Mass Sankirtana's Perfect Venue

BY: AGNIVESHA DAS

Jul 19, 2012 — CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA (SUN) — Chicago's Bud Billiken Back-To-School Parade and Picnic.

Srila Prabhupada said that Harinama Sankirtana was the beating of the Mrdanga drum and distributing his books was beating the Brhat Mrdanga, or the Great Mrdanga. He loved knowing that daily, thousands of his Srimad Bhagavatams and Bhagavad-Gitas were being placed in the hands of many conditioned souls worldwide.

In the 1970's, Sri Sri Kisora Kisori's book distribution party was unrivaled. Many stalwart distributors highlighted temples around the world, making for a transcendental spirit of competition. However to match the numbers achieved consistently in Chicago was challenging. Chicago's O'Hare Airport (Oh Hare Krsna, as devotees coined it), had become the "World's Capitol" of book distribution.

The emphasis on airport distribution has changed since the 70's. However, Chicago's Bud Billiken Back-To-School Parade and Picnic is an annual event ideal to facilitate Sri Caitanya's mass Sankirtana and for local devotees to regain their title. It is what His Holiness Bhakti Vasudeva Swami calls "The Most Important Preaching in America".

"Our goal every year is to increase book and prasadam distribution. Mass Sankirtana was inaugurated to turn the mass mind towards spiritual realization and a pure state of peace and friendship. This event is the perfect venue prepackaged. And we are honored by Bhakti Vasudeva Swami's confirmation, says Gauramani das. "Maharaja experienced firsthand when he accompanied us in last year's parade. Bud Billiken has grown to be one of the nation's top 5 largest parades since its inception 83 years ago, in 1929. So the Lord's appearance 7 years ago was long overdue."

Gauramani das adds, "We've been successful at meeting our goals and that is because of the support we have received from all the wonderful Vaisnava preachers who come from near and far. We humbly beg that you all please continue to bless us with your love, enthusiasm and skills!"

The Bud Billiken Parade is always on the 2nd Saturday of August. And this year it falls in line with Sri Krsna Janmastami on Thursday, August 9th, followed by Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja on Friday, August 10th and culminating on Saturday, August 11th with Lord Jagannath beaming before a crowd of 1.5 million lining Martin Luther King Dr. and 25 million TV viewers. Sri Jagannatha Swami, Ki Jaya! Srila Prabhupada, Ki Jaya!

Bud Billiken Back-To-School Parade and Picnic
Saturday - August 11, 2012 @8:00AM CT

Contact: Agnivesha das (312) 282-9532 and Syama Priya devi dasi (773) 936-7046