By Radhamohan das
Because of the G-20 summit in Toronto on the last weekend of June, we had to postpone our Niagara Falls special Monthly Sankirtan Festival (MSF) by a week. We were apprehensive about many things - new location, turnout, logistics, and above all, physical absence of Shyama-mohini dd (who was away that week attending the annual retreat with HH Bhakti Charu Swami in Vraj, USA). However, by Lord Caitanya's causeless mercy as always, everything worked out seamlessly. Shyama-mohini dd did an excellent job before leaving of planning and coordinating the prasadam with a team of devotees (both for sankirtan and devotees), and was also a constant source of inspiration and encouragement via email and phone. Devotees had their best time, were extremely inspired, enlivened and very enthusiastic to go out again!
We rented a 48-seater school bus to drive devotees to the Falls, which saved the hassles of coordinating cars and drivers. A few families drove their own cars, bringing the total participation to 55. Plan was to leave at 9am, do sankirtan from 11am to 2pm, picnic lunch 3 to 4pm, and return by 6pm. Given the 1.5 hour drive one way, we made special arrangements to make sure that devotees were on time. By Lord's inconceivable mercy, at 9:10am the bus had left downtown Toronto. The bus journey allowed devotees to bond together in an environment free from the stress of driving. There was kirtan all along, and for many this was the best part of the entire trip. We utilized the time on the bus to set the mood, bring everyone on the same page and do some training as there were some new people on the bus. We started by reading an excerpt from HG Vaisesika prabhu's email which was full of words of encouragement and inspiration. We also read a very inspiring message sent by Shyama-mohini dd. Next we discussed the "what" and "how" of book distribution based on Vasesika prabhu's instructions, assigned teams and team leaders, shared the itinerary and special instructions for the day. On the outskirts of the city, we were greeted by Mr. Sudesh Gupta, Shyama-mohini's grand uncle. He guided the bus to the best spot near the Falls, and also drove Vrndavan prabhu around later to show different spots including the park where we would take lunch.
It was the most beautiful day with thousands of people at the Falls. We found a good spot on the grass next to the side walk and made it our nucleus base, where we kept all the boxes of books, water and prasadam. Constant kirtan and dancing went on at that spot, which was a huge attraction for the tourists. They were taking pictures and many were dancing along. It also allowed devotees, especially with kids, to rest in the tree shade as the sun was scorching hot. At the same time, many devotees spread out on the side streets distributing prasadam, mantra & Rath Yatra cards, and books to the fortunate souls. Devotees had the greatest fun ever (you can read Shama Sharma's experiences - her first MSF - on this blog http://torontosankirtan.blogspot.com/2010/07/be-heard-my-first-tryst-with-msf.html). 3 hours later, devotees had distributed about 1000 pieces of prasadam, 100s of Rath Yatra cards and 82 books for ~$300 laxmi (1/3rd of which was in US$ suggesting many books went across the border!). Devotees were exhausted but no one wanted to stop. We then took few group pictures, and drove to the park for lunch prasadam, which was very elaborately cooked by a team of devotees. Devotees shared their experience while partaking in sumptuous prasadam. Around 4:30pm, we drove back to Toronto with non-stop kirtan in the bus, which heightened up as we entered downtown and neared the temple. As the final thing, devotees gathered in the temple hall and shared their realizations from the day, which brought tears in my eyes as I remembered the unlimited causeless mercy that Lord Caitanaya and the disciplic succession have showered on us undeserving souls. Devotees went home physically exhausted but spiritually enlivened and wanting more. One lady with a baby, who got Bhagavad-gita at the Falls from Sankalp and Shaun (both 14) showed up at the Sunday Feast in Toronto the next day! Few people who got festival cards at the Falls also came to the Rath Yatra festival a couple weeks later.
