Newsletter September 2023

We are elated to recount the immense success of our international Erasmus+ youth camp that recently took place in Goloka Dhama. With participation from 60 dynamic youths representing countries such as Spain, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, and Germany, the camp was a melting pot of cultural diversities and shared European values.

Titled “Sambandha”, which translates to 'connection', the goal of the youth exchange was clear: To empower participants to delve deeper into their identity, understand themselves better, and thereby communicate more effectively with individuals from varied cultural backgrounds. And this was evident as days were packed with a myriad of activities. After shared breakfasts, participants had a plethora of choices, from sports and hiking to music, visits to the vegan organic Govinda manufactory, photography, video sessions, and intellectually stimulating discussions on socio-cultural topics.

From the side of Goloka Dhama residents, it was a time of happy sacrifice!

The night before, the weather forecast predicted rain for the next day. I gave a warning, especially to Kanu Priya, who together with some other devotees, was in charge of the 80 young people who had come to Goloka Dhama from all over Europe for a week as part of the Erasmus program, to participate in the Ratha Yatra as a crowning finale.

But Indra, the Lord of Heaven would show himself benevolent. The rain would only come down as a light refreshment in between.

The next morning we started off. The bus had to make two trips to bring everyone to Trier.

The starting point was the famous huge stone gate of the ancient Romans (Porta Nigra) right at the beginning of the pedestrian zone. When we arrived there was already a thunderous kirtan going on, led by the devotees from Radhadesh (Belgium), who had brought the beautiful, large image figures of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra.

More and more devotees approached and many people gathered curiously around the imposing chariot on which the Lord of the Universe was enthroned majestically, looking benevolently over the city of Trier.

Immersed in devotion, with tense attention checking all the big and small things, one could see Elias, the organizer of the festival, dashing around the car...short instructions to his crew, small talk with the police and off we went! The route led directly and exclusively through the pedestrian zone.

Different Kirtans sounded, especially wonderful also were those from our young people of the Erasmus project. In between, speeches were held to explain to the people what was going on. Many people were on the way, delighted by the colourful procession, many tourists took photos and filmed Krishna and his devotees. Others started to dance and sing along! I saw a young mother, obviously Muslim, dancing with her children in front of Lord Jagannatha and chanting the Hare Krishna mantra! Also many Hindus came spontaneously at the sight of Jagannatha with their children to pull the rope that moved the Lord of the Universe through the historically Christian city of Trier.

Krishna has an attractive effect on all living beings, no matter which cultural or religious background they come from. Therefore, the float festival blessed people in a spiritual way and thereby also served the purpose for which it was officially registered with the city of Trier: " Demonstration for peace and international understanding".

At the end of the pedestrian zone, the car was turned around and it went the same route back to the large square at the Porta Nigra. Here there was still some kirtan and also wonderful prasadam in the form of samosas and pakoras. This was a very nice, relaxed end to the festival, where the devotees and guests could sit down and chat while enjoying delicious prasadam. Thank you to all who made this wonderful festival possible.

On the day of the full moon of the Bhadra month, it is especially auspicious to give away the Srimad-Bhagavatam. At Goloka Dhama each year we offer the opportunity to either give away a Srimad Bhagavatam set or receive it as a gift from a donor.

The glory, as well as the importance, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is described again and again in many verses such as the following: "The Bhagavata Purana is as bright as the sun, and it rose, accompanied by religion, knowledge and so on, immediately after Sri Krishna returned to His kingdom.

People who have lost their orientation due to the deep darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali should receive light from this Purana."(SB 1.3.43)

It is possible to give Srimad-Bhagavatam sets in German, English and Russian. Those who wish to give Srimad-Bhagavatam sets in other languages, such as French, Spanish or Hindi, can enquire from us so that we can procure them in time.

We would also like to invite you for the celebration of Radhastami that will take place on the 23th September 2023.

With gratitude for you support,

your servant,

Gaurahari dasa