By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 7: Gopalakrishna Public Trust, in association with Gokula Bhajana Mandali and BSKB Association, celebrated Ashadha Ekadashi – Devashayani Ekadashi – with devotion and grandeur at the Gokula auditorium on Sunday, July 6.
The day-long celebrations included mass chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama with Tulsi Archana, Harinama Sankirtana, and Bhagavad Gita recitation.
The idol of Lord Gopalakrishna was beautifully adorned with special tulsi garlands and floral decorations by temple priest Vedamurti Ganesh Bhat. In the center of the decorated Tulsi Vrindavan inside the hall, idols of Lord Vittal and Rukmini were ceremoniously installed and decorated.
Following the temple's morning rituals, the program commenced with a prayer led by Vedamurti Daregudde Srinivas Bhat. Vice president Vaman Holle, general secretary Ananta Padmanabha Poti, joint secretary Chitra Melmane, trustees of Gopalakrishna Public Trust Krishna Acharya, Shailini Rao, Ashraya president Rajaram Acharya, Vedamurti SN Udupa of Sri Uma Maheshwari Temple, Jarimari, and office-bearers and members of the Gokula Bhajana Mandali inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp.
Following the Harinama Sankirtana performed by the Gokula Bhajana Mandali in collaboration with Sri Krishna Bhajana Mandali, several bhajana groups including Gokula Balakalavrinda, Yuva Kalavrinda, Sri Vittal Bhajana Mandali (Mira Road), Sri Gopalakrishna Bhajana Mandali (Andheri), Sri Shani Bhajana Mandali (Nerul), Sri Ram Bhajana Mandali (Nerul), Sri Skanda Bhajana Mandali (Chembur), Sri Harikrishna Bhajana Mandali (Navi Mumbai), and Sri Ganapati Ayyappa Durgadevi Bhajana Mandali (Nerul), participated. Over 150 members rendered devotional services throughout the day.
A special mass Vishnu Sahasranama chanting with Tulsi Archana was performed under the leadership of Vedamurti Daregudde Srinivas Bhat, guiding devotees through a collective sankalpa. The chanting was accompanied by Tulsi offerings to Lord Krishna. Priest Vedamurti Ganesh Bhat offered Tulsi Archana and performed a maha pooja and maha mangalarati to Lord Gopalakrishna.
Devotees also engaged in reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita during the archana ceremony.
The day concluded with a final round of bhajans by the Gokula Bhajana Mandali following the temple's evening rituals. Priest Ganesh Bhat offered mangalarati to Lord Vittal and Rukmini and distributed teertha and prasada to devotees.
Prema Rao, president of Gokula Bhajana Mandali, anchored the event and delivered the vote of thanks.