Everyone agreed that this year’s Gaura Purnima was the sweetest one yet. We had several uninterrupted days to arrange for the program, which gave us a chance to savour all the preparations. The altar was refurbished and freshly decorated with spring cloth. New clothing was made for Srila Prabhupada, along with a new asana for his Bhagwatams. A translation of Sri Caitanya-candramrta by Srila Prabod- hananda Sarasvati was distributed on the website. We read about the Lord’s appearance pastimes in Caitanya-caritamrta, and enjoyed the Savarana-sri-gaura-mahima by Narrottam das Thakura. The asrama was filled with brilliant saffron tulips and apple blossoms. Garlands were made for all transcendental personalities, and arotik was offered with a great array of preparations for the Lord’s pleasure: sweet fennel dal, curried eggplant rice, chenna sabji, cauliflower kofta, roasted sunflower gravy, stuffed baby eggplant, bitter melon boats, cauliflower pakora, tomato chatni, blueberry chatni, sak raita, Mother Yasoda’s sweet rice, amrita madhura srikhand, cream pies, fresh honeycomb, and lime panakam. Gauranga-gunete jhure, nitya-lila tare sphure -- if one cries by simply hearing the transcendental qualities of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he at once understands what is the loving affairs between Radha and Krsna.

On April 5th we began a new Bhagavad-gita discussion group in downtown Vancouver. Space is being made available for us at the Sixth Street Gallery, a beautiful art space that can accomodate a large group. Please join us! Content covered during previous sessions is available in digital format.See a class brochure with all the details. [More pix]

On May 15th we attended an event sponsored by the Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA), an Indian community organization that's very active in Oregon and Washington. The “India Pakistan Solidarity Day” festival was primarily a non-sectarian event, but HareKrsna.com was invited to exhibit materials about Krsna Consciousness and Srila Prabhupada’s preaching mission. We were able to extend many invitations to our local Bhagavad-gita group, and were encouraged by the warm reception. While the usual community festivities were going on, we beamed digital transcendental images around the room, spreading the nectar to all participants. [More pix]

We just enjoyed an ecstatic Nrsimha Caturdasi, and continue to appreciate the spiritual benefits. After weeks of rain, the sun came out and opened many beautiful flowers for the garlands. We enjoyed looking at more than 100 different images of Sri Nrsimhadev’s many forms, then read a selection of the detailed descriptions in Srimad-Bhgavatam of the pastimes of Prahlada Maharaja and Lord Nrsimhadev. We followed with a blissful pushpanjali ceremony while chanting and hearing 108 of Lord Nrsimha’s transcen- dental names. An excellent feast was offered, of Bhagara Rice, Mango Khatti Dal, Paneer Eggplant Sabji with maha boondi, Poda Pitta, Coconut Singhara Columns (two of which broke open during the baking!), Mirchi Ka Salan, Stuffed Bitter Melon, Blueberry Raita, Hot Apple Chutney, a milk sweet shaped like Lord Nrsimha's Claws, Fried Garland Sweets, Almond Katli and Laksmi Kheer. The kirtan was loud and joyful, and everyone relished prasadam together afterwards. [More pix]

The Vancouver devotees enjoyed a blissful Chidi-dadha festival together. The altar was redecorated and Srila Prabhupada received a new vyasasana and clothing. We chanted and danced, and heard the glorious pastimes from Caitanya- caritamrta of the transcendental activities performed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Nityananda, Srila Raghunatha das Goswami, and all the Vaisnavas. An opulent feast was offered which featured, of course, two clay bowls filled with nectarian chipped rice preparations, along with Ganges Curd Upma, Cracked Urad Dal, Cauliflower & Red Pepper Sabji, Dry Peas and Paneer in Lemon, Aloo Kerala patties, Idli, Stuffed Tomatillos, Baigan Sarson, Mango Raita, Rhubarb & Dried Cherry Chutney, Gunja-Mala Malpoori, and Lemon Cooler. After the arotik and a wonderful kirtan, each of the devotees was pleased to receive two clay pots of sweet chipped rice along with the maha-prasadam remnants from our merciful Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada. [More pix]

Thousands of people thronged to the 11th Annual India Festival in Portland this year. Sponsored by the India Cultural Association, the event draw more than 7,000 visitors who spent the day in the 90 degree summer heat. The all-day entertainment got off to a transcendental start, as the kirtan party organized by Rocana dasa was one of the first to take the stage. A lively and happy group of ten devotees led the crowd in ecstatic kirtan, chanting and dancing across the roomy stage, while other devotees joined in to sing Krsna kirtan from the seats.

This kirtan was especially sweet for the participants. In organizing the kirtan group, Rocana invited the devotees from the local temple, many of whom are leaving ISKCON Portland this month to take up service in Dallas, Seattle and Los Angeles. Following the recently strained relationships with the temple Board there, the event was a great reunion and a chance for the devotees to enjoy one last kirtan together. The HareKrsna.com devotees and ISKCON Portland devotees were joined by a devotee from the ISKCON Hillsboro temple, who had an excellent booth set-up for festival goers. They distributed Srila Prabhupada's books, music and instruction to many people.

HareKrsna.com also had a booth, promoting the website, Srila Prabhupada's legacy and temples. With the help of Bhakta Eric and Bhaktin Anita, Jahnava distributed prasadam to more than 500 people, who took great pleasure in the "Kuruksetra Sweetballs".
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