The Unforgettable Weekend

Narasimha Chaturdasi is by itself a very important and a great festival. But this year, it was all the more magnificent for the devotees of Bangalore. This is because, next to the original Lakshmi Narasimha temple, a new temple , bigger and more beautiful has been constructed through phases.
The inauguration of the temple took place one week before. It is impossible to describe how much we enjoyed. The celebrations started on 28th April. Then it was just nectar flowing continuously! That day we had an amazing and a powerful lecture by His Holiness Bhakti Vinod Swami in the Gauranga Hall. Actually, there were many Prathistha ceremonies going on in the temple simultaneously.We attended that after the lecture. Following this, there was an awesome class by His Grace Radhe Shyam Prabhu who is the President of Iskcon Pune.The day ended with a delicious plate of Prasadam.
Usually, I am quite lazy if I have to get up and go to the temple early in the morning. But the next day , i.e 29th, I was more than excited to go. The day started beautifully by a lecture by His Holiness Bhanu Swami who is a great preacher, philosopher, trained in martial arts, powerful astrologer , etc. Truly inspiring. Then there was a very nice discourse by His Grace Radha Gopinath Prabhu who delivers powerful messages in a very nice way - we had a hearty laugh! Following this there was a program where senior devotees were made to sit and the audience cleared their doubts by asking questions. Finally the day ended with a very beautifully prepared and nicely presented drama by the devotees.
The long awaited Narasimha Chaturdashi finally arrived - 5th May. I tried to do Nirjal fasting that day but unfortunately I had to break my fast by drinking water two hours before the actual time. His Holiness Bhakti Rasamrita Swami had arrived in Bangalore just to inspire and motivate us for the festival. So he delivered two powerful, inspiring discourses on 5th. I couldn't believe it myself that I had heard his talks without a blink! As I generally get distracted. In the evening, there was an elaborate Abhishekam for the Lord with the 24 Upacharas which included Natya, Sangeeta and Vaadya. Lord Narasimha was also bathed with many prescribed items like milk, honey, etc. which later came as Charanaamrit for the devotees.  The best part was there was a tumultuous kirtan throughout. Everyone was so eager to see the beautiful ceremony that it seemed like, " Let this ceremony go on forever!! "
The next day was greeted with the Sunday Feast Program that happens every Sunday in Iskcon temples. Just after the lecture in the morning by His Holiness there was a yet another Abhishekam Ceremony. However, this time it was with fragrant flowers. The devotees behind the altar kept pouring and pouring baskets of flowers that it seemed like a shower of flowers and the Lord beneath it looked so magnificently beautiful. This actually became history in the temple because never were so many flowers poured and moreover after the Abhishek, the devotees started taking the Mahaprasad flowers and playing "Holi". The temple looked colourful and the devotees just looked like the Lord's dear children playing around bound by love for him.
Unfortunately, everything is over. However, the memories are still afresh. I surely can never ever forget this event in my life and will always cherish in being a part of such a wonderfully amazing movement started by Srila Prabhupad.