09/23/1998 - 2268

12th Annual Festival of India In Spanish Fork

USA (VNN) - by Caru das

Although the weather was not good the days before the festival andvery, very bad starting from the day after, the day of the festival wasperfect. Attendance was at a record high, with 3500 dollars coming in atthe gate. Many of the influential members of the Indian community werethere.

We had donations for the new temple construction of $8,000 andanother kind and generous pledge of $26,000 dollars from a westernneurologist from Park City. The gift shop did $4,000 and so did the foodbooth. We had $350 from the book table and $200 from the Mehendi booth.

Aloka das Gupta gave a stunning sitar performance accompanied byAjeet Pathak on tablas, Lila was extraordinary as usual, and the crowdloved Manjari. The drama was superb with Hala Yudha having flown in Fridaynight and working constantly till show time with the best cast we've everhad. There was not a single weak actor among them. Every one carried outhis role to perfection.

The burning of the 20 ft high effigy of Ravana came off without ahitch. He was kerosene primed at exactly the right moment, was completelyconsumed by fire ignited from Ram's arrow, and the fireworks display wasspectacular, featuring even items that have newly been created and rarelyseen anywhere in the world (rockets that shoot 75 yards into the air, turninto multi colored pinwheels and then blaze off at a right angle).

Amala Bhakta tirelessly answered questions from a microphone in thepacked temple room for six straight hours, even while the drama was goingon and even after the burning of Ravana and the fireworks.

Krishna sustained us through the weeks long period of preparation,protected us from inclement weather, brought a record crowd and income andinspired the festival goers with hitherto unprecedented love andinspiration for His Divine Service.

Next year we won't forget your promise to physically be here.
Your servant, Caru das