By Muralimohan dasa
Devotees in central Gujarat celebrated Sri Ramanavami Mahotsava on March 30 by holding a one-day padayatra at Kherali village, 4km south of Surendra Nagar.
The local people enthusiastically joined the padayatra chanting and dancing as we made our way through the village. All India padayatri Dhanya Caitanya dasa was part of the sankirtan team and their melodious kirtan melted everyone’s heart. Padayatra ended at the Rama Darbar temple where villagers had been invited to observe the festival.
At the temple, ISKCON leaders including Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajarangdal prabhu spoke on the glories of Lord Rama. I also addressed the assembly and delivered our message to the villagers and leaders: “To introduce Srila Prabhupada and his mission worldwide.” We made them aware of the welfare activities ISKCON is doing for society, how we celebrate Hindu festivals, how Lord Rama protected devotees and killed the atheists, and how He ruled the whole planet and spread peace everywhere. In Kaliyuga Lord Rama rules through His holy name and we all should chant His names and bring peace throughout.
Later the villagers did pushpa-abhisheka of the Lord Rama deity, our Gaura-Nitai deities and also Srila Prabhupada.
Book distribution score: 108. Fortunate people attending the event: 300.
After the celebration villagers honoured the padayatra team. It was a unique occasion much appreciated by Kherali’s residents who invited us to return to their village.
