12 Hour Kirtan

This past Friday we had a 12 hour kirtan. It had started at 10am in the morning and went on until 10:30pm. Devotees from all over had started arriving in the morning and more had shown up later in the day. We were all getting ready for Ratha Yatra for the next two days. Everyone was bubbling with excitement.

Maharaj had started off the kirtan. I had recorded it on both audio and video, and took a few pictures of him leading kirtan. I always love listening to him lead kirtan. I love listeniing him more than listening to my old so called favorite bands like the Beatles and all.  He sings so much better than they do! I made a couple dvds for my godbrother and godsister, Ramachandra das and Nitai Priya.

As the day went on I ran into Maha Laxshmi, Bhaktin Kim, Govinda Mohini, and Malati from New Vrndavan. They had arrived for the Festival of India and Ratha Yatra. I sat and chatted with them for a bit, catchng up on what has been happening in New Vrndavan.

Later in the day I went back upstairs to listen to the kirtan. I saw Gunagrahi Swami from a distance. It was great to see him again. He remembered me from the last time he visited. I've liked him when I first saw him. He reminds me of my own guru Maharaj in a way.

Then a prabhu came up to me and asked me to help cut up some cabbage for the feast that we were to have for the next two days. I helped out for a half hour while listening to the kirtan. I then saw bhaktin linda and chatted with her for a bit and I also saw Shanti mataji too. Everyone I knew was there for the 12 hour kirtan. There was a rumor that the harinam was cancelled but at the last minute I had gone outside and found my guru Maharaj ready to go out on harinam I ran back inside to grab my shoes and flew out the door. It was Krishna's mercy that had allowed me to go out on the harinam. Krishna has shown me so much mercy to a fallen soul like me. We went out on the harinam for two hours. I found it interesting as I went along with the harinam. I went with a couple of my godbrothers and godsisters I have met for the first time and then I was observing the people along the streets. People poked their heads out of windows and took pictures of us. Others were just watching or staring at us. And some were actually dancing with us. This one gentleman had joined in on the dancing which I found quite humourous.

Maharaj had really enjoyed the harinam too. I noticed he had funny expressions on his face as we walked along the streets chanting Krishna's Holy Name. He had enjoyed the harinam too observing the people along the streets. When we all got back to the temple we joined for the rest of the 12 hour kirtan. it went on for a half an hour more than it was scheduled. Then Maharaj said to us after it was over "Now go to sleep like good little childeren." But we all wanted more lol. I know I did. It was too bad it wasn't a 24 hour kirtan. I love kirtans. They are fun to be in. I didn't go to bed until 12 midnight.
But it was a fun kirtan.:)