Gopal Jiu Publications
http://www.gopaljiu.org/

Govardhan-puja celebrated in a small way (four of us counting Giriraj) at our Gopal Jiu Publications ashram in Jagannath Puri.

Giriraja came to us in 1993 from the hand of our revered spiritual master (Gour Govinda Goswami).

He has been our official Gopal Jiu Publications ashram deity for the last 15 years here in Bhubaneswar.

Gopal Jiu Publications
http://www.gopaljiu.org/

Govardhan Sila who has been with us for the last 13 years.

The white flowers in front with the orange centers are called, "Gangasuri" in Oriya. In South India they are called, "Parijata", however they are *not* the same as the famous Parijata flower stolen by Krishna from Indra.

The large plain white flowers in front are called, "Tagara" in Oriya. Although they are probably the most popular flower in Krishna temples in Orissa, and although they blossom year round, for years I rarely used them as they don't have any fragrance. Then I found a comment in the Bengali book "Preyo Bhakti-rasayana" that mentioned how the cowherd boys used to offer them to Krishna and Balaram in the forests of Vraja.

The large red flowers with the long stamens that are nearly circling him are called, "Krishna Chuda" in Oriya. In Oriya and Bengali, "cuda" means "crown". In Orissa, these flowers are popularly offered to Krishna's crown.

The large pink flower to the right of Giriraja's head is called, "Madhu Malati" in Oriya. This flower is very dear to Radha and Krishna and is mentioned many times in the Bhagavatam, Govinda Lilamrita and other literatures.

The white flowers in the vases with the leaves on either side of Giriraja are called "Kamini" in Oriya. "Kamini" means "lusty young girl". One of Krishna's names is "Kamini-kanta" or the Lord of the lusty young girls of Vraja. They are very fragrant, and very delicate.

Mayapur Oct 2009. The flower on the right is called "Radha Tamal" in Oriya. They are very fragrant.

Julan Yatra. Taken on 05 Aug 09

Photo taken on 05 Aug 09

Photo taken on 05 Aug 09

Photo taken on 20 Jul 09

Altar from left to right: Gopiswar Shiva Linga from the Narmada River; Photo of the Vrinda Devi deity in Karuna Bhavan Scotland; Nitai, Gaura, Adwaita, the picture in this photo was worshiped by a famous siddha mahatma named Krishna Das Baba at Kamyavan in Vraja; Sri Sri Radha Gopal Jiu (Krishna's face is nearly covered by the cow), the deities who have been in the family of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja for over 300 years; Giriraja; Sri Sri Radha Madhava the original deities worshiped by Thakur Bhaktivinode, they have been blessing us with their darsan here in Bhubaneswar for the last ten years; Sri Sri Radha Lalita Tota Gopinath the deities worshiped by Gadhadhar Pandit in Puri; Jagannath in Puri in his evening dress he wears for the gopis known as Bada-sringara-vesh, or the dress of the great madhurya rasa.

Some lady stepped on the right side of his chest. But he is smiling big. He seems to have liked it. :-) Photo taken on 14 Aug 09

Dressed with his woolly hat on 4 Dec 09

Dressed with his woolly hat on 4 Dec 09

Last day of candan-yatra. Giriraja dressed in sandalwood paste.

Last day of candan-yatra. Giriraja dressed in sandalwood paste.

Last day of candan-yatra. Giriraja dressed in sandalwood paste.

Rainbow Raj, today we painted Giriraj with a rainbow colored face.

The glowing tilak is not a Photoshop technique. It's the reflection of the light.

Rainbow Raj, today we painted Giriraj with a rainbow colored face. In Oriya, the word for "rainbow" is "Indra-dhanu" (literally "Indra's bow"). So Giriraj is Rainbow Raj for two reasons: 1) Because of the colors on his face; and 2) Because he defeated Indra by protecting the Brijbasis from the onslaught of the samvartaka clouds.

Rainbow Raj, today we painted Giriraj with a rainbow colored face. In Oriya, the word for "rainbow" is "Indra-dhanu" (literally "Indra's bow"). So Giriraj is Rainbow Raj for two reasons: 1) Because of the colors on his face; and 2) Because he defeated Indra by protecting the Brijbasis from the onslaught of the samvartaka clouds.

Our Giriraja. He has kindly been with us for the last 16 years. This photo

Taken on 10 Dec 2009
 
 

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