Sravanam-Kirtanam Camp, Dallas

Thursday, September 24, 2015: After a blissful three weeks in Houston, including a memorable Janmastami, an unforgettable Vyasa-puja, and an incredible prison-preaching experience in Huntsville, Texas headed by Gopal Krishna Prabhu and his partner Sridhara Shyama Prabhu, my husband and I hugged our kids good-bye and drove to Dallas for His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja's Sravanam-Kirtanam Camp. 

As soon as we entered the city, we drove to the home of Deva-prastha Prabhu and Adi-sakti Mataji, our dear friends who had invited us to stay with them during the camp. We were warmly welcomed and shown around the house, which was pleasingly decorated both inside and out. Adi-sakti is an accomplished artist, and we were happy to see several of her works of art placed here and there throughout their home. She is also a good cook, and she had prepared a simple but tasty dinner for us, which we happily honored before taking rest.

The next morning, after a couple of navigational challenges (including a one-way street that was supposed to go the other way, according to Google Maps), thanks to my husband's expert map-making and his die-hard determination, we found our way to the old Gurley Avenue temple just in time for mangala-arati.

We had not seen the old Dallas Temple for almost thirty years, so we didn't quite know where to put our shoes or which door to enter. Luckily, a friendly devotee walked toward us with a smile and showed us in. 

Dallas Temple has a special mood. On the outside, it looks like a turn-of-the-century sandstone cathedral. Inside, the polished dark wood floor and massive, equally dark carved pillars complemented by tufted cornflower-blue-velvet benches all around the edge give an antique ambience to the dimly-lit temple room.

ISKCON Dallas temple room

Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji, dressed most luxuriantly and lovingly enthroned on Their intricately carved teakwood-and-marble asana, preside over Their adoring devotees, gazing down upon them with loving glances.

Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji

At the time of our visit, Their Lordships' altar was decorated with twisty driftwood and feathery leaf fronds reminiscent of a Celtic Renaissance garden, lending an even more ancient mood to the place. 

Across the hallway and in contrast to the temple room is the famous and very up-to-date Kalachandji's Restaurant, voted the best vegetarian restaurant in all of Dallas.

Kalachandji's Restaurant

Kalachandji's boasts an inviting atmosphere, attractive decor and a menu chock-full of mouth-watering choices. No wonder we saw patrons constantly going in the door of the restaurant while we were there!

The Sravanam-Kirtanam Camp headed by His Holiness Bhakti-Vikasa Swami, with its nectarean kirtans, informative classes, lively discussions and delicious prasadam, was an experience worth recommending to others. We were lucky to participate in the event on both Friday and Saturday, but regrettably had to miss the Sunday segment. We had packing still left to do before catching our flight to India. So we said “Haribol” to our excellent and cordial hosts and headed out early Sunday afternoon.   

To be continued in the next post...