HARE KRISHNA DHAM HOUSTON CELEBRATES DIWALI AND NEW YEAR IN NOVEMBER 2001
HARE KRISHNA DHAM HOUSTON CELEBRATES DIWALI AND NEW YEAR IN NOVEMBER 2001
Diwali – the festival of lights was celebrated at the Hare Krishna Dham of Houston on Wednesday, 14th. More than 1,500 devotees were present to witness a very unique and one of a kind experience at the temple. The evening aarti was offered to the deities by turning all lights in the building but lighting the entire temple hall with candlelights. An ecstatic kirtan was followed by an enlivening lecture by His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Gracious donations from devotees allowed the temple to glow at day and night. Fresh paint enhanced the temple during daylight hours while ornamental lights decorating the temple and the entire complex brightened it during night time. There were lights on the temple, Gauranga Hall, trees, entrances. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks the homecoming of Lord Ramachandra to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile. Everyone light candles to welcome Lord Ramachandra into our homes. Mangala aarti on New Year’s Day signifies a very special and auspicious start of the New Year. More than 250 devotees attended the aarti ceremony during the early hours of the morning. New Year / Govardhan Puja was celebrated on Thursday, 15th. There were 56 items offered to the deities for Annakut. The celebration included bathing ceremony for Sri Sri Giri Govardhan, followed by an informative lecture by His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj and feast enjoyed by more than 300 people at the noontime festivities. A 24-hour chanting of Ramayana started on Friday, 16th. Many devotees came to participate in the non-stop chanting, singing glories of Lord Rama. A beautiful altar was created with Lord Rama, Sitaji, Sri Laxman and Sri Hanuman. The program completed just in time for devotees to celebrate Govardhan Puja. The devotees at the Hare Krishna Dham in Houston celebrated New Year on a very special day. More than 1,500 devotees came to worship Sri Sri Giri Govardhan on Saturday, 17th. Many participated in the Abhisekham (Bathing of Bal Gopal) ceremony while ecstatic kirtans went on! His Grace Radha Krishna Prabhu enlightened the gathered crowd with the explanation of the pastime when Sri Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on one finger for more than 7 days to protect His devotees. There was a special play area set up for the young devotees. Moonwalk and Jump4Fun area provided relief for the parents as the children were busy enjoying playful time. It was very special for many devotees who prepared prasadam and brought it in to be offered to Sri Sri Radha NilaMadhava, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, Sri Sri Giri Govardhan and Sri Ram – Sita – Laxmana – and Hanuman. Devotees prepared more than 500 Annakut items that included sweets, snacks, fruits, colorful cakes and cookies. As one would imagine everyone left very satisfied after taking super feast prasadam. Govardhana Puja celebrates Lord Krishna’s pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill. At age 7, Lord Krishna insisted that the preparations (made for Lord Indra) be used to honor the Govardhan Hill and brahmanas. When Lord Indra inundated the village with heavy rainstorm. Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill with one finger of one hand over his head for 7 days. Lord Indra realized that Krishna was none other than Lord Vishnu, he begged Lord Krishna for forgiveness. The Govardhan festival took place and Lord Krishna took on the form of the mountain, thus demonstrating that Govardhan Hill is nondifferent from him. Diwali Mahotsav ki Jai. The Diwali Dinner is planned for the evening of December 1, 2001.
This is fund raising event.
The sumptuous vegetarian Prasadam dinner will be served on that evening.
Hare Krishna temple is located at 1320 West 34th Street.
There is a very special Sunday Feast, every Sunday at 6:00 PM.
Please come and enjoy lecture, kirtan, Prasadam.
Kindly Visit www.iskcon.net/houston
