Our travels..

Tour to Himalaya 2005 - Chardham

2007-02-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

In spring 2005 a group of us went on a trip to the holy places in Himalaya mountains. Most of us were from Slovenia and Croatia, and my friend from Austria. Char dham is a well known pilgrimage in Indian part of Himalaya mountains. It mainly consists of visiting four - char, holy places: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedrinath and Bhadrinath. I will tell more about the places along with pictures.

We took an Alitalia flight from Vienna to Milano, and from there to Delhi. Here we are on the aiport in Vienna.

Here we are already on the streets on Delhi. This is usual view of crowded streets of India surcharged with sounds of different horns.

From Delhi we travelled to Haridwar - doors to Lord Hari. It is holy place of pilgrimage where pilgrims are taking purificatory bath in Ganges river. Many temples and holy spots are here.

Along pilgrims and sadhus many interesting people are gathering here, trying to exibit their skills or sell items to earn some money for their livelihood.

Ganga is brought and majestic here.

Animals are peacefully residing in these places, since there is no danger to slaughter them. Residents of Himalayas are in great majority vegeterians.

View on Haridwar and Ganga from temple on the hill.

Great Deity of Lord Siva in the middle of Haridwar. In Himalayas people are very fond of greatest devotee Lord Siva and have many temples where they worship him.

From Haridwar we went further to Rishikesh, approximatelly 20 km further. There is famous bathing spot, where is the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Name Rishikesh comes from rishi - sage, since there many great Rishis in the past were performing meditation and austerities. Now many yoga asramas and temples are located in this town.

From Rishikesh the road is starting to climb up to the first hills of Himalaya.

Road is going upstream by the Ganga river and later Yamuna. First we will visit Yamunotri - the source of Yamuna river.

Road is quite narrow specially if you meet a flock of animals on it or a vehicle going opposite.

Or if local people decide to not let you pass, you can just stay on the spot and wait. In one village they had a student strike and block the only road for Yamunotri. We left the bus here and took Jeep taxi on the other side of village so that we could continue. The bus followed us when the strike was finished.

Our drivers. Funny guys always chewing and smoking.

Here we see for the first time high peaks whith eternal snow.

They are around 6000 m above see level.

And here we are coming to place were we have to walk further. We took our guides here.

These are our guides. On the left very nice boy and on the right older brother which was sometimes little heavy.

You can also go up to Yamunotri beeing carried by four men.

Or on the back of a horse or mule.

We met one sadhu-ji on the road. I called him smoking sadhu, since he was smoking with our older guide. He was giggling to my comment.

So here we are approaching Yamunotri.

Deities in the main temple. Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in the middle.

Nice looking vaishnava by the yamuna river. It was just after he took bath in freezing cold yamuna.

Priests from the temple there. They made pitri yajna (offering to the forefathers) for sadhuji on previous picture and me also.

Close to the main temple is another very nice vaishnava temple. They have quite some deities on the altar and also some Salagrams.

Very nice vaishnava who is staying in this temple. They served us very tasty prasadam.

I also took a dip in Yamuna. Quite refreshing.

Next day few of us went further on to place called Sapta Rishi lake.

Road was hard so the horses could not come with.

We had to climb more then 1000 m height in one day and come back the same day.

Here we are coming to snow and fog area.

This is Sapta Rishi lake which was small, but after rainy season it is much biger. Seven Rishis were meditating here and they say this is real source of Yamuna river.

Some nice peaks around the lake.

About 6000 m above see level.

Coming down from Yamunotri.

It happens that sheep completely block the roud for some time.

Interesting use od the shovel. One is holding the handle and another guy is holding the rope. In this way it is easier to dig the earth or sand.

Here we are coming to Gangotri. Place were we met with our spiritual master Smita Krsna Swami.

On the street going through Gangotri.

Kids usually like to pose before camera.

Just below Gangotri, Ganga is flowing with fast stream.

This is main temple whith Ganga deity inside. Nearby is also murti of Bhagirath who was making tapasya here to bring mother Ganga to this world.

After few days staying in Gangotri we went further to Goumukh (source of Ganga river) with our Guru maharaja in front of us.

We had view on high peaks with eternal snow and ice.

Chanting holy names on the way.

We were lucky with the wheather, which was sunny almost all the time.

On the way there were places for taking rest.

Here we are coming to small village where we spent the night in nice Sita Ram temple. Devotees there are really nice. Immediately they serve you free tea and give you place to sleep and prasadam for very decent price.

Rooms for sleeping. As you can see there is no heating system inside so you have to bring good sleeping bags with you.

Very intersting vaishnava is living nearby. All the time wearing just caupin - small peace of under wear. Those who know Sacinandana swami is his regular guest when he visits these places. He is living very simple but still he offered us nice tasty meal. We also had nice bhajan. He and two preasts from the temple are the only ones who stay here through the whole winter. It may happen to be 6m of snow here.

Next day we went further to Gaumukh - source of Ganga river.

On the way we had a view on natural Siva linga peak, close to 7000 m high.

And this is Gaumukh. Source of Ganges. It is coming directly out of glacier so the water here is freezing cold.

Still some of us used this rare opportunity to purify our soul by taking a dip in this holy place.

Next day few of us went further to place called Tapovan.

Road was not clear and was full of rocks and sand. Actually we were walking on top of glacier.

After few hours we made it. Tapovan is plateau around 4500 m high. Rishis used to make tapasya-austerities here.

And some still are. Younger one on the left is staying here through the whole winter.

As you can see I was finished.

One view from Tapovan.

This is Siva cave.

From inside there is a hole and narrow stairs down.

This is sadhu living here through the whole year maditating on Lord Siva with "Om Sivaya namaha" mantra.

This is not a satellite antena but device for heating water. You can see in the middle a bottle of water.

Local sadhus walk barefoot and look quite comfartable.

Now we are on the way to Kedarnath. From this small town you have to walk or ride with a horse to Kedarnath.

Here Parvati was performing austerities to get Lord Siva for husband.

This is first view of Kedarnath. One branch of Ganga is flowing by the village.

Next place we will see is Kedarnath. Place is dedicated to lord Siva. Pandava were worshiping him here to eradicte their sins commited in war on Kurukshetra. Siva took form of bull to hide from them when they were searching for him. When they found out that he accepted the form of a bull he started to sink down in the earth. Bhima grabed him just before he sinked completely and the only thing what was left outside was the hunch of a bull. Siva instructed them, that if they want to eradicate their sins they should worship that hunch. And that same Siva-bull hunch is worshiped in the main temple in Kedarnath.

Every visitor can make an offering to Bulls hunch inside the temple. Taking photos there is strictly forbbiden so this one is taken whithout flash light incognito.

Entrance door of the main temple.

Well he is most genuine Sivait we met. Very poorly dressed although temperature was quite low and had ashes all over his body. He is mercifully giving us blessings.

Now we are already on the way to Badrinath. This is intersting Nrisimhadev temple in one town on the way.

Inside is a deity of Nrisimhadev, who has very tinny wrist. It is said that when His hand will fall of two mountains on the way to Bradrinath will collapse and block the only way to Badrinath.

This is already Badrinath temple.

In fromt of the temple are Tapta kund
and Narada kund. Before entering the temple pilgrims bath in this two ponds.

This is again one photo of deity taken incognito.

Further from Bhadrinath we went to place called Mana. Here Srila Vyasadev spoke and Ganesh wrote Vedic literature.

This is Ganes cave.

Deity of Ganesh.

And this is cave where Srila Vyasadev recited Vedic literature. You can see deity of Srila Vyasadev.

We went futher to the hill. This is nice view on the valley.

And here we have Bhima`s rock. This big rock on which people are standing Bhima personally threw over the gorge, so that Pandavas could cross over.

On this flags many sankrit prayers are written, so that when the wind is blowing he can pray through them.

We succeeded to finish our Char dham journey.

And few pictures from Vrindavan. One of rare deities of Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu in Vrindavan. Deity is called Amiya Nimai.

Radha Raman selfmanifested deity.

Murti of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami in Radha Damodar mandir.

Hare Krsna

Venice Carnival 2007..

2007-02-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

On Carnival Saturday I went with devotees from Slovenia to Venice carnival Harinam Sankirtan. So many people gather there on this occasion and devotees use this opportunity to reach them with transcendental holy name. We went by bus, first to Prabhupada desh and from there to Venice.

This is nobel villa Prabhupad desh, where many devotees live. Devotees own this place with some property around, where many devotee householders live.

In front of the main building is a nice park.

Sri Sri Gaura Nitai deities in a nicely carved altar.

Murti of Prabhupad looks satisfied since sankirtan is being performed.

From Prabhupad desh we went to Venice and on the parking place devotees were warming up.

And preparing the needful for harinam party.

Romapati Govinda prabhu already ecstatic.

Even sea gulls were gathering checking out what is going on and maybe trying to catch holy name or some maha prasadam from devotees.

Matajis putting on nice decorations.

Devotees have many intersting skill.

Some like posing.

And here we go.

Matajis were bravely distributing prasadam cookies and in majority people took it gladely.

In city we met with Italian devotees where we joined the parties and continued together under the guidance of Maha Visnu maharaja.

Maha Visnu maharaja is specialy equipped for harinam sankirtan with his unique accordion.

Also other devotees were leading harinam party.

Sri Sri Gaura Nitai deities were borowed by Kunjabiharini mataji from Slovenia.

Ecstatic Gaura bhakta carrying deities.

Lalita Govinda prabhu, a senior devotee from Slovenia was leading ecstatic kirtan.

Maha Visnu maharaja was tireless during the whole event, puting in his transcendental inspiration to all of us.

So many people joined devotees in ecstatic dancing and singing of Hare Krishna maha mantra.

Always entusiastic devotee Slavko.

Interesting masks. Hopefully they will, by the influence of the holy name, put them of and realise their true nature as servants of God.

They really had a good time singing and dancing with devotees.

Devotee in transcendental bliss.

Party is going on.

Upadesamrita seminar..

2007-01-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

I attended a seminar on Rupa Goswamis book "Upadesamrita", basic instructions for Gaudiya vaishnavas. As Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left eight written verses called "Siksastaka", Rupa goswami left basic instruction for devotees in eleven verses in "Upadesamrita" - nectar of instruction, guiding us from basic instructions of tolerating the urges of the senses to glorifying the topmost devotee Srimati Radharani and her lake Radha kunda, which is filled with ecstatic, ambrosial Krsna prema.

Seminar was held in Croatia-Lika-Saborsko, at Lokesh house. About 25 devotees attended the seminar which was held by my Guru Maharaja - Smita Krsna Swami. Many questions arrised and interesting discussions were discussed among participants. We also used free time to visit near forest and Plitvica lakes - second most beautifull nature park in the world after Niagara falls.

Here are some pictures from the event.

vaco vegam manasah krodha vegam
jihva vegam udharapastha vegam
etan vegan yo visaheta dhirah
sarvam api mam prithivim sa sisyat

A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.

atyaharah prayasas ca
prajalpo niyamagrahah
jana sangas ca laulyam ca
sadbhir bhaktir vinasyati

One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities:
1)eating more than necessary or collecting more funds then required.
2)over endeavoring for mundane things, which are very difficult to attain.
3)talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters.
4)practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically.
5)associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krsna consciousness.
6)being greedy for mundane achievements.

utsahan niscyad dhairyat
tat tat karma pravartanat
sanga tyagat sato vrtteh
sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

There are six principles favorable to the execution of pure devotional service:
1)being enthusiastic,
2)endeavoring with confidence,
3)being patient,
4)acting according to regulative principles (such as sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam –hearing, chanting and remembering Krsna),
5)abandoning association of non devotees, and
6)following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas.
These six principles undoubtedly assure the complete success of pure devotional service.

dadati pratigrihnati
guhyam akhyati pricchati
bhunkte bhojayate caiva
shad-vidham priti-lakshanam

Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada and offering prasada are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.

krishneti yasya giri tam manasadriyeta
dikshasti cet pranatibhis ca bhajantam isamsusrushaya
bhajana-vijnam ananyam
anya-nindadi-sunya-hridam ipsita-sanga-labdhya

One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Krishna, one should offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation [diksha] and is engaged in worshiping the Deity, and one should associate with and faithfully serve that Pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional service and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others.

drishtaih svabhava-janitair vapushas ca doshair
na prakritatvam iha bhakta janasya pasyet
gangambhasam na khalu budbuda-phena-pankair
brahma-dravatvam apagacchati nira-dharmaih

Being situated in his original Krishna conscious position, a pure devotee does not identify with the body. Such a devotee should not be seen from a materialistic point of view. Indeed, one should overlook a devotee's having a body born in a low family, a body with a bad complexion, a deformed body, or a diseased or infirm body. According to ordinary vision, such imperfections may seem prominent in the body of a pure devotee, but despite such seeming defects, the body of a pure devotee cannot be polluted. It is exactly like the waters of the Ganges, which sometimes during the rainy season are full of bubbles, foam and mud. The Ganges waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water.

syat krishna-nama-caritadi-sitapy avidya-
pittopatapta-rasanasya na rocika nu
kintv adarad anudinam khalu saiva jushta
svadvi kramad bhavati tad-gada-mula-hantri

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Krishna are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidya [ignorance] cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root.

tan-nama-rupa-caritadi-sukirtananu-
smrityoh kramena rasana-manasi niyojya
tishthan vraje tad-anuragi jananugami
kalam nayed akhilam ity upadesa-saram

The essence of all advice is that one should utilize one's full time -- twenty-four hours a day -- in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord's divine name, transcendental form, qualities and eternal pastimes, thereby gradually engaging one's tongue and mind. In this way one should reside in Vraja [Goloka Vrindavana dhama] and serve Krishna under the guidance of devotees. One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord's beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to His devotional service.

vaikunthaj janito vara madhu-puri tatrapi rasotsavad
vrindaranyam udara-pani-ramanat tatrapi govardhanah
radha-kundam ihapi gokula-pateh premamritaplavanat
kuryad asya virajato giri-tate sevam viveki na kah

The holy place known as Mathura is spiritually superior to Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathura-Puri is the transcendental forest of Vrindavana because of Krishna's rasa-lila pastimes. And superior to the forest of Vrindavana is Govardhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Sri Krishna and was the site of His various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Sri Radha-kunda stands supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Sri Krishna. Where, then, is that intelligent Person who is unwilling to serve this divine Radha-kunda, which is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill?

karmibhyah parito hareh priyataya vyaktim yayur jnaninas
tebhyo jnana-vimukta-bhakti-paramah premaika-nishthas tatah
tebhyas tah pasu-pala-pankaja-drisas tabhyo 'pi sa radhika
preshtha tadvad iyam tadiya-sarasi tam nasrayet kah kriti

In the sastra it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, he who is advanced in knowledge of the higher values of life is favored by the Supreme Lord Hari. Out of many such people who are advanced in knowledge [jnanis], one who is practically liberated by virtue of his knowledge may take to devotional service. He is superior to the others. However, one who has actually attained prema, pure love of Krishna, is superior to him. The gopis are exalted above all the advanced devotees because they are always totally dependent upon Sri Krishna, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krishna. Her kunda [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Krishna as this most beloved of the gopis. Who, then, will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings [aprakritabhava], render loving service to the divine couple Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, who perform Their ashtakaliya-lila, Their eternal eightfold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha-kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.

krishnasyoccaih pranaya-vasatih preyasibhyo 'pi radha
kundam casya munibhir abhitas tadrig eva vyadhayi
yat preshthair apy alam asulabham kim punar bhakti-bhajam
tat premedam sakrid api sarah snatur avishkaroti

Of the many objects of favored delight and of all the lovable damsels of Vrajabhumi, Srimati Radharani is certainly the most treasured object of Krishna's love. And, in every respect, Her divine kunda is described by great sages as similarly dear to Him. Undoubtedly Radha-kunda is very rarely attained even by the great devotees; therefore it is even more difficult for ordinary devotees to attain. If one simply bathes once within those holy waters, one's pure love of Krishna is fully aroused.

Home deities.

2007-01-19T00:18:00.000-08:00

Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha, Dayal Nitai Gaura Nataraj, Prahlad Nrisimhadev, Giriraj, 12 Salagrams, 1 Dwaraka Sila. Gaura Nitai were crafted in Navadwip and came in our custody on Gaura purnima 2004 in Mayapur. Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha were crafted in Vrindavan. We got them after our tour in Himlayas in 2005. I got first Sila (Sila with eyes) from Bhakti Ratna prabhu, previously bhakta Bojan, who brought Silas from his tour to Kali Gandhaki. Then I got Dwaraka Sila from one mataji in Mayapur in 2004. She was in Dwaraka and took some more for devotees. She was worshiping Krsna Balaram in New Mayapur-France - maybe she still is. It is very auspicious to worship Dwaraka Sila with Salagram Silas. I got one Sila from bhn. Urska. She is a private dentist and one of her client brought her Silas. With her ex-husband Sri Gopika Bharta prabhu they decided to give one in my care. Other Salagrams I brought from my tour to Kali Ghandaki in autumn 2007. After my trip to Nepal I went to Vrindavan. I staied in Radha Kund for 9 days at local Brajvasis and luckily received Giriraj from them. Prahlad Nrisimhadev deities got my wife Visnupriya from one devotee when she was staying in temple in Austria. The altar was crafted in Nawadwip the same year as Gaura Nitai deities.

On the left side of altar we have asana on which we have 108 small Salagrams in garland and Varaha Sila on bottom-left corner, Hayagriva Sila on bottom -right corner, Keshava Sila on top-left corner and one more Sila on top right corner. So 112 Salagrams on this asana.

On the right side of the main altar is small altar with Siva linga (Narmada linga). We worship Siva as the greatest devotee and bath him in caranamrita and offer him mahaprasadam.