Monday, April 23, 2012
In honor of Srila Ashram Maharaj’s visit to California, Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Brajamohini Didi hosted a namahatta on a warm spring evening. All Brajamohini’s fragrant roses were in full bloom and many children were playing happily with a litter of kittens in the back yard when Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj arrived.
This namahatta had a theme; it was a pizza party to inaugurate the authentic brick pizza oven that Madhavananda and Jayanta Krishna Prabhus have constructed in the garden.
Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj led a wonderful kirtan including all the songs that are sung every evening in all the temples, and spoke words of encouragement and inspiration. Everyone gathered with them in the front temple room except the cooks (who were preparing a wonderful springtime feast). The lecture from that evening has already been posted (click here). When the program was over everyone enjoyed slice after slice of delicious hot pizza fresh from the oven along with fresh salads and special dishes prepared by the ladies.
Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj with Ratan Krishna and Jatindra Mohan Prabhus sit for a minute when they first arrive
then go outside to the backyard, where Brajamohini Didi greets them
Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj talks with Adeshwar Didi and her husband Stefan
along with Kumkum Didi, the manager of the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram
It is a warm San Jose evening
perfect for catching up with friends outside
Divyashakti Didi just returned from India and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu is happy to come for the first time to this historic house
Vimala Didi is happy as ever and Brajamohini Didi prepares the offering
Jayanta Krishna Prabhu shows Srila Janardan Maharaj his new pizza oven
Varsabhanavi Didi has fun with one of the rabbits
Jayanta Krishna Prabhu's Italian neighbor came for the occasion...
inaugurating the authentic brick pizza oven
Dinartihara Prabhu is the pizza chef tonight
He started making dough and sauce after the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class in Soquel around 9 am
Shyama Mohini and Bali play on the big fig tree
which has now entertained two generations of devotee children
Kalindi Didi meets with the Italian neighbor in the splendid sunlight as it sets
and with Vimala Didi as well, who is herself Italian
Vimala Didi, Sushila Didi, and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu
Vimala Didi has been serving in San Jose since this 17th Street temple first opened in 1991
Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj sit down
in the lovely temple room to lead the sankirtan of Vaishnava songs
and Srila Janardan Maharaj starts telling stories
some of which are characteristically humorous
He describes some of the history of the 17th Street house
Which was the temple for many years and then the women’s ashram
Ashram Maharaj speaks as well
and everyone is happy to hear from him
The devotees sat in the two front room to listen
to the excellent talk
Divyashakti Didi smiles happily with Jatindra Mohan Prabhu in the background
Krishna Madhuri Didi, who also attended the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class today
Jivan Krishna Prabhu and Varsabhanavi Didi visiting from Virginia to take advantage of Srila Ashram Maharaj's association
(left to right) Lavanika, Jairam Prabhu and Sridhar Prabhu
Damodar Prabhu, Krishna Madhuri, Kalindi, and Laksmipriya Didis prepare a succulent salad
in the sun filled kitchen
Vimala Didi is happy to see Ratan Krishna Prabhu
so they pose together for a photo
Brajamohini Didi, the hostess working hard
along with Jivana Didi and Abha Didi
Abha Didi and Jairam Prabhu's daughter Lavanika sings a song after honoring several pieces of pizza
Srila Ashram Maharaj and Srila Janardan Maharaj are served prasadam in the sitting room
and after the veritable feast devotees gather around them
to hear more stories
Srila Janardan Maharaj also told some of very wonderful stories about Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj
Everyone was eager to hear these stories
which made everyone happy...
finally people gathered again outside
and said their goodbyes
as the warm lovely evening passed into night
Dinartihara made about 30 pizzas tonight
each one a little different from the last
but all very delicious with thin crusts and plenty of sauce and toppings
Devotees kept lining up for more
So that they would get a slice that was still piping hot
Even after the sun had set the night was warm
and the mood was very jolly
Damodar Prabhu prepared the pizza dough
and Narayani put the toppings on
Balls of dough, the cheese, and some pepper slices
Taking a turn in the oven
and finally in their finished state
Shyama Mohini climbed to the top of the fig tree
All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundar Mahaprabhu!
All glories to Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj!
All glories to Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj!
All glories to all the San Jose and Soquel devotees!
All glories to Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Brajamohini Didi’s namahatta!
Gaura Premanande!