– Vaishnavi Padayatra by ISKCON Girls Forum (IGF)
Nagpur :- The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Nagpur Center, celebrated The World Holy Name Festival in Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, gate no. 2, behind Empress mall with great enthusiasm. Inspired by Srila Loknath Swami Maharaj, a beloved disciple of ISKCON’s founder Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the event was conducted under the leadership of ISKCON President Sachidanand Prabhu and the guidance of Vice President Vrajendra Tanay Prabhu.
As part of the celebrations, the ISKCON Girls Forum (IGF) organized “One Day Vaishnavi Padayatra,” led by Adishakti Mataji, where over two hundred girls and women participated with great enthusiasm. The event began with an Aarti of Gaur Nitai, performed by Manu Priya Mataji, while Pranay Kishori Mataji recited the Hare Krishna Mahamantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare. Following this, the padayatra was inaugurated with blessings from H.G. Shubhangi Mataji.
Dr. Shyamsunder Sharma, spokesperson for ISKCON Nagpur, informed that the padayatra started from the ISKCON temple and passed through various landmarks, including Phule Market, Lohapul, Shani Mandir Road, and Jhansi Rani Chowk, Glocal Mall Munje Chowk, Cotton Market before concluding back at the temple. Along the way, the Joshi family provided lemon juice, and Vanmali Govind Prabhuji arranged water and snacks for all participants.
During the padayatra, the girls from IGF performed a melodious kirtan of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. At the program’s conclusion, senior ISKCON devotee, H.G. Shubhangi Mataji, explained that Harinam Week is celebrated globally and originated as Vishwa harinam Day, started by Loknath Swami Maharaj during the Prabhupada Centennial. She noted that this was the day Srila Prabhupada first set foot on American soil. Mataji also delivered an enlightening discourse on the importance of Harinam in Kaliyug, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness as a means of devotion and spiritual practice, offering mental and spiritual peace. The event ended with all attendees enjoying prasadam.
Several devotees made significant contributions to the padayatra. Damodara Priya Mataji, Manu Priya Mataji, Krishna Kanta Mataji, Japaruchi Mataji, Janaki Priyasi Mataji, Mrs. Manjiri Mataji, and Leelamayi Radha Mataji played important roles in the Vigraha Seva. In Kirtan Seva, Sunanda Mataji, Pranay Kishori Mataji, Unnati, Mrinmayee, Shruti Pandey, Mayuri, Dhanashree, Shruti, Tanvi, Janvi, and Vaishnavi were actively participated. Dance performances were coordinated by Vrinda Priya Mataji, Keshavtoshini Mataji, Bhaktinidhi Mataji, Priya, Asavari, and Rishika, while Gaurangishakti Mataji, Gayatri, Tanvi, Pallavi, and Khushi managed book distribution. Sneha Mataji, Preeti Mataji, and Mohinishyama Mataji assisted in various other services. Additional devotees, including Yugalnaam Nishtha Prabhu, Purushottam Prabhu, Eknath Prabhu, Nitya Krishna Kishore Prabhu, Manish Chourasiya and Vishal Prabhu and others, supported Prasadam Seva and crowd control. Akshada, Purva and Rishika assisted in media services while Raghupati Sharan Prabha, Narayan Sharma, Krishna Jaiswal, Vedant Jiwanapurkar, Rishi Sharma assisted in Kirtan Sewa.
Special thanks were expressed by Adishakti Mataji to all the volunteers and the ISKCON Management Committee, recognizing their tireless dedication and service. She acknowledged that the success of the program was due to the collective efforts of all involved, praising their cooperation and commitment, without which the padayatra would not have been possible.
Dr. Shyamsundar Sharma
Spokesperson, ISKCON Nagpur
