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Jaya Govinda was generous to take me to Saranagati, the Vaishnava Village set in the mountains in Venables Valley.  We had a jolly and holy time in Burnaby, at the temple, to honour the birthday of Balarama.  This famous brother of Krishna is remembered with pomp and circumstance, and lucky for Jaya and I, we were set to celebrate a second time in the evening in the Valley. 

Google was telling us to avoid the main highway and take to the number 7.  That proved nostalgic for me because it is this trail that I’ve trekked four times as the route across Canada nearing Vancouver.  I pointed out to Jaya the familiar curves in the highway, the sudden turn and bridge at Dewdney, and the shift in the road at town, Hope.  At the Thomspon River, Spence’s Bridge, was a herd of horned mountain goats.  “Stop the car,” I urged Jaya.  “I’m getting my camera out.”  I captured one on the mountain wall.

 After quite the detour and a turn from the Trans-Canada Highway, we came upon Saranagati itself, set up our accommodation, and headed for the home of Kar, the former home of Yamuna (remember?  She sings on a recording, “Govindam” at every temple around the world).

It has been a year since a devastating fire ripped through the valley destroying homes.  After the flames died and residents returned to what was left, a rebuild, regeneration, if you will, and major cleanup took place, things are again operational.  Festivals never stopped and now – this one.

Balarama Jayanti proved successful, lovingly crowded, and high in devotional content.