FUN AT THE FARM

Sunday, August 23rd, 2026

Abbotsford, Quebec

Frances is that very kind type of French Canadian who owns a farm with plants and animals. He wants to share his wholesome lifestyle with others. That was proven over the weekend when three hundred people, men, women and children happily converged on his land to break bread on a veg diet between serious chanting sessions.

The organizer of this annual late summer event is Bhagavat Ashraya and he does a splendid job. What a team these two people are! Bhagavat I’ve known. He is one of our key players in the planning of our yearly MANTRA retreat, which is coming up, by the way, (Oct 2, 3, 4) in New Vrindavan, West Virginia. A native of Lebanon, who emigrated to Canada, he also plays a mean piano.

I told Bhagavat that I could attend the Kirtan Fest of his near the end. The spot for me and those I chose to musically back me up was at 1:30 pm. I recognized so many of the faces in the crowd from previous gatherings. Anyways the crowd blasted off and those behind the mics and instruments. It became a serious dance session on top of mantra expression. I mean, really everyone was on their feet, first in sync with the moves and then in free style.

We were one big happy family. Certainly I was feeling the spirit of Chaitanya whom I wrote a poem about on the previous day.

The event wasn’t enough to put a spark in the day. The Sunday feast at Montreal’s ISKCON temple we were awaiting more of the same. A swing fest for Krishna’s murti became a component of the event. And as usual an evening walk for a wind down, after a fresh rainfall made everything complete.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f9bb3d_748aeb8911414eb58fa7605d88fcb683/720p/mp4/file.mp4

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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