Chandigarh Mayor plants a tree for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s first public Harinama
By Romapada Das, International Coordinator, ISKCON 50
On 14th August 2016, ISKCON Chandigarh celebrated the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s first public Harinama procession led by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada from 26 Second Avenue in New York to Washington Square Park. The highlight of the celebration was a palanquin procession with Srila Prabhupada that concluded at Nehru Park, where the Mayor of Chandigarh, Arun Sood, plated a red sandalwood tree to commemorate the occasion.
“Srila Prabhupada lectured for five days at a pandal programme in Nehru Park during his visit to the city of Chandigarh in 1976,” explained Nanda Maharaj Das, Co-President of ISKCON Chandigarh. “Hence, it is very appropriate that we had the commemoration ceremony of his first public Harinama procession in the same park. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the visit of Srila Prabhupada to our city.”
500 devotees marched in a procession for two kilometres from the temple to Nehru Park, carrying placards and banners. The procession was welcomed by several householders on the way with offerings of fruits and drinks.
Before the procession, the assembled devotees heard about Srila Prabhupada’s first public Harinama from the Prabhupada Lilamrita, and about his visit to Chandigarh from the book ‘A transcendental diary’.
Guests at the event included local Councilor, Asha Jaswal and Ranchore Das who was present during Srila Prabhupada’s visit to the city in 1976.
While appreciating the achievements of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada in the last 50 years, Mayor Arun Sood said, “ISKCON is performing the highest welfare activity in the world by distributing the transcendental knowledge of the Bhagavad-gita and through its teachings about pure devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. I have seen many Hare Krishna devotees doing Harinama sankiratna in other cities such as Frankfurt. Harinama sankiratana always gives me inner peace and happiness.”
Nand Maharaj Das spoke about Srila Prabhupada’s struggles and achievements to make ISKCON into a global movement. He explained the basic philosophy of ISKCON, and the benefit of following Krishna consciousness.
“After the Harinama procession, we had an evening programme where we had a lecture on the glories of the holy name,” concluded Akrura Nandan Das, a brahmachari monk from the Chandigarh temple. “The fitting finale was a sumptuous Ekadashi feast which was served to over 700 guests.”