Tour Report: Sri Gaura Purnima Celebration: March 14, 2006

The Divine Appearance Day of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha, Navadvipa: March 14, 2006

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, installed a week earlier at Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha

The Deities' altar at Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha: Center: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha-vinoda-bihari, Far left: Lord Varahadeva and Srimati Laksmi-devi, Far right: Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja

After Srila Narayana Maharaja's class on the advent and pastimes of Sriman Mahaprabhu, he, along with all the 15,000 international pilgrims in the audience, watched a dance-drama performance of the Lord's life.

Srila Narayana Maharaja thanked and blessed the actors for their excellent and heart-moving performance. He commented that they were expert at dancing, and at everything. He said, "I am a sannyasa, a mendicant, and I have no money. I cannot repay my debt for the favor you have shown Me. So I shall repay you with my embrace.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was then brought on the stage and placed on an altar, and a canopy of fresh green leaves and yellow flowers draped from it was placed above His head. The devotees performed arati just before the abhiseka (bathing ceremony).

Srila Narayana Maharaja inspired the devotees in watching the abhiseka, and at the same time singing of the Advent of Mahaprabhu from verses in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. The song was led by Krsna dasa brahmacari and Tamala Krsna dasa brahmacari

Kirtan during the bathing ceremony. All hands were up in the air, as the devotees very slowly sang, "Gaura he! Gaura he! Gaura he! Gaura he! (Oh, Gauranga!) The Deities of Gaura-Nitai were bathed in pancamrta five kinds of nectar ingredients ghee, sugar, honey, yoghurt and milk. As the ingredients of the caranamrta (nectarean waters that bathed the Lord) overflowed their Lordships' bathing bowl, the pujaris transferred it into the large blue container above. The caranamrta was then distributed to the eager audience

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