Sripad Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj and several devotees including myself, Divyashakti Didi, Brajamohini Didi, and Govindanandini Didi, recently returned from an eight day preaching tour. Praying to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj and Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj for their mercy, we tried to carry the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Harinam Sankirtan to the towns and villages of Northern California and Oregon. Lord Chaitanya Himself said,
pritivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra prachara haibe mora nama
“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”
–Sri Chaitanya-bhagavat, Antya 4.126
Our first program was held in Sacramento at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir. Hari Balava Prabhu cooked and was able to offer the bhoga to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. After a beautiful lecture from Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj, the devotees served our guests Mahaprasad.
From there the party continued to Chico where we met local devotees including Daitananda Prabhu in the park and performed Sankirtan.
Next, we traveled to the house of Bimal Krsna Prabhu and Ishtadevika Didi in beautiful Arcata. The sound of the Holy Name could be heard in downtown Arcata all afternoon, and after a wonderful lecture from Sripad Tyagi Maharaj at the Community Yoga Center, there was more rousing chanting of the Holy Name with everyone there dancing and singing.
Off to Eugene, where Sripad Mathuranath Prabhu and his family hosted Sripad Tyagi Maharaj and the devotees for the weekend. Harinam was performed downtown whereupon we met the host of a radio show who invited Sripad Tyagi Maharaj to speak live on the air to the people of Eugene. For over an hour one could hear the message of Mahaprabhu over the airwaves and online!
After another successful evening program at Freedom Yoga Center, we joined the masses at the Oregon Country Fair. As we paraded through the quirky festival chanting the Names of the Lord, many were captivated and began singing and dancing with us.
Before returning to Santa Cruz we made one last stop in Fairfax at the house of Anukulchandra Prabhu and Jenna for an intimate and sweet program. They invited their friends and were very pleased to have a comfortable forum for asking their questions about Krishna Consciousness to someone so qualified as Sripad Tyagi Maharaj.
On behalf of the whole group I would like to sincerely thank all those who helped us with this tour. We hope to see you all again soon!
Cinmoy Dev Das
Photos by Brajamohini Devi Dasi
Their Lordships at the Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Program at the Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Sacramento, California
Sri Sri Radha Krishna deities at Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Sripad Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj spoke nicely
Govindanandini Devi Dasi, Hari Balava Prabhu, Divya Shakti Devi Dasi, and Cinmoy Dev Prabhu in Sacramento
Question and answer period during the program
Mahaprasad prepared by Hari Balava Prabhu was distributed to guests
At the house of Ananta Govinda Prabhu's kind and generous parents in Davis, California
Kirtan at their house in Davis
The sankirtan party makes a stop at the house of Braja Mohini Didi’s father in Chico
Govindanandini and Divya Shakti Devi Dasis with Ananta Govinda Das’s mother
The sankirtan party makes a stop at a park for some kirtan and Krishna katha in Chico, California
Daitananda Prabhu was thrilled to see the devotees in his town
We spent another lovely day chanting in the park
Sripad Tyagi Maharaj preaches enthusiastically and is very inspiring
We are so happy that he was able to visit the USA this summer
A view of the beautiful countryside from the road
Typical California scenery
Prasadam and kirtan at the house of Istadevika Devi Dasi and Bimal Krsna Prabhu in Arcata, California
Their family was very welcoming and organized a program in town for the evening
They served the travelers very nicely
Harinam sankirtan in downtown Arcata
A bookstore advertising our program later in the day
More sankirtan in the park!
Bimal Krishna Prabhu is a very good kirtan leader
Our chanting attracted some locals to come to the evening program
Srilekha Didi sitting peacefully
Quaint Arcata has this central park in town
Sripad Tyagi Maharaj plays mridanga
Along with Sripad Hari Balava Prabhu
And Bimal Krishna Prabhu
And Cinmoydev Prabhu
Istadevika Devi Dasi
We had a large program that evening
Guests asked questions
And Sripad Tyagi Maharaj happily answered them very nicely
Istadevika's parents were there, Dave and Linda Rae
Linda Rae (in the foreground) has done nice service at the Ashram in Soquel in the past
Prasadam distributors: Ramachandra Prabhu, Madhavendra Prabhu, and Krishna Mohini Devi Dasi from Colombia, who recently stayed at the Seva Ashram
Krishna Mohini Didi was visiting from Salt Lake City with Srilekha Didi
She had fun catching up with old friends
Srilekha Didi brought her Homeopathic Medicine teacher to the program
Dave and Linda Rae, Istadevika Didi's parents
Ramachandra Prabhu is amusing as always
A nice group picture with our hosts in Arcata
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues in the distance
Visiting with Lila Sundari Didi and her family
Her step-son Justin joins the kirtan
Early morning kirtan at the house of Mathurnath Prabhu in Eugene, Oregon
Many of the Oregon devotees came to Mathuranath Prabhu and Krishnangini Didi's house.
Some Krishna katha
Mathurnath and Hari Balava Prabhus rocking out in Eugene
Preparing prasadam for distribution in Eugene with Ratan Krishna Prabhu
Cinmoy Dev Prabhu preparing an offering
Maladhari and Phulamala Devi Dasis
Govindanandini Didi with Srilekha Didi visiting from the temple in Salt Lake City, Utah with Mathuranath Prabhu's daughter Vinodini Didi
Harinam sankirtan in front of the type of preaching van we hope to have in the future
Sripad Tyagi Maharaj was spontaneously interviewed on a live local radio comedy show after the hosts saw the devotees chanting in the street
The show's host posing with Sripad Tyagi Maharaj
Kirtan with the devotees at the house of Mathurnath Prabhu
Sita Didi and her children, Saraswati Didi and her daughter, and Krishna Prana Didi all attended
Krishna Mohini and Jaga Mohini Devi Dasis
Mathuranath Prabhu arranged an evening program at a yoga center in Eugene
The local devotees were happy to come together
And to share with new friends
Sita Didi, a guest, Phulamala Didi, and Jaga Mohini Didi
The center was a beautiful venue
With a deity of Hanuman
And one of Saraswati Devi
The children are blessed with garland remnants
And have a grand time playing
Spreading the Holy Name of Krishna at the Eugene Country Fair
Another group photo
Govindanandidi and Krishna Mohini Didis
Mathuranath Prabhu and Hari Balava Prabhu enjoy more kirtan together
Deva Bandhu Prabhu and Nanda Priya Devi Dasi of Brazil joined the tour after their stay at the Soquel Seva Ashram.
Program at the house of Anukalchandra Prabhua and Jenna in Fairfax, California
They devoted great attention to preparing for the Namahatta and were very pleased to have a casual venue for asking questions to Sripad Tyagi Maharaj
Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Vimala Didi drove up from San Jose, California
All glories to Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj!
All glories to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!
All glories to Sri Harinam Sankirtan!
All glories to all the world devotees!