By the mercy of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar, Lord Nrisrimhadeva, Srila Prabhupada, and the Vaisnavas headed by HH Lokanath Swami, HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami, and His Grace Srila Virabahu Prabhu, who have been very kind and given their blessings to the program by their guidance, trust, patience, and encouragement, Padayatra America has successfully completed its first trek of 1,200 miles from Gita Nagari, Pennsylvania, to New Raman Reti Dhama in Florida.

Literally thousands of people from all backgrounds have come in touch with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy. The holy name has resounded in 170 towns and villages. People have come like ants to sugar and asked about the journey. Ninety percent of these people had never seen or known about Krsna consciousness. They were all enlivened. Everyone went away with Srila Prabhupada's books, maha prasadam, and a beautiful impression of the lotus-eyed Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar.

We saw that many were inspired in their own spiritual lives and developed a sense of appreciation for the simple way of glorifying God, Krsna, by chanting His names and living a life of dependence on Him. As in the Vedic culture, people came and inquired and then came back with donations of bhoga for the Deities, hay and grain for the horses, and invitations to stay for the night or sometimes for a few days.

The police always appreciated our program and in many situations helped even to the point of allowing us to stay in places where it would normally not be allowed. The news coverage was on a large scale, presenting accurate information, and Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar even made it to the front pages of some newspapers.

As a complement to all these results, we felt very fortunate to be taking the installed forms of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar, Lord Narasimhadeva, and Srila Prabhupada for a pleasant journey that covered seven states on the East Coast of the United States, letting Them enjoy the simple life of Padayatra — chanting, preaching 24 hours a day, changing environments all the time, going from the beautiful mountainous lands of Pennsylvania and Maryland, crossing the foothills of Virginia, to the flat fields of cotton and peanuts of North Carolina, to the timber areas of South Carolina, and to the swamps of Georgia and Florida— giving Them the beautiful opportunity to preach directly in places where devotees have never been before.

The reception by the devotees here in New Raman Reti Dhama was very warm, complete with kirtan bringing us into the temple grounds. Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar are in a very comfortable position on the main altar of the beautiful temple, sharing the altar with Radha Syamasundar and Gaura Nitai after Their wonderful journey.

Kana Das and Balaji Das, our team of horses, are worthy of praise for the faithful and uninterrupted service that they have performed day after day, working hard without complaining, always eager to carry out instructions, and always in transcendental anxiety to take some remnants of prasadam. Now they are resting in a big pasture on the dhama, waiting for the next trek to come.

Padayatra will be here in New Raman Reti Dhama for the winter, working on details for the second trek in spring, planning a 1,500-mile trek from the dhama in Florida to the border of Mexico.

For more information please contact www.padayatraamerica.com 

Your servants in Srila Prabhupada's Padayatra

Avadhuta Siromani dasa
Candrabhaga dasi
Ramacandra das
Bhakta Virendra 

The team of four-legged Padayatris: Kana dasa and Balaji das

Hare Krsna.

Padayatra America

© dipika.org December 15, 2003