On 7th Dec 2024, devotees at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata celebrated 74th Vyasa Puja of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. Large number of devotees had congregated to celebrate the occasion. A beautiful picture of Maharaj was kept near the altar of Srila Prabhupada. The program began with a video lecture of Maharaj at 8 am after darshan arati and Guru Puja.
After Maharaj’s video class, devotees began giving their offerings. In their offerings, devotees shared how Maharaj’s teachings and life have helped them to sustain and grow in spiritual life. Devotees were blessed to have the association of HG Vrindavan Prabhu, a very senior disciple of Maharaj. In his offering, prabhuji spoke wonderful pastimes of Maharaj.
After the offerings, there was padpraksalan of Maharaj. The items used for padapraksalan was – madhparkah, milk, curd, ghee, honey, misri (sugarcane) water, rose water, pancapauspa jal, kesar water, chandan paste, flower garlands, new saffron clothes, brahmana thread, dhupa and dipa.
After padapraksalan, bhoga was offered to Maharaj. Devotees since morning were busy preparing varieties of food items for this special occasion. These bhoga were first offered to Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and then to Maharaj. The bhoga also included delicious cake.
After bhoga offering, there was Pushpanjali which followed by arati of Maharaj. During the arati devtoees sang – sri guru padma..
After arati there was feast prasadam for all at 1:30 pm.
Hearing pastimes of HH Radhananth Swami Maharaj
In the evening, HG Vrindavan Prabhu was scheduled to share the pastimes of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. The evening program began at 5 pm in which many devotees participated as everyone was eager to hear Maharaj’s pastimes.
Prabhuji shared many pastimes of Maharaj which helped devotees to understand the mood of Maharaj and Maharaj’s extraordinary dedication to serve Srila Prabhupada and spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world as per the desire of Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhuji spoke and gave examples to explain how Maharaj is so much dedicated in his sadhana. While chanting, he remains completely absorbed and while executing his service he is not disturbed by any bodily discomforts or pains. These pastimes were inspiring and motivating for all the devotees.
The class went on till 8 pm and after that there was dancing kirtan followed by dinner prasadam.
It was a wonderful day to celebrate and glorify HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on his 74th Vyasa Puja.
HG Vrindavan Prabhu again spoke the pastimes of Maharaj at Iskcon Centre in New Alipore, the next day i.e. on 9th Dec 2024.
