Inspired by the legendary “chipped rice festival” described in Caitanya-Caritamrita, ISKCON’s International School in Mayapur, India transformed into the ancient village of Panihati this June 6.

The original festival was held 500 years ago during the time of Gaudiya Vaishnavism founder Sri Chaitanya, when Chaitanya’s close associate Nityananda Prabhu directed his follower Raghunatha Dasa Goswami to organize a festival and feed all the devotees with yogurt and chipped rice.

The Mayapur School’s Cultural Program Manager Krishna-Prestaya Dasi was determined to follow Nityananda’s original step-by-step instructions as recorded in the Caitanya-Caritamrita, and her contagious enthusiasm spread throughout the school and community. Children began making decorative pots two weeks in advance, while parents were seen exchanging chipped rice recipes in the mornings at the temple courtyard.

When the day finally arrived, numerous colourful pots were filled with lovingly prepared chipped rice, festive flags and banana leaves decorated the grounds, and the sounds of chanting filled the air.

Parents and children alike saw the event as a wonderful opportunity to absorb themselves completely in service to Chaitanya and Nityananda, as they filled their colorful pots with a variety of sweets and chipped rice, decorated the area, and dressed as Sri Chaitanya and his associates.

Junior primary students began the festivities with a recitation of verses from the Caitanya-Caritamrita. Twelve-year old Amina then brought parents and teachers to tears with her rendition of the song Parama Karuna. As she sang, priests offered the numerous food dishes to Nitai Mayapur-Chandra, deity forms of Sri Chaitanya and Nityananda.

The decorative pots created for the events were then displayed, one-by-one, to an appreciative audience. Larger pots were auctioned off to the community to raise funds for the school, and the excitement level rose as devotees competed for their favorites. Subhangi Dasi’s pot entitled “Lord Chaitanya running after Lord Jagannatha” proved the most popular and was sold to the highest bidder for 2,050 rupees.

While the younger children preferred to hold on to the results of their own hard work, they did agree to share the contents. A delicious interactive feast ensued, as devotees exchanged different flavours and textures of chipped rice, as well as lassi, a thirst-quenching yogurt drink.

High-school boys played kirtan music throughout the event, creating an atmosphere which several parents described as “special and spiritual.” Krishna Prestaya’s attempt to replicate the original chipped rice festival had, much to her delight, turned out an inspiring success.

For any enquiries about the Sri Mayapur International School, please write to SMIS@pamho.net