On Wednesday 20th August, devotees all over the world celebrated the auspicious festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtmi. Bhaishri was invited to visit the famous Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Mandir in Watford, just outside London. During the visit, Bhaishri was taken on a tour of the entire Manor grounds and shown the old study room of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement.
The festival this year also highlighted Britain’s only centre for the protection of cows and working oxen and the proposed new building development programme. The Cow Protection Project is unique and plays an integral role in the education of visiting pupils and public, emphasising the importance of cows and vegetarianism in spirituality. Bhaishri was shown the proposed site of the ‘New Gokul’ project and was pleased with the plans made.
In the evening, Bhaishri addressed the main congregation. He was welcomed by the Temple President, Shri Gauri Das Adhikariji and by Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, who was also invited to participate in the Janmashtmi celebrations.
Bhaishri spoke about the need for a Gua Shala. He said that Krishna has two addresses, an office address (karyalaya) and a residential address. The temple was Krishna’s office address, He is only available to meet at certain times, whereas the Gau Shala is Krishna’s residential address. Krishna is Gopal and therefore resides with the cows and oxen. He is most at home in the Gau Shala.
Bhaishri later took part in the abhishek ceremony of Shri Radha-Gokulananda, the presiding deities of the Mandir. Devotees watched the abhishek while singing Hare Krishna Kirtan.
At Midnight, the curtains opened and Shri Radha Gokulananda appeared in full glory, dressed in exquisite garments and jewels. All present in the Temple room rejoiced and celebrated the Pragatya of Shri Krishna. Bhaishri conducted arti and sung kirtan for 45 minutes. The atmosphere was truly electric.
Bhaktivedanta Manor commemorated 30 years of the temple serving as an important and significant centre for Hindu’s in the UK. The Manor had been given to ISKCON in 1973 as a gift by the late George Harrison and former member of the Beatles.
Earlier in the day, Bhaishri and trustees of Sanskruti Foundation UK visited the Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Neasden and met with the Temple Mahant, Pujya Shri Atmaswaroop Swami.