Christmas marathon is one of the traditions in New Goloka
and the busiest months for some devotees. Every year, just
after, thanksgiving, devotees go out to distribute hundreds
of prasadam cookies. Devotees distributed cookies to
countless shoppers. Prema Manjari, a dedicated devotee, to
Srila Gurudev and Sri Sri Radha Golokananda, who worked so
hard to secure spot at several department stores a month
ahead.
Devotees set up cookies and candies table different
entrances of department stores and on Franklin Street. They
seek out donation from the public, just like the Salvation
Army. The only differences is we give Krsna's prashadam in
the form of cookies
to all our
donors. We seize this opportune time, when everyone is in
the spirit of giving to collect donation for our food
distribution program.
Every morning, after greeting the deity Bir Krsna Maharaj
rewards the devotees who collect the most; a healthy loaf of
bread he personally bakes. His encouragement is a great
support to the devotee’s here in New Goloka.
It takes a team effort to make this Christmas marathon a
success. Dayavir prabhu coordinates this marathon very
nicely.
Jagadguru, Gargamuni and
Mahamantra bake the delicious oatmeal- raisin
cookies. Tatania the visiting devotee from Slovenia packed
several hundreds of cookies. Maha Mantra stayed up very late
at night to drive Mother Tulsi. She spent long hours out and
stayed until very late at night. Last Friday, Rangadevi took
her cute little six months old Vanamali and went out to
offices to collect donation from some of her contacts. Nanda
Gopal drove her around.
Going out during the coldest month is a great
austerity. However, Prema Manjari, Radhika and Mother Tulsi
are so committed to help the New Goloka temple. They go out
in very wintry weather for eight to ten
hours to distribute prasadam. In this way ,
they engage many souls, to give their money for the service
of Krsna. Moreover; many non-devotees get sanctified
cookies, which are offered to their Lordship
Sri-Sri Radha Golokananda.
Thanks to their enthusiasm, we can enjoy the unique
spiritual atmosphere here at New Goloka. They really worked
very hard to maintain the temple.
Your Servant
Golokananda priya dd