Siddha Hari Das (wearing cap) with a grateful recipient; Mall visitor receives a bundle of books.
A book distribution program led by Siddha Hari Das was successfully conducted at Michigan’s largest mall, Great Lakes Crossing Mall, from December 3rd, 2024, to January 12th, 2025. This innovative initiative was well received by the visitors and became a remarkable endeavor in spreading Krishna consciousness.
A total of 4,222 books were distributed, including 454 Bhakta Stacks (1,816 books), 120 Saptha Stacks (840 books), 600 Spanish books (35 Bhakta Stacks and loose books), and 20 Arabic books. Additionally, 400 loose books (Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Krishna, and others), 300 small books, 120 Bhagavad Gitas placed in motel rooms, and 6 Srimad Bhagavatam sets were distributed.
The inspiration for setting up the book distribution booth at the largest mall in Michigan came from Siddha Hari Das’s recent visit to his spiritual master, Jayapataka Swami who expressed a deep desire to encourage devotees to preach and share Krishna consciousness in limitless and innovative ways. “So just before leaving him, he was telling me and other disciples that we should think of novel ways in sharing Krishna consciousness”, said Siddha Hari Das.
This encouragement planted the seed for Siddha Hari’s Sankirtan efforts. He joined the local Bhakti Vriksha group, Nita Gaur Dham, and The Harmony Collective to set up a booth at Michigan’s largest mall.
Following Srila Prabhupada’s guidance to preach according to time, place, and circumstance, Siddha Hari ensured that the program was organized in a manner that the mall’s audience would welcome. Understanding the need to present Krishna consciousness in a relatable way, the team of devotees led by Siddha Hari set up their booth displaying Srila Prabhupada’s books, yoga mats, and accessories in a clean, organized, and visually appealing way.
Siddha Hari said, “Visitors, preoccupied with shopping for clothes, shoes, and holiday gifts, were initially uninterested. Spiritual books were far from their minds. But we came up with interesting questions to make them pause. And when they paused, then we slowly brought in the books.” Many visitors, though surprised, expressed genuine interest, with some sharing that they had been searching for such knowledge.
The devotees involved in this program faced many challenges since the mall’s environment was not conducive to spirituality. One of the devotee volunteers observed that the atmosphere was charged with extreme passion and ignorance, making it a challenging place for distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.
However, to counteract this, the devotees relied on the constant chanting of kirtan. Prabhupada’s kirtan became their refuge, creating a transcendental atmosphere amidst the distractions and visuals of the mall. Siddha Hari personally experienced the shelter and power of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which, he noted, is untouched by material modes and elevates anyone who associates with it.
Expressing his gratitude, Siddha Hari Das thanked devotees from the Harmony Collective and the Nitaigar Bhakti Vriksha community, who came together and dedicated themselves to manning the booth for 12 hours a day, every day. Weekends were especially intense, yet the team remained steadfast.
This book distribution program has inspired Siddha Hari Das to encourage other devotees to explore similar approaches. Plans are already underway for another marathon next year, and Siddha Hari is asking more temples to adopt the mall distribution model. He emphasizes the importance of three things, namely- presenting professionally, being prepared for long hours, and maintaining a prayerful mood.
Siddha Hari Das concluded, “Book distribution is a great sadhana, as Vaishesika Prabhu says. It forces you to depend on Krishna and Guru consistently or continuously. Because you can’t be thinking of materialistic thoughts and expect books to go out. So it’s a great sadhana, and events like these are very good. It’s like Brahma muhurta, a period of really good time for chanting. Similarly, this is like a Brahma muhurta for preaching and book distribution. It’s a great experience.”
If readers would like to learn more about book distribution in malls, you can reach out to Siddha Hari on Facebook. To explore more Sankirtan stories from the book distribution program at Michigan’s largest mall, click here.
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