It is well known that India (or at least parts of it) is on the fast track to modernization. In Kolkatta and Mumbai one can see pockets of the middle-high class societies emulating the mood, especially consumer and advertising madness, of the "idealized" western cultures. I usually try to stay away from these pockets of "modernity" and head for the pastoral and rural parts of Bharata Varsa. I feel much more at home in those places.Upon coming to Delhi I expected to find, like in Kolkatta and Mumbai, these pockets of modernity in isolated places of Delhi. Much to my surprise however this modernization process and mood is all pervading in Delhi. It is an interesting cultural situation here. Nonetheless I can still see that many of these "modern" Delhiites seemed to be the most attracted to the process of Krishna consciousness and Vaisnava dharma SO for them this ISKCON center in lower Delhi is a welcome change to the outside world of hustle and bustle.
In the summer in Mayapur the devotees are always looking forward to the boat festival and pushpa abhiseka. I was grateful to see that here in Delhi they were having their first boat festival. I have attached some pictures of this festival
overhead scene
the entrance
anxiously waiting for boat festival to begin
This is the swimming pool where the boat will enter. You cannot seewater here because it is covered in flowers!
A closeup of our hero Krishna conquering Kaliya.
the crowds gather...
the altar of Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi
a closeup of their Lordships (festival deities)
RNS offering roses
some muslim guests
after the festival...
the sober scholars after the festival...
prasadam it is!
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