Gaura-Purnima this year was again a spectacular event with many people attending to celebrate the most auspicious appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu 520 years ago in Sri Dhama Mayapura. The festival started with kirtan leading up to Gaura-arati at 7pm. Following this was the abhiseka bathing ceremony organised by Narada-Krishna das and a team of pujaris. The Guru-shakti das gave a discourse on Lord Caitanya and the program concluded with a wonderful feast cooked by Kuruksetra and helpers.
During the day many extra preparations were offered to the Deities, organised by Damodara-rati devi dasi with help from your humble web-servant, Madri devi dasi and Radha-shalini devi dasi - not to forget helpers Rajiv and Manish!
Many thanks to everyone who organised, attended and sponsored items of the festival this year. We hope to see everyone again next year for another ecstatic celebration of the most merciful avatar - Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki jaya!! |
Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha, beautifully dressed by Narada-Krishna das and decorated by Damodara-rati devi dasi
Sri Gopinatha - the master of the cowherd girls in the spiritual world
Srimati Radharani - the topmost gopi and servant of the lord
Chota (small) Radha-Gopinatha, bathed and dressed by Rasa-Krishna das
Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, bathed and dressed by Rasa-Krishna das
Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva & Lady Subhadra, dressed by Krsnangi devi dasi
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu - the Golden Avatar, on His appearance day
The altar decorated by Damodara-rati devi dasi with help from Vijaya-Gauranga das, Swetadvipa das,
Madri devi dasi, Priyadarsani devi dasi, Krsnangi devi dasi and others
Cut-outs of the Panca-Tattva - left to right: Sri Advaita, Lord Nityananda, Lord Caitanya, Sri Gadadhara and Srivasa Pandit
Altar decorations - thanks to Tulsi devi dasi for supplying flowers and beautiful flower vases
 
The simhasana's (sitting places) of Gaura-Nitai and Jagannatha, Baladeva & Subhadra
Abhiseka (bathing) of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai - fresh yogurt!
Bathed with milk
Rinsed with water
 
Bathed with various fruit juices...
Finally showered with water with fruit soaking in it!
Thanks to Madri devi dasi for the abhiseka photos.
Many thank again to everyone involved. See you March 2007...
|
S Y D N E Y
