By Bhaktin Vrinda and Bala Govinda Das,
On Saturday, 6 September, the auspicious disappearance day of Haridasa Thakura, the first-ever Nauka Vihar Utsava (Boat Festival), was joyfully celebrated in the Netherlands. Hosted by ISKCON The Hague Sri Krishna Dhaam, the event brought together uplifting katha, ecstatic kirtan, and delicious prasadam. More than a hundred devotees from across the country gathered for this unique occasion, marking an unforgettable milestone in ISKCON Netherlands’ history.
The spirit of cooperation and devotional service filled the atmosphere. Originally, what began as a plan to offer 56 preparations to the deities blossomed into something far greater; an astonishing 125 offerings were lovingly presented to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ananda Bihari. This remarkable achievement was made possible by the collective dedication of so many devotees. Kirtaniyas who carried everyone into the holy names, children who contributed enthusiastically, volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes ensured that prasadam distribution and logistics ran smoothly, and cooking teams who prepared the grand Chappan Bhoga.
The festival shone even brighter thanks to the flower and altar team, who adorned the Deities and surroundings with abundance, and the construction and clean-up teams who ensured that every practical detail, from filling the sacred bath to dismantling afterward, was perfectly arranged.
Special appreciation was expressed to the coordinators Ananda Jita Das, Amarendra Das, and Bala Govinda Das for their tireless guidance and organization. The festival would not have been possible without the generous gift of a beautiful boat by the late Rudolf Krishnedat Banarsi, as well as the breathtaking swan centerpiece crafted by the family of Ananda Jita Das under the direction of Janakinath Das.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/first-nauka-vihar-utsava-a-historic-milestone-in-the-netherlands/
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