Govinda Valley Retreat at New South Wales, Australia.
Ambika devi dasi: With a beautiful, tranquil setting, fantastic prasadam and great programs, twenty one local senior women felt blessed to spend time reconnecting and relaxing at Govinda Valley Retreat Centre. This retreat reunited Vaisnavis who served in ISKCON in the 70’s. Locals who attended included Mandakini, Rasarani, Krsna Premi, Surabhi, Ambika, Jaleyu and Visalini.
An ice-breaking session by Mandakini on arrival was great fun. Daily yoga sessions with Radha Kund kept us well stretched, a delicious picnic at nearby waterfalls was enjoyed by all and healing sessions were found to be very powerful. Mandakini outdid herself in a Saturday night skit, causing side-splitting laughter. Rasarani became Queen of the Whiteboard, amusing all with the daily schedules peppered with stick figure drawings. All kirtans and classes were led and relished by the women. The highlight for many was Lord Nityananda’s Appearance Day, when we had each woman remembering Srila Prabhupada. There will be a wider retreat for women who have served in ISKCON on Radhastami weekend. Atmarama dasa is the generous sponsor of the retreats.