Our Burning Man Story September 12, 2006
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Dear Friends,
We’ve returned from our first Burning Man experience with a great deal of enthusiasm, having had wonderful adventures, meeting new people and exploring new worlds! We’re already planning for next year’s theme “The Greener Man”.
We had a strong turnout of helpers and volunteers this year on our maiden voyage. A huge thanks to all who came! We look forward to meeting again and bringing in more friends next year and in the years to come! Spread the word! Burning Man is Hot!
The core crew assembled on Monday August 28th, having survived flat tires and cross country trekking. Without stopping to sleep we sketched up a new site plan to fit our equipment and went straight into building Lord Jagannatha’s temple. We spent the first two days getting our tents and stage, sound system, and temple put together. We traveled around to many of the other theme camps and took inspiration from their designs, many to be incorporated in future years.
The third day was the very sacred appearance day of Srimati Radharani. At noon Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Lady Subhadra made Their divine appearance, accepting the service of Their newfound friends at Burning Man, as They ascended the throne in their 40 foot tall temple.
In the evening we prepared a tasty feast and offered a supremely sweet entertainment program featuring Karnamrita, Chaitanya Nitai, Sri Kesava, and our other talented kirtan-eers. The rest of our festival crew put great attention and care in receiving our guests. After the stage performances Amara and Chaitanya Bhagavan inaugerated the first of three days of elaborate fire sacrifices, complete with shimmering ghee lamps standing all around. It was quite mystical and powerful, the purifying effects of the mantras being expertly explained by these qualified Brahmanas.
The remainder of the event saw many many guests pass through our camp, opening their third-eye with bindis, henna stamps, tilak, ganges water, Jagannatha stickers, Srila Prabhupada’s books, japa beads, incense, and especially sacred prasadam food!
We witnessed many sincere souls come to see Lord Jagannatha and offer their respects and prayers. Each night we sat around our sacred fire, inviting guests to place a magical stick, invested with a prayer into the flames. It was very nice to see the care and attention the people of Burning Man put into their intentional offerings. Certainly blessings are manifesting for all who came in contact with Lord Jagannatha at Krishna Camp.
Many expressed their appreciation of the simple peacefulness and spiritual tranquility of our camp. The environment at Burning Man can be intense and exhausting, and Krishna Camp provided a safe haven for weary and wandering souls. The “Hot Chai!” being served all night was definately a tangible gift many were grateful for.
We look forward to improving our presence next year, with better accomodations for our guests and staff, with more facility for feeding and entertaining everyone and to boldly and brilliantly celebrate the service of the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannatha!
Any of our readers that may have additional stories or pictures to contribute are invited to share their wealth with us via our contact page, or email our webmaster here.
Thanks for reading! Stay in touch!
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