Mata-di Mela
Report by Rasevari dasi
In the state of Himalachal between the mountains there is a very important temple of Sati devi (the consort of Sri Siva-ji). The people from all over India are coming to see her during Navaratri.
Madan Mohan prabhu who lives Hoshiarpur, Punjab told us about this great mela and hosted us in his home. This was the first time we came and saw this festival. It was a very great festival. Buses were completely full – even the roof of the bus was full. Many people were also going by foot all the way from Hoshiarpur to the mountain temple in Chintpurni.
I went there in the company of two Mexican devotees – Laxsmi Priya didi and Iswara prabhu. It was their first experience with book distribution in India. It was extremely difficult because of the very high temperatures, two hour winding bus ride each way, and then carrying the books four kilometers by foot to get to the temple and crowds.
It was a very good place to distribute books because there were so many people. We distributed many books. I made good contacts for next year. The priest from the main temple offered that next year we could stay in a room in a hotel he owns on the mountain. He kindly offered to give it for free since we are doing guru seva.
Along the walk they were distributing Mata di prashada. We could stop and offer books to the people. The whole way was full of people. It was like Siva Ratri but for Devi.
Remembering our Vaisnavas teachings I was thinking these people are coming to worship external energy of the Lord. They feel so much devotion and many are praying for material things. Those who are objects of the causeless mercy of Srila Gurudeva and Krsna could get the books we had brought there.
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