This year's Janmastami was absolutely wonderful. For first time ever in Dallas we had some of the Gopis accompany Krishna on the altar. For the 4:30 am artik both Radha and Kalachandji were stunning. Kalachandji wearing His fancy turban and Radharani was there giving out blessing for all who came to see her beloved, Sri Krishna, on His most wonderful appearance day.
The devotee danced ecstatically for the pleasure of Their Lordships, led in a wonderful kirtan sung by Bengali brahmacari Baladeva Prabhu. The crowd of devotees then chanted their daily japa with great enthusiasm awaiting the beautiful day darshan of the Lord. As time passed excite increased over and over until finally our eyes were blessed with this vision.
Radharani's Morning Darshan
Kalachandji Morning Darshan
Kalachandji Morning Darshan
Mangal Kirtan
Full Darshan mid day
The altar, like the temple room, was made into a great forest replete with monkeys, 
monkey
Beautifully painted cows, parrots, peacocks, 
peacocks
along with many many plants decorating the pillars, corners, and altar of the temple. We were all in the forest of Vrindavan.
The early day darshan was suberb. Radha and Kalachandji wore another new outfit that was adorned with strawberry designs and if that is not sweet enough for you, They were accompanied by four of the intimate friends, the Gopis. 
Early day Darshan
Especially amazing was Lalita
Lalita Sakhi
and Visakha 
Visakha Sakhi
These two Gopis along with many peacocks, cows, and monkey(which decorated our temple room) were artistically and devotionally made by our wonderful devotee, Bhakta Mark. 
Bhakta Mark
Bhakta Mark has been coming to Kalachandji's restaurant for 12 years but only recently by the long term mercy of prasadam (spiritual food) and by the mercy of the association of the devotees he has now full heartedly and very sincerely has taken to the process of Bhakti Yoga, loving devotional service unto the Supreme Lord. We can see how wonderful the Gopis look with the Divine Couple when they are decorated with Their late day flower outfit.
Flower OutfitMark Prabhu, a tattooist by trade, is an excellent artist and is working right now on many paintings of Prabhupada and other Krishna Conscious items. He will be helping my wife and I to make the base of Govardhana hill this year. For the Govardhana festival we generally make a 8ft by 3 foot mountain of Carob cake. The base is a paper mache model on which the cake is layered. On the mountain there is usually a couple lakes of pudding and underneath it beautiful dolls of Krishna with His friends holding the hill up.
But it doesn't seem that we have to wait that long to again get the darshan of Mark's wonderful Gopis. Recent news is that they will be making their divine appearance on Srimate Radharani's auspicious birthday. While this years theme for Janmastami was Bhakta Vatsala-Krishna as the servant of His devotees, for Radhastami the theme will be beautiful pearl story from Sivarama Swami's wonderful book, Krishna Sangati. Hare Krishna
Your humble servant
Nityananda Chandra Das
- NityānandaChandra's blog
Comments
Sun, 05/04/2008 - 00:28 — ravinjay
Kalachandji
Kalachandji looks shiny! Nice lalita, visakha, peacocks, flowers, cows, etc.... VERY good idea to make Lalita and Vishaka as cut-outs!
Tue, 09/25/2007 - 14:30 — Krishna Mangala...
Beautiful!!!
Dearest Nityananda Chandra Prabhu
This post is wonderful! Thank you for always being so enthusiastic, and inspiring. Keep up the good work!!!
your wife and servant
-Krishna Mangala Devi Dasi
Tue, 09/18/2007 - 23:35 — Navasi
On Top Of Karna's Comment:
All Glories to Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji!!! All Glories To Sri-Sri Radha Kalachandji! All Glories to Shri-Shri Radha and Kalachandji!!!!
I am so greatful to be able to view the Lotus Like Countenance of Lord Kalachandji and His Devine Consort Srimati Radharani!!!
I am especially appreciative of this opportunity as I was in the van that drove from Dallas to New York to receive Their Lordships when they arrived in New York from India! (along with, at the same time, Sri-Sri Radha Kunjabihari (detroit)! I did not go all the way to New York to get them as I was sent to the Detroit temple and that was my service, to stay there. I never got to witness the installation ceremony of Sri-Sri Radha Kalachandji because I stayed in Detroit. However, I did have the tremendous great fortune to witness the installation ceremony (and participate in it thru my humble service) of Sri-Sri Radha Kunjabihari! Now, that was one incredible ceremony!!! I can CERTAINLY tell you that!!! As a result of my good fortune to be able to serve Lord Kunjabihari, I have always appreciated "black" Krishna deities! (I think it gives a whole new meaning to the term "black is beautiful" :).
Thank you again, and again, and again, for allowing me to view these BEAUTIFUL DEITIES!!!!
Sara Elizabeth Hartman
Tue, 09/18/2007 - 03:18 — Karnamrita.das
Great pictures
Pranams! Jai Radha Kalachandji!! Thanks for sharing this event with such beautiful pictures. I have wanted to begin adding photos to my blogs and you are giving me a push in that direction. Bhakta Mark has made a wonderful addition to your Temple and special days. Keep the nectar flowing!!
Yours in service ,
Karnamrita
Mon, 09/17/2007 - 07:33 — Navasi
Wonderful Photos!
Thank you Nityananda Ram,
Those are such very beautiful photos! What an amazing celebration that was! I appreciated being able to see it!
Thank you,
Sara
Mon, 09/17/2007 - 09:50 — NityānandaChandra
We all had a wonderful time
thank you for commenting and your encouragement. I may do some post about our trip to India.
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