The 20th Czech Padayatra ended a few days ago. What was it like? – The same as the previous ones, but at the same time different.
The weather, for instance, was unlike the previous years, when we walked muffled up in windbreakers and raincoats, with the gyms smelling of washed clothes not drying shortly after our arrival. This year we didn’t even manage to bathe in sweat, because our perspiration evaporated almost immediately after reaching the surface of the body – it was as hot as that! Beautiful weather and affability in southern Bohemia was the reason many people attended our evening programs.
For the first time we succeeded in doing big and timely publicity. Ten days before the start of the walk we posted more than 250 posters all along the route. Another pleasant change was the number of participants. We were about 15 devotees all the time, so the harinamas and programs were more lively and cheerful, which compensated for the fact that the cleaning crew had to spend a little more time tidying our lodging.
I would like to thank from my heart for their individual contribution, all the devotees who walked with us the whole time. Above all I want to thank my parents, Muni Priya prabhu and Hari Priya mataji, who, unlike me, were good examples throughout the whole padayatra – rising early in the morning, chanting their rounds and then keeping very busy the whole day. I still have much to learn from them.
I thank Paramahamsa prabhu and the two oxen he was taking care of, Nanda and Dharma, because they made it to our destination despite the exhausting heat. Dina Dayal prabhu arranged accommodations and programs, and took the role of main cook again. It wasn’t easy, but he made it and I want to thank him for that. Thanks also to Purusottam Ksetra prabhu for taking care of book distribution during the whole padayatra. Thanks to Ananga Sevika mataji, our “bumblebee,” who tirelessly collected flowers for the deities and distributed Their maha-prasadam. Kamala Manjari came with her children Sarasvati and Sanatana. She did a wonderful job of cooking breakfast in the morning, took care of the kids the whole day and stayed sane. Bravo and thank you!
Kasturi Manjari mataji is simply a lady good at everything. Thank you for all the different services you rendered! Next I’d like to thank Dhanya Nimai prabhu from Mayapur for his excellent help in the kitchen. Lila Mohini mataji was the pujari as usual, and she took very good care of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundara. Thanks to Lila for even managing to dance at the cultural program.
Thanks also to our “cowherds” Jaromir and Kaja, who provided much milk and essential services. Michal from the farm was always enthusiastic to help with whatever was required. I’m very happy to see how Martin Reiss grows every year, not only in size but also in his service of universal kitchen assistant. Thank you! He was not the only Martin who was with us this year. There were three other Martins – Moravec, Majer, and Martin from Harinama mandir – who were a great contribution to our team. Reinforcement also came from Slovakia in the form of Bhaktin Katka and Bhaktin Veronika “Tulasi.” Thanks to all of you for coming and helping.
And I almost forgot my friend, the transcendental cyclist and cowboy Gaura Karuna prabhu. Thank you for being who you are. Of course, there are many devotees who come every year and stay for a few days. Thanks to all of them, padayatra is an unforgettable experience.
Sankirtan yajnya ki jaya!
Padayatra ki jaya!
Nitai-Gaura premanande Hari Haribol!
Padayatra crew 2013
Cesky Krumlov
devotees and audience in Cesky Krumlov
Dina Dayal Prabhu and his kitchen
Gourakaruna and Purushotam Ksetra – bike distributors
children reaching their hands for bananas
in front of Cesky Krumlov castle
Liquid beauty
Matajis dancing
20th Czech Padayatra (July 26 to August 12, 2013)
Organizers: Muni Priya dasa, Nrsimha Caitanya dasa and Dina Dayal dasa.
1473 books distributed: 106 Bhagavad-gitas, 338 big books, 1028 Coming Back, one Mahabharata, and five Nama-Hatta magazines.
Prasadam: 509 packs of prasadam, 350 maha-bananas thrown from the cart, and more than 1500 cookies distributed during the programs.
Total program attendance: about 1800.