While people on the streets were seriously engaged in dancing and ghoulishly attired to the tune of “Thriller”, at the temple practitioners of the bhakti movement were swaying and singing to the great mantra, “Hare Krishna”. Two celebrations were going on- Halloween and Diwali. Those attend the Diwali New Year were at their best dress and best form singing and also listening to the pastimes of Rama and his victory over tyrant , Ravana. It was an unexpected number who came to worship Rama and Krishna. After all, those two names do appear in the glorious Maha-Mantra. It was so much fun and peace.
One incredible highlight to this day in addition to the temple happy hype for me was that visit to the “Gir Farms” in Caledon. To those cows and bulls of Gir and Guernsey origin I shouted a loud “ Happy Diwali”. They responded when the hired hand whistled for the herd to come, they were more interested in the jaggery and banana sweet treats than our petting them.
Each time that I visit this little piece of heaven I return more enlightened and educated. Vishal, the owner of Gir, informs us of the latest achievement on the project as well as the latest of a corrupted dairy system. There is a constant outcry by experts in the health sector about the poor quality of food that consumers partake in.
Mangalananda, who just this morning accepted his Brahminical initiation, accompanied Leo and I in this morning rural adventure. And I must not fail to mention about the super treat for us- the delicious and organic indigenous paw paw fruit.
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