More on Vedalife in Petersburg

I arrived in Saint Petersburg in the middle of the VedaLife festival which is a yoga jamboree put together by Avadhuta Mahārāja. Thousands of people turned out in Moscow for street-parties, Indian and Hare Krishna world  music concerts, and tasted vegetarian food at the Hindu, Yoga, and Vegan gastronomy festivals. Here in Petersburg the VedaLife festival was held in Lahta.

Lahta is a small section of Saint Petersburg located to the North of the city on the Gulf of Finland.

The temple was established 25 years ago by Vijai Raman Prabhu, Avadhut Maharaja, and Govinda Maharaja as an extension of the Sri Caitanya Saraswat Math.  They've been going strong ever since. 

Goswami Maharaja inviting me to participate

I was invited to attend as a special guest by B.B. Avadhuta Maharaja and B.S. Goswami.  This was my third visit.  Aurora and I stayed as the guests of Vijay Raman Prabhu. There are many dachas here. A "dacha" in Russia is a kind of summer cottage or home. Just outside our window they set up a stage where different bands played. There was Indian raga with flutes and sitar and a more modern set played by a kind of "New Age" band.

The temple itself is a close replica of a Vedic temple. Govinda Maharaja himself contributed many ideas to the architectural design. It has a special heating system with pipes under the floor for the harsh arctic winters, so it's always nice and cozy.

Avadhut Maharaja led a traditional kirtan and aroti ceremon. Among those present were different sannyasi leaders: Goswami Maharaja, Madhusudana, Dandi, as well as Bhakti Lalita, Rohini Shakti and many other great souls who have done so much to bring Krishna consciousness to the Russian people.

The uproarious kirtan could be heard far outside the temple walls.

Meanwhile, the beach outside the festival was populated with brightly colored tents and pandals where a number of different activities took place.  There were readings from the Vedas, astrological readings, yoga classes and even a bed of nails where aspiring fakirs could practice penance and austerities.

As the bhajan band took a japa break...

The gods were so pleased they sent some sunshine our way.

Even Lord Shiva gave his blessings.

As you can see the Gulf of Finland was pleasant for the three days of the festival and the weather  was perfect with just enough breeze to fill the sails of the windsurfers.

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Newlyweds fresh from the fire sacrifice

As Goswami Maharaja spoke on subjective evolution of consciousness, others held talks on the nature of truth, the origin of existence, and the path to peace and surrender. 

Lord Shiva was dancing

I feel fortunate to have been allowed to participate in this gathering of sincere souls and hope that I may get further blessings from all of you. Hare Krishna and Peace.

Next stop: Vedalife Ukraine.

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