Gaura Purnima 2007 fell on Saturday, March 3rd, 2007. On this day of appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, devotees fasted from dusk till dawn. Come 6.30pm, devotees slowly started to stream into the temple to eagerly observe Tulasi Puja. After Tulasi puja, the program began with a bang with kirtan. With the sounds of mrdanga, kartal and conch shell being played, devotees then greeted the deities as the curtain opened. It was a truly splendid and wonderful birthday party as the deity of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu stood behind a large birthday cake and witnessed the masses of devotees gathered for the ecstatic kirtan that was played especially for His pleasure.
As the evening wore on, the time became ripe to offer abhishek to Gaura Nitai. With the help of temple devotees, the deity of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu then changed to a comfortable outfit suitable for receiving the shower of milk that offered by assembled devotees. He was then led down to a specially-built stage under marquee on ground level with the kirtan party and myriad of devotees accompanying behind Him. Devotees then took this opportunity to offer abhishek to the Lord as the kirtan was played more enthusiastically. After an hour of abhishek, the Lord took His leave and the temple devotees then started the cultural program in His honour. By then, prasadam was also started to be served and several devotees then made a beeline to receive the prasadam.The audience in the jam packed marquee was treated to an excellent discourse on the life of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was kept amused by the children segment of the program. The celebrations came to a close with a wonderful drama played out devotees on the causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The drama depicted the sinful lives of Jagai and Madhai and how Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu with the help of His eternal associates delivered the sinful brothers. The audience and other onlookers were captivated with the entire display and authenticity of the drama.
Gaura Purnima 2007 was celebrated over a period of two days on the first weekend of March where a total crowd of 600 people participated in the festival. Approximately 1000 people, most of whom included passer-bys, tourists and curious onlookers also caught a glimpse of the festival and also indirectly received the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu showered His mercy by gracing the event with His presence and because of that alone, hundreds of devotees and the hundreds more of others who witnessed the event felt spiritual bliss; something that could only be felt 500 years ago when Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Himself physically present in the material world. This strongly justifies the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu on the spreading of love of Godhead by chanting the holy name of Krishna which is still very much potent and spiritually gratifying.
Jai Nitai Gauranga! Jai Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!
