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Sri Ekachakra Festival: Day One

Tuesday, 23 February 2021
Sri Ekachakra Dham, Birbhum, West Bengal
Photographs courtesy of Sripad B.N. Sadhu Maharaj

 

 

pujya-sri-guru-varga-vandita-mahabhavanvitayah sada
paurvaparya-parampara-prachalita-prajya-pramurtakrteh
bhakter nirmala-nirjharasya nibhrtam samraksakam sadaram
vande sri-gurudevam anata-sira acharya-varyam nijam

"I bow my head in eternal obeisance to my Gurudev, the best of acharyas, Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj. He is the ever vigilant, stalwart guardian of the current of pure devotion whose highest form flows from our most worshippable Sri Rupanuga Guru-varga in their exclusive dedication to Mahabhav, Srimati Radharani."

vaisnavera pada-dhuli tahe mora snana-keli
tarpana mora vaisnavera nama
vaisnavera uchchhista tahe mora mano-nistha
vaisnavera namete ullasa

"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated at the name of Vaishnavs."

gangara-parasa ha-ile paschate pavana
darsane pavitra kara—ei tomara guna

"If the Ganges touches someone, they are purified some time later; but one becomes purified just by seeing you, O Vaishnava Thakur. Such is your power."

ara kabe nitaichand karuna karibe
samsara-vasana mora kabe tuchha ha'be

"When will Nitaichand give mercy to me? When will all my material desires become insignificant?"

parama karuna pahu dui jana
nitai gaurachandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda

Nitai and Gaurachandra are the two most merciful Lords. They are the best, the crest-jewels, of all Avatars and the only source of joy.

 

 


 


During the quiet morning hours of the day.

 


Krishna Sundari Didi and a few Bengali ladies helping with the bookroom service...

 


...while Sripad Sajjan Maharaj arranges a stall at the front of the nat mandir.

 


(Quite efficiently.)

 


 


Devotees peeling and cutting potatoes for the noon bhoga offering...

 


...preparing potato.

 


 


The cows relax outside in the warm sunlight.

 


 


 


Above and below: at the temple kitchen of Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gaura Nityananda Prabhu.

 


 


Hundreds of devotees joyfully arrive throughout the day, anxious to participate in this grand festival.

 


 


The services at the outbuilding kitchen continue throughout the day as pious ladies come to participate in the holy service.

 


 


Dharitri Devi Dasi and Krishna Sundari Devi Dasi at the bookroom.

 


A glimpse of the holy Guesthouse 'Sri Sri Hadai Padmavati Smriti Kunja'.

 


As the sun sets, devotees assembled in the nat mandir to chant the glories of the Lord during the holy evening arati of the Lordships.

 


 


 


 


Circumambulating the Temple and Srimati Tulasi Maharani.

 


 


 


 


Before going to the nat mandir to preside at the evening programme, His Divine Grace comes to the kitchen to make sure everything is going on smooth.

 


More bhoga being prepared, this time for tomorrow.

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


After the class, devotees sit in the courtyard of the Lordships and honour the mahaprasadam, the holy remnants of the food taken by the Lord.

 


 


 

 

 

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