November 8, 2006
The Bhakti Shastri course, which I will be studying for the next three months, started last week with an introduction class. The course is vey intensive. We have two one-and-a-half-hour lectures five days a week. Another three hours of personal study each day is also required.
This, combined with the temple programs in the early morning and evening makes a very busy and satisfying day. On Saturdays we leave the temple compound to go on parikramas (pilgrimages to significant holy places) in the local area. This Saturday we visited the Yoga Pitha (birth place of Lord Caitanya) with Jaya Pataka Swami. Sunday is a day off to catch up on extra study and rest.
There are 22 students from around the world (Australia, America, Europe, India) and although the course finishes in early February, most of us will be staying on for the big Gaura purnima festival (birth of Lord Caitanya) in early March. This is the biggest festival in this part of India and attracts thousands of pilgrims and also many devotees from around the world. On Satrday I had the chance to walk around and observe the simple village lifestyle and take some photos.
A happy local
Simple living in Mayapura
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