Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Jul 27: The Gopalakrishna Public Trust, Gokula, in association with the BSKB Association and Gokula Bhajana Mandali, celebrated the auspicious Ashadha Ekadashi (Devashayani Ekadashi) with great devotion and fervour on Saturday, July 25, at the Gokula auditorium.

The day-long celebration, featured a mass Vishnu Sahasranama Tulasi Archana and Harinama Sankirtana organised by the Gokula Bhajana Mandali.

Temple priest Vedamurthy Ganesh Bhat beautifully adorned the idol of Lord Gopalakrishna with special Tulasi garlands and flowers. Inside the auditorium, idols of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini were placed amidst a beautifully decorated Tulasi Vrindavana and embellished with floral garlands.

Following the morning daily puja at the temple, the programme commenced with a prayer by Vedamurthy Daregudde Srinivas Bhat. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Gopalakrishna Public Trust trustees Krishna Acharya and Shailini Rao, BSKB Association vice president Chitra Melmane, honorary secretary Anantha Padmanabha Pothi, joint secretary Vinodini Rao, Gokula Bhajana Mandali president Prema Rao, convener Smitha Bhat, Dr Sahana Pothi, and other members.

The Harinama Sankirtana began with devotional renditions by the Gokula Bhajana Mandali and Sri Krishna Bhajana Mandali. Subsequently, over 150 members from 11 different groups, including Uma Maheshwari Bhajana Mandali (Jarimari), Ekanatheshwari Bhajana Mandali (Dadar), Sri Gopalakrishna Bhajana Mandali (Andheri), Sri Vitthala Bhajana Mandali (Mira Road), Sri Ganapati Ayyappa Durgadevi Bhajana Mandali (Nerul), Sri Harikrishna Bhajana Mandali (Navi Mumbai), Sri Skanda Bhajana Mandali (Chembur), Sri Rama Bhajana Mandali (Nerul), and Yuva Kalavrunda (Gokula), participated and offered their devotional services.

The Harinama Sankirtana was sponsored by Dr Suresh S Rao, Dr Arun Rao, B Ramananda Rao, Mohanraj, Avinash Shastri, Prashanth Herle, Vijay Kumar Bhat, Sadashiva Rao, Gururaj Bhat, S N Udupa, Ramaprasad Rao, Prema Rao, Leelavathi Rao, Rohini Bairi, Shalini Rao, Yashashwini Acharya, and Priyanjali Rao. Several other devotees also contributed towards the event.

The mass Vishnu Sahasranama Tulasi Archana was conducted under the leadership of Vedamurthy Daregudde Srinivas Bhat. Devotees chanted the Vishnu Sahasranama while offering Tulasi leaves to Lord Krishna. Priest Ganesh Bhat performed the Mahapooja and Mahamangalarati to Lord Gopalakrishna. The customary recitation of the Bhagavad Gita for Ekadashi was led by Smitha Bhat.

Following the night puja at the temple and the concluding Bhajana Mangala, priest Ganesh Bhat performed the Mangalarati to Lord Vitthal and Rukmini and distributed theertha and prasada to the gathered devotees. Thousands of devotees visited the temple from morning till night to seek divine blessings.

A special highlight of the day was the participation of over 400 students from two local schools. Dressed in traditional Maharashtrian attire as Vitthal and Rukmini, the children, accompanied by their parents and teachers, arrived at Gokula in a traditional 'Vruksha Dindi' palanquin procession to seek the blessings of Lord Gopalakrishna and receive the prasada.