Govinda Maharaja Birthday Party

After we finished the Samurai Exhibit it was time for the Saturday Program here at Lahta. It was the celebration of Govinda Maharaja's birthday, and I was the keynote speaker. I'm not a great devotee, but I knew Govinda Maharaja personally from back in the 1980s and the devotees wanted to hear some personal anecdotes.

Celebrating Govinda Maharaja's birthday, Lahta December 6, 2014

Talking about Govinda Maharaja

I am humbled that the devotees wanted me to talk about Govinda Maharaja. He was a swan-like soul who knew how to include everyone. He had no enemies. We are all part of his spiritual family.  I felt blessed by the humility and warmth of the Russian devotees. 

The Radha-Krishna-Mahaprabhu deities on the altar at Lahta, Petersburg

Afterwards there was the aroti ceremony with a roaring kirtan...

Followed by a hot and comforting plate of prasadam with Vegetarian kafta-balls, kous-kous, curried rice, firey hot green apple chutney made from freshly picked organic apples right off the tree here in Lahta, and home made cinnamon buns....mmmmmm good.

Tomorrow: The bullet train to Moscow.