The much-awaited spiritual retreat in the divine lands of Vrindavan, Varanasi and Prayag commenced on the 24th of December 2017 with 64 delegates from different parts of the world coming together under the altruistic guidance of Swami Abhedananda to experience the mesmerizing love of the Lord and usher into the New Year 2018 with a spiritual feast.
Nested in an exotic location in Vrindavan the devotees revelled in the soul-stirring Bhagawat satsangs by Swamiji as he described the various childhood sports of Lord Krishna. During the evenings the devotees were spell-bound to visit the most beautiful temples around the city and experience the majestic presence of the Lord in the holy land. Daily morning satsangs and evening darshan across the various prominent temples ensured to etch a life-time impression of Shri Krishna in the hearts of all devotees. Rolling in the dust of Raman Reti where little Krishna frolicked in His childhood, and visiting the houses of Shri Krishna in Nanda-gaon and Radhaji in Barsana was an experience of its kind. With their untiring efforts the sevaks and sevikas ensured that all the major temples and places around Vrindavan were smoothly and comfortably covered.
On the auspicious day of Vaikunth Ekadashi Swamiji lovingly ushered the devotees for the most fulfilling and memorable experience of their lifetime – Giriraj Parikrama – 24 kms of barefoot circumambulation around Mount Govardhan. Slowly and steadily under the assuring guidance of Swamiji, the devotees completed the Parikrama experiencing immense fulfillment in the act of pleasing the Lord. On the auspicious Pradosh day, everyone offered puja at the famous Gopeshwar Mahadev temple. Finally on 31st December, as the New Year dawned, the devotees welcomed the Lord in their hearts with the most auspicous Vishnu Sahasranama Archana in the holy land of Vrindavan.
The following day, our Yatra to Varanasi and Prayag began with the awe-inspiring darshan & abhishek of Lord Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna Devi. Offering their heartful of love in the form of milk and other oblations, Pujya Swamiji bestowed all the devotees with a sense of utmost fulfilment in reaching Varanasi which is the dream of every Hindu. Beating the weather with the strength of devotion a group of devotees took the most auspicious dip at Prayagraj (Sangam) and Gangaji. A luxurious boat ride along the 84 Ghats of Banaras with darshan of Vishalakshi temple and the magnificent Ganga aarti at the Manikarnika Ghat was truly an unforgettable experience.
The devotees then left for their respective destinations with contented hearts and increased devotion. In every sense, this Yatra was a blissfully memorable one of it’s kind.
