Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in America
50th Anniversary Celebration in Butler, PA on October 24th, 2015
Fifty years of steady dedication, fifty years of non-stop commitment, fifty years of building memories and accomplishment. A 50th anniversary is known as a golden anniversary and throughout this year and the next, ISKCON devotees all over the world are celebrating a golden milestone of achievement of our glorious spiritual master and Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The celebrations began in Calcutta, India where Srila Prabhupada left behind the land of his birth on his mission of mercy, and continued in Boston, Massachusetts where His Divine Grace’s lotus feet first touched American soil. On October 24th, devotees from all over North American will gather to glorify Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental pastimes in Butler, PA.
Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Butler was certainly a momentous occasion in his lifetime of meditation on spreading the glories of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and fulfillment of his spiritual master’s instructions. This was the first place in America he began a steady preaching program and giving his association to inquisitive souls. Srila Prabhupada spent his time in Butler meeting with local people and speaking to them about the relevant topics of awakening the spirit soul and developing one’s lost relationship with Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada’s stay in Butler was made possible by the kindness of Gopal Agarwal and his wife Sally Agarwal. The young couple, although unable to shelter Prabhupada in their home, arranged all his stay at the local YMCA, to meet with local interested people, and to cook his meals at their home. Sally describes Srila Prabhupada’s association (and cooking particularly) during this time as “sublime.”
On October 24th, there will be a celebration and commemoration of Srila Prabhupada’s stay in Butler, PA. The event will take place at the Grand Ballroom in Butler, PA. The building, the old YMCA, where Prabhupada personally resided can be seen from the window of the Grand Ballroom. This historical event will include a harinama touring of the places of Prabhupada’s pastimes, kirtan, glorification of Prabhupada and mouth watering prasadam.
This event will also mark the half way point of H.H. Bhakti Marg Swami’s walking tour of the eastern United States. Swami is performing this pilgrimage in honor of the first travels of Srila Prabhupada in America. He will also be present at the celebration in Butler and will enliven us with his kirtan and association. He will then continue by walking to New York City and will also attend the celebrations there.
Also in attendance will be Sally Agarwal, who relishes the opportunity to share her memories of Srila Prabhupada. Please join us with your congregation members on October 24th at the Grand Ballroom in Butler, PA from 4-7pm to celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of our dear Srila Prabhupada. The harinama will take place from 2:30-3:30pm and will start and end at the Grand Ballroom.
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