03/30/98 - 1722

Bhakti Buds at ISKCON Montreal

USA (VNN) - by Ramacandra das

Despite the sluggish devotional scene in the North American Yatra and rumours of stagnation at different ISKCON centers on the continent The Sri Sri Radha Manohara Mandir in Montreal has been experiencing,by the mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Srila Prabhupada, a resurgence of devotional activities and indeed renewed devotional vows.

This new year, Gaura Purnima,Chaitanya Era Sabda 512 has witnessed the Hari Nama initiations of four new bhakta's and Gayatri initiation of three new Brahmanas.

These spiritual commitments have most everything to do with the preaching efforts and presence of His Holiness Bhakti Raghawa Swami,the Maharaja's love, steadfastness, tolerance and complete surrender at the lotus feet of his Spiritual Master and Founder Acharya of ISKCON, Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.Assisted by his longtime devotional colleague His Grace Radhika Raman prabhu of Sri Dhama Mayapura as Acting President. Over the last four years a growing Congregational involvement has succeeded in freeing the temple of its long standing mortgage which due to mismanagement in the mid and late seventies had grown from a CAD 60,000 purchase price in 1974 to a whopping CAD 600,000 debt. The Home of Sri Sri Radha Manohara is now free and clear and a tremendous burden has been lifted.

Other grand accomplishments have been the restoration of the original brick work on the exterior of the 75 year old Church, repainting of the majestic,high ceiling Temple Room,reconstruction of the roof, a renovated heating and air conditioning system and a restored altar. The Montreal Yatra,established in 1967 by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and this present temple site will eternally carry the dust of his lotus feet. Srila Prabhupada's presence is felt through out the temple and the cleanliness and rising standards in kitchen and pujari attest to the renewed bhakti prevalent.

At the Home of Sri Sri Radha Manohara the new wave of devotees has arrived and the sight of shaved up heads,sikhas,fresh tilaka and saffron dress around the sacrificial fire, jumping before the deities in ecstasy and gathered around their Guru Maharaja honouring Gaura Purnima Maha Prasad makes this old hand wonder how his life ever deserved to be blessed with such a sight and how indeed the ever fertile field of mercy tended by the Master Sower of Bhakti Lata Bija, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada,blooms once again with Bhakti at ISKCON Montreal.