By Dhirnayak dasa (Utkal Padayatra leader)
On the eve of Nityananda Trayodasi, the Utkal Padayatra was at the town of Ghasipura in northeastern Odisha’s Kendujhar district. The residents were very happy to receive us: Ghasipura is our former padayatri God-brother Istadev dasa’s auntie’s place, so the family had arranged our accommodation and prasadam.
The padayatris and the local devotees celebrated Lord Nityananda’s appearance day with great enthusiasm. The day began with mangal arati followed by morning japa, then preparations got under way for an abhishek and offering to Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar. It was fasting till noon.
The programme began at 11am with kirtan and Vaishnava songs. Then a grand abhishek was performed of Their Lordships with panchamrita followed by pushpa abhishek. Guests were also given the opportunity to join the abhishek and more than fifty-six bhogas were offered to Nitai-Gaurasundar who were dressed in a beautiful pink outfit. Next came katha describing the glories of Lord Nityananda and a maha arati and sankirtan with everyone dancing to their hearts’ content. Prasadam was then served to the assembled devotees.
We all prayed to Lord Nityananda to shower His blessings on us so that we can serve Guru and Gauranga with all our hearts and please them by our services.
Nityananda Rama ki jai.
