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Preaching Programme in Sri Bankura
Monday, 25 January 2021
Betur (Bankura), Mednipore Division, West Bengal
Photographs courtesy of Sripad B.N. Sadhu Maharaj
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His Divine Grace told a little about the background of this temple on 5 July 2015: Our new temple in Bankura (Betur) is almost finished, and the Deities—Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Radha-Raman jiu—are going to be ready soon. Gurudev gave a very sweet name in the Kaikhali temple, but unfortunately at present we cannot serve the Deities there, devotees cannot go to Kaikhali properly, that is why I have chosen this name for the Deities in Bankura. Srila Sridhar Maharaj went to that place because of Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj, a disciple of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. After Prabhupad's disappearance, Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj (at that time a brahmachari) returned to his home in Bankura and got married. Srila Sridhar Maharaj became very sad and went to his home to bring him back. Goswami Maharaj said, "Maharaj, if you give sannyas to me, I will join the mission and start preaching again." Srila Sridhar Maharaj agreed and after sannyas his name became Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj. You know that every year when do Nabadwip Dham parikrama, we stop at Nandan Acharya Bhavan. It is his temple in Mayapur. In Vrindavan also, his temple is in Imlitala. He is a very big preacher and captured many places of Mahaprabhu's pastimes. Nandan Acharya Bhavan is the place where Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu met for the first time; and in Imlitala, Sri Krishna meditated at the bank of the Yamuna at that place, and Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj got the service there. Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj's birthplace is near Bankura, and by the mercy of Guru Maharaj we got the land for our temple in Gurudev's time. Gurudev knew that place, knew that we had got the land there as a donation from a school teacher. I could not finish and could not start also the temple in Gurudev's time, but two years ago (2013) I started the construction, and now the temple is finished and I want to inaugurate it... (You can see the temple inauguration photographs here.) |
Being anxiously awaited, His Divine Grace arrives at the temple, and the
devotees run to greet Sri Gurupadpadma and offer their obeisances.
Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Radha-Raman jiu whose
anniversary festival is celebrated this year a little late due to the
pandemic restrictions.
The temple community is rather small but sweet natured, and the devotees
start preparing the vegetables for the festival beforehand.
Nimai Prabhu cleaning and preparing the huge cast-iron posts for the festival service.
In the meantime, His Divine Grace takes a walk to the goshala and lovingly checks on the cows.
Getting ready to go for the evening programme hosted by a devotees' family near the temple.
Arriving at the site.
During the evening arati.
Sripad Ashok Prabhu. Every year, during this time Prabhu very busily helps
the Mission by preaching and collecting bhoga. Fortunately for everyone, he
could join the preaching programme in Betur.
Continuation of the programme. After the arati, His Divine Grace speaks to the devotees a little more, preaching Mahaprabhu's message and teachings, and inviting all devotees to the forthcoming festivals in Sri Ekachakra Dham and Sri Nabadwip Dham.
Sri Kamalendu Prabhu distributing invitation leaflets.
Back at the temple, the nat mandir is being decorated.
Thus ends the first day at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Betur/Bankura.
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“My mind, my heart do not want to go outside the temple, but what can I do? For service to the Lord I have to go outside, but I do not like that outside world any more, I cannot tolerate it.” | |
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