Our Little Story

Dandavat Pranams Everyone:

Please be kind to allow me to share our experience at the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Matha. I must say that the idea of sharing experience with others came from Srimati Syamarani Didi.

We were a small group of devotees initially. In 2003 when Sripad Damodar Maharaj first visited Guyana some of us were entirely new devotees to Krsna Consciousness, some of us were 'break-away' from Iskcon and some of us were still attending Iskcon. However upon hearing the nectarean Hari Katha from Damodar Maharaj, we all wanted to take initiation from him right away, but he said he is not guru but rather he is preaching on behalf of his gurudev. So we thought, that if he can preach so sweetly, then one can imagine how his guru preach, must be sweeter. The rest is history, we all become initiated devotees of our most sweet and beloved Srila Gurudev Om Visnu-pada padma astotara Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaj. Some 30-40 of received initiation in a couple of years. I must tell you that i was the most reluctant one to receive initiation, but Damodar Maharaj was most convincing and he told me he know what is best for me and that I dont know what is good for myself. That is the best decision I ever made in my entire life.

So as time went along, more devotees came and received initiation and our sanga grew to over 75 devotees around the country. We would have regular satsanga at various devotees homes and this went on for about 7-8 years. New people would find our program attractive and they would want to attend so they would asking us, "where is our temple?" and we couldn't give them a proper answer. By the inspiration of Krsna and Srila Gurudev, one of our Godbrothers Sriman Gopal Dasa along with his family decided to donate a plot of land for the purpose of building a centre.

The devotees consult with Srila Gurudev and he blessed us and gave us some instructions about how to construct the centre. He specifically told us that we must have a parikrama path around Thakurji or else what is the use of temple. Sripad Damodar Maharaj, Sripad Brajanatha Prabhu and Madhuvrata Prabhu help us with the vastu for construction.

In 2009, on the first preaching tour of Madhuvrata Prabhu he did the Bhumi Pooja on the land and in April 2010 the devotees began construction. Many devotees contributed to the temple that is almost impossible to list everyone. However here are some of the names I remembered and I am praying that Srila Gurudev will shower his most sweet mercy on them:

Sripad Damodar Maharaj, Sripad Sajjana Maharaj, Brajanath Prabhu, Madhuvrata Prabhu, Syamarani Didi, Govinda Didi, Vasanti Didi, Gopal Dasa, Prema Vallabha Dasa, Kamala Kanta Dasa, Thakur Dasa, Yadanatha Dasa, Syamabihari Dasa, Vanamali Dasa, Shankar Dasa, Hari Mohan Dasa, Mahendra Dasa, Radha Madhava Dasa, Bhuddi Yoga Dasa, Ramesh Dasa, Rupa Narayana Dasa (New York), Nrsingha Prabhu (Washington) Ram Dasa, Shyamsundar Dasa, Narotama Dasa, Arjuna Dasa, Mukesh Prabhu (New York) Pramila Dasi, Radhapriya Dasi, Rasapriya Dasi, Radhika Dasi, Saradha Dasi, Satyavati Dasi, Isani Dasi, Lakshmipriya Dasi, Sharmila Dasi, Padmavati Dasi, Janaki Dasi, Hemalata Dasi, Padmini Dasi, Yasoda Devi Dasi, Haripriya Dasi, Reeka Dasi, Anuradha Dasi, Kamala Dasi, Pitambari Dasi, Savita Dasi, Nutan Dasi, Melissa Dasi, Navita Dasi, Janava Dasi and many others who I cannot remember their names. Please forgive me for that. If anyone reading this and you remember a name that I dont have here please feel free to tell me and I will include it. We also get contributions from the business community and friends such as: Edward B. Beharry and Company, BEV Processors Inc, Gafsons Industries, Haresh Prabhu, Rocky Prabhu, Alabama Trading, Kevin, Ian, Nanda and her brother and others.

In 2010, Syamarani Didi and Govinda Didi came to Guyana. During their visit we had some amazing book distribution experiences. We completely sold all the books and pictures that they brought to Guyana. We went to the market place 2 saturdays and it was amazing. The devotees did Harinam and book distribution in the fish and meat section and the people in general was very receptive and bought books, pictures and even give donations. It was a total sweet experience. Syamarani Didi if you are reading this, i know you will laugh and smile to yourself.

On July 25, 2010 we officially open the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Gaudiya Matha Centre at 156 Area 'A' Bladen Hall School Road, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. It is a proud achievement for all the devotees who contributed. Everyone was impressed with the building and wish us well. This is all happening by the kind mercy of their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Srila Gurudev and the Vaisnavas. We are forever indebted to you all. Please continue to shower your kind mercy on us.

The experience is too much for me to write and tell you. What I have mentioned is not even a drop of what the devotees felt. Actually it is nothing at all. I am just blogging.....smiles. Anyway hope you enjoy and those of you who are reading and was involved, I hope it bring a smile to your face as you go back to memory lane....smiles.....Hari Bol and Dandavats!!!!

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Ki Jaya!!

Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Ki Jaya!!

Srila Gurudev Ki Jaya!!

Vaisnavas & Vaisnavis  Ki Jaya!!

Aspiring for a particle of mercy from the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas.

Ramanatha Dasa