Recently the deity department hosted a heartfelt gathering, Pujari Sanga, bringing together over 90 devotees who serve deities in various capacities. These dedicated individuals engage in numerous services, from dressing the deities and creating beautiful garlands to cooking and other acts of devotion.
The event began with an uplifting kirtan, setting a spiritually vibrant tone. Vishaka dasi welcomed everyone warmly, emphasizing the core principle of devotional life: to “always remember Krishna and never forget Him.” She highlighted “..so by serving the deities as you do personally, in so many variant way, you have the excellent opportunity to Krishna in the centre of your consciousness following the instructions of Srila Rupa Goswami”
Ananta Gopal das, Bhaktivedanta Manor’s head pujari, expressed his deep gratitude for the selfless service of the devotees and their presence at the gathering. He underscored the purpose of the event: to serve the devotees, seek their blessings, and foster a sense of community to please Krishna.
Drawing from the Bhagavatam, he reminded everyone that those who serve the Lord in the holy dham are considered very saintly, encouraging devotees to learn from each other to better please the Lord.
The gathering was also graced by Murli Manohar das, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission Deity Minister for Europe. He spoke on the significance of deity worship and the profound impact of each service, no matter how small. He shared inspiring stories of stalwart devotees who, despite facing numerous challenges, continue to serve the Lord with unwavering dedication.
The event concluded with another joyous kirtan, followed by a sumptuous feast prepared by Krishna Purna Mataji and her team. Each devotee received a special gift of thanks from the head pujari, adding a personal touch of appreciation to the occasion.
The success of this Pujari Sanga has set a positive precedent, and there is enthusiastic anticipation for making this a regular feature for the devotees serving in the deity department.