We got to witness a very special celebration on Shri Krishna Janamashtami at Vallabh Youth Organization of Boston  Haveli (temple) in Lowell, MA on Monday September 7, 2015. A grand dramatic production narrating the story of the birth of Krishna was presented by a large senior citizen crew. The men and women, mostly over 70 enthusiastically dressed up as the characters from Srimad Bhagavatham in spectacular costumes. 

The event of part of the Active Life Center that is run in the temple. In a very productive use of the temple space during weekdays, a senior day care center for elder parents of Lowell residents is run.  The center provides transportation for the seniors. The kitchen at the temple provides Indian hot meals during the day. The elders are also delighted to be part of the temple prayers three times a day. 

“This is a very well run elder care center” says Rita Shah, who works as a clinical social worker at the center. “For these elders, there is no one at home. They speak only Gujarati and thus life is really lonely during the day. For them to be able to be part of this center is a fabulous opportunity”. 

The center is the brainchild of Dr. Sachin Patel, a doctor in the Lowell area. A professionally run center, it has nurses and a clinical social worker on staff.  Sandeep Shekhda, the high energy coordinator works hard to ensure that the seniors are well taken care off and are having a great time. 

“The creative genius behind this play is the father of Dr. Sachin Patel. He ordered costumes from India” says Rita Shah.  The nurses, some of them American, were dressed as Gopis. A visiting grandchild was Krishna. 

The grand costume even included one for Lord Shiva with a “Jata” that had a mechanism to create a water spring to emulate Ganga.  The women danced Garba to celebrate the brith of Krishna. 

The temple in the VYO tradition is seen as a , Haveli where the Lord Krishna is living. At the temple the priest even had toys for the Lord. The whole atmosphere was filled with such joy.  

I could only imagine how transformational this facility must be for the elders. I also was impressed at the creative and productive use of the temple space which would otherwise be unused. 

Kudos to the VYO organization for creating such an institution. Surely the blessings of the Lord is on all of them.