Pilgrim's Diary - February 25, 2001
By Vipramukhya Swami

CHAKRA (Jagannath Puri, India) - February 25, 2001: It's been 3 days since I've been able to send e-mail. Last night I went to an Internet Cafe that I found on Grand Road, about halfway between the 

Typical scene on Grand Road outside the Jagannath Temple. Notice the cow sitting right out where the traffic has to go around her.

Jagannath temple and Gundica. There I sent a message to Panca-pandava. I will return there this morning and purchase an Internet account. Hopefully, my problem of connecting will then be solved. I keep getting an "access denied" message when I try to use the VSNL account I was using in Mayapur.

As I type this, I'm sitting again at the beach where Lord Chaitanya bathed the body of Haridasa Thakura, in front of the New Seahawk Hotel, which is in front of Haridasa's Samadhi. I met my Godbrother Tattvavit on the road walking here this morning. He's staying in the New Seahawk Hotel. It seems quite a few devotees are staying there.

Last night, on my way back from the Internet Cafe, I met Paramgati Swami, a GBC member and friend. He told me he's staying in a new place, which is the last building on the beach. The rent there is only 200 rupees per night. (I'm paying Rs. 350.)

The temple of Lord Jagannatha as it looked last night.

I took a great photo of the Jagannath Temple at night last night, and I used the special "stitching" feature of my new camera to take some interesting panorama shots. I like the new camera.

It's 6:15 AM. There are some clouds on the horizon over the sea this morning. I'm sure the sun is well up, but I can't see it yet.

I met with Sivarama Swami yesterday morning. He's staying at Danda Banga, where Lord Nityananda broke Lord Chaitanya's sannyasa danda.

Only today and tomorrow left here in Puri before I leave for Calcutta on my adventure "Salagraming" on the banks of the Gandaki River in the Himalayas in Nepal.

The guys that sell coral necklaces and cheap jewelry on the beach annoy me. They appear just after sunrise and work the tourist crowds. The stuff they sell doesn't interest me at all.

Just now a couple of brahmacaris came up and offered obeisances to me while I sit here typing. Most people are amazed at my portable keyboard and mini-handheld computer. In fact, I showed the guy who ran the Internet Cafe last night and he was blown away by it. Invariably people ask, 

The Birla Guest House is right on the beach, quiet, and room prices are reasonable.

"How much does it cost?" Maybe these articles should be sold to the Palm, Inc. Company. They might be interested, and the publicity would surely be appreciated. The Palm Vx handheld can be purchased in most Electronic stores. It isn't cheap, but it's less than a laptop and a heck of a lot easier to carry around. When I'm done the keyboard folds up, sticks in my kurta pocket and becomes practically nothing.

Right now this kid is pestering me, trying to sell me something. He's probably interested in the keyboard as well. He's got some little wooden Jagannath Deities for sale. Nice. Must be about 12 years old. Somebody's got that kid out here on the beach begging. I 

wasn't as rude to the kid as I am with the older guys. I just can't be rude to kids. I'm kind when it comes to them.

By the way, those who know me well know that I have a repertoire of coin tricks. A lot of the local kids know me because of that. Kids all over Puri come up to me and say, "Magic?" I then amaze them by making a coin "disappear" into my elbow and come out my neck, or have it go in one ear and come out the other.

© CHAKRA 25 February 2001

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