Greater Boston experienced spectacle of spirituality as Boston Saptaha-2017, a Nepali organization organized the seven days (6th Aug – 12th Aug, 2017) Shreemad Bhagwat Katha Mahayagya and Brihat Adhyatmik Mahotsav at Shivalaya Temple of Greater Boston, Medford, MA. Such mammoth event was organized for the first time by Nepalese for raising funds to build a Nepali Community Center in Greater Boston area by Pashupatinath and Buddha Foundation for New England (PABFONE). Several local dignitaries marked their presence at this spiritual event, along with Lamas and other Hindu and ISKCON temple priests. The program commenced with grand mesmerizing Shobha and Mangal Kalash Yatra with devotional singing and dancing, followed by the recitation of Vedic Hymns. Devotees gathered in large number from the whole New England areas and took part actively in all the events. More than 1500 devotees participated in the program and made this event enormously successful.

The Bhagwat Purana is one of the oldest Maha Puranic scripture of Hinduism, which focuses on Bhakti to the Ultimate Supreme Power - the Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna is a multi-faceted personality, who is Omniscient, Omnipotent & Omnipresent. Every Leela (pastime) of the Lord and every character in the Bhagwat Katha are infused with magnificent and thought provoking secrets. The underlying meanings attached to the actions of the characters were relevant not only in that era, but also hold foolproof significance in today's age of Kali Yuga.

People in the modern age are inclined towards never-ending desires and have somehow lost the connection with Divine power.  Among Hindus, socio-religious organizations continue their meticulous efforts to convey the rich resource of knowledge of their ancient heritage to the masses and, instill the certain divine endowment via Shrimad Bhagwat Kathas – the Spiritual narratives.

The Katha orator Pundit Deen Bandhu Pokhrel Ji, an influential spiritual speaker and a well known Philanthropist from Nepal impeccably narrated Katha by chanting innumerable Shlokas, and explained Shri Krishna Leelas that benefited of mankind by destroying evil and establishing the truth. He also explained the purpose behind the recitation of Katha (Divine knowledge) through which we can practically experience and realize god. The divinity of the Katha through his unique humorous style kept the audience captive, and the transcendental Bhajans and spiritual dancing by the devotees filled the atmosphere with numinous feelings. Speaking in a mix of Hindi and English, he emphasized that there is a greater depth in these lessons of Bhagwat Kathas that are interpreted in various ways, which make this “Divine Gyan” very interesting in all the ages. As Pundit Deen Bandhu Pokhrel Ji, told Nepalese in the West “Bhagwat Katha helps you to know yourself. You have to understand yourself to lead a better life, which can start at any stage in any situations of life.”

Every day from 12:30pm to 10:00pm devotees enjoyed the Bhagwat Pravachan with some sessions on Buddhism and Buddha teachings relay meditations, Rudri and Chandi Paath. On Saturday 12th Aug, 2017, in the evening they performed Lakhbatti, Arati, Havan, Samuhik Bratabandha, Gunyu Choli, Gunyu Choli, Tula Daan, and Dash Daan. As a closing function of the event, they performed Havan puja on Sunday 13th Aug, 2017. Delicious Prasad was served to all the devotees throughout the day.

The Organizing Committee of this event acknowledged their thanks to all other committees, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters involved directly or indirectly for their valuable time and dedicated help. They also thanked Shivalaya Temple for providing their cultural hall and all the help. They thanked all the devotees profusely for actively participating in the entire event and providing all the support for the grand success of the event.

One if the devotees said, “Shrimad Bhagwat gives a tremendous insight, a profound vision, and provides an entirely new perspective each time we hear the narrative. It is really a classic religious scripture from Hinduism”

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