(23/JAN/2020 Siliguri to Thakurgaon) We reached Siliguri around 11:45am and got ready. By the time the devotees said, Guru Maharaja will be going to the Border directly from Bogdogra Airport, so Kirtan Priya Pr and Subhadra Mataji went to Airport with few temple devotees. And Akarsaka Caitanya Pr, Nitai Lilaraja Pr, Pancajanya Kesava Pr and I went to the Border directly to clear our immigration process as when Guru Maharaja comes over there it will save some time. Madhava Kanta Pr was over all coordinating and directing us.
Guru Maharaja landed there, and met some dignitaries. Then there were lot of devotees; and as per Prasanna Gauranga Pr - Guru Maharaja asked before getting into the car, who are all the to take shelter and aspiration? And immediately asked to bring the flowers and they recited and mantra and Guru Maharaja gave some devotees his shelter. It was already late 3pm. As the border will get closed by 5pm. As today Mamata Banerji also visiting Siliguri there was some traffic jam; and Guru Maharaja went to a Government guesthouse and got freshen up; and drove to immigration. Meanwhile, there were hundreds of devotees from Siliguri assembled over there, and there was a Kirtan and jaya-dvani. When Guru Maharaja's car entered the immigration - one Guru Maharaja's disciple from Coochbihar came and helped us to process all the passports and luggage bags etc. The officers came to Guru Maharaja's car and took blessings one by one. Even though some are Muslims, still they didn't miss this golden chance. For long time, Guru Maharaja was blessing devotees. The officers came out and took signature from Guru Maharaja. Everything happened in super fast action. As my immigration process completed before, I was there with Guru Maharaja and rest everyone went to get their immigration stamp.
Then the border security arranged a permission for Guru Maharaja to go unto zero point - that means until Bangladesh border in this same car. When we went to the Zero point, there Bangladesh devotees headed by Bhakti Vinaya Swami, Caru Candra Pr, Jagat-guru Gauranga Pr all were waiting. And the Bangladesh Government given a VIP Police security escort with a siren. So, when Guru Maharaja entered into Bangladesh there again out passports were getting entered and stamped. They were doing very fast, still the higher authorities came and shouted them saying, "He is VIP why are you delaying the process, relieve them immediately." It was amazing to see how much they were serving without knowing the outcome of the great results that they will get soon.
Then we left from the border to Thakurgaon. It is almost 98 to 100kms. And will take minimum 2:30 to 3 hrs. Maha Puran Pr, Prasanna Gauranga Pr, Akarshaka Caitanya Pr were with Guru Maharaja. And, in one area there were hundreds of devotees showered flowers on Guru Maharaja's car and with Kirtan they welcomed him. And there big gateways made with Srila Prabhupada and Guru Maharaja pictures. And Guru Maharaja started to bless devotees, then the servants closed the window glass, then Guru Maharaja started bless them keeping his hands on the glass, and he was blessing so much, his hand got pain, and Maha Puran Pr started to massage his hands, and Guru Maharaja again started to bless. He was extremely happy to see the devotees. Like this every 20 kms we got one group.
It was almost two hours. Guru Maharaja said, I want to use restroom. And, Bhakti Vinaya Maharaja said, in another ten mins drive there is a town and in a devotees house we will stop. But, we were just driving and driving, then we stopped in a petrol pump. But there was no facility, so again we started to go. At one point Guru Maharaja said, I think I should use whatever is available at present. Then we stopped the car, and made walls with chadars and made the setup for him. And Guru Maharaja used it. And we were discussing, who knows what is the fortune that Guru Maharaja's lotus feet touched this land. It was almost like 10°, winter seems to be heavy in this area. But, we managed.
And then Guru Maharaja got into the car, and I was giving him his sweatshirt, as he was putting his hand, I was saying "Asthe! Asthe!!" But, Guru Maharaja was little fast, and I thought it might hurt him as he is inside the car and in anxiety I said, "Asthe re bhai!!! Asthe!!!" And Guru Maharaja started to laugh, and Prasanna Gauranga Pr said, "Bhaai?!" Then I said to Guru Maharaja, "Sorry Guru Maharaja!" And Guru Maharaja was laughing...
Then, we reached around 9pm and there was lot of devotees waiting to welcome Guru Maharaja, everyone was in ecstasy seeing Guru Maharaja after many years. Matajis were having lamps in a decorated plates. And throwing flowers on Guru Maharaja's car.. The whole environment made our tiredness light.
Here Guru Maharaja's staying facility arranged in one of his disciple's house which is three floors and he is a doctor. And, Guru Maharaja entered the house, and the couple were ready with Arati plate, and to do Pada-puja. Then we saw that, Guru Maharaja was having anti-idima socks. So, we said, may be you can offer flower and let Guru Maharaja go and take his dinner and rest. They agreed and took the flowers to offer. Then, Guru Maharaja shouted, "Remove my socks, let her pour the water, and husband do the washing of my feet." Then we removed the socks and then they did the Pada-puja, offered Arati. We are not able to imagine how much Guru Maharaja merciful, even after travelling whole day, still he want to extent himself for devotees.
Then, Prasanna Gauranga Pr started his cooking for Guru Maharaja dinner. Ekanatha Gaura Pr asked Guru Maharaja, "Are you hungry?" Guru Maharaja said, "Little bit!" Prasanna Gauranga Pr said, "30 mins I will prepare it!"
So, Guru Maharaja was little free so Kirtan Priya Pr and I started to update about Belpukur, and Birnagar. Guru Maharaja very much happy to hear about the Birnagar. As one person wanted to donate a land which is 900m away from Bhakti Vinoda Thakura's janma sthana. So Guru Maharaja will give his instruction and vision in Mayapur about the Birnagar.
And Guru Maharaja asked Kirtan Priya Pr about how was his first visit to Bangladesh? And, was telling how the Muslim country and Hindus are minority - but, devotees are enthusiastic. Then he said, "When I went to Bolivia once, that time the minister came to welcome me, and there was Indian flag and Bolivia flag and with Police escort they took me inside their country. But, this time I went undercover. As the minister now was originally from German, and somehow his daughter became Hare Krishna and he didn't like it, and started to ban the Hare Krishna movement. And started to arrest devotees." Ekanatha Gaura Pr was saying how the devotees are struggling to run the programs etc. There were lot of things discussed, but I am not remembering now. There was nice Prasadam arrangement for the devotees as usual. (Syama Rasika dasa - Personal Diary)
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