Hare Krishna
Dandwat Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
My favorite deities are Shree Shree Radha Shyamsundar of ISKCON Alachua, New Raman Reti Dham, Florida. These beautiful deities were installed in the year 2000, and from the very first moment I saw Them, They captured my heart completely.
I have always felt deeply attached to Shree Vrindavan Dham. When I moved from Toronto to Waycross, Georgia, I was a little anxious because there was no ISKCON temple within a two hour radius. The closest temple was ISKCON Alachua.
Just three days after I moved, it was Radhashtami. I decided to visit ISKCON Alachua for the first time. The moment I entered the temple room and saw Shree Shree Radha Shyamsundar, I could not take my eyes off Them. I stood there for nearly twenty minutes, simply admiring Their divine forms.
Their features are not exactly the same, yet when I look at Them, They give me an identical feeling. Their long glittering eyes, gentle smiles, beautiful curly hair, and youthful expressions carry the same sweetness - Jugal swaroop. They truly feel like the eternal youthful Couple of Braja, Nitya Kishor and Kishori, forever sixteen, forever fresh, forever enchanting.
The dressing and deity seva of Shree Shree Radha Shyamsundar are truly heart touching and inspiring. Every darshan reflects the love, devotion, and care with which They are served, making Their beauty even more captivating.
Later, I discovered that this temple is called New Raman Reti Dham and that the deities share the same names as the beloved deities of ISKCON Vrindavan. The moment I learned this, something within my heart felt deeply comforted. It felt as though Krishna knew how much I missed Vrindavan and, in His own loving way, arranged for a piece of Braja to be waiting for me in Florida.
These deities always remind me of Braja. Whenever I stand before Shree Shree Radha Shyamsundar, I do not feel so far from Vrindavan anymore. Through Their darshan, They continue to keep my heart connected to the holy dham, no matter where I am.
Every time I see Them, my heart whispers the same prayer:
“Thank You for bringing Vrindavan closer to me.”