Basically there is a little deity form of Krsna who is dressed in beautiful clothes and lots of flower garlands, and he is put on a little seat and is carried on top of the larger of the two elephants that live here in Mayapur. Then, the two elephants (decorated and looking all flaaaash and stuff) walk one circuit around the temple complex amidst loud chanting and dancing - true Hare Krsna style. But wait, there's more. Everyone makes something at home - a batch of muffins, fudge, chapatis, something yummy, and they bring it out to hati procession. And THEN every so often, the elephants stop along the way in front of beautifully drawn rangoli patterns and anyone who has made yummies gets to take them up and offer them to Lord Krsna (which basically means the food gets blessed). After which we all huddle in the corner and gobble the yummies up!
Its a beautiful night, there's drums beating and lots of dancing and chanting, and flame torches and everyone is dressed up and theres yummy food and theres rangoli patterns drawn out of chalk and coloured powder and flower petals.. and... its just a fabulous night all round. Last night was no exception.
Photos by Mandakini
Veronica and me, matching outfits and all!
Another little someone wearing the same colour as me! (not planned!)
Note the stainless container Ishaan is holding - inside were the cupcakes we made.
Note the stainless container Ishaan is holding - inside were the cupcakes we made.
Veronica, Mandakini, me and Ishaan
Rangoli
More Rangoli. The orange is orange marigold petals and the yellow is yellow marigold petals. Looks pretty near perfect doesn't it!
... Until Ishaan and Manda got into it that is! (Don't worry it was all messed up before they got to it. They had lots of fun messing it up even more though, as you can see!)
Ishaan showering flowers on himself
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