Gurudeva has been back from India for couple weeks now. All the devotees were shocked to hear that he was supposed to have traveled to the airport in the same taxi as H.H Tamal Krishna Maharaja, but that he changed his mind at the last minute.

Gurudeva has been in a very prayerful mood remembering his friend Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami and has been helping Maharaja’s disciples. In fact he was going to stay and rest at New Goloka for a while, but Tamal Krishna Maharaja’s departure gave him more responsibilities, and now he will be traveling to Fiji in a week or so. We had two memorial services for Maharaja here at New Goloka. One of those is already on line for all of you to listen!

Mother Krishna Priya arranged a nice Gaura Purnima celebration yesterday. A couple hundred guests came to the program which consisted of plays, dances, kirtan and a class given by Srila Gurudeva. Mother Uttara had made a beautifull outfit for SriSri Radha-Golokanda.

Gurudeva also gave 2nd initiation to three devotees on Gaura Purnima morning. Mayapur Candra, his wife Campakalata and Sarvarikara were given the Gayatri-mantra. Mayapur candra and Campakalata are currently responsible for running the ISKCON school. Because Mother Urmila, Campakalata’s mother, is involved in other services, she turned the responsibility over to her daughter and her son-in-law. They are both very nice devotees. Srila Gurudeva has had a close relationship with them for years. In fact he goes to eat pizza at their house every week when he is here! In the picture you can see Campakalata with her daughter Padmavati.

Sarvarikara took re-initiation. He was a disciple of Harikesa Swami before, and he and his very nice wife Kalindi(a disciple of Tamal Krishna Maharaja) live near the temple. All the devotees were extremely happy about Sarvarikara’s initiation. He has become very very dear to everyone during the 2 years that they have lived here. Their family will increase soon because Kalindi is expecting a baby. Sarvarikara’s new name is Govinda das.

Today Srila Gurudeva has been working very hard and will be taking prasadam soon. He always laughs that when he comes back to New Goloka to rest, it is more stressful because all the devotees want to meet with him. He likes traveling… But he also says that New Goloka is his home and SriSri Radha-Golokananda are his Deities. All the devotees are so happy to have his association again…