Page 34 - OPIHI (English)
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20 nAthdwArA
Darçanas and Festivals
tarting from early in rose scent, and beautiful flower
the morning, eight decorations are arranged.
Sofferings and six äratis
are performed for the Lord In May the appearance day of
each day. The Lord has His Vallabhäcärya is observed with
last darçana in the evening great pomp.
and then takes rest. When He In the hot summer season, a
lifted Govardhana He was just courtyard in the temple is filled
a young boy, so He rests early. with water. Pilgrims can stand
There is a well-known story on a ledge at the back and see
that Çrénäthajé once tore His the Deity without getting wet,
garment while rushing back to but most devotees enjoy coming
the temple to be on time for forward and standing in water up
darçana. From that day on, it has to their knees. Lord Çrénäthajé
been a custom to blow the conch is sprayed with scented water,
and then wait several minutes smeared with sandalwood, and
before opening the altar doors. adorned with many garlands.
That way, Çrénäthajé may return Music plays, and because of the
leisurely to His temple from water everything is cool, and
wherever He may be sporting the people are happy.
in the land of Våndävana. Toward the end of the hot
Practically every day there is season comes the Ratha-yäträ.
a festival in the temple. There The Lord is taken around in
are swing festivals, processions, a silver chariot, and 100,000
flower festivals, boat festivals, mangos are offered.
and festivals in which thousands In the afternoon in the rainy
of mangos are offered. season (June–July), the Lord is
In April, roses are abundant, so swung on a big swing. There are
there is a rose festival. The Deity many swings for the Lord—a
is sprinkled with rose water and golden swing, a silver swing, a
swing of glass, one of flowers,
