Saturday and Sunday, July 4th and 5th, were the last two days of the North American TOVP Tour, 2015. They were, in fact, record days for our fundraising and visits to devotees homes. During these two days Jananivas prabhu alone visited over 25 devotees’ homes, going from one to the other with the Padukas and Sitari, bringing the blessings of Sri Mayapur Dhama.
Wherever he went, devotees felt as if Mayapur had come with him. We also visited the new Balaji temple (a second temple in the Seattle area) Hari Vilas, Temple President, is developing, as well as the recent farm project and school. His motto is to spread Krishna consciousness through culture and education, and the growing, dedicated congregation of devotees is testimony to this fact.
On Sunday, the TOVP presentation began with a full abhisheka of the Padukas and Sitari during kirtan and arati. Then Hari Vilas spoke for some time about the TOVP project and introduced Radha Jivana and Jananivas prabhus. Their last presentations were the culmination of visits to 45 temples and communities and visits to almost 400 homes and programs in four months. Tonight was the last in North America. The crowd of 300+ devotees rose to the occasion, being encouraged to top the charts in pledges. By the end of the program more than $1.2 million was pledged and more expected to come from devotees not present. Even the children from the CHAD Group (Chapter A Day) came forward and combinedly pledged a Silver Gratitude Coin for $11,000. A fitting way to end the TOVP Tour in North America.
May all the devotees who have participated in this glorious attempt to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada and the acaryas be blessed with Krishna prema.
All Glories to Lord Nityananda Rama. All glories to the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.