CHICAGO: It was for the first time since its formation a decade ago that the Grays Lake Hindu temple organized Bhagwat Katha. It met with huge and enthusiastic response from members of the Indian community in the area inducing the management to have such programs more often from now on.
The week long Bhagwat Katha was conducted gracefully by a well-known Katha Vachak Shri Mridul Krishan Goswami of Vrindavan, India. Every day about 400 people would come to attend the program and experience an unbelievable happiness and joy of listening to Lord Krishna’s life episodes along with relishing sumptuous Maha Prasadam.
The program was started with Kalash Pujan with Vaidic rituals by Pt. Anil Joshi. Later, the welcome of Goswami Ji was done by following all the Indian traditions and Kalash Yatra. Firstly, Goswami Ji visited the temple along with attractively dressed Kalash ladies and obtained blessings from all the deities. Later, Kalash Yatra entered a beautifully decorated Katha Sthal.
Bhagwat pujan and Vyas pujan were performed by Pt. Anil Joshi along with the sponsors. Then Goswami Ji started the first day Bhagwat Katha Vachan with utmost devotion. The devotees came in willingly to listen to Bhagwat Katha in spite of intermittent inclement weather of rains and cold during the week.
Goswami Ji elaborately explained the importance of Bhagwat Katha in the Pitra Masa.
He narrated Krishna Katha from birth until he became Dwarikadisha. Every day, devotees enjoyed and danced to the melodious tunes of songs sung by him and performed Garba as well. Special attractions of the Katha were the live ‘Jhanki’ performed by devotees as Dhruva and Lord Vishnu, Vasudev and baby Krishna, Yashoda and Nanda Baba performing Krishna Utsav with his villagers, Rukmini performing Devi Pujan and Lord Krishna-Rukmini Vivah.
On the last day, Goswami Ji beautifully narrated Sudama Charitra. His mesmerizing Katha style made people to feel Lord Krishna’s presence in the Katha Sthal and they thought that they are in Vrindhavan during the Katha time.
An Illinois politician and a respected leader Bob Dold along with his staff participated in the Bhagwat Katha and obtained blessings from Goswami Ji. They enjoyed Maha Prasadam along with all other devotees. Goswami Ji blessed and praised devotees for their devotional participation. Pt. Anil Joshi on behalf of temple committee thanked and blessed Anil and Ajay Aggarwal and their families for the necessary arrangements and support.
He recognized Sanjeev and Smita Vyas for putting this Katha program together. He expressed his appreciation to all the devotees for their active participation and blessed them for their progress and happiness.
He also thanked volunteers for their time and hard work in making this program a grand success. He also expressed his thanks to Poonam Creations for decorating the Katha Sthal so nicely.
Geetha Patel
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