USA
September 25, 2003 VNN8371
Sri Radhastami 2003 Celebrated In New York City
BY NEW YORK ISKCON
 NEW YORK CITY, USA, Sep 25 (VNN) — The sweetest festival by far, this year's Radhastami Celebration at Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir was a day to remember. Starting with the auspicious Mangal Arati ceremony, Sri Sri Radha Govinda's Temple was alive with excitement as the devotees gathered to greet Srimati Radharani on her Transcendental Birthday. For Mangala Arati, The deities wore one of their new Night dresses, custom made in Vrindavan, India.
At 7:30 am Sri Sri Radha Govinda were revealed in a stunning new silk dress, which was also made in Vrindavan India. It was designed by HG Ramabhadra Prabhu, and sponsored by longtime New York devotee Mahaprabhu Das. This burnt orange and white combination dress evoked images of winter pastimes with the landscape designes that were featured on this dress. After the morning program, the devotees chanted bhajans and kirtans as the bathing ceremony for Sri Sri Radha Krishna took place. This was a sweet ceremony for the many devotees who were able to attend the morning program.
After the abhiseka, Sri Sri Radha Govinda were offered 183 different foodstuffs, for Their Raj Bhoga offering. This has been a tradition of the devotees at Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir, especially for the cooks in Srimati Radharani's Kitchen, to cook as many items as they can for the pleasure of Srimati Radharani. After the Raj Bhoga Arati, the devotees gathered in the prasadam hall to honor as much prasad as they could, from the varieties of sweets, savories, vegetables, rices, grains, and drinks which were offered with love and devotion.
The program then continued at 6:00pm with bhajans performed by Srikanta prabhu amd the devotees. At 7:00pm Sri Sri Radha Govinda were unveiled in an unbelievable new stunning flower dress, which was perhaps one of the best ones ever offered to Sri Sri Radha Govinda in their history of receiving service in New York City. According to Ramabhadra Prabhu, who dressed the Deities in their flower outfit that evening, this was the best dressing he has ever offered to Sri Sri Radha Govinda. With an array of button flowers, pom poms, roses and gardenias, and other assorted flowers, this dress was a sight to remember.
In addition, Sri Sri Radha Krishna, performed thier Jhulan Yatra pastime for the final time this year, as almost 400 devotees took their turn to render personal service to Them, by swinging them on their ornate swing. The best part of the evening program was the almost 2 hour ecstatic kirtan, which reminded many devotees of the old time kirtans from the historic era of the West 55th street temple, with its intensity and purity, as all the devotees chanted and danced with ecstasy.
Of course, who can have a festival without a feast to complete it. Radha-red plum chutney, Paneer subji, and so many other wonderful items were made by Srikanta prabhu, and his team of volunteers on this glorious day for the hundreds of devotees who came out to celebrate the Appearance Day of Srimati Radharani in New York City.
for pictures, please visit the NY temple website @ http://www.radhagovinda.net/news
Other ISKCON NY News Briefs:
Public Kirtan at Bryant Park - August 30 2003
20 devotees from Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir, made their way uptown to Bryant Park, behind the world famous New York Public Library to chant and dance on a sunny Saturday afternoon. This time, the devotees were stationed on the sidewalk on 42nd Street, and performed sankirtan for more than 3 hours. They distributed books and flyers, and spread the Holy name to the countless New Yorkers who passed by. On many an occasion, people stopped in front of the kirtan party, and joined in, dancing with glee, as the Holy names of Lord Sri Krishna spread throughout the midtown area.
Srila Prabhupada's Books go to the Local Libraries
In an effort to distribute the books of Srila Prabhupada, one youth devotee, Bhakta Cosmo Guariello Jr. came up with an initiative to place Srila Prabhupada's books in all of the Local libraries in Brooklyn, NY. With support and encouragement from the Temple Management, Gauranga Prema prabhu, and the BBT, he has already succeeded placing a set of seven small books in the 4 libraries closest to the temple. Soon he will expand to the other libraries in the borough of Brooklyn, and perhaps to other libraries all over the city. If you would learn more about this library program, please contact: HG Gauranga Prema Prabhu, or Bhakta Cosmo, at the NY temple.
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