New Year’s Eve Party at New Vrindaban
by Lilasuka dasi
The small, but sweet celebration at the Radha Vrindaban Chandra temple this New Year’s Eve welcomed 2014 in a gentle, melodious way.
Midnight candles burn in front of the Deities’ altar as Their Lordships sleep
The evening began with a beautiful swing ceremony – “Jhulana Yatra”- where the guests and residents present took turns gently swinging the festival RVC deities, accompanied by a kirtan of the holy names.
Then, Sankirtan prabhu lead a guided meditation on the Bhagavad Gita, accompanied by soft, live music.
Josef, the head of the Congregational Development Dept. recalls, “The midnight bhajan on New Year’s eve was delightful as Lilasuka and her husband, Jesse, sang songs from Vaishnava song books. The meditation happened effortlessly as we read the translations – it was a beautiful transition into the New Year. ”
Guided Meditation with Sankirtan das and live music
At midnight, those who were still awake, excitedly ran outside for a display of New Year’s Eve fireworks, headed by Josef.
Devotees in a mellow mood of midnight meditation
Jesse declared, “This is one of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations I’ve had in years. It was an evening filled with remembrance of God. Simple and spiritual.”
