Gita Jayanti Harinaam Sankirtan in Larkana Pakistan

Gita Jayanti Harinaam Sankirtan in Larkana Pakistan in December 2011

This is the auspicious year for ISKCON Pakistani Devotees that Gita Jayanti is being celebrated in Larkana, Sindh, having started as a small community basis. This celebration with the various related events leading up to the Harinaam Sankirtan as an opportunity for all age groups to get to read, chant, study and understand the Gita and its immortal message. This is also a venue for the various Hindu organizations to come closer through participation and unity of purpose in the celebration of one of the fundamental scriptures of Hinduism.

The "Gita Jayanti 2011-12" Program which was postponed in respect of Muslim Holy event Ashura in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.
The Whole Program is being led by ISKCON Devotee by gathering of devotees from all Different Parts of Pakistan – as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sibi along with the other Hindu Temples and organizations of Sindh as Larkana Hindu Panchayat, Balmiki Seva Mandal under the auspices Board of the ISKCON Hare Krsihna Movement.

Schedule and Arrangement of Program was very interactive and according to attractions for the visitors hence planning was nicely done so whole two days must be spend in a very spiritual and religion way that left a message for all Age groups that includes:

• Naam Sankirtan
• Shloka Recital
• Dance by Children on different Devotional Songs
• Bhagwad Katha reading
• Bhajans
• Dramas
• Book exhibitions / Opening Ceremony
• Vaishnava Picnic in Mohenjo-daro

^{Darshan of Sri Sri Madhan Mohan Bhagwan in Larkana}

1^st Day: (Gita Jayanti)

10-Dec-2011, Program started just after the auspicious Gaura Sandhiya Aratik and Hari Naam Sankirtan. Local resident include all age groups were also eager to know the Advent of Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Devotee organized Stage Dramas, the site of “Kurkshetra” and Chariot made by hand for Lord Krishna and Arjuna by local residential painter and woodworker of Larkana. Harinaam Sankirtan and Aratik of Srimad Bhagavat Geeta were attended by around 150 People. Ram Yagya Prabhu and Govindas took the Subject of ”Geeta Gyan” means Geeta Knowledge.

There was an announcement and Opening Ceremony of “Vaisnava Teachings in Sikhism” book which was translated and published by Karuna Sindhu Das in Urdu Language.

Book writer and publisher Srimati Radhikakrpa Devi Dasi said “I am very grateful to the devotees there for translating it in Urdu Language. I am very happy to serve Srila Prabhupada and Guru Maharaja ji. I am happy that I could be of some use in preaching the glories of Lord Krsna”.

H. H. Gopal Krishna Goswami said "Radhika Krpa Devi Dasi has thoroughly researched these teachings and brought to light the similarities of Sikhism vis-a-vis - Viasnvavism, thus establishing a common cord between the two paths. This book will also help the devotees preaching to Sikh community, as now they will get a better understanding of the teachings of Sikhism."

Ram Yagya starts the spoke “Sri GITA MAHATMYA”, The Glory of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita with reason of appearance of Sri Caitaniya Mahaprabhu in Kali Yug, who is ideal preacher of Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Govindas speaks on ”Kurukshetra” which is a land of historical and religious importance, also known as Dharamshetra ("Holy City").

Devotees also gift Hindu Panchayata Larkana Leader and Krsna Mandir Incharge in respect of this they welcome and invite devotees to come in local temple of Larkanan for Kirtana and MahaPrasadham

Ustad Krishna a local singer of Larkana sang “Ganshyam teri bansi pagal ker jati he...”

Larkana residential children perform a stage dance on “Zari Ki Pagree, Kitna Sunder Lage Bake Bihari”, whose little girls were acting as Gopi along with divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krsna.

A preacher Gur-Buksh from Pannu Aqil who preach message of Gita among Hindu Community when Krishna Consciousness movement was not started in Larkana. In order to give him honor and respect management invite him for Krsna Katha.

2^nd Day: (Vaishnava Picnic)

11-Dec-2011, In Monring H.H. Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj gave 20 Minute online Lecture on 10 offenses against Holy Name to all Pakistan ISKCON Devotees, Maharaj gave message that it was Prabhupada’s wished that our movement must be spread in all over the World as devotee are doing in Pakistan. He gave blessings and instructs to work for Lord Sri Chaitaniya Mahaprabhu’s Mission. His Holiness further instructs devotees about Naam Sankirtan including how to advance in Krishna Consciousness.

Makhan Lal Das & Ram Yagya Das organizer of Program said “Association and Gathering of devotees including Maharaj’s lecture is very joyful moment for us in Krishna Consciousness, we are very happy having devotee association with a lot of Kirtan. We ask mercy of Sri Sri Radha Madhan Mohan, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Srila Prabhupada that Naam Sankirtan and association increase day by day.

Now it was time for Vaishnava Picnic in Mohenjo-daro which is an archeological site situated in what is now the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2600 BC, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and one of the world's earliest major urban settlements, existing at the same time as the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete. This mysterious culture emerged nearly 4,500 years ago and thrived for a thousand years, profiting from the highly fertile lands of the Indus River floodplain and trade with the civilizations of nearby Mesopotamia. At 12:30pm, around 50 Devotees travelled 30KM from Larkana that took around 1 Hour to reached at Mohenjo-daro

Devotees were very much busy in Hari Naam Sankirtan and Dancing, general people were happy to see devotee dancing and doing Kirtan.

We also found BBC Channel Correspondent who took interview of Devotee Sandeep Kumar about the history and link of Mohenjo-daro to Sanatna Dharm so called Hindu Relegion, who defined about Buddhist stupa & monastery of Kushana period dating back to 2nd century A.D were constructed about sixteen centuries after the downfall of the indus civilization.The approach to the drum of the stupa lies in the middle of its eastern side.Treasure hunters dug inside the hollow drum of the stupa in search of treasure & removed the relic casket long before the scientific excavations were taken up in 1922.on all four side of the court yard of the stupa are monastic cells & on the east there are two common large rooms also. A large number of coins of King Vasudeva, belonging to kushana period were found from the monastery.

In the future Devotees hopes that the Krishna Consciousness Activates and Programs will become even more interactive— that will give people a more vibrant, powerful presentation of Krishna consciousness.

For now, however, we are focusing on 12 Hour Hari Naam Sankirtan in Karachi in January / February 2012. We feel that the majority of the general public is initially drawn to devotees not by high philosophy, but by Kirtan or Prasadam. Prasadam, in particular, has the broadest appeal, and the greatest ability to give people a positive perspective of Krishna consciousness, and, ultimately, to transform their hearts.

At last “It was a tremendously inspiring experience for us”

Please kindly contact/write us for our future plans and Projects in Pakistan
iskconpk1@gmail.com
For Videos: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=iskcon+pakistan&nfpr=0
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IskconPakistan

Writer: Sandeep Kumar Maheshwary.
Dated: 10-11, December 2011
Place: Larkana Sindh Pakistan
Email: sandeep.msh@gmail.com
Phone: 00 92 333 33 83 83 2