Vrindavan, 2015.11.22 (VT): In the midst of this year’s celebrations of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s historic visit to Vrindavan in 1515, it is easy to forget that there are other claimants to the title of “Mahaprabhu” and other discoverers of Vrindavan.
One of the most prominent of these is Hit Harivansh Chandra, who according to his followers, came to Vrindavan in 1506 with Shri Radhavallabh Lalji, establishing the deity’s seva on the 13th day of the bright fortnight in Karttik, which this year falls on November 23rd.
This took place at Madan Tera (Varaha Ghat) in old Vrindavan. At the time there was no temple of stone and brick, but after Harivansh’s disappearance in 1545, and when the first temple was constructed in 1585, his son Vana Chandra continued the tradition, as have their successors.
Radha Vallabh Ji has since become one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan.
This event with its traditional rituals and flavor has been celebrated for more than five centuries throughout the Shri Radha Vallabh community. “This year,” organizer Mohit Maral Goswami says, “we are naming this celebration the Shri Hit Vrindavan Mahotsav. We want to emphasize not only its religious features, but also adding other attractions to bring a sense of spirituality to the masses.”
When Hit Harivansh first came to Vrindavan, it was being terrorized by the robber chieftain Naravahan. But when this dacoit came in touch with Harivansh, he was affected and became his follower. He gave up his antisocial activities and violent behavior and Braj once again became a peaceful place to live and do bhajan.
Goswamiji says, “Harivansh Mahaprabhu was a lover of nature and he would no doubt have liked to see Vrindavan preserved in its original form, as a place of natural forest and wildlife. The name Vrindavan itself reveals that this was and should remain a forest area, filled with kunjas and nikunjas. Vrindavan today is undergoing rapid urbanization and construction due to which it is losing its natural form, so we feel that it is our urgent duty to promote and protect this concept of Vrindavan.”
He says that his organization has been to plant trees throughout the town. “We want to bring back the greenery, which will not only beautify the environment, but will give habitat to the bird species that have been avoiding the town such as peacocks, parrots and cuckoos. Our motto is ‘Increase the green and save the environment!’ This is the vision of Vrindavan we believe Harivansh Mahaprabhuji would have approved of.”
Harivansa Mahaprabhu is also one of the pioneers of one of Braj’s cultural specialties, the Ras Lila tradition. Unfortunately in today’s climate, those who would have made a career in this field are not taking it up due to the influence of electronic gadgets, multiplex cinemas and internet attractions. Goswamiji says, “Looking to the future of the Radha Vallabhi school of bhakti, we feel that it is necessary to find ways of renewing this tradition and making it accessible to modern people. By doing so we will be able to promote Braj culture around the country and in foreign lands also.”
Goswamiji outlines an ambitious program for promoting Braj folk singing and folk art such as sanjhi. “We hope that all those who have faith in Sri Radha Vallabh Lal will help us to achieve these goals, serving with body and mind to make them possible, but it cannot be fully realized without the support of government. This festival should not be seen as only a religious ritual but a cultural and social event.”
The schedule for the event is as follows:
November 23 (Monday)
- 8:00 a.m. Current head of the Radha Vallabh temple Goswami community
- Sri Radhesh Lal Goswami will establish the ghat along with the rest of the Goswamis and other saints of the tradition at the Radha Vallabh temple.
- 9:30 Samaj Gayan bhajans by Rakesh Mukiya and his group
- 11:00 Children’s program and Green Vrindavan program
- 12:00 Welcoming the Chief Guest
- 1:00 Lunch prasad
- 3:00 Divine discourse on Sri Vrindavan by Sri Hit Ambarish Ji Maharaj.
- 06:00 Ras lila and glorification of the life of Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu.
- 08:00 Music and dance
November 24 (Tuesday)
- 08:00 Samaj Gayan
- 08:30 Kirtan procession from Madan Ter (Unchi Thaur) to the Sri Hit Raas Mandal.
- 12:30 Lunch
- 2:00 Reception of Chief Guest reception and tree planting.
- 3:00 Divine discourse on Sri Vrindavan by Sri Hit Ambarish Ji Maharaj.
- 06:00 Ras lila and glorification of the life of Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu.
- 08:00 Music and dance, conclusion of the festival
Mohit Maral Goswami and Radhavallabhjiu.
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