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| WORLD November 30, 1998 VNN2579 Sripada Sankaracarya To Visit Vrindavan BY SWAMI B.A. PARAMADVAITI INDIA, Nov 30 (VNN) — For the first time in the known history since Sripada Sankaracarya a Jagat Guru in his lineage is coming to tour the Vraja Mandal on Parikrama. One of the purposes of this special visit which is accompanied by many important personalities along the whole tour is to focus on the need of preserving the holy place of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Planting trees, counteracting pollution and restoring historic sites are on the Agenda. Even the ex President of India, Mr. Sankar Dayal Sharma is going to be present. The concern of a Sankaracarya to take Darshan of Sri Vrindavan Dhama and for Lord Krishna's holy place sets a new hope in the religious horizon. Lord Chaitanya discovered Vrindavan and his devotees developed it under his order. Kings from all over India and neighboring countries constructed beautiful Temples and Dharmsalas, Goshallas and Ghats which made Vrindavan the unique medieval place where Krishna's palaces in the extraordinary Rajestani stone carving style were surrounded by gardens and village dwellings. Poverty and cement constructions, now in half-finished or decaying conditions with satellite dish antennas on the roof have changed that picture dangerously. As more old buildings are broken down to construct new modern residences, the old stone archways and historic carved doors are disappearing and sold. Plus the impact of great posters and wall paintings of tasteless advertisements destroy the scenery of a medieval town without a second. Business eagerness has turned many beautiful temples into shopping complexes or residences of the poorest people who rent a room for a few rupees from sometimes self-appointed managers. They live in carved stone rooms even rich people in other countries could not afford to build, but they do not notice that privilege. Rather they let decay come fast by cooking everywhere and by letting black waters run all over the stones into the street. Urgent help is required. Real solutions for the social problems can be found with involvement of some people who want to save the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. It should be noted here, that Vrindavan and the Bhakti to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna has become a concern for people from all over the world ever since the message of Bhakti was taken to the west by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Thus it is a concern of people from all over the world to see Vrindavan become the beautifully maintained place of pilgrimage of a true World religion. The Indian Newspapers published the following announcement: Anent Sri Vibhusit Joytish and Dwarka Sharda Peethadhishwa Jagad Guru Sankaracharya Swami Sri Swarupanad Saraswati ji Maharaj will perform the Vraj 84 kosh yatra from 5 Nov 98 to 27 Nov 98 President - Jagat Guru Sankaracharya Swami Sri Swarupanand Saraswati ji Maharaj. SOME SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS IN VRAJA: --The first Yatra in the history of the Hindu Dharma performed by any Sankaracharya to the highest place of Bhakti "The first program of Braja tour". --This fascinating parikrama will last 22 days with 14 stops. It will pitch camp at these 14 stops, as specified in the Puranas. --Lord Sri Krishna's glorious personality and wonderful pastimes will be dramatized by Swami Har Govinda. --Enlightening lectures by Murari Bapu and many other great saints. -- The master of traditional Braj-Bhajan, Anoop Jalota, will sing melodious songs. --Super-star film actress and dancer Hema Malin in the role of the enchanting Sri Radha in Barsana. --The very popular Braj Huranga ("Holi" festival),a great preparation of 56 varieties of bhoga for Yamuna Devi and Giriraj ji, and wonderful Sri Krishna Maharas lila dancing. --An evening in the memory of, among the traditional free poets, the Sufi Saint of Braja Rasakhan. It will be called: "An evening in the name of Rasakhan". HUMAN WELFARE PROGRAMS: --Environmental education. --Plantation programs. --Anti-pollution programs. --Restoration of Temples, Kundas (lakes) and places of archaeological importance. --Lectures and spiritual instructions by His Holiness Dharma Guru Sri Sankaracharyas and other saints to a disturbed and purposeless society. WELL-WISHERS Guardian -- Sri Shankar Dayal Sharma (Former president of India). Active Chairman -- Ram Jetha Malani (Central Minister). Chief Secretary -- Mahesh Pathak (Chaturvedi) (member of All India Congress Committee) Treasurer -- Sri Ghanshyam Kanoi, Principal Industrialist Member---- Sri Subuddhananda ji Bramhachari Member---- Y.V. Chandrachuda Ex Chief Justice of India Member---- Sri Ramakrishna Hegade, Central Minister Member---- Sri Balaram Jakhad, Former Central Minister Member----Mahant sri Shyam Das ji Udasin ORGANIZER--Sri S.N. Chaturvedi---- Member All India Congress Committee Sri Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Vraja -Yatra Samiti, Bitthal Vihar, Vishramghat, Mathura. Telephone: 0565 407344,408600,406066 This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9811/WD30-2579.html |
