Madri tells of secret birthday surprise E-mail
Written by Amrta Pani devi dasi   
Thursday, 28 September 2006
I was phoned some months ago by Mrs Manjula Sharma (our wonderful benefactor who has done so much for the Radha Giridhari temple, especially donating for the "Manjula Sharma Drive" - giving $70,000 to complete the road at the time of the opening of the new temple.) She told me she was arranging for Anup Jalota to come to Auckland and attend her son's 21st birthday celebration on Saturday September, 9, BUT it was to be a big secret surprise - I must not tell a soul. She said that Anup had agreed to come to our Hare Krishna temple on the Sunday morning following and we could arrange for him to sing from 11.00 am until the aratika at 12.30 pm - but not to mention the BIRTHDAY. Wonderful! We made all the arrangements without mentioning Manjula's name, and advertised that the famous Anup Jalota was passing through Auckland and had asked if he could take darshan of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari in Their new temple. Anup had visited the temple in 1991, when Alalanatha was Temple President and I had the pleasure of showing him around the new temple construction. He said then that he would very much like to comeback and see the temple when it was completed. He sat in the old temple for an hour or so, in front of the Deities, playing the harmonium and singing beautifully.

So on Sunday, September 10 he came, with two of his musicians, and our temple was filled to capacity, with eager devotees squeezing into the foyer and all corners - we estimated over 1000, perhaps 1500, were there. We were not disappointed; his sweet bhajans moved many to tears, and at other times to ecstatic joyfulness. No-one wanted him to stop and the Deities' aratika was held back while he sang directly to Their Lordships. Manjula's son, Sai Satchitananda, joined him on the stage, playing karatalas, and was presented with a Deluxe Krishna Book as a birthday gift. Devotees presented Anup with framed photos of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari.

Many copies of Anup's DVD recordings were sold and autographed by him, and the occasion ended with his taking prasadam and meeting with many devotees and friends.

 
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