24 Hour Kirtan now also in Sri Mayapur Chandrodhaya Mandir

Martanda Prabhu just announced on dandavats.com that there will be another 24 Hour Kirtan started in the Panca Tattva Hall in Sri Mayapur Chandrodhaya Mandir, Sridham Mayapur.

The logo on mayapur.com already states that Sridham Mayapur is the kirtan capital of the world, although some Brijbasis might not fully agree on that. But that’s another topic 😉

The article on dandavat.com is quoting a lot of sastra – Why Hare Krishna Kirtan is so important in our devotional lives. I’d like to copy the last part of it without modifications, because it has some nectarian references to Aindra Prabhu:

The Hare Krishna Kirtan is the Hare Krishna Movement

Srila Prabhupada himself sat in Tompkins Square Park, New York alone and started chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra resulting in the modern day – Hare Krishna Revolution. Soon thereafter Hare Krishna was a household name in America. The followers of Srila Prabhupada took the Hari Nama Sankirtana to every nook and corner of the world.

It was summer 1973. It was 8am, and already Washington, DC was bustling with activity, as everyone hurried to work. A group of ISKCON devotees left their temple, crossed Q Street and headed towards Connecticut Avenue, a heavily populated business district. But their job is different: as they walked, they sang the Hare Krishna kirtan.

Suddenly, a young fellow appeared out of nowhere, a flute tucked under his arm and long red hair streaming out behind him as he ran as fast as he could, trying to catch up with them. The devotees were surprised and delighted.

Then, just as he’s almost reached them, the young man lost one of his flip-flops (A backless sandal held to the foot by a thong between the big toe and the second toe). The devotees indicated to him that he should go back and get it, they’ll wait for him. But he refused. There’s no way he would risk losing them or miss out on even a few seconds of kirtan. He joins the kirtan party, and that very day, he moves into the temple.

The young fellow’s name was Eddie—better known to ISKCON devotees all over the world as Aindra Prabhu—and from that day on, he never stopped chanting Hare Krishna.

Inaugurating the 24 Hour Kirtan

Later, Aindra Prabhu became a priest for Radha-Madhan Mohan and Gaura Nitai, and would play around with the harmonium in between services, soon working out his first melody: Bhaktivinode Thakura’s short song Jaya Radha Madhava.

He continued to practice, and his skill and love for kirtan grew. Moving to New York City, he converted a truck that would open out into an ornate golden temple. He acquired sound permits and would drive to different parts of the city where he would set up his truck and perform kirtan for eight hours a day. His performances were impactful, inspiring several people to join ISKCON.

Eventually Aindra Prabhu decided he would like to try organizing a kirtan program in India. Travelling to Lord Krishna’s birthplace of Vrindavana in 1986, he learned the story of the Krishna Balarama Mandir’s 24-Hour Kirtan program. It had first been introduced in 1975 by ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada—but without proper management, it began to fade, and by 1978, a year after Prabhupada passed on, it had ground to a halt.

Aindra Prabhu decided to dedicate himself to the project. He began to soak up the atmosphere of Vrindavana, connect with other kirtaniyas, and learn Indian classical music or ragas, teaching himself the traditional melodies by ear. And eight years after the 24-Hour Kirtan had faded away, he reconstituted it as its own department, organizing a core group of kirtan enthusiasts to ensure its continuance.

Krishna Balarama Mandir’s 24-Hour Kirtan has been running non-stop, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, ever since.

It was the sheer dedication and determination of Aindra Prabhu that led to the fulfillment of Srila Prabhupada’s desire. Now carrying the baton passed on from him his followers are trying their best to fulfill his (Aindra Prabhu’s) desire to take the Nama Sankirtan to various parts of the world.

In line with that endeavor we are extremely happy to announce that we have got the necessary permission for starting the Akhanda Hare Krishna kirtan in the Panca Tattva Hall in Sri Mayapur Chandrodhaya Mandir, Sridham Mayapur. So we on behalf of Aindra Prabhu humbly request everyone to please participate in the congregational chanting of the Holy Names whole heartedly and give your blessings to this auspicious project.

We call upon all the Kirtanyas to please come and join us in the Holy Land of Sridham Mayapur and lets do it what is the essence of all the scriptural knowledge – Harinaam Sankirtan

And remember – The proof of pudding is in eating. Do the Right Thing, Perform Nama Sankirtan. Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam!