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USA April 1, 2000 VNN5784 Comment on this story Lord Jaganath Benedict's Mardi Gras BY GAURIDASA PANDITA DASA  NEW ORLEANS, USA, Apr 1 (VNN) — Biggest Parade and Party in AmericaLord Jaganath bestowed His mercy on literally millions of souls during the biggest party in America, the Mardi Gras. The Parade route is a few miles long with bleacher seats on both sides and lasts all day long! People sleep on the streets to save their spots for the much anticipated parade. Devotees tossed transcendental gifts from Lord Jaganaths float, to the people who were jumping up and reaching for the mercy.
We would hold the books out and people would jump up to grab them and they really appreciated the devotees participation in the Mardi Gras. The devotees mercy is the karmi's saving grace! Flowers were also showered upon the crowds as were incense and jewelry which was all donated by the devotees. It was a lot of fun throwing the things to the people, especially the fake silver coins. The people went bananas trying to grab the coins showering down on them. All the while the kirtan played loudly benedicting all of the fortunate souls some of them began to dance with the Kirtan and many tried to follow the cart . The cart would move then stop and more kirtan and distribution would take place. The parade was broadcast on Television all over America and even in other countries, such as Mexico. Lousiana's famous New Orleans Carnival or Mardi Gras comes to a high point every year on Shrove Tuesday (40 days before Easter). Costumes, dazzling floats, especially Lord Jaganath's, street dancing and generally wild abandonment are the order of the day. Lord Jaganath is so merciful! Many devotees worked hard to put on the biggest preaching program in America. Actually more people see Lord Jaganath at the Marti Grais Parade than any Rathayatra except for the biggest one at Sri Puri Dhama. So there is great potential for preaching and I hope more devotees participate next year in the preaching fun. It is more fun than a barrel of monkeys so bring the kids if you have any and go to Marti Grais in New Orleans next year! I'm sure glad I traveled the 1,800 miles each way to attend! The devotees want to make the event better every year and need all the help they can get. Any donations of, or for transcendental 'throws' from the carts, for next year would be greatly appreciated. Please send to Maharani Devi Dasi at the New Orleans Temple or Mississippi Farm. All glories to Lord Jaganath, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi!!! All glories to Srila Prabhupada who brought it all west and to the world and beyond!!! All glories to Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who showed us how to worship Him and Lord Jaganath with nice Kirtan, dancing and prasadam and book distribution. All glories to all of the devotees !!! Your transcendental reporter in the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gouranga, Gauridasa Pandita Dasa Gauridas@AOL.Com About the Author  Other Stories by this AuthorComment on this story Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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