Bali – Australia – New Zealand 2016

To the best of my ability and with the most sincere of my intentions, this blog is meant to broadcast the glories of Sri Hari Nama Prabhu.

In the months of February to April we journeyed to Bali, Australia and New Zealand. In each country we traveled to different cities to serve Hari Nama Prabhu.

Bali, the land of ancient temples, is full of eager devotees. Kirtan is natural to them. We hope they will engage us again in the future.

Perth is like coming home for us. The house where we always stay is not far from a park where one can come across hopping kangaroos in the early mornings. The company of Jaggatarini mataji and Bhurijana prabhu are of course, precious. Radhika even did an Ekadashi cooking course, which was well attended; and now she is definitely inspired to do more. The rest of Australia was intense. Since the first kirtans we did in Oz, the mood of the devotees has improved to ‘focus and earnest’. A good number of them engage in Hari Nama regularly and an even greater number attend the Hari Nama seva festivals. Oz has a story of outstanding Hare Krishna restaurants. People queue up to sample palatable prasadam. So did we.

We came to Christchurch, NZ for the first time. Since the temple was destroyed in the last earthquake every devotee house is a temple. They are all committed to a regular program, which they hold at each other’s house. Chanting Hare Krishna amongst fewer is intimate and forces us to be attentive. Devotees in Auckland are old acquaintances, even from my days in Vrindavan in the early 90’s.

There is so much to say about all these places. This is just a summary. This blog can be more personal if I am fortunate to be so engaged next year.

We are in NY at the Hari Nama house. Preaching is going strong and a number of enthusiastic newcomers happily go about, eager for service. Everyday Sri Hari Nama reciprocates in a different way. Sankirtan legend, Adikarta prabhu, gave an inspiring class this morning. Sober and humble Bada Hari prabhu is staying in the house too. Manoram, leader of the bus tour is also a temporary resident while the younger boys under him have fled to Brooklyn temple due to the austere living conditions of the HH.