Deity worship

In `ISKCON, Narsingdi- Sri Sri Jagannath Temple is famous the world for its spectacular deity worship. Needless to say, though, much goes on behind the scenes to make this happen.

For instance, in a single day, up to 40 people will be actively involved with the worship. This includes at least 12 pujaris, 5 cooks, a number of assistants, purchasers, bakers, cleaners and garland makers.

One of the special features of the deity worship is the quantity and variety of flowers used to decorate Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra Maharani, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Laxminarsimhadeva. We need Daily 10 Garlane for our Daitys. Every Day we collect Flowers obtained from Narsingdi Bajar Flower shop on a regular basis and also festival days such as Janmastami and Radhastami and other festivals as well, over 100 Roles of flowers are used.

The gorgeous deity outfits are also exceptionally beautiful and there is an inventory of about 20 deity dresses kept in stock at all times. Each outfit generally is used for 8 years.

Head Pujari Nadianath Gaurangga Das and Tamalshyam Haridas Prabhu believes that next to overseeing the gorgeous worship, he puts special emphasis on the seva puja, the actual worship going on behind the altar doors, such as bathing the deities, etc. He also says the cleanliness of the altar and deity rooms is very important as is the spiritual life of his pujaris. In fact, they are all required to regularly learn verses from the sastra and take tests on their study. The result of this incredibly coordinated devotional effort is a transcendentally surreal darshan that can be experienced by anyone who comes before the deities.
HG Prahlad Krishna Das (Principal of ISKCON, Narsingdi Temple) Prabhu always instructed them on the matter of Deity Worship.
In fact, it is not unusual to see devotees standing before the altar being rooted to the spot, as if they desire to never leave. One can also see the increasing number of native pilgrims to the temple become hushed with awe when they enter the temple and see the deities for the first time. This is all the mercy of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

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