By Acarya dasa, All-India Padayatra leader
We had a great time in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. Wherever we went, we received grand welcomes with flowers and garlands. In fact, because we had never seen so many garlands in any welcome ceremony, at the end of our stay we felt as if we were leaving Mayapur dhama.
Upon arriving in Bhandara the picture was completely different. When entering the city performing sankirtan a drunkard was looking at us angrily, while we did our best to ignore him. People were gathered around us to hear the sankirtan but because this man was in such a foul mood, they were a little averse. As Madangopal dasa was chanting the holy names loudly, the man suddenly hit him from behind and started shouting. We were silent, thinking we might have to restrain him and that this was a new place for us and for the next few days we would be residing here. So many thoughts were flashing through my mind. “What will the people think of us? How will they react if we beat him?” But this drunkard was in a fighting mood and as he started using abusive language in front of the Lord, I could tolerate it no longer. Just as I was catching hold of him, as if from nowhere a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) team appeared. (The RSS is a national organization, the world’s largest voluntary missionary group that is well known for its selfless service to India.) They caught hold of the offender and with the help of some residents removed him from the scene.
Abhiram Nitai dasa from ISKCON Nagpur had arranged secure accommodation for us, but I was worried the man would return and I could not sleep. However, by the Lord’s grace the night passed uneventfully.
The next day a man came up to us impressed by our book distribution and asked me, “Which is the best book you will recommend me to take?” I replied, “Bhagavad-gita as it is.” He asked me the price and then told me to announce that he would sponsor thirty Bhagavad-gitas and whoever wanted could come and take one. I asked his name so I could thank him, but he said, “No, please do not mention my name. The Lord knows everything; I am just His servant. All of you can bless me.” I then offered him a maha garland – and he provided finance for prasadam distribution. Thus, the Lord arranged the day’s activities and we were simply instrumental.
Ranchhod dasa, a Gopal Krishna Maharaja disciple, always loved the padayatra. When he got news of our arrival in Bhandara he came looking for us and brought his family for darsana of Their Lordships. He was so happy being in the association of padayatris, dancing and chanting, that for two days he was with us fulltime and walked with us for a few kilometres.
NAGPUR DEVOTEES WELCOME US
Then next day we moved to a small village named Pimpri. Nagpur devotees visit the village on a regular basis for various preaching activities, so the residents are aware of sankirtan and they had prior information that padayatra was coming. The Nagpur devotees had reached the village earlier and welcomed us with sankirtan. We were surprised to see Bagiratha dasa, Abhiram Nitai dasa and others, all of whom made us feel very much at home. They had organized a large pandal programme, and we were shocked to see such elaborate arrangements in such an obscure place. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who always said “preaching is the essence.” And we see the effects because wherever we go, we come across someone connected to our movement. Jai Srila Prabhupada! All the padayatris joined the Nagpur devotees distributing books and performing sankirtan with the villagers.
VRINDAVAN LAWN WAS THERE WAITING
Walking for 20km throughout the next day, we were unable to find a place to stop. As we were walking, I noticed a man standing nonchalantly looking as if he was waiting for us. When we came nearer to him, we noticed a building that might provide accommodation with a grassy area close by named Vrindavan Lawn. We were all glad to read the name and hopeful of getting help here. I thought this man must be a servant, so I asked him, “Can we stay here? Please ask your boss.” He said, “Yes, please come and check the place.” I thought that he would take me to the owner and the seeking of permission would follow, but he directly showed me to the rooms. I asked, “Where is the owner?” and he told me he was the owner. I was taken aback because he appeared so simple. He then called some boys to clean the rooms and told us we were welcome there. I said to him, “Your lawn is named Vrindavan and we all have come walking from Vrindavan,” which he seemed glad to hear.
The next day as we were leaving, I thanked him. He replied, “Please don’t say thank-you. It is my honour to serve you all. You are doing so much austerity in service of the Lord. I did nothing. I felt intuitively that someone was going to come, so I was standing there and when I saw all of you, I was filled with joy. Hearing the glories of padayatra, I feel very fortunate. All of you have purified this place so that now it has become Vrindavan, with the Lord and His devotees together.”
Book Distribution-1 
Book Distribution-2
Happily received Bhagvad gita 
On the streets of Bhandara 
On the way to Pimpri 
Ranchod Dasa and his family
Relishing the holy name