Vrindavana, India — Devotees at ISKCON’s Krishna Balarama temple organized a special evening event this August 24th, so that leading citizens of Vrindavana could offer their homage to Srila Prabhupada. The Vyasa Puja, or birthday celebrations honoring ISKCON’s founder are traditionally held in the morning. But residents of the holy town welcomed this extra service, as they are busy with their own Nandotsava Celebrations on the morning after Janmastami. 

An extensive roster of guests including Rajendra Dasji Maharaj, President of the Char Sampradaya Ashram, and Rasacharya Swami Ram Swaroop Sharma, were greeted and garlanded by ISKCON’s Vrindavan Management Committee. 

Jankinatha Dasa then introduced them to all the devotees and public gathered in the courtyard of Shri Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir. 

After garlanding Srila Prabhupada, Rajendra Dasji Maharaj glorified him for a full fifteen minutes. When he claimed that no one but Prabhupada could have done such glorious work in this age, a roar of applause went up from the crowd. 

Swami Ram Swaroop Sharma, receiver of the prestigious Padam Shri Award from the President of India said, “Vivekananda was unable to do anything — he just spoke nicely. But Srila Prabhupada practically changed the whole world. Wherever he put his lotus feet, there temples for Krishna sprang up.” 

Sharma then requested all Brijabasis – residents of Vrindavana — to kindly help Srila Prabhupada’s movement. 

ISKCON guru Radha Govinda Swami concluded the program by humbly thanking all the guests. As Prabhupada’s representative, he then presented each of them with gifts and sacred food offered to the deities of Radha Syamasundara.