teaches us how to get out of this wheel of misery
janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so 'rjuna
"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna".
The Appearance day of Srila Prabhupada falls on Monday 18th August.
Vyasa-puja means "worship of Vyasa," Vyasa being the compiler of the Vedic scriptures and thus the original spiritual master.
Devotees honour Srila Prabhupada - our Param Guru on the spiritual master's appearance day (a respectful term for "birthday") because he authentically transmits the teachings of Vyasa.
Although ISKCON has many spiritual masters, or acaryas, Srila Prabhupada, the founder-Acharya, holds a permanent position of special esteem. So just as when he was physically present (1965 through 1977), each year devotees gather on his appearance day to praise him and recall his glories.
Devotees fast until noon on this day
Special feast on Friday- 22nd August 2014:
We will have a grand feast on this day to celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day on 22nd Aug 2014
We invite you, your family and your friends to join us for the Janmastami celebration coming Sunday at 10.30 am
ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7
Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.com
Check out the Enough! website
→ Bhakti Lounge - The Heart Of Yoga in Wellington
Vibrating On Your Tongue
→ Japa Group
Letter to Rupa Vilasa
Wednesday 2 August 1972
Special Feast & Grand celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Brampton/Mississauga
→ ISKCON Brampton
GRAND CELEBRATION TIMINGS :
5:00am to 9:00am -- Morning programs
9:00am to 5:00pm -- Temple closed for Grand Celebration preparation
5:00pm to Midnight -- Janmashtami Celebration.
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Kamsa’s moment of doubt
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 09 May 2014, Bhaktivedanta Manor, England, Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.23.36)
In the Nectar of Devotion, we have a description of Kamsa’s moment of doubt. I like it! Kamsa sits on his throne in Mathura, in his ultimate mood of demoniac nature, and he is thinking, “Hah, what can Krsna do to me? Nothing! I have powerful malice. So many. I mean Keshi, you know Keshi, the ultimate personification of power. What is this Krsna going to do to me?”
Just then, the messenger runs into the court, “Your majesty, your majesty, your majesty. Tragic news!”
Kamsa, “WHAT?”
“Your majesty… Keshi!”
Kamsa, “Noooo, not Keshi!”
“Your majesty, Keshi is no more.”
Kamsa, “No, he (Krsna) is too powerful, he is inconceivable! How is it possible? Maybe, maybe I should just surrender unto him? But what would people say, imagine me, Kamsa! No, I could not do that! Maybe then I should just go to Vrindavan and inflict pain on the residents. But how can I go when I’m too afraid to leave the palace because of Krsna.”
Isn’t it nice that even Kamsa, for a moment, was thinking, “Maybe I should just surrender!” Just see, that gives us hope. If that can come up in Kamsa’s head and heart then anybody has a chance. That is nice. Even the demons are touched by Krsna. Krsna is Bhagavan.
Greetings From the New Vrindaban Gardens 8-14
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
Beautiful new entrance to the teaching garden.
As we have entered into August the weather has been anything but typical. The abundant rain has allowed us to use almost no irrigation. But the lack of sunshine, cold temperatures, and constantly wet plants has caused devastation to our crop of tomatoes. Late blight has struck nearly all of the 600 tomato plants in the Garden of Seven Gates. Next year we will move the crop, use all new supports, and increase the potassium in the early season. For more information about late blight check out this link. http://www.longislandhort.cornell.edu/vegpath/photos/lateblight_tomato.htm. On a very positive note we have been doing tons of flowers and vegetable harvesting. We are currently picking: tomatoes, peppers, swiss chard, kale, green beans, basil, mint, beets, radishes, cucumbers, dill, watermelons, lettuce, bittermelon, raspberries, and much more. Within the next few weeks we will be harvesting squash, sweet potatoes, soy beans, amaranth, sunflower seeds, and pole beans. Flowers have been thriving and we have a beautiful abundance and great variety. Each day flowers are picked for the deities and for the Pushpa Abhishek festival we were able to pick 154 gallons of marigolds.
First two ripe golden watermelons.
The rain has been great for germinating new seedlings. This week we started fall seedlings: cabbage, beets, kale, spinach, kohlrabi, and peas. We are also starting to plant cover crops. One of the fields that has been resting to increase soil fertility first had a crop of buckwheat and has now been planted with daikon radishes. With 1 acre we will have unlimited greens and radishes and what we don’t use will be used as a ground breaking compost.
Seeding cover crops
Daikon Radish field
The most exciting improvement in the Garden of Seven Gates has been the reconstruction of two former greenhouses. We are building a hot house (heated green house) for both our spring and fall seedlings. We are also building two high tunnel greenhouses one for year round greens and the other for season extending flowers. The three greenhouses are located within the gates of the Garden of Seven Gates. As we enter into the late summer we will continue to plant and harvest while plans for next years gardens are already being drawn out. Happy Harvesting!
Marigolds in the Teaching Garden
Harinama in Croatia, Makarska (Album 21 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
The exaggerations in the karmakanda section of the Vedas appeal to ambitious materialists. Concessions to selfishness are absent from the scriptural presentation of the method of chanting the holy name in pure devotion. The scriptures frankly declare that the results of the karmakanda process are merely transient sensual enjoyments, whereas the results of chanting the holy name and engaging in Krsna's service are eternal and permanent. Read more › Rain! Rain! Go Away! Come Again Another Day!
→ travelingmonk.com
Today in Pobierowo we battled with the rain. But people came despite the back weather.That’s how attractive Lord Krsna is! Near the end of the festival the sky cleared and a big crowd of people arrived. [ Photos by Kalasamvara dasa ]