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After the opening if ISKCON's Rukmini Dwarakadisa Temple in Dwaraka, the devotees traveled to the city of Rajkot for the installation of Lord Narasimhadeva.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demonlike desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.22.39) Sanat-kumara speaks the following words to Maharaja Prthu:

"Devotees always engaged in the service of the toes of the Lord's lotus feet can very easily become free from hard-knotted desires for fruitive activities. Because this is very difficult, the nondevotees— the jnanis and yogis— cannot stop the waves of sense gratification, although they try to do so. Therefore you are advised to engage in the devotional service of Krsna, the son of Vasudeva." [Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.8

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Rajkot is a big city and the capital of Saurastra state. Saurastra is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam.

O Saunaka, the Lord then proceeded towards Kurujangala, Pancala, Surasena, the land on the bank of the River Yamuna, Brahmavarta, Kuruksetra, Matsya, Sarasvata, the province of the desert and the land of scanty water. After crossing these provinces He gradually reached the Sauvira and Abhira provinces, then west of these, reached Dvaraka at last.

The provinces passed over by the Lord in those days were differently named, but the direction given is sufficient to indicate that He traveled through Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Saurastra and Gujarat and at last reached His home province at Dvaraka. [1.10. 34-35]

Srila Prabhupada took interest in spreading Krsna Consciousness there.

"So you go to Saurastra and see what is the possibility of opening centers there. I want that we should open up more centers in India. When I return to India I shall go there to Saurastra." [Letter to Yashomatinandana das. 75-07-08]

"Regarding opening a center in Saurastra, it will be my pleasure to do it immediately if the local important men like you will co-operate with me." [Letter to Radhasvarananda Goswami 75-05-10]

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photos of ceremony

Although there were many life members in Rajkot, an ISKCON temple had not manifested. Then His Holiness Mahavishnu Goswami went there and was very well received. The government has given eight acres of land just outside of the city on the main highway and in less than a year the devotees constructed a temple and guesthouse and established the worship of Sri Sri Radha Nilamadhava. Of course plans are for a very large project and the local members are very enthusiastic.

So in early December they installed a large murti of Lord Narasimhadeva. There was a large turnout of media people since they were anxious to interview and photograph the special guest, Mr. Alfred Ford, aka Ambarisa dasa. He preached very nicely and inspired everyone to use whatever he or she has for the service of Lord Krsna.

Other noted guests present were HH Navayogendra Swami, HH Radha Ramana Swami, HH Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami, HG Yashomatinandana das, HG Kratu das, HG Devakinandan das (Singapore) and HG Radha Jivan Prabhu (Alachua). Many other devotees from all over the world were present. It would be auspicious to name them all, but my memory is not so sharp.

The installation ceremony was very nicely done, as the enclosed photos show. Dhruva Prabhu, (the son of Dharmatma Prabhu and Dvijapriya Mataji) and other experts managed the yajna. Dhruva is known for his devotion to Lord Narasimhadeva. He visited all the temples of Ahovalam in two days, and has made a movie of it. Now he is working on a book that will cover 108 Narasimhadeva temples.

The next day was also most auspicious. The first Rajkot Jagannatha Ratha Yatra was performed. The Lord kept everyone waiting until the intense heat of the afternoon passed and then began His yatra. The people of Rajkot were very enthusiastic and the parade went on until past 10 pm. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos.

© dipika.org January 17, 2004