The Transcendental Holy Week for Mexico

June 1, 2020

The Transcendental Holy Week for Mexico

This 2020, we celebrate the 48 and 49 years of the Transcendental Holy Week in Mexico. After a few weeks in preparation at the LA temple, Citsukhananda Prabhu along with Bhutabrit dāsa and Bhakta Jan (later Ujjuala dāsa) arrived at Mexico City on June 1, 1971. This date marked the beginning of the Krishna Consciousness Movement in Mexico. Soon two Mexican boys joined them, Bhakta Paco (later Prakāśānanda dāsa) and José Luis Kolin Weshke. Soon I joined on August 1.

During the first year, Citsukhananda Prabhu tried several times to get Śrīla Prabhupāda to visit the Mexico City Yatra, finally it was agreed that he would visit on June 1, 1972, which would coincide with the date of arrival of the Hare Krishna movement in Mexico a year before. However, for some technical circumstance the date had to be postponed for the following day, June 2, 1972. Needless to say, it was a very festive and ecstatic celebration Śrīla Prabhupāda’s visit to Mexico. It was a week full of preaching for Śrīla Prabhupāda. Literally millions viewed him thru a prime time news TV interview. Some devotees joined the movement later on from watching that program. After a day in Puerto Vallarta, he flew back to LA on June 7. Nanda Kumara was Srila Prabhupada’s personal servant this time.

The following video was taken on that first visit of 72. In the background, it is Śyāmasundara dāsa speaking. And there appear Paṇḍitji Pradyumna Prabhu talking with Rohini Kumara das, a devotee from the 26 2^nd Ave. time, and Jagatananda dāsa also an old timer from NYC.

Citsukhananda is leading kirtan with his guitar seated at the garden; Yamuna Jivana is playing maracas, Bhakta Chuk, Bimala Prasad, Patri-Madhukanta devi dasi, a Canadian devotee made and initiated in Mexico. The pregnant woman is Narmada, Haihaya’s wife. Ujjuala dasa is standing clapping and dancing. The balcony is where Śrīla Prabhupāda room is. Rama-Govinda (Parvata Maharaja) is dancing in front of the car. Wearing a garland is an American summer student she was from Wisconsin, and then there is me, I am wearing a white kurta, we had to wear whatever was available. Madhavacarya dasa is helping Citsukhananda to put a flowers arrangement on a tree. Candravalli Devi Dasi is at the door wearing a yellow sweater. Wearing a white shawl is Mother Apsara.

At 1:26 starts the program at the Mexico City Masonic Lodged where Śrīla Prabhupāda delivered a lecture. Many of the devotees can be seen here. Śrīla Prabhupāda is on his vyāsāsana, which we took to all the programs. There is Śriji dāsī in a blue sari, Prakāśānanda Prabhu on the right by the mic, next to him is Vyāsatīrtha dāsa. Sitting, next to Narmada mataji is Rādhārāṇī devī dais. Śyāmasundara is behind the vyāsāsana on the left side; Paṇḍitji Pradyumna is on the right side.