Another construction site is coming back to life: the construction of a Shiva Lingam shrine.

It is under the direction of Manjula Mani dd, who, after many months of hard work on the new prasadam room, now has time to tackle her next project. Our talented craftsman Rapheal is currently laying a natural stone wall using stones from our own stream bed.

As you have probably noticed during a visit to Goloka Dhama, we are ‘stone rich’. No matter where you dig or excavate here, you will come across stones.

This wonderful place, a popular pilgrimage site thanks to Sri Krishna's presence, has been my home for 30 years now. Every season here has its own charm. At the moment, the changing colors of the leaves on the trees compete with the red and yellow apples still hanging on them.

Now it is getting quieter in the valley. Summer is over, and with it its many festivals, yoga retreats, seminars, and visits from vacationers. I call it the time of inner reflection or inner pilgrimage, with the annual month of Kartik offering spiritual support.

Some of our devotees go on pilgrimage, while others try to take advantage of the auspicious month by making special vows here on site.

But back to my room with a view of the temple: The last marigold flowers are being picked for garlands, and in the vegetable garden you can see beautiful pumpkins waiting to be served on Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana's silver plates in the form of delicious vegetable curries, roasted vegetables, or pumpkin soup.

Whatever my eyes behold here is part of this beautiful pilgrimage site. Every devotee who walks, stands, works, or chants by the stream down there has a relationship with Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana, the true owners of this place.

Devotees live behind the walls of the guest house.

Ekanti, for example, spends many hours at the computer. She uses her talent to help the temple in many areas.

There is also Priya Manjari, who takes care of guest room reservations and is known for her beautiful kirtan evenings.

Natasha lives there with her two lovely teenagers. Natasha makes the most beautiful garlands and also cooks for Sunday celebrations or seminar groups.

Indulekha Gopi also lives in the guest house. She thrives in pujariseva and nurtures and cares for the flower beds she has specially cultivated.

Our family of six lives upstairs under the roof of the guest house. Their newest addition, little Daya, has been dancing in front of the deities every morning and evening since she could stand on her own two feet, as if she had never done anything else. We have great respect for her mother, Yuatti Radha, for the calmness and serenity with which she lovingly supports her four children as they grow up.

So, what else is there to tell about our Goloka Dhama temple project?

It often happens that older devotees who once lived here come to visit. Most of the young devotees who currently live here do not know them and are unaware of all the many services they once performed here.

But One knows them, One knows everything, One rejoices, One forgets nothing...

This reminds me of a verse from the Bhagavad Gita 7.26:

“O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that happened in the past, everything that is happening in the present, and everything that will happen in the future. I also know all living beings, but no one knows Me.”

And that is the wonderful thing about this idyllic place: Here you can live and develop your love and devotion to Sri Krishna and see and feel Krishna's presence behind everything. What more could you want?

I know I have not listed all the devotees who live here, may they forgive me.

There are so many other wonderful Vaisnavas who live in the area and regularly visit the

temple, support it financially through their generous donations, perform their service to Kṛṣṇa from afar, do a lot of seva, and thus contribute to the existence of Goloka Dhama.

My focus was on the immediate neighborhood and this wonderful view of the autumn activities in Goloka Dhama.

All the best, and hopefully see you soon!

Yours, Narayani dd, for and on behalf of Goloka Dhama