By Ananta Gopal Das | Head Pujari (Priest) at Bhaktivedanta Manor 

Recently, we celebrated Nityananda Trayodasi, the first major celebration of the year, officially marking the start of the festival season. It’s a time of singing, dancing, feasting, serving, and preaching, accompanied by late nights, early mornings, busy schedules, and stressful service.

A few days before the festival, I found myself unable to sleep. I rose early and headed to the temple room to chant before my morning service. There, I observed devotees engaged in service and sadhana during the early morning hours.

At 3am, the priest unlocks the temple doors and begins preparations for worshipping Radha Gokulananda. The harmonious sound of sacred mantras being chanted and the soft ringing of the bell emanates from the pujari (priest) room. Simultaneously, another pujari in the kitchen diligently prepares various sweets and hot milk for Lord Krishna.

Some congregation devotees arrive as early as 3:15am, quietly chanting their japa (manta meditation on beads) while another devotee worships Srila Prabhupada in the temple room. During this peaceful early morning, some resident sadhus (saints) immerse themselves in scriptural study.

At 4:30am, the temple residents are joined by more congregation devotees for the morning prayers. Some devotees choose to sit and chant their japa, while others prefer to circumambulate the Tulasi (sacred plant) plant while chanting. A group of devotees gather in Srila Prabhupada’s rooms, and a few chant outside, circumambulating the temple building.

Individuals have their own unique style of chanting japa, and they often sit in a specific spot where they chant daily.

Day after day, week after week, and year after year, devotees engage in the same sadhana, chant the same mantra, and sing the same songs, to the same Deities within the same association.

As I reflected on this, I thought to myself, “And each year, we are celebrating the same festivals.”

So, what is the purpose of our sadhana, service, and festivals?

Srila Prabhupada answers it perfectly;

Bhagavad-gita 2.72 purport: “There is no difference between the kingdom of God and the devotional service of the Lord. Since both of them are on the absolute plane, to be engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord is to have attained the spiritual kingdom.” 

Come, join us and experience the joy of serving Lord Krishna, singing his praises, and celebrating His festivals.