By Bhakti Carudesna Swami
On Saturday, 23rd of December 2017, Iskcon Lomé, Togo, West Africa organized its second Padayatra.
Around 45 devotees from different countries of West Africa met in Lomé, the capital of Togo. We had devotees like Bhakti Carudesna Swami from Côte d ‘ Ivoire, Yuga Prabhu, the west African Council chairman from Ghana, Vrajendra Dhulal and Tribhuvanath Prabhus from Nigeria, Candrasekar Prabhu and Bhakta Séverin from the Republic of Benin and many others from Togo like Atmattva Prabhu, Akincana Prabhu, Mother Abla Amouzou etc.
Vrajendra Dhulal Prabhu from Nigeria a disciple of Lokanath Swami Maharaja, was on his way to Nigeria but decided to stay for the program. He said: “Padayatra is my Guru Maharaj’ s program, I can’ t afford missing it. I must stay to attend to it.”
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The walk, a distance of 27 km started from Avedji Limousine,the center of Lomé at exactly 11.45 am.
Like the last year, we had a banner with the writing: TOGO PADAYATRA 2017 , MARCHE POUR LA PAIX.
This time it was rather peaceful and the Security was perfect. Yuga Prabhu and Bhakta Kagni held the banner in front of the procession and a kirtan with book distributors were following. We started from Avedji Limousine and walked through places like Assiyeye, one of the biggest markets in Lomé. We stopped for about 45 min there for a tumultuous kirtan and book distribution to satisfy the excited market women and the crowd who ecstatically joined and danced in the kirtan without hesitation. From there we proceeded to Massalassi high-way where we had to walk in line because of the heavy traffic at that busy area. The security agents were perfectly doing there job while curious passengers were watching the procession from their vehicles and bicycles. Also watching were large numbers of Zemidjan men (people who ride on motorcycles as a means of transport who are very famous in most of the big cities of Togo).
The last destination of the walk was Adetikope, which is on the way to Togo’s neighboring country, Burkina Faso. We ended the walk there where a trade fare were being held. When we arrived the other participants of the fare were very amazed to see the procession with the Prabhujis, Matajis and children dancing and joyfully chanting the Maha Mantra. Our ISKCON sankirtana booth became the center of attraction for everyone at the trade fare area.
While curious people were asking questions and buying books, some prasadam distribution was going on. A total of 90 books and many plates of prasadam were distributed around 4.30 pm that day.
ISKCON Togo 2017 Padayatra ki! Jai!
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