‘Kambal Katha’ in Indore, India

A grand Bhagavat katha by Pujya Bhaishri was organised in Indore by the International Pushtimargiya Vaishnava Parishad on 21st December 2008. The huge grounds of Shri Annapoorna ashram served as the venue for the katha. Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shri Vishveshvaranandji Maharaj blessed and graced this katha with his holy presence.

This maha yagna began with an impressive shobha yatra, led by ladies holding kalas and Brahmins chanting Veda mantras. Beautiful presentations of Shri Ram durbar, Shri Radha Krishna and Shri Shiv durbar were depicted in this Shobha yatra. People of all age participated with great zest and fervour. During the course of the Shobha yatra Pujya Bhaishri distributed prasad of chocolates to the less fortunate children. People standing in the balconies and verandas of their houses showered flowers on the Pothiji and Pujya Bhaishri.

Goswami Shri 108 Hariraiji mahodaya and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranandji of Shri Annapoornanand Ashram jointly kindled the auspicious lamp during the inauguration of the katha. Goswami Shri 108 Hariraiji mahodaya addressed the audience saying that the human life is the best form of life. We are all fortunate to be born as human beings; and the purpose of this human life is to serve God and human beings. Worshipping God is the supreme duty of all human beings. Organising a Bhagavat katha is verily a maha yagna while explaining the divine stories of Bhagavatji is a form of worshipping God.

Thereafter Pujya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranandji said to everyone that the citizens of Indore were fortunate for playing host to this divine Bhagavat katha. He also said that we have been privileged to hear the Bhagavat katha being narrated by Pujya Bhaishri due to the grace and blessings of Annapoorna Mata.

While narrating the Bhagavat katha, Pujya Bhaishri fondly remembered how in his last katha at Indore he had requested to the people who wished to bring garlands for him to bring blankets instead. Within no time thousands of blankets had been collected which were then distributed in the night to the people sleeping on the footpaths. Pujya Bhaishri’s katha then had acquired the name ‘Kambal katha’.

Shri Krishna janmotsav, Shri Goverdhan pooja and Shri Rukmini vivah were celebrated with great fanfare.