Page 9 - OPIHI (English)
P. 9

Introduction



           The  Çrémad-Bhägavatam  and  other  authorized  scriptures  laud  Bhärata-
           bhümi  (India)  as  the  most  important  land  in  the  universe  for  making
           progress toward the ultimate goal of life, namely attaining pure devotion
           to the lotus feet of Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Among
           the many unique facilities that Bhärata offers for cultivation of spiritual
           life, her holy places are prominent.

           The  articles  collected  herein  first  appeared  in  Back  to  Godhead,  the
           magazine of the Hare Kåñëa Movement. Sometime in 1992 His Holiness
           Jayädvaita Swami, then editor of Back to Godhead, asked me for articles
           on  holy  places.  My  mind  turned  toward  India’s  innumerable  sanctified
           areas, from little known shrines to pilgrimage hubs frequented by millions.
           For Gauòéya Vaiñëavas, the followers of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, most
           important  are  Mäyäpur,  Våndävana,  and  Puré.  Yet  as  these  had  been
           frequently featured in Back to Godhead, I decided to head for lesser known
           locations connected with the worship of Lord Viñëu.

           First stop was Nathdwara. Although among the most popular pilgrimage
           towns of India, it was at that time largely unknown to  iskcon devotees.
           Over  the  next  few  years,  I  visited  several  holy  places  with  my  camera-
           toting companion Mahä-Viñëu Prabhu, in an effort to transmit something
           of the atmosphere of these ancient sacred sites to Back to Godhead readers
           throughout  the  world.  That  Lord  Kåñëa  blessed  our  endeavors  seems
           apparent from the highly positive response we received. Better still, these
           articles have inspired many devotees to journey to these pristine spots, and
           thus iskcon devotees are now often seen and welcomed in hitherto obscure
           localities such as Karauli. These articles are presented as they appeared in
           Back to Godhead, with just a few corrections and revisions.

           Here, then, is a little tour of sacred India that may be undertaken from
           the comfort of an armchair. It is not exhaustive or systematic. Nor is it a
           complete collection of such articles from Back to Godhead, for many have
           been penned by others. Yet it is another small contribution from a small
           soul in service to his great and glorious master. May Çréla Prabhupäda be
           pleased with this effort.



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