South India Part 1, Sneak Peak

[Krsna Das]

Bengal prachar started to get to our heads a little so we(myself, Ramani, and Chandra Shakar) decided to tell the boss Jivapriya bramachari that we needed a break which surprisingly he had not to big
of a problem with, so we saddled up and jumped on a train straight to Balaji's holy place of Tiropati on the 16th of February. For two exciting days and nights we sat on the train waiting to get to Tiropati. I am guessing most of you have not been there but I can tell you if you are used to North India well then South India is quite the opposite such as the cows that look like they are mixed with antelopes, the language “vadagada wa”, the writing that looks like scribbles, the fact that 90% of the people or black, and that the Brahmans and Vaisnavas although they seem to have their sikhas, tilak(marking on forehead), and dhoti borders three sizes too big they sure can chant vedic hymns and move, twist, and slap their hands in all different cool ways that they call mudras.

Other then the little culture shock it is quite pleasant the people here are nice and very rarely stare, and the temples/architecture is amazing.

The bottom left picture in the pictures above is the entrance to the ISKON temple which is a magnificent South Indian style temple and all the devotees there were also very kind and loving. When we arrived there in ISKON we just happened to get there on the temples first anniversary which was surprising to me because they had so much traffic, many devotees, and were very much together. All the Gurus of ISKON were showing up there so their guest-house was booked but they were kind enough to place us in a hotel about three kilometers away for free because of the Gurukuli case. The photo on the right of the pictures above is the actual temple itself and as you can see the carvings, windows, and general layout was quite impressive.

South India is a lot different to North India when it comes to transportation because they have laws against more then three people in a auto-rikshaw and also proper traffic management so all vehicles can go faster than in North India. After we looked around ISKON and got ourselves a room we went to go eat and catch a early sleep for the big Balaji trip the next day. On our little adventure to get some food we crashed into another thing that was quite different then in North India... the girls! I was shocked that these girls who were going to a girl only college next to the place we were eating were anything but shy and quiet. When we were leaving the restaurant we heard a lot of high pitched laughter and soon as we turned around to be bombarded by “hello”s and “hi”s.

We were so overwhelmed by such a huge “flirt vibe” that we just turned around and walked fast as we could in the opposite direction. Ramani who was with us couldn't stop telling us how ridiculous they were and all we could help doing was laugh thinking about the awkward situation.
I will now stop here until part 2 were we will be going to Balaji's temple.

[Gadadhara das]

" in da car "..., Somethin' tells me U R all under the guidance & protection of Pujapad Premananda prabhu / Srila Gurudev as the traveling prachar party continues. U'r 2008 journey is not what it seems, 2 da external view. dis event had formed it's starting roots way back in da 90's from the days of gurukula at Mayapur Chandradaya Mandir.
"Y'all can't deny it..., from boyhood as the bond grew that is deeper than skin..., dignity, respect and determination in sat-sanga inevitably has manifest..,
The Results..., well we like what's goin' on & because I'm gettin 2 witness the "before & after", or compare what "my family" are doin' in Southern India out on prachar wid mrdanga in hand..., against what my family is doin' in Southern California enrolled in college wid a "cold one" in their hands. i'm realizin we're all developing at our own pace. I'm here for both groups of da family. jus' don't kick me 2 da curb...G. d. v.