Book fair in Bhuvaneshvar 2011

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Anita dasi 2 Comments

by Nagari dasi

From the 1st to the 12th of the December an annual book fair took place in Bhuvaneshavar. Bhuvaneshavar is the capital of the State of the Orissa in India. Bhubaneswar is called the city of the temples owing to the fact that it has been a prestigious religious center for very long. It is comprised of a significant number of temples – from the old complexes like Lingaraja Ananta Vasudeva to the small vaults bordering the bindu sagar, as well as modern temples.

The people of the Bhuvaneshvar are traditionally religious and open-minded but seeking modern Western progress. In some modern schools young people don’t even study their own language and can’t read it. Most of people in Bhuvanesharvar who come to the book fair perceive Sree Jaganatha as Shiva and Brahman. There are also many people who are fond of reading different non-authoritative explanations of Sree Gita-Govinda. Also you can meet many people who respect ISCKON in Bhuvaneshavar.

This year we distributed over 80 Jaiva Dharma, 150 Origin of the Radha-Yatra, Journey of the soul, Walking with a Saint and many other big and small books of Srila Gurudeva. In total 50,000 Rs. worth of books.

One girl from Russia, Indulekha didi, who doesn’t know English said, “I thought before that in India everyone is a devotee. It is so wonderful to give them Srila Gurudeva’s books! It was difficult when people don’t understand you. Now I can only say some phrases in English but people are very friendly and sincere.  I realized that everyone who took this book already had been already waiting for it for a long time. I didn’t distribute the books, Srila Gurudeva kindly put me there to give me a chance to give his book.”

When people realize the importance of Guru-parampara and bona-fide Guru then they appreciate this and become happy.

 

During book distribution there is huge opportunity for preaching in mass-media. Since Western people are attractive for the modern Indian tendency to follow Western culture all journalists from TV and newspapers like to take interviews from book distributors. It is very expensive to make a movie and takes time in mass-media but with book distribution it is completely free and easily available. This time, we spoke on five media channels for 10 minutes about Srila Gurudeva, his books and our temple in Puri, Sree Jayshree Damodar Gaudya Math. It came in four local newspapers as well.

It is a nice opportunity to make contacts with people to make house programs, and invite them to Vrindavan, Vraja-mandala and Navadvipa parikramas. This time one Brahman invited us to speak about Sri Krishna. Although he is worshiping Shivajee, his daughter Gayatri is dreaming about Vrindavan and Sri Krishna.

All glories to Sri Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas!