ACTIVITIES OF HARE KRISHNA DEVOTEES, POWAI

Visiting Heaven on Earth: A Trip to Pandharpur

On 25th of November wisps of oyster-grey clouds scudded past the azure-blue sky, as aureate shafts of sunlight
burst through them, swallowing the landscape. At around 6AM, an enthusiastic assemblage of about 80 people,
most of whom were residents of Powai, gathered near MTNL, brimming with excitement to board buses to the
holy land of Pandharpur, also known as “Dwarka of the South”. The trip was organized by the Hare Krishna
Movement (HKM), Mumbai, based in Powai since 2015.

The nectarean narrations of the wonderful pastimes of Vitthala, by the monks from HKM, enumerated upon the
abstruse significance of this place. And this piqued the interest of all, skyrocketing their eagerness manifold.
Delicious breakfast-prasadam was served by the yatra committee, post which the energized yatris blissfully
chanted the holy-names of the Lord, spiritually surcharging the atmosphere.

En route, the buses stopped at Dehu, the residence of Saint Tukaram, the revered devotee of Lord Vitthala. It is
at this blessed place that Tukaram went back to the Spiritual World-Vaikuntha. Next, the Yatris made their way
to Govind-Dham, where they beheld the ravishing deities of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. and honoured the Raj bhog
lunch Maha prasadam. As dusk crept in, embellishing the horizon in brocades of gold and crimson, the buses
finally entered the sacred land of Pandharpur in the mystical realm whilst the yatris ecstatically chanted
“Vitthala-Vitthala”!

Next morning, the congregation gathered at Sri Sri Radha-Pandharinath Mandir at 4:00am for mangal-aarati.
This gorgeous, bejeweled temple lay hidden-away behind luscious sugarcane-fields on one side, and embraced
by the cascading waters of the ‘half-moon’ shaped Chandrabhaga River on the other. The famous Pundalika
Temple, where the deity of Pundalika, the ardent devotee of the Lord, resides, lies in the middle of the
Chandrabhaga, which encircles it like a glittering sapphire-necklace. The yatris made their way to the temple
by boat, constantly chanting, “Panduranga-Vitthala!” Every corner of Pandharpur pulsated with unsurpassed
transcendental vigor as thousands of devotees chanted in unison - “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna
Krishna Hare Hare| Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”, accompanied by cymbals and drums,
and made their way to the main temple of Sri Sri Rukmini-Vitthala. This is the only temple worldwide where
anyone can touch the lotus feet of the deities! something which is otherwise unimaginable. Overwhelmed with
indescribable satisfaction, the joyful devotees clutched His lotus-feet, offering bouquets of love. Although
glimpsing Him only for a few seconds, the fleeting glances soothed the burning hearts that had been trembling
since lifetimes!

While in Pandharpur, the yatris visited the samadhis (crypts) of revered saints, like Namadeva, Janabai, and
Kanopatra, who shared loving exchanges with Lord Vitthala. They also visited Gopalapura Village and Nira-
Narasimha Temple, where they performed tumultuous sankirtan. Constantly associating with devotees
throughout the trip was a rare, enlivening experience, something which makes yatras with HKM special. As the
yatra culminated, the attendees reminisced upon the indelible memories, hoping to always preserve them in the
treasure-house of their hearts. Looking forward to joining the upcoming trips by HKM, the yatris beseech you to
do so too!
 Gita Jayanti and Book Marathon
It was the 3rd of December, the most auspicious occasion of Gita-Jayanti. Five thousand years ago, on
this very day, Lord Krishna imparted the essence of all Vedic knowledge to His dear friend and
disciple, Arjuna, enlightening him about the ultimate goal of life. Quivering with fear, his knees
trembling, bow and arrow slipping from his hands, with a convulsed look of pain in eyes, Arjuna
approached the Lord in the face of overwhelming distress. Hearing the message of the Gita, felt like a
balm to his soul, giving him all the strength he needed to accomplish his duties. And that’s exactly
why this vitalizing message of the Bhagavad-Gita, is still so relevant, even today! Embarking on this
adventurous sojourn called “life” wherein, we are often faced with numerous, unexpected
circumstances, some of which may be distressing and tumultuous. In such times, the verses of the
Gita serve as a panacea, rescuing us from all stressful situations.
Like every year, this year too, the Hare Krishna Movement, Mumbai has been celebrating this beatific
occasion of Gita-Jayanti by distributing copies of the Bhagavad-Gita in and around Powai. A
“Bhagavad-Gita Book Marathon” commenced from 3rd Dec to 15th Jan 2023. During this period the
devotees widely distribute the transcendental knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita for the benefit of the
general populace at discounted prices. Scores of people have excitedly received these books, which
are the storehouse of all knowledge, and have vastly benefitted by them.
The Gita is our ‘life manual’- it should be read and understood by us, right since the beginning and
apply it in our daily lives!
If you wish to transform your life, experiencing real happiness and success, you can order your copy
of the Bhagavad-Gita, by contacting 9538215226/7715046300