After years of hearing about and dreaming about Sri Sri Radhe Shyam, this year I was granted entrance into their most amazing abode- New Vraja Dham (NVD). NVD is a beautiful farm community that is located a few hours away from Budapest. This hidden gem is nestled in the Hungarian country-side in what is known as Krishna Valley (aka: Krisna-Volgy).
Along with many others, I have seen pictures, videos and have heard live recordings of kirtans and lectures that have taken place here. However, it is impossible to actually imagine what NVD is actually like. Having heard that there is barely any electricity and of how it is austere, I had such misconceptions coming in. Were they ever shattered!
Everything is absolutely first class. The cleanliness, the overall design, the esthetic appeal, the homes, the guest facilities, the devotees, EVERYTHING is permeated with the overall mood of NVD- love for Sri Sri Radhe Shyam.
Radhe Shyam are the life and soul of the devotees here. In fact, until coming here, I have never experienced (outside of Mayapur) a community where the sole focus of living their lives is to serve their beloved Lordships. In every conversation Radhe Shyam comes up over and over and over again. How They look, what They like, what more we can do for Them, how to improve our service. Everything is about Radhe Shyam.
Granted, I had come during the Janmastami festival, but now the festival is over and still the conversations are the same. The love that resonates in the eyes of the devotees here when they speak of Radhe Shyam is something I only beg and pray to the cintamani dust of NVD to bestow upon me.
All the holy places of Vrndavana are found here in NVD. Everywhere you look you will find a past-time place of Sri Sri Radhe Shyam- Govardhan hill, Varsana, Janmasthan (birth place of Lord Krsna), Gokula, Kaliya Ghat, Kokilavana, Bahulavana, Radha Kunda, Shyam Kunda- everything is here.
The tremendous service spirit which is so lovingly nurtured and cared for by HH Sivarama Swami is so intense. Nothing is too difficult or impossible to do for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radhe Shyam.
I pray to Sri Sri Radhe Shyam that they bless me with this wonderful service attitude and that that they may always keep me at their lotus feet.
