Sri Gaura Purnima at the Soquel Seva Ashram
March 21, 2008
Photos courtesy of Madhumati, Jahnavi and Sushila Devi Dasis
All Glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari Jiu !
Their Lordships on Sri Gaura Purnima
Preparations for the Sri Gaura Purnima festival started way in advance with generous donations of beautiful cloth from Srimatis Maheswari Didi and Daru Brahma Didi. Also the design skills of Vaidehi Devi Dasi helped to get the new outfit started. She designed and sewed Srimati Gandharvikas' complete new oufit.
Maheswari Didi
Daru Brahma Didi
Vaidhei Devi Dasi
Many devotees helped with the creation of new outfits for Their Lordships. Isthadevika Devi Dasi meticulously sews for Ramai Prabhu's small Deities. Jahnavi Devi Dasi sews for Sri Giriraj Prabhu.
Ramai Prabhu's Deities
Isthadevika Devi Dasi
Sri Giriraj
Jahnavi Devi Dasi
Sureshvari Didi also helped by sewing on many of the sequins that adorn the cloth. Krishnapriya sews for Srimati Tulsi Devi and Ramai Prabhu's Deity of Srila Prabhupad.
Sureshwari Didi
Srimati Tulsi Devi
Krishnapriya Didi
Also the decorations started early. Diksavati Didi rounded up many helpers and they strung garlands of eucalyptus leaves and flowers. Streamers and lights were hung and the temple looked beautiful.
Diksavati Didi garlanding Srila Gurudev's picture in the Temple room.
Giridhari Prabhu adding flowers to the Vyasasana.
Kumari Krishnapriya, her mother Madhumati Didi and Michele worked for hours stringing garlands.
Young Ramananda Prabhu reads from Srimad Bhagavad Gita in front of Their Lordships while the decorations are being prepared.
The garland seva is ongoing, here Krishnapriya Didi sews garlands for the small Deities.
Laxmipriya Didi, young Radha Dasi and her mother, Para Didi create beautiful garlands for Srila Gurudev and Their Lordhips Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari.
The entire temple is now adorned ready for the festival.
As the day moved on the devotees gathered in the kitchen to help prepare the celebration feast.
Radhika Devi Dasi became the head cook for the two day festival, she did an awesome job.
Vidura Krsna Prabhu preparing Aloo Baja and Chidwa.
Sureshvari Didi always a pillar of support is seen here cooking the Aloo Tikis by the hundreds.
The feast was prepared by mostly the younger devotees of the community. They joyfully came forward and cooked up a storm.
Prabhus Harindhu, Ramachandra and Shatrughna and Madhumita Devi Dasi.
Annapurna Devi Dasi an expert chutney maker.
Many came early to help out
Dhruva Prabhu grates ginger.
Jashomati Didi came and spent the two days with us and helped with everything.
Jatindra Mohan Das working as hard as ever trying to keep the kitchen clean as the cooking accelerated.
Sureshvari Didi prepared the Samosa filling and dough and here is seen teaching Jananivas and Leonardo how to roll.
Also part of the Samosa team with Leonardo is Jashomati Didi, Jahnavi Devi Dasi and Krsna Kanti Didi.
Krsna Mohini Didi another Samosa roller.
Kalachand Prabhu and Madhu Mita Devi Dasi made the delicious Nectar.
Meanwhile in the Temple room the devotees started to gather.
The temple room fills up with devotees wanting to hear and chant.
Siddhanti Maharaj tells everyone about Mahaprabhu's plan.
Sarvabhavana Prabhu leads the program.
Krishna Madhuri joins in the chanting.
Everyone happily chants the special songs selected for this day.
As the program goes on more and more devotees happily join in.
Prem Narayan Prabhu hearing the different pitches on the mrdangas finds a way to play both!
It's time for Arotik and all the devotees rise.
Sureshvari Didi.
Ramai Prabhu offering the Arotik.
The kirtan starts.
Hands up in the air.
kirtan
Now it's time for the 108 Ghee Lamp.
Vidura Krishna Prabhu takes the lamp to the devotees.
The mercy is available for everyone.
ghee lamp
Many devotees brought friends and family and it became a very joyful event.
Happy faces were seen everywhere.
Happy faces were seen everywhere.
Radhika and Bellavani.
Bellavanis' mother, Linsey.
Anita and Kesav.
Chitra Devi Dasi, Alexa, Satyabhama Devi Dasi and Madhumati Didi.
Diksavati Didi gets assistance from young Radha Dasi at the book table.
Hasyapriya Prabhu receives the new
" Loving Search for the Lost Servant "
now in hardback.
" Loving Search for the Lost Servant "
now in hardback.
Shambuhnath and Dyuti Sundar Prabhus.
Jananivas and Gopal.
Best Friends: Madhumita, Radhika and Vaidehi Devi Dasis.
Rasaraj Prabhu and his mother Srimati Rasangi Didi.
Carla, Jasmine, Ola and Isthadevika.
Murali Mohan Prabhu and Brajesvara Prabhu.
It's not over yet now it's time for Prasadam!
Laksman Prabhu, Chitra Devi Dasi, Krishnapriya Didi, young Sivani and Shambhunath Prabhu.
prasadam
prasadam
prasadam
The Menu
Gauranga Potatoes - SureshvariCauliflower/Curd Subji- Radhika
Chidwa- Vidura
Aloo Tikis- Sureshvari
Tamarind Chutney- Annapurna
Coconut Chutney- Annapurna
Potato Chips- Vidura
Sandesh- Shatrughna
Tapioca- Ramai
Cheesecake- Krishnapriya
Nectar- Madhu Mita and Kalachand
Their Lordships on Sri Gaur Purnima