Sripad Goswami Maharaj in Saint Petersburg | Sri Krsna Janmastami | Summer 2006

Sri Krisna Janmastami

August 16^th, 2006
St.Petersburg, Russia
Photo by Balavanta Prabhu
Report by Kundalata dd

yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharamasya tadatmanam srdjamy aham

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, o descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion — at this time I descend myself.

Today is the Holy Day of Krsna Janmastami, the Appearance Day of Lord Krsna, the Original Personality of Godhead. For all the devotees this day is very special, for it can bring a special mercy in their spiritual lives.

For Russian devotees (gathered here from all over Russia and two devotees from California and Australia) this day was also quite full of events. In the morning His Holisness Sripad Goswami Maharaj gave harinam initiation to two people (Nikhilananda and Madhuradyuti Prabhus) and the second initiation to eleven people, then later in the afternoon about 20 reporters from TV, magazines and newpapers attended our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Seva Ashram in Lahta, Saint Petersburg to take pictures of the events and interviews with Sripad Avadhut Maharaj and devotees. Devotees (headed by Amrita Krsna Prabhu) orginized a small Indian concert and there was also held a fire yajna (devoted to the second brahmanic initiation). Then Sripad Goswami Maharaj chanted few songs, prayers and gave a class devoted to the glories of the divine Couple.

And at midnight there was the main boisterous celebration of the Appearance Day of Lord Krsna. And of course the day was marked by a grand ekadasi feast.

Their Lordship Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madhava Sundarjiu in the festive clothes

Preparing garlands: Gandharva dd, Laksmi Kanti dd, Hemangini dd, Deva Priya dd (from San Jose) and Gandharvika dd...

...Navanalini dd from Odessa with her both daughters, Anuradha dd
and Masha, and also Jamuna dd

Saragrahi Prabhu, Bhuvan Sundar Prabhu and Bimala Kanti Prabhu Brahmachari

Rama Sudar Prabhu and Swarup Prabhu.

Nakolay received along with the harinam initiation the name Nikhilananda Prabhu

Madhuradyuti Prabhu also joins Krsna consciousness family on this auspicious day

The initiated

Kirtan after the initiation

A bit later gayatri initiation was held. Pictured: a small gathering
before initiation itself. Sripad Avadhut Maharaj tells devotees
about the reasons and responsibilities of the second initiation

Ladies who are about to take second initiation:
Sridevi dd, Krsnamrita dd, Malika dd, Gandharvika dd,
Malini dd and Jamuna dd

Sripad Goswami Maharaj gives instructions. Pictured also:
Dulal Candra Prabhu, Anantadev Prabhu, Premanidhi Prabhu,
Ananda Rupa Prabhu and Gandharvika dd

Sanjiv Prabhu taking rest in the summerhouse

Fire yajna later in the afternoon

The yajna was held by Prithu Prabhu with the assistance of
Swarup Prabhu and Rasikananda Prabhu.

Sripad Avadhut Maharaj giving brahmana thread to Anantadev Prabhu.
(In the background — one of the TV reporters who were invited to conduct interviews)