Gaura Purnima in Vancouver
By Gokulananda Dasa

As has been a recent tradition here in Vancouver for our Gaura Purnima festival, (the appearance of Lord Caitanya), we also advertise the celebration of Holi. The primary festival is Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Appearance Day celebration.

The actual festival was preceded by a 24-hour non-stop kirtan in the temple room starting the previous evening. On the afternoon day of the festival a wonderful harinam in the downtown streets of Vancouver also helped set the rhythm for the evening phase of the festival and the Lords auspicious advent time at moonrise.

Starting at 6:30 pm the evening portion of the festival got underway with the Gaura Arati to their Lordships. Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and the main temple deities of Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan. All the temple deities radiated as they were adorned in Their newly sewn orange, pink and blue garments bedecked with glistening jewels.

As Sri Sri Gaura Nitai were being prepared for their abhiseka (auspicious bathing ceremony), Another manifestation of Their Lordships ascended a palanquin as HG Kripanidhi Dasa ACBSP lead them and a hundred plus devotees on a harinam procession around the temple grounds. On the final circumambulation of the temple building the large procession took a detour through our "jarikanda" forest along a well-lit path. Moving through the forest with the Deities high on their palanquin the full moon shining brightly in the background and the roaring sound of drums, cymbals and the chanting of a hundred plus Gaura Bhakta's, all present were transformed to the spiritual world.

Meanwhile back inside the temple room the spiritual world was also manifest with the auspicious bathing of their lordships Sri Sir Gaura Nitai. Everyone present was swooned with a melodious harmonium

Kirtan by HG Mahidhar Dasa (ACBSP). All the attendant guests devotedly approached the altar to take darshan of their Lordships and offer flower petals to a large painting of Lord Caitanya.

Back outside the 'Holi" fire was ablaze and a tent covered stage was also ablaze with more chanting of the Holy names. At this time the Hari Nama Procession arrived at the "Holi" fire amidst all the guests as an effigy of the demon-ness "Holika" appeared. As the kirtan reached a crescendo the demon-ness entered the fire and was emulated in a gulf of flames.

Meanwhile throughout the entire evening a sumptuous ten preparation feast was being distributed from a large heated tent to the all the guests.

As the Hari Nama procession wound its way back inside the temple room, a discourse on the life of Lord Caitanya by HG Gosh Thakur (ACBSP) enraptured the audience setting the stage for the outstanding dramatic presentation of Lord Caitanya's pastimes by Peter Konikow's drama troupe.

A resounding intense Maha kirtan concluded the temple room festivities as hundreds of devotees and guests alike chanted and danced in ecstasy for the remainder of the evening.

Overall an estimated twelve to fifteen hundred guests attended this years festival and in the words of HG Gokulananda Dasa (ACBSP), a thirty year initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada; "this was the best Gaura Purnima that I have ever attended." Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Ki Jai!

© CHAKRA 28 March 2001

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