Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015
Ottawa, Ontario

Big Party

The walk today went on more like a shuffle.  After a good long drive to the nation’s capital city, Ottawa, through some rain we were poised to chant at the usual designated spot close to the Parliament Buildings, approximately two blocks away.  For this first session of Kirtan rain did meet us, an incredible downpour at one point.  It was session two with the evening crowd where we got out of the sit-down stationary mode to move along through the crowds.

Actually you might say that a crowd within the crowd led the chanting party through the thousands, bringing some attention to the sound.  It was the dancers, the squealers and horn blowers that moved in front of us with exuberant energy that seemed to be sourced from some other planet.  Mind you, it may be an insert of a little alcohol that provided an explosion of power, a power that may crash the next morning.

There are nothing but dazzling moments on this day, of which included, at the top, a prasadam meal at Ottawa’s Govinda’s Restaurant.  Much credit for the good food goes to Shankar, aTrinidadian-born stalwart of bhakti-yoga.  He’s been running a steady operation for decades now, satisfying both a university crowd with the excellent dishes and a faithful crew of congregants that meet on Sundays.

Now, back to the second kirtan session, everyone is in the party mode and yes, everyone is out for some sparkle to behold in the form of jets speeding through the sky or listening to the hottest band from the grandiose stage.  Those who jump in to join our party within the big party were out for a good time – with a spiritual flavour to it.  Our communities from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto merge together every year for the ultimate pow-wow.

May the Source be with you.

6 km