Ashadhi Ekadasi celebration at ISKCON Kaundanyapur
By Akrur Dasa (Temple President)
We have ISKCON temple at Kaundanyapur, Maharashtra, India and have deities of Giriraj ji, and Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakanath. It is the birthplace of Rukmini Maharani. On the auspicious occasion of Devshayani / Ashadhi Ekadashi lakhs of devotees of Lord Vitthala came to meet Him at Pandharpur dham. For those who can’t go to Pandharpur, every year we organize a big festival at Kaudanyapur dham.
This time the number of devotees attending the festival broke the record of the last 20 years. In spite of heavy rains, the enthusiasm of devotees didn’t budge an inch. On the day of Ekadashi there was heavy rain but by the mercy of Lord Vitthala it stopped completely by 9 am. Immediately after that, we could see the uncontrollable crowd of devotees to have a glance of mercy of the Lord on them before going to sleep.
There is an old Vitthal Rukmini temple in Kaundanyapur. After darsana, we escorted the devotees to the ISKCON temple and arranged sumptuous prasadam for all of them. They also took darsana of Giriraj ji and Jagannath, Baladev, Subhadra in our temple. Enthusiastic youth from different places like Amravati, Arvi, Kurha, Dhamangaon, Karanja, Wardha, and Vaigaon joined us in rendering tireless service for the devotees. Prasadam distribution went on for the whole day.
We sang the famous abhangas of Saint Tukaram Maharaja for their pleasure and they all danced in their warkari styles. Also, we had Katha on Lord Vitthala’s pastimes in the courtyard of Lord Vitthala’s temple. Then we performed an auspicious worship ceremony of mother Vardaini also called as Wardha river in the local language. Kaundanyapur is Pandharpur of Vidarbha, Lord Vithal and Rukmini are here, Vardayini river is flowing in front of the temple. The devotees were blessed by the darsana and holy dip in the river.
We perform arati of Mother Vardaiyini on every shukla ekadashi. All residents of Vidarbha and all over can participate and get her mercy. Also, we invite all the devotees to visit the birthplace of Rukmini Maiya.
Kaundanyapur dham ki jai.
Srila Prabhupada ki jai.