Shri Gaura Purnima Mahotsav
Shri Shri Gaura Nitai from Shridhama Vrindavan.
On March 16, 2014, Gaudiya Vaishnava Association celebrated the Appearance Day of Lord Shri Krishna Chaitanya with great fervor and joy. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Person, Lord Shri Krishna Himself, who took the mood and golden complexion of Shrimati Radharani in the form of His own devotee and appeared in Shridhama Mayapur, West Bengal, in 1486. He appeared in this world to spread love for Krishna through the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. In this age, known as Kali-yuga, Lord Shri Krishna’s direct incarnation is Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is also confirmed throughout the Vedic literature—Mahabharata, Puranas, Upanishads and in Vishnusahasranama. The essence of all Vedic literature is the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32) where Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is accepted as the Supreme Lord.
Packed clubhouse with attendees.
As part of the Jagannath Mishra festival that follows Gaura Purnima, GVA organized a grand celebration on the 23rd of March in the clubhouse at James Creek, Cumming, Georgia. More than 100 people attended the event. The fully packed club house was enthralled by the Hari nama sankirtana performances by children from the Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Suwanee, and Cumming areas. Prominent Carnatic vocalists from the Atlanta area—Smt. Latha Varadarajan, Shriman Salem Shriram, Smt. Padma Rajaram, Smt. Pratibha Shriram, Smt. Rajashree and Smt. Anuradha Nagarajan—glorified the Lord with their nectarean voices. They were felicitated with special shawls brought from Shridhama Vrindavan for this occasion. Children who participated in the festivities were presented with certificates and goody bags.
Children from the congregation, with wonderful costumes, performed an enlightening drama on the life of Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Many days were spent in designing and constructing a special altar for Shri Shri Gaura Nitai deities from Shridhama Vrindavan. It was very nicely decorated with abundant flowers. Finely decorated cakes, sweets, rice, and dhal preparations were offered as bhoga to their Lordships before the elaborate arati. At the end of the arati, devotees offered flowers. Attendees jubilantly joined in the kirtans and dancing during the arati. A sumptuous dinner prasadam was served at the end.
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