By Mukunda Datta dasa
On 18th July we celebrate the beginning of Sri Caturmasa, which all saintly devotees observe. During that time the devotees increase their devotional endeavors and decrease their material needs, like eating and sleeping etc., as much as possible.
Srila Prabhupada asked us to at least not take any spinach for the first month, no dahi for the second, no milk for the third and no urad dal for the fourth. The full moon day, first day of caturmasa, is known as Guru Purnim, which is the appearance day of Srila Vyasadeva. On that day traditionally all the saintly persons worship their spiritual master. So there are so many pilgrims coming to Sri Vrindavan, to Vraja, to Govardhana. It is also the beginning of the rainy season, the month of sravana, when so many pilgrims are visiting the Dhama, the various local temples. During that time one of the most exiting festivals is the Jhulan-yatra of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. In some temples the swing festival starts at the beginning of the month of August. In our temple we begin on the 12th August.
In the temple courtyard, western side, the devotees are making a beautiful flower arrangement, a phoolbungalow, for the pleasure of the Deities. The Utsava-murtis, the small Deities used for the occasion, are also wearing a flower dress, made by the devotees only. After the vaikhalika-bhoga-offering-aratika, at about 5pm, our most beautiful Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundar and the gopis are brought, with kirtana, to the place were the swing festival is taking place. There the Deities are welcomed with an Aratika and an offering of sweets, called naivedya. And then all the devotees are allowed to swing their beloved Deities, till just before the temple closes at 8.45. This is going on for 4 days. Everyone is very much enlivened to take part in that wonderful pastime of the Lord.
The next day is Balarama Purnima, the appearance day of Sri Balarama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There will be very beautiful flower decorations all over the temple and on the altar. A new day outfit and a new night outfit will be offered, as well as a flower dress. An abhishekam, bathing ceremony for Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama, will be held at 10am.
Then a huge offering of so many foodstuffs, sweet and salty, will be offered and then Aratika is performed. Since Balarama likes honey a lot of honey will be offered to Him. In Vrindavan practically every day is a festival. And so devotees are always busy serving the Lord and enjoying the spiritual atmosphere of the various festivals. And that transcendental happiness is ever increasing. Hare Krishna.
