Hare Krsna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! His Grace Sundar Gopal Prabhu was invited by the President of Sri Krishna Mandir, Johor Bahru (JB hereafter), to officiate the opening of a preaching centre in Klang. This event being the highlight of the 5-day tour commencing on the 30th of January, some other advances in preaching have also been made in other parts of Malaysia.
His Grace Sundar Gopal Das, Ranti Dev Das, Prem Vikas Das and I left for the Sri Krishna Mandir, JB, in the evening of the 30th of Jan, 2009. After resting there for the night, we had a nice morning program on the 31st of Jan, 2009 including Mangala Arati, Japa, Deity Greetings and Srimad Bhagavatam class. At about 1pm, we set off on a 5-hour journey for Klang. The opening ceremony was scheduled for the 1st of February. When we reached there at 6pm, we were elated to see the devotees headed by Sacisuta Prabhu busy decorating the premises for the ceremony the following day.
After honoring the excellent Prasadam preparations by Radhika mataji, we were asleep early. On the 1st of Feb, we went on a morning walk in a nearby park with Mrdanga and kartals and we did a Harinama in the park much to the amazement of the public there. The silent Tai Chi practitioners were certainly disturbed by the kirtan. Harinama Sankirtana ki Jaya!
We came back, prepared for the opening Yajna, and Sacisuta expertly conducted the Yajna, following which there was thunderous kirtan. Then, the prasadam was distributed to all the devotees. This was followed by a house program in the evening.
On the 2nd of February, we set off to Ipoh in the afternoon and reached in the evening at 7pm. We were allowed residence at one Shree Krishna Mandir where Srila Prabhupada stayed way back in 1972. The pujari there was very friendly with us and allowed us to use the cooking facilities in the temple. We met one promising devotee in Ipoh who understands and is preparing to adhere to the Rtvik system of initiation as authorized by Srila Prabhupada. He informed to us that after fulfilling his current obligations, he would come out and preach boldly.
On the 3rd of February, we had a Mangala Arati at the temple, prepared khicari, had Darsana Arati and had Prasadam. Then we met Mr. Manjeet, who is a brother-in-law of Ranti Dev Prabhu. He is a Major in the Malaysian Army. He took us for a short trip to Cameron Highlands full of beautiful scenery. There he asked Sundar Gopal Prabhu some questions regarding Krsna Consciousness and appreciated what Prabhu had to say.
We drove straight back to Singapore after that – a 9-hour drive.
It is always inspiring to observe and participate in the dynamism of Sundar Gopal Prabhu's preaching. It has been a very instructional and inspiring tour for me. Association of advanced devotees is so valuable that one makes rapid advancement in Krsna Consciousness.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
-by Bhakta Varun
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