On our way towards Dwarka we stoped in the city of Bhavnagar. There was a big pandal program arranged by His Grace Kundal Krishna Prabhu and his asociates for Bhagavat Katha on Bhisma stuti. The program was extended for two days because of the arrival of His Holiness Lokanath Maharaj. Thousands of people visited the pandal program listening the Katha, dancing in kirtan and relishing mahaprasadam. Maharaj attended some house programs along with padayatra devotees. He also met with the Padayatris and gave some practical guidance and inspirations. On the last evening he gave a lecture at the Bhagavat Katha about Grandfather Bhisma leaving his body in front of Lord Krishna. Similarly we should also leave our body remembering and glorifying the Lord. Next morning he came to the Padayatra ratha to give encouragement and blesings to devotees and then he left to attend the Bhakti Sangam festival in Valabh Vidyanagar.
New arrival
While on the road we were thinking about purchasing a new bull that would match with our majestic and atractive bull Nrsimha. One day we took breakfast in a house which was to close to a camp of bull traders. Among many bulls there was one which captivated us the most and so he joined the Padayatra team. The bull trader said: “This bull was waiting for such a service.” We gave him the name Shyamasundar. We express our hearthfelt thanks to His Grace Murlimohan Prabhu and congregational devotees from ISKCON Ahmedabad.
Nityananda trayodasi
Padayatris celebrated the apearance day of Lord Nityananda on 16 02 2011 in the town Mahuva. Gadadhara Prabhu (France) and Prahlad Prabhu (Czech Republic) and other Padayatra devotees led an extatic kirtan during the 12 km long way to the town. The program then continued with kirtans, beautiful abhiseka and arati followed by sumptuous Mahaprasadam.
Response from Gujarat
Padayatra has been nicely supported by press, TV channels and BTG Gujarati edition. People in Gujarat always try to serve Shri Shri Nitai Gaurasundara and Their devotees.