Srila Govinda Maharaj came to California 10 times between 1992 and 2007. He would describe his trips as coming to visit with his friends and their families. However, for us it was so much more than that. His association changed our lives and revitalized Krishna Consciousness for thousands of devotees around the world.
In 1992 he requested that we purchase a center, since previously we had been renting the building at 17th Street in San Jose, where Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Braja Mohini Devi now live. Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram organized the collections to fulfill Gurudev’s request and in September 1993 on the auspicious day of Sri Radhastami, we received the deed to the property that would become the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram in Soquel, California. Here is a selection of photographs from Sanatani Devi’s vast collection from those early years.
Hasyapriya das
(right to left) Srila Govinda Maharaj, Hasyapriya, Pitambar Prabhu, Sarvabhavana Prabhu, Ashram Maharaj, Sagar Maharaj. Standing in the carport, where we will later build the prasadam hall. (1993)
(left to right) Srila Govinda Maharaj, Sagar Maharaj, Giri Maharaj & Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram, touring the buildings at the Soquel Seva Ashram. (1993)
Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram meets with Srila Govinda Maharaj. Gurudev stayed at Rsabdev Prabhu & Kumkum Devi's house in 1992 & 1993 before we purchased the Soquel Ashram.
Srila Govinda Maharaj with Janardan Maharaj & Sagar Maharaj in the newly renovated temple room at the Soquel Seva Ashram. (1993)
With Sarvabhavana Prabhu driving, Srila Govinda Maharaj visits Srutasrava Prabhu & Sanatani Devi's house. Every time Gurudev came here, he always visited their home. (1992)
(left with red turban) Mohan Ananda Prabhu, who organized Srila Govinda Maharaj's very first world tour in 1992.
Srila Govinda Maharaj leads the devotees in kirtan in the new temple room at the Soquel Seva Ashram. (1993)
Srila Govinda Maharaj supervises the installation of Sriman Gauranga Sundar as the presiding Deity in Soquel. (1993)
Srila Govinda Maharaj with the devotees outside the temple building at the Soquel Seva Ashram. Diksavata Devi, Hasyapriya to his left, Kumkum Devi to his right. (1993)
(left to right) Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram, Srila Govinda Maharaj & Siddhanti Maharaj (known then as Chitananda Prabhu).
Srila Govinda Maharaj casts his auspicious glance over the Soquel Seva Ashram. (1993)
Srila Govinda Maharaj inspects the building that was partially constructed when we purchased the Soquel Seva Ashram. Later it is finished as Gurudev's quarters and guest house. (1993)
Srila Govinda Maharaj gives a lecture at the Louden Nelson Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California. (1992)
Srila Govinda Maharaj surrounded by all the devotees at the San Francisco airport before he left California. (1993)
Srila Govinda Maharaj at Hasyapriya & Swaranagii Devi's house. (1992)
Srila Govinda Maharaj in the temple room at the Soquel Seva Ashram. (1993)
Srila Govinda Maharaj & Sripad Janardan Maharaj arrving at the airport. Jaya Gurudev!
Srila Govinda Maharaj visiting Sarvabhavana Prabhu & Diksavati Devi's home in Scotts Valley. (1993)
Srila Janardan Maharaj ki jaya!
Srila Govinda Maharaj gives darshan to the devotees outside at the Soquel Seva Ashram. (circa 1995)