Monday, April 23, 2012

In honor of Srila Ashram Maharaj’s visit to California, Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Brajamohini Didi hosted a namahatta on a warm spring evening. All Brajamohini’s fragrant roses were in full bloom and many children were playing happily with a litter of kittens in the back yard when Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj arrived.

This namahatta had a theme; it was a pizza party to inaugurate the authentic brick pizza oven that Madhavananda and Jayanta Krishna Prabhus have constructed in the garden.

Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj led a wonderful kirtan including all the songs that are sung every evening in all the temples, and spoke words of encouragement and inspiration. Everyone gathered with them in the front temple room except the cooks (who were preparing a wonderful springtime feast). The lecture from that evening has already been posted (click here). When the program was over everyone enjoyed slice after slice of delicious hot pizza fresh from the oven along with fresh salads and special dishes prepared by the ladies.

[Show as slideshow]

Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj with Ratan Krishna and Jatindra Mohan Prabhus sit for a minute when they first arrive

then go outside to the backyard, where Brajamohini Didi greets them

Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj talks with Adeshwar Didi and her husband Stefan

along with Kumkum Didi, the manager of the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram

It is a warm San Jose evening

perfect for catching up with friends outside

Divyashakti Didi just returned from India and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu is happy to come for the first time to this historic house

Vimala Didi is happy as ever and Brajamohini Didi prepares the offering

Jayanta Krishna Prabhu shows Srila Janardan Maharaj his new pizza oven

Varsabhanavi Didi has fun with one of the rabbits

Jayanta Krishna Prabhu's Italian neighbor came for the occasion...

inaugurating the authentic brick pizza oven

Dinartihara Prabhu is the pizza chef tonight

He started making dough and sauce after the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class in Soquel around 9 am

Shyama Mohini and Bali play on the big fig tree

which has now entertained two generations of devotee children

Kalindi Didi meets with the Italian neighbor in the splendid sunlight as it sets

and with Vimala Didi as well, who is herself Italian

Vimala Didi, Sushila Didi, and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu

Vimala Didi has been serving in San Jose since this 17th Street temple first opened in 1991

Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj sit down

in the lovely temple room to lead the sankirtan of Vaishnava songs

and Srila Janardan Maharaj starts telling stories

some of which are characteristically humorous

He describes some of the history of the 17th Street house

Which was the temple for many years and then the women’s ashram

Ashram Maharaj speaks as well

and everyone is happy to hear from him

The devotees sat in the two front room to listen

to the excellent talk

Divyashakti Didi smiles happily with Jatindra Mohan Prabhu in the background

Krishna Madhuri Didi, who also attended the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class today

Jivan Krishna Prabhu and Varsabhanavi Didi visiting from Virginia to take advantage of Srila Ashram Maharaj's association

(left to right) Lavanika, Jairam Prabhu and Sridhar Prabhu

Damodar Prabhu, Krishna Madhuri, Kalindi, and Laksmipriya Didis prepare a succulent salad

in the sun filled kitchen

Vimala Didi is happy to see Ratan Krishna Prabhu

so they pose together for a photo

Brajamohini Didi, the hostess working hard

along with Jivana Didi and Abha Didi

Abha Didi and Jairam Prabhu's daughter Lavanika sings a song after honoring several pieces of pizza

Srila Ashram Maharaj and Srila Janardan Maharaj are served prasadam in the sitting room

and after the veritable feast devotees gather around them

to hear more stories

Srila Janardan Maharaj also told some of very wonderful stories about Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj

Everyone was eager to hear these stories

which made everyone happy...

finally people gathered again outside

and said their goodbyes

as the warm lovely evening passed into night

Dinartihara made about 30 pizzas tonight

each one a little different from the last

but all very delicious with thin crusts and plenty of sauce and toppings

Devotees kept lining up for more

So that they would get a slice that was still piping hot

Even after the sun had set the night was warm

and the mood was very jolly

Damodar Prabhu prepared the pizza dough

and Narayani put the toppings on

Balls of dough, the cheese, and some pepper slices

Taking a turn in the oven

and finally in their finished state

Shyama Mohini climbed to the top of the fig tree

All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundar Mahaprabhu!

All glories to Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj!

All glories to Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj!

All glories to all the San Jose and Soquel devotees!

All glories to Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Brajamohini Didi’s namahatta!

Gaura Premanande!