As we bumped along the village roads towards Govardhana, I wondered what was in store for me. Actually I wondered what had changed since I attended the first retreat at Govardhana nine years ago.

We were 30 devotees then. We all arrived at the rented ashram in one bus, set up a kitchen, transformed the plain hall into a beautiful temple room, had classes and kirtans morning, noon, and night at the foot of Govardhana Hill, and then, after a week dismantled the temple room and kitchen, packed up the bus and went home.

It was magical. And I am happy to report, the magic still remains.

This year 120 devotees gathered at Jatipur, on the West side of Giriraja, for a week of hearing and chanting. The ashram was nestled closely to the hill. That was the first magic: to walk out of your room every morning – for a most beautiful darshan – and every day for one week, waking up next to Giriraja. What a benediction!

The view from the roof was magnificent, and one could sit there happily for hours chanting next to Govardhana. Actually the best times on the roof were the hours near sunrise and sunset-the hill would change color and texture and moods during those different times.

Until lunch we would gather for classes on various topics. This year the lectures explored The Path of Rupa Goswami, Lord Caitanya’s discussion with Ramananda Raya and Meditations on Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavana.

Sacinandana Swami, Bhurijana dasa and Madhavananda dasa were the speakers. A long afternoon break allowed us time to digest the discourses (and lunch), go for walks around Govardhana, rest, read, pray, talk, or chant. It was truly magical at evening time watching the movements towards home of the parrots, the cows, and local Giriraja devotees.

As the cold night air settled, we would gather in the warm, lamp-lit temple room for Krishna lila readings by master reader/ storyteller Jagattarini devi dasi. Her stories were interjected with sweet kirtans by Sacinandana Swami which altogether transported us to the spiritual world. A cup of hot milk sealed our fate for a night of sweet dreams.

The organizers of the retreat (VIHE) wish that these retreats have a spiritually transformational affect on the participants. I certainly feel changed for the better after my experience. I was more thoughtful and prayerful, and experienced a deeper appreciation for the reality of Krishna’s pastimes. Who could ask for more magic than that?