Vrindavan, 2015.12.23 (VT): The Lordships of Vrindavan hasn’t remained unaffected from the harshness of the cold, as winter continues to grip the Vraja region. The deities are adorned with woolen cloths and the cloths with velvet fabrics to keep the Lordships warm in the chilling climate. In an effort to keep the deities cozy from the bitterness of winter, the deities are adorned with woolen gloves in their hands, while the feet are covered with socks. The deities are taken to the bed in the night and covered with soft razai (quilt).
The sigari (heater burnt with coals) is also being kept in front of the deities to ward off cold. In some temples such as Radha Ballabh Mandir the heater (sigri) is made of silver.
The menu of the daily ‘bhog’ has also changed in the various temples of Vrindavan. The food considered to be healthy for the winter season is being offered to the deities. Urad dal laddoos, moong daal barfi, peanut gazak, rebdids, khichdi, along with the dry fruits of Cashew, badam (almond), pista, anjeer has become integral part of the daily offering.
Not only is a change in their attire and cuisine, there a variation in their routine too with a late rise from sleep and early schedule to bed. The attires, bhogs and puja schedule change according to the season in the temples of Vrindavan, where bhaav (passion) is given preference over the tradition.
Shri Krishna Gopalananda Dev Goswami, Sevait of Thakur Radha Shyam Sundar Mandir said, “We feel same for the deities, what we feel for our own kids. It is all about love and feeling of oneness with the Divine.” “The whole body of Shyam Sundar will be kept covered during winter. The devotees can have the darshan of the Charan, ‘the Lotus feet’ of Shyam Sundar on Vasant Panchami only,” added Goswami ji.
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