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On the Auspicious day of Nityananda Trayodasi - Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chander, Sri Sri Jaganath Baladev, Subhadra Devi & Sri Balaji installation and grand inauguration of new Vedic cultural center (ISKCON Pune NVCC) took place in presence of His Highness President of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee. More than 40000 devotees participated from all over the world & 20 ISKCON Sanyasis, GBCs, Srila Prabhupada disciples & Temple Presidents were present. It was 3 days festival.
Attendance of Sanyasis and Srila Prabhupada Disciples:
HH Lokanath Swami, HH Gopal Krishna Goswami, HH Radhanath Swami, HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami, HH Nava Yogendra Swami, HH Chandra Mauli Swami, HH BB Madhava Swami, HH Veda Vyasapriya Swami, HH Sukadeva Swami , HH Amiya Vilas Swami, HH Bhanu Swami, HH Radha Raman Swami, HH Ram Govinda Swami, HH Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami, HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami, HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, HH Bhakti Madhuriya Govinda Swami, HH Atmanivedana Swami, HH Ramai Swami.
HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu, HG Kratu Prabhu, HG Hari Swari Prabhu, HG Bhima Prabhu,HG Jananivas Prabhu, HG Pankajhangri Prabhu, HG Basu Ghosh Prabhu, HG Sesa Prabhu, HG Bada Haridas Prabhu, HG Devakinandan Prabhu, HG Malati Mataji, HG Dina Tarini Mataji.
First day : (Adivas, Netra unmilan and devotees arrival)
Program started on 22nd Feb, Devotees arrived from all over the world. Their accommodation was registered and arrival was confirmed 6 months in advance for the Grand Opening of New Temple at Pune. It was wonderful festival as they arrived at the venue. Everything was well managed by NVCC Team and Devotees were very comfortable with their services. Later on they collected their bands for entry. At 5pm to 6.30 pm HH Bhanu Swami glorified philosophy behind Deity Installation with Power Point presentation and at the same time The Fire Sacrifice was being held in the Temple Hall by His Holiness Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami and His Gurukul Team. Devotees were doing Kirtan and after the Fire Sacrifice His Holiness Lokanath Swami and HG Bada Haridas Prabhu did ecstatic Kirtan and at the same time HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami opened the curtain and all the devotees had first darshan of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chander and Sri Sri Jagganath Baladev and Shubdra Devi… (Netra Unmilanam) 8pm to 12pm Shyan Adivaas. All the deities were put to rest and devotees got special darshan while deities were taking rest.
Second day : (Yagna, Pran Pratistha and Maha Abhishek)
23rd Feb Program, (Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda) 5am to 6am ISKCON Pune Temple President HG Radhe Shyam Prabhu washed all the Sanyasis & Srila Prabhupada Disciple’s feet and offered them traditional turban from Maharastra.. Again from 6am to 8am Fire Sacrifice for Deity Installation Ceremony, 8am to 11am Maha Abhishek was conducted along with Energtic Kirtan by HH Lokanath Swami and at the end there was Pushpa Abhishek. Abhishek of Jagannath Baldev Subhdhra was led by priests of Jagganth Puri temple. Simlarly Lord Balaji’s abhishek was led by priests from Tirupati Venketaswar temple. Devotees were showering flowers on their Lordship. 11am there was Chakra Prathishta. 11:30 Balaji Abhishek started. Then 02:30pm Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Sri Sri Jagganath Baladev and Shubdra’s First Darshan for Devotees. HH Radhanath Swami, HH Gopal Krishna Goswami and HH Lokanath Swami offered First Aarti to their Lordship and Huge Cake along with 56 Bhogas offered their
Lordship. After Aarti All the devotees honored Maha Prasadam at the Pandal more than 40,000 devotees were there. Evening 5 pm to 10 pm Sanyasis, Srila Prabhupada Disciples and GBCs gave lecture glorifying ISKCON pune NVCC. All Glories to Lord Nityananda.
Third day : (Inauguration of ISKCON Pune NVCC by President of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee)
(copies from news report)
On 24 February, President of India His Highness Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Vedic Cultural Centre of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) at Pune. His highness first offered flowers to H.D.G Srila Prabhupada before lighting the lamp (deep) to inaugurate the temple.
Speaking on the occasion, the President deeply appreciated the contribution made by ISKCON and called upon the center to dedicate itself to the cause of humanity by spreading the message of peace, harmony, love and compassion. He described the progress and growth of ISKCON as a movement of high velocity and representative of the saying that nothing can prevent an idea whose time has come. He said that Indian culture has never spread through conquest or deprivation. Centuries ago the Indian saints called for happiness for everyone.
The President said the founder of ISKCON, Swami Prabhupada galvanized the whole world in short span of time and established over 600 temples. He also pointed out that ISKCON provides food to over ten million children every day. He quoted Gandhiji and said, "If one man gains spiritually, the whole world gains with him" and called upon ISKCON to continue its commendable work of spreading the message of love and compassion.
Festival Highlights:
1.President of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee Inaugurated the Temple and offered pushpanjali to Srila Prabhupada
2. Above 20 ISKCON Sanyasis attended the ceremony
3. Almost devotees from 50 countries attended the ceremony
4. 50,000 Plates of Prasadam were distributed
5. A huge fire sacrifice was conducted and abhishek was done.
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