November 28, 2012

Sriman Gaurangasundarjiu on the altar in San Jose

On Rasapurnima day in the year 2000, the divine deity form of Sriman Gaurangasundar (Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) who had already been in California many years, and was being worshiped at the Soquel Seva Ashram, was installed in what Srila Govinda Maharaj called “His own home” on St. James St. in San Jose. Srimati Kumkum Didi made all the arrangements for purchasing and remodeling the beautiful Victorian house to fulfill Srila Govinda Maharaj’s desire that there would be a temple in San Jose. These twelve years she has maintained the Ashram and the Lord’s daily worship with the dedicated help of many gentle and honorable Vaishnavas.

Here are some photographs from the lovely evening program held to commemorate and celebrate the fortunate day when Sriman Gaurangasundar arrived at the temple for the first time. That day He arrived on a palenquin in a grand parade from 17th St. with jubilant devotees chanting the Holy Name in sankirtan. Srila Govinda Maharaj personally oversaw every detail of the arrangements for the altar, the offerings, and altogether every aspect of the Lord’s worship.

Related links:

Letter by Kumkum Didi in 2000
This day in 2002
Photo report by Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi
Photo report from Srila Gurudev’s word tour in 2005

24 November 2007 San Jose, USA. Talks by Srila Govinda Maharaj and Sripad Goswami Maharaj during the Anniversary Celebration of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar’s Auspicious arrival at the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram.
Video captured and prepared by Vaidehi Devi Dasi:
32+ minutes, 63 MB ‘mov’ video

[Show as slideshow]

All glories to His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!

All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundarjiu!

All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram and Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu (right to left)

Srila Janardan Maharaj just had just returned from Brazil

And Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu just returned from China

They were happy to see one another again

As well as Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu, who just returned from India

Srila Janardan Maharaj shared news of his trip to Brazil and of Srila Trivikram Maharaj

And then news about the devotees in China

Then Janardan Maharaj told the story of Srila Govinda Maharaj's first trips to San Jose

As well as Sri Gaurangasundar's glories and the history of this Ashram in San Jose

Today was the 12th anniversary of Sri Gaurangasundar's installation in this Ashram

Here are Sita, Vidura Krishna Prabhu, Srimati Kumkum Didi, and Vimala Didi

Divyashakti Didi and Swarnangii Didi

Shatrughna Prabhu, who recently travelled with Janardan Maharaj to China, and Vrinda Didi

Braja Mohini Didi making flower garlands

With Laksmipriya Didi

Ramananda Prabhu and Shyama Gopa Prabhu

On the right: Ashok Kumar. On the left: Venkatesh Chembrolu, son of Srila Acarya Maharaj's disciples, Hanuman and Sita. We're always happy when they can come.

Lavanika and Nabh

A happy reunion for all the honorable vaishnavas returning from their travels

Swarnangii Didi and Kumkum Didi, who has made all the arrangements for this temple and Sri Gaurangasundar's service

Jairam Prabhu on the left and Premanidhi Prabhu on the right

Anukrishna Didi fortunately received Srila Janardan Maharaj's prasadam

Jairam Prabhu with Sangita Didi discuss the upcoming Kathak dance concert that they are organizing as a fundraiser for the temple

The girls

Lalita Didi and Shatrugna Prabhu

Shyama Gopa Prabhu with Jananivas

The honorable kitchen crew hard at work

Abha Didi made puff pastries

Nandarani Didi makes wonderful dahl and vegetable dishes

Sridhar Prabhu hard at work washing the Lord's pots

Lilashakti Didi, another of Sri Gaurangasundar's dedicated servitors

The devotees prepare to honor the sumptuous prasadam

Mahaprasadam ki jay!