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It was less than six weeks before the scheduled opening of the Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana, India, and Srila Prabhupada had not received any report from there. He was concerned that everything be ready on time for the gorgeous installation ceremony. After breakfast, he wrote to Gurudasa in Vrndavana:

I am spending my last two days in Australia and after this I shall go to the U.S.A. In the meantime I wish to give you some instructions regarding our Janmastami installation in Vrndavana.

The main thing is that the ceremony shall be conducted by our own men. We do not have to be dependent on taking help from persons who will not even eat with us, thinking us inferior. All over the world, in Paris, New York, Australia, etc., our men and women are worshipping the Deity very nicely, and I am very proud of their worship. There is no reason why we have to think we are dependent on any Indian Goswami, in order to conduct our ceremony in Vrndavana. So you understand this and be convinced of it, and let them come as invited, but we shall conduct the affair ourselves.

You can also arrange to have the "Her Govinda", dramatical players and our own players as well. There should be abundant prasadam for whomever comes -- all day long. The kitchen should go on. So see there is sufficient stock of rice, atta, ghee.

The life members should be especially cared for and invited. We shall manage our own affairs. If they come, that is good, but if not, we shall manage. From our side, everything should be done nicely.

All big officers in Mathura and Vrndavana should be invited. Goswamis and Godbrothers also. Also invite local Marawadis and invite Parthak also. Practically, by distributing a general invitation card, we shall invite everyone. All the inhabitants of Vrndavana will be invited to come and see the Deity and take prasadam. There should be special arrangements for life members, Mr. Birla and many other respectable visitors. There is no need of money. Let it be a first class, 1-A arrangement. Krishna will provide all expenditures, so try to make it gorgeous. Gorgeous means sufficient stock of prasadam and temple decorations as gorgeous as possible.


- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu