Vrindavan, 2015.11.17 (VT): We have already published information on three other programs that are being held to rejoice at Vrindavan’s rediscovery by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 1515. A fourth event is being staged at by the Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (WB).
Contacted by phone, program convener Kunj Bihari Singhania is currently traveling from Jagannath Puri with several busloads of devotees who are following the route Mahaprabhu took through Jhari Khand to reach Vrindavan in 1515. The party is currently in Ramgarh in Jharkhand state and expect to reach Vrindavan on Nov. 23.
The Yatra started from Puri on the 15th November and progressed through Balasor, Jhalda (Purulia), Ramgarh (Hazaribagh), Sasaram (Bihar), 19th Nov. Varanashi, 20th Nov. Allahabad, 21st Nov. Kanpore, 22nd Nov Saura and 23rd to 25th Nov. Vrindaban.
According to Sri Singhania, whose family has had a home in Gyan Gudri in Vrindavan for over four generations, the unique feature of this celebration is its non-sectarian nature. “Everyone in Vrindavan is indebted in some way to the contributions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his disciples.”
“Mahaprabhu was himself not a member of any sectarian organization. We call him an incarnation because he stands above such sectarian conditions. Mahaprabhu is for everyone and can inspire everyone in spiritual life,” he added.
“Every avatar has some goal. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s golden avatar was for the free distribution of divine love to all humankind. Mahaprabhu appeared in Nabadwip, Bengal, in 1485, and lived for 48 years, yet he began a revolution in spiritual consciousness that has profoundly affected the lives of millions. Renowned as great saint even in his youth, Lord Chaitanya left his family at the age of 24 to teach the forgotten essence of the ancient Vedic wisdom throughout India. Although he himself was a fully renounced mystic, he taught how one can act in spiritual conciousness even within one’s home and social affairs.
His teachings, even though timeless, thus bear special relevance for today’s world. He taught a practical process that anyone can perform to directly feel the ecstasy of pure love of God.
Lord Chaitanya resolved to deliver all the fallen souls of the this age by becoming a citizen of the world and cutting his connection with his particular family, cast and creed. With this resolution he embraced the position of a sannyasi at Katwa, Bengal, at the age of 24 in the year 1510 AD.
After taking sannyas, on the request of his Mother Sachi, he decided to live in Jagannath Puri instead of leaving for Vrindaban Dham as he had intended. But his soul continued to cry out for Vrindaban and so finally he made his way there by taking the jungle path and reached Vrindaban on Karttik Purnima in November, 1515.
“We have organized a grand Sadhu Sammelan in Vrindaban to mark this holy occasion,” said Singhania. “The program shall be led by spiritual heads of current Vrindaban such as Malukpeethadiswar Sri Rajendra Dasji Maharaj, Mahant Sri Kishor Dasji Maharaj of Sri Gorelaljee Kunj (Haridasi Sampradaya), Mahant Sri Fuldol Bihari Dasji Maharaj (Gaudiya sampradaya), Sri Prem Das Shashtri of Boro Shurma Kunj, Goswami Dinesh Chandrajee of the Radharaman Temple and other special guests.
Other special guests include the Governor of West Bengal, Sri Kesharinath Tripathy, and cabinet ministers such as Sri Prakash Javedkar. Smt.Hema Malini (M.P.) will be the chairperson on this occasion.
The program will be held at the Hargobind Rasa Manch in Raman Reti. It will follow the following schedule.
2.00 PM : 45 Minute of Samaj Gayan (Sangeet of Swami Haridash Sampraday) .
2.30 The Honorable Governor will arrive and a reception will be given to him (15 minute he can enjoy the divine Music).
2.45 : Welcome the guests to the dias, lighting of the lamp and garlanding.
2.48 : Welcome address of Sree Maluk Peethadhishwar Sri Rajendra Dasjee Maharaj.
3.15 : Inaugural Address by His Excellency, the Governor of West Bengal, Sri Keshari Nath Tripathy.
3.30 : Srimad Kishor Dasjee Maharaj, Mahant Gorelal Kunj (Swami Haridas Sampraday).
3.45 : Sri Dinesh Chandra Goswami of Radha Raman Temple
4.00 : Sri Kishori Sharan Baba of Tatia Sthan
4.20 : Pandit Sri Sri Achyut Lal Bhatt of Gaudiya Sampradaya
4.30 : Hon’ble Sri Prakash Javedkar Minister of Environment
4.40 : Hon’ble Sri Santosh Gangwar Minister Textile
4.50 : Sri Deelip Gandhi (MP) Ahmednagar
5.00 : Smt Hema Malini (Adhyakshiya Bhasan)
Vote of thanks by Sri Shashanka (ex. Foreign Secretary, Govt. of India)
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