Sripad Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj and several devotees including myself, Divyashakti Didi, Brajamohini Didi, and Govindanandini Didi, recently returned from an eight day preaching tour. Praying to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj and Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj for their mercy, we tried to carry the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Harinam Sankirtan to the towns and villages of Northern California and Oregon. Lord Chaitanya Himself said,
pritivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra prachara haibe mora nama
“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”
–Sri Chaitanya-bhagavat, Antya 4.126
Our first program was held in Sacramento at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir. Hari Balava Prabhu cooked and was able to offer the bhoga to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna. After a beautiful lecture from Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj, the devotees served our guests Mahaprasad.
From there the party continued to Chico where we met local devotees including Daitananda Prabhu in the park and performed Sankirtan.
Next, we traveled to the house of Bimal Krsna Prabhu and Ishtadevika Didi in beautiful Arcata. The sound of the Holy Name could be heard in downtown Arcata all afternoon, and after a wonderful lecture from Sripad Tyagi Maharaj at the Community Yoga Center, there was more rousing chanting of the Holy Name with everyone there dancing and singing.
Off to Eugene, where Sripad Mathuranath Prabhu and his family hosted Sripad Tyagi Maharaj and the devotees for the weekend. Harinam was performed downtown whereupon we met the host of a radio show who invited Sripad Tyagi Maharaj to speak live on the air to the people of Eugene. For over an hour one could hear the message of Mahaprabhu over the airwaves and online!
After another successful evening program at Freedom Yoga Center, we joined the masses at the Oregon Country Fair. As we paraded through the quirky festival chanting the Names of the Lord, many were captivated and began singing and dancing with us.
Before returning to Santa Cruz we made one last stop in Fairfax at the house of Anukulchandra Prabhu and Jenna for an intimate and sweet program. They invited their friends and were very pleased to have a comfortable forum for asking their questions about Krishna Consciousness to someone so qualified as Sripad Tyagi Maharaj.
On behalf of the whole group I would like to sincerely thank all those who helped us with this tour. We hope to see you all again soon!
Cinmoy Dev Das
Photos by Brajamohini Devi Dasi
All glories to Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj!
All glories to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!
All glories to Sri Harinam Sankirtan!
All glories to all the world devotees!