The four-day event marked by spiritual discourse, kitan and bhajan.
Devotees from all over the United States, Canada and India attended the four-day Patotsav held at the Shrinath Dham Haveli, the only Pushtimargiya Haveli serving the Washington, DC.
The celebration began on July 4, in the presence of Vallabh-kul Parivaar, including Yugal Jodi of Vaishnavacharya Param Pujay Goswami 108 Shri Vrajeshkumar (Kadi, Ahmedabad), along with Bawa-Shris Param Pujay Goswami 108 Shri Yadunathji with Yugal Jodi and Param Pujay Goswami 108 Shri Dwarkeshlalji Mahodaji.
The event kicked off on July 4 with Thakorji as Lalan Swaroop arriving on a decorated chariot on the lap of Guru (Vallabh-Kul Parivaar). The Rath-Yatra Utsav was celebrated by devotees with dancing and singing kirtans and bhajans along with Vallabh-Kul Parivaar.
On the Second day, July 5, 2019, Thakorji blessed Vaishnavs from Nikunj-Dwar by sitting in the midst of freshly bloomed aromatic flowers. Known as Ful-Faag Utsav, it was further enhanced by creating a bhav of Vraj-Leela through the celebration of Hori Rasiya, initiated by Param Pujay Goswami 108 Shri Yadunathji in his madhur and divine voice, supplemented by kirtan-kaars and vaishnavs.
The next day event marked Vaishnavs with love and energy celebrating the “Nand Mahotsav”. Since Patotsav Mahotsav marks the re-birth of Thakorji, Vallabh-Kul Parivaar sang and invited Vaishnavs to join in the birth celebration of Thakorji. This Mahotsav celebration ended on the fourth day, July 7, 2019 with the Utsav celebration of Daan-Leela.
In order to enhance Alaukik Bhav among all Vaishnavs during the Mangal Mahotsav, Vaishnavacharya Param Pujay Shri Vrajeshkumarji (Pitru-Charan), provided a glimpse on the Gudharth, to free the mind from undesired laukik matters and develop a bhav of Drashta. Param Pujay Shri Yadunathji had an enlightening spiritual and thought-provoking pravachan on all four days, on the topic of Chinta thi Chintan sudhi.
Param Pujay Shri Dwarkeshlalji gave an absorbing spiritual discourse throughout on “Krishna Charitra”, in addition to briefly explaining significance of all celebrated Utsavs. Organizers said all Vaishnavs were deeply involved and touched by these discourses. They participated enthusiastically in dancing and singing every day for each Utsav as was evident through multiplying numbers of devotees each day, they said.
On the final day of the Mangal Mahotsav, Shrinathdham Haveli’s spiritual benefactor Param Pujay Shri Dwarkeshlalji announced some major upcoming activities of the Haveli for the Vaishnav Samaj, including the regular Utsavs, education for kids and youth, Satsang on Vallabh’s and Thakorji’s “Naam Smaran”, besides having on site library with excellent collections of Pushtimarg Sahitya under the guidance of Param Pujay Shri Dwarkeshlalji.
Several teams of dedicated Vaishnvas are currently involved in Thakorji’s seva through participating various teams such as seva-shringar team, bhajan-kirtan team, event organizing team, bhog-prasad team. The next plan, according to organizers, is to expand more teams for the benefit of Vaishnav community to perform various types of Seva as a united community.