Yesterday we attended the Gaura Purnima program here in Mayapur, and it just confirms to me more and more the incredible opportunity we have to perform devotional service here in Mayapur.

In the afternoon we went to the Abhishek of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, and I was just walking to sit near the front so my son (Ramakeli, who was 4 yesterday) could see the Abhishek when one senior devotee asked if I was going up to bathe the Lord. I was so shocked at the idea that I could go up on the stage and bathe Him that I just didn't say anything and just sat down and watched the bathing ceremony for ten or fifteen minutes. Finally I thought maybe I should just go and ask if I really could bathe the Lord, and this kind devotee didn't let me speak a word before saying, "Leave your kurta on the fence with the others, and just put your chadar on."

A few minutes later I was asking Jananivas prabhu if I should bathe the head or feet first, "The head first", was his reply. Then I had a large conch thrust in my hand and a devotee was pouring a thick pink liquid into it, telling me it was watermelon juice that I was going to bathe the Lord with. Then the moment came and I was trying to bathe the Lord with as much devotion as I could muster, to the transcendental sounds of the most melodious Gaudiya kirtana, with thousands of other pilgrims looking on. It was particularly special to bathe the divine form of Sri Gauranga that Srila Prabhupada himself established here in Mayapur on Gaura Purnima day.

The whole experience was wonderful, and it just showed how the mercy of the Lord and the mercy of His Dhama can only be given by the mercy of the devotees.

On the way out of the Lotus park where the Abhishek was being held I met Bhakti Caru Maharaja, who went out of his way to come and tell me he really liked our performance last night of the SMIS Jaganatha Band which played on the main stage, and also embraced me very affectionately; I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the Lord's mercy being shown through His devotee as he gave such heart felt encouragement.

We then went to the SMIS Prabhupada Ashram where the Russian devotees had set up a special Gaura Purnima pandal program in Russian. There were around 1000 Russian devotees there, and it was so sweet to see these devotees chanting Hare Krishna with such relish, savoring every moment of their special trip to Sri Mayapur. After the program the devotees served a beautiful prasadam feast of Russian style ekadasi preparations.

Sridhama Mayapur is truly a transcendental festival every day, but on these special days such as Gaura Purnima, Janmastami etc, the holy dhama just explodes with devotion and bliss. It is a priceless opportunity to spend even a moment here in this holy abode, what to speak of the chance to live and learn here on a daily basis. On this occasion we humbly pray for your blessings that we may continue to serve the Lord here, and we pray that you and your families may always experience the bliss of service to the Lord; eternally chanting and dancing in ecstasy here in Sridhama Mayapur.

your humble servant,
Deva Gaura Hari das