Places of piligrimageThursday, 22 February 1973Srila Prabhupada took his morning walk at Cornwall Park, a large area of green hills surrounding Auckland's most famous landmark, One Tree Hill. The spot was originally known as Maungakiekie by the Maoris, and was the site of many ferocious inter-tribal battles.The park, now designated as "a place of public resort for the recreation and enjoyment of the people of New Zealand" was notable for its rural and pastoral character. Many sheep roamed the rolling green hills. Native trees added to the park's beauty -- especially a wide variety of palms like the puriri and pohutukawa trees. Prabhupada, walking briskly as usual, appeared to appreciate the green countryside. He mainly chanted japa and the accompanying devotees, including Tusta Krsna, Siddha Svarupa and Madhudvisa, eagerly chanted with him.-----It is written in the sastras that wherever a saintly person goes becomes a tirtha, or a place of pilgrimage. In India, there were many tirthas, most of which were places where the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His great devotees enacted some lila, or pastime. There had been no such tirthas, however, in New Zealand. But after Prabhupada's visits to places that had formerly only mundane historical importance -- such as the Auckland Domain and Cornwall Park -- these venues took on a new significance. To Prabhupada's followers, such places had now become significant, memorable sites.- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
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