A Triumphal Celebration in Kurukṣetra (Kurukṣetra Śrī Vijayotsava)

In this article from the Dainik Nadīyā Prakāśa (4th Volume, Thursday, August 14th, 1929) was written by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja prior to his acceptance of sannyāsa. At this time, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja was the temple commander at the Vyāsa Gauḍīya Maṭha in Kurukṣetra. The following is a report regarding a festival which was held at the maṭha on July 28th, 1929)

Articles in This Series:

Series Index

The Temple of Understanding Māyāpura and the Adbhūta Mandira The Adbhūta Mandira and Bhaktivinoda’s Vision Śrī Śrī Gaura Rādhā-Mādhava & the Temple of Misunderstanding An Open Letter to an ISKCON GBC A Topic Concerning the Manifestation of the Holy Dhāma

On the 12th of Śravaṇa (28th July), the Śrī Śubha-vijayotsava was held at the Śrī Vyāsa Gauḍīya Maṭha in Kurukṣetra. Many distinguished gentlemen from Delhi, Ambala, and Thaneshwar had come in advance to participate in this grand event. Śrīpāda Nṛsiṁha Dāsa Vrajavāsī had proclaimed a general invitation to the vijayotsava with the ringing of bells in the streets, ghāṭas, bazaars, and lanes of Thaneshwar the day before.

The maṭha-sevakas had already completed the decoration of their temple with great care the night before. The temple is on elevated land, and moreover, a large flag was hoisted. From the flag, a variety of colourful banners were connected by ropes and began to adorn the temple’s facade in all directions. At the temple entrance stood a two beautifully adorned pūrṇa-kumbhas and beside them, auspicious banana trees. Three archways were beautifully adorned with vibrant flower garlands and various colourful flags. On all four sides, various leaves were strung which swayed in the gentle breeze and created a festive atmosphere for the arriving guests. It created a visual feast for the eyes.

Inside the temple was a large Deity of Śrīman Mahāprabhu. In a dancing pose, the sweet and enchanting form of Śrī Śrī Caitanyadeva, glowing with a golden radiance, was seated on a throne. With His right hand raised, the Lord reassures the jīvas who are burning in this world, declaring His own identity Himself in regards to searching for the supreme divine Object. In searching for the Supreme Truth, merely by looking with the mind’s eye in a deep and detached way, when one fully surrenders oneself at His divine feet, one’s birth in this life becomes successful and one achieves knowledge. Those coming for darśana were flocking in groups, exclaiming, “Dhanyā! Dhanyā!” (Glory! Glory!) filling the temple courtyard with their voices.

On that day, long before sunrise, Śrī Śrī Gaura Vinoda-Rāma had been auspiciously placed in the new temple. From the morning, it had been overcast and there was constant rainfall. Such a thing is very rare in this region. Knowing that a public gathering would not be possible due to this calamity, the devotees were somewhat disheartened. At this time, the esteemed lawyer Lālā Bābu Rāma (who was responsible for building the temple), arrived on horseback along with his brother and family at the gate of the maṭha. The distinguished guests who had been invited were seated with proper respect, and were satisfactorily served with due hospitality and plenty of mahā-prasādam. Eventually, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. Groups of merchants and women from Thaneshwar began to arrive, singing in their local dialect, eager to take darśana of Śrī Śrī Gaura Vinoda-Rāmaji.

What an amazing sight! One group arrives, another group takes darśana, yet another group departs, and some are resting next to the temple. Some groups, either near or far, are sitting under the trees, singing the glories of Śrī Nanda-lāla in an unfamiliar language. Everyone’s heart is imbued with a semblance of pure bliss due to the association of pure devotees. In an unknown and unfamiliar place in the western part of Bhārata, the subject matter of the unlimited mercy of Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura in regards to the deliverance of the people is being discussed, and today the joy in the hearts of the devotees that reside in the maṭha is boundless. With continuous effort, they are fully engaged in serving the guests by facilitating their darśana of the Deities and  generously distributing prasāda throughout the entire day with frantic enthusiasm. Śrīpāda Nṛsiṁha Dāsa Vrajavāsī Prabhu’s constant and tireless efforts in service, the sincerity of Śrīpāda Dhīra-Kṛṣṇa Prabhu, characterised by his enthusiasm and vitality in the service of Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga,  Śrīpāda Gaṇapati Brahmacārī Prabhu’s simplicity, determination, eagerness and blissful service attitude, and the keenness, diligence and enthusiasm of Bhakta Hari Prasāda Dāsa in serving Śrī Hari-Guru-Vaiṣṇava are all fit for us to follow.

In the afternoon, Śrīpāda Vrajavāsī Prabhu sang with deep emotion in simple, sweet, and pure Hindi the story of Śrī Mādhavendra Purīpāda’s installation of Śrī Gopāla, as found in the Śrī Caritāmṛta. Finally, the assembled crowd was happy and satisfied in all respects by the chanting of śrī-śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana. The satisfaction of the people brought enthusiasm and joy to the servants of the maṭha.

Jaya Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya-varya Aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja ki jaya!

– Paṇḍita Śrīpāda Rāmendra Sundara Bhaṭṭācārya B.A.

(Translated by Swami Bhaktivijñāna Giri)

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Further Reading from the Bhaktivinoda Institute

Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Puratana Gañja of Śrīdhāma Navadvīpa by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura What is Presently Called Aparādha Bhañjanera Pāṭa in Kuliyā by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Where is Kuliyā Aparādha-Bhañjana Pāṭa? by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura What Has Happened in Śrī Māyāpura? by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrī Sīmantadvīpa by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Place of Śrīla Bhāgavatācārya by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrī Śrī Navadvīpa Dhāma by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Place of Śrī Nakula Brahmacārī by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrīpāṭa Denuḍa by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śrīdhāma Māyāpura by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Temple of Śrī Śrī Jagannāthadeva by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Temple of Jagannath at Puri by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura