Bhakti Fest 2012: A Personal Journal
By The Shanti Scribe
Very early Saturday morning. Still dark - I get up earlier than usual, because before I head over to the Sanctuary for the morning chant of the Hanuman Chalisa, I trek over to the Rose Labyrinth, an outdoor circular maze behind the main stage area. Yoga instructor, Shiva Rea, is hosting a get together there for a sunrise mantra mediation. We walk the labyrinth to the outer rings of the maze and sit down facing east in the dark. We are thankful for the new day, our new experiences we will have and new relationships we will make. The day breaks, the Sun has risen, and new life is welcomed into the world. It's a beautiful, simple example of gratitude and I am feeling high on life at that moment.
By The Shanti Scribe
Very early Saturday morning. Still dark - I get up earlier than usual, because before I head over to the Sanctuary for the morning chant of the Hanuman Chalisa, I trek over to the Rose Labyrinth, an outdoor circular maze behind the main stage area. Yoga instructor, Shiva Rea, is hosting a get together there for a sunrise mantra mediation. We walk the labyrinth to the outer rings of the maze and sit down facing east in the dark. We are thankful for the new day, our new experiences we will have and new relationships we will make. The day breaks, the Sun has risen, and new life is welcomed into the world. It's a beautiful, simple example of gratitude and I am feeling high on life at that moment.
Photos by LakshmiGrace Designs
I head over to the Sanctuary for the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, and pass a huge line of new people coming into the festival for Saturday. This is the big day! People are here for the weekend and take advantage of the weekend pass to experience the Bhav! It is later reported that the festival had around 4,500 in attendance this day. Wow!
After chanting, I'm hungry, so I grab a vegetarian slice of pizza from a local vendor in Joshua Tree called, "Pie for the People Pizza". They have some tasty pizza and even some fruit topped pizza with strawberries and other fruit. I down another smoothie and head back to the stage area. Catch the tail end of the sweet sounds from Gina Sala, the eclectic sounding Amritakripa, and relished to the sounds of The Hanumen. A group of great musicians from a few different Kirtan groups to make up one awesome ensemble. They do a Kirtan mass-up of some gospel spirituals that are quite wonderful.
After chanting, I'm hungry, so I grab a vegetarian slice of pizza from a local vendor in Joshua Tree called, "Pie for the People Pizza". They have some tasty pizza and even some fruit topped pizza with strawberries and other fruit. I down another smoothie and head back to the stage area. Catch the tail end of the sweet sounds from Gina Sala, the eclectic sounding Amritakripa, and relished to the sounds of The Hanumen. A group of great musicians from a few different Kirtan groups to make up one awesome ensemble. They do a Kirtan mass-up of some gospel spirituals that are quite wonderful.
Amritakripa
The Hanumen
I take a lunch break to return in time for the fan favorite, C.C. White. She literally brings the house to their feet! A large group of musicians on stage. Everyone wants to be close to C.C. on stage. The stage closes for a dinner break and everyone returns for the "Rock Star" of Kirtan, Krishna Das. He is why Saturday is at record numbers. Krishna Das is a popular artist of traditional sounding Kirtan music.
C.C. White
Krishna Das
I head back to the campground and I hear the music from there and was able to still catch the remaining acts from my tent as I drift off to sleep.
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