Timeline of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami's Life - 2001-2010

20071128-30 Śrīkṣetra Parikramā

After a blissful Bhīṣma-pañcaka penance held in Māyāpur and a dynamic festival in Vishakhapatnam, India, the next celebration was Jagannatha Purī Parikramā! His Holiness Bhakti Puruṣottama Swami is the main organizer and I am supporting His Holiness's efforts. He told me 3,000 participants had registered, but when I reached I was informed about 4,500 devotees or more were attending.

It was quite well organized and classes were broadcast or translated in English, Oriya, Bengali, Russian and many other languages. There were many senior speakers including His Holiness: Lokanātha Swami, Bhakti Cāru Swami, Janānanda Swami, Bhakti Puruṣottama Swami, Gaurāṅga Prema Swami, etc.

When I arrived I went to Ṭoṭā-Gopīnātha Temple and found the big assembly there. Next the devotees assembled at Gambhīra also known as Rādhā-kānta Maṭha, where Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu resided and had pastimes during is about 18 years in Jagannātha Purī. That is nearby Haridāsa Ṭhākura's residence place at the "siddha-bakula" as well. I gave an English on ISKCON Temple roof having a beautiful darśana of Lord Jagannātha's massive mandir. About 400 english speakers attended my class. They had many questions at the end.

The next day the devotees went to Jagannātha Vallabha Gardens after taking darśana of His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura's Birthplace. Also I spoke on pastimes of Prataprudra Mahārāja with Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu as well as Sārvabauma Bhaṭṭācārya and Sveta-gaṅgā. This night I spoke to the Bengali and Oriya speaking crowd while. His Holiness Bhakti Cāru Swami spoke in English.

Everyday we took holy sea bath opposite Haridāsa Ṭhākura's samādhi mandir. The waves alternated between high and medium giving an intense ride for those who wanted to ride them. On the last day the parikramā was circumambulating the Jagannātha Purī dhāma. A walk of about 18 km. The party stopped for breakfast of Lord Jagannātha mahā-prasāda behind Narendra Sarovara at a famous Brahmacārī's āsrama. I spoke on Vijaya Kṛṣṇa Goswami, His Holiness Lokanātha Swami Mahārāja spoke as well on the importance of the parikramā, His Holiness Janānanda Goswami did a short drama. His Holiness Gaura Nārāyaṇa Swami also spoke. ISKCON's official Pāṇḍa Raghunātha Parihari informed me that on that day it was especially auspicious to bath in the 5 holy waters of Jagannātha Purī: Indradyumna Sarovara, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi's Kuṇḍa, Sveta-gaṅgā, Rohiṇī Kuṇḍa and the sea. So I went and bathed in all these sacred waters as well as Narendra Sarovara where Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu had also bathed with His associates. It was very purifying.

Like this the 3 day parikramā time flew so fast! What a wonderful association!

Nice if you can come to next year's Jagannātha Purī Parikramā!

I hope this finds you healthy and happy,

Your well-wisher always,

Jayapatākā Swami