A few seconds into the event and I already feel right at home. The Krishna family have done it again; made a journey of self-discovery the most entertaining highlight of your week.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) are colloquially known as the Krishnas. The presence of the Krishnas on campus is more than welcome; the Krishnas are pleasant and friendly, the constant chanting's lyrics are calming, and their vegetarian dishes are renowned for being especially delicious, even to regular meat-loving omnivores. However, the 12-Hour Kirtan Music Festival lunch and dinner feast was truly a sight to behold, a wonder to taste, and, as for the music, phenomenal to hear.
The 12-Hour Kirtan Music Festival, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., consisted of various kirtan chants throughout the day, with visitors coming and going as they pleased. With musicians playing the mridanga, kartals, and harmonium, the great variety in tunes, and soothing, repetitive lyrics, the music was the main spectacle. "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare," chanted the musician, and all the gathering replied the same. "Krishna" stands for "all-attractive," "Hare" for "the energy of God," and "Rama" for "one who gives pleasure and enjoys life."
I didn’t encounter a single unpleasant person during the entirety of the festival. The atmosphere overall was joyous, inviting, and peaceful.
At first, the devotees kneeled inside the Krishna house, barefoot and clad in simple, elegant robes. The kirtan starts off solemn and slow, but as the time passed, the pace quickened; the last 8:00 kirtan, the Amala Harinam, caused the entire room to dance wildly and chant blissfully, with such vigor as to cause many ears to ring, mine included.
Kirtan is a form of call-and-response chanting; anyone can participate. Whether or not you'll be raspy at the end of the day depends on how ecstatic you were, for this is "ecstatic chanting." The world-famous kirtan musicians of Alachua are called the Mayapuris. Well-known among the ISKCON community, they are the hidden musical gems of Alachua.
The Krishnas have been a staple of Gainesville for the past 40 or so years, and, luckily for us, they're not going anywhere. There is a kirtan every morning at the Krishna house, and everyone is welcome to join at no cost. (Nonetheless, all donations are greatly appreciated.)
Gaura-purima, a celebration of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance, was on Sunday the 16th. The Krishnas visit the Alachua temple every Sunday: all of those who are interested are welcome and encouraged to join. These programs at the Krishna House are educational, fun, and free; there is always something going on every day.
More information can be found at www.krishnalunch.com.
