Blue, yellow, gold. This dress is one of the early ones. The patterns were less refined and the dress is quite simple. Still it is a dress fit for the Deities. Today their hair is arranged so well. Only problem is Krsna's topknot is a little far forward so the crown had to be put down low. The Deities appearing in brass have been much shinnier lately. Somehow inspiration came from the simplest of things, fresh squeezed lemon juice.
A crisp and cold day here at the end of January. Still on this clear day without rain many pedalers took advantage and were out in force. On the main streets on missions. By the beach to get away, and on the trail to train. Whatever they all enjoyed being out and pedaling.
This evening the Deities wore the dress they should have worn last night. No one questioned the dress they saw the Deities in this morning. Maybe they don't pay attention to such small details, prefering to just see how beautifull Krsna is. That's the best consciousness any way.

Well, did the Deities change their clothes or not this morning? That was the question of the day. Their night dress and day clothes look quite similar. But the day dress had more creamy color than red. The crowns were not the way they wanted them. Since other societies spend much more money on Deity outfits our request wasn't taken so seriously. Inspite of it the seamstress made an elegant outfit out of what they did give. It was offered on Janmastami along with Krsna's bamboo flute.
Once agian the rain was chasing the pedlars today. Most of the afternoon was rainy. Still there was just enough break to get down to the beach and also to get some fruit and such for the late afternoon offering. These kind of days are sometimes fun since the rain is like death walking behind you pushes you on to faster and more efficient times.
This evening Krsna played a trick on me. The wig maker usualy makes the wigs on Tuesday hut of course this is Monday. By the time Krsna let me in on the joke,it was too late to change.

the black bumblebees on today's dress show that it was the new moon today. Some dress the Deities in all black on this day but our Guru has told us that Krsna shouldn't wear all black. So this outfit is mostly yellow with black trim. Radha's veil has bumble bees on it. Also the bottom of her skirt features them. The back drop is reversed, that is black with little bits of yellow.
Overcast but no rain at all today. Not even so cold today 'cause of the overcast clouds. A usual run down round by the cement boat then back by the post office and the vikram yoga. Wharf road to the east cliff wind around the twin lakes back to the asrama.
Chinese silk this evening. Smooth and satiny very soft feeling. Still no one believes that it's a night dress. Such a fine dress must be a sign of the direction of the serving energy of the Lord.

The dress today is soft and comfortable silk. And the design is light and airy like water color. Another Janmastami dress. Flower crowns are featured that make everyone say ooooh and ahhhhh. Jewelry colors to match. An almost spring time feel to this. Tulasi has a "maxi" skirt to go with, it comes practically to the floor. A knock out.
Pedaling today through the rain by the asrama, but by the time i got to the main road in town there was no rain. i looped by the beach and the wharf and back to purchase fruit and such. When i got back to the road the asrama is on, though the rain resumed. It was a bit harder on the way back.
The evening is a multicolored dress,deep blue for Gandharvika with a red palo. Krsna has fuscia kirta and cumberbun and green dhoti. Mahaprabhu wears green pants with a purple kirta fuscia sash and green chodder. A Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja outfit, the most blessed event.

The boarder was the question today. Some one saw the Tulasi skirt and asked if that boarder matched the one on the Deities dress. The flower or four leaf clover indeed is on both Tulasi's skirt and the Deities dress. This is another outfit that has extra piecies so it can be tow different outfits. It was first offered on Janmastami and then the extra piecies were added and some of the orignals subtracted and that was offered on Radhastami. Today's is a sivler dress and the other is gold.
The pedaling today almost wasn't 'cause of some morning rain. But beat the drums and hold the phone the sun came out later in the day. Then it was the usual east cliff run to town and then back to wake the Deities and offer evening arati.
The buttery color night dress this evening with the peacock effulgences saw the night in tonight. Where it goes only the lord knows.

Gandharvika is always on time 'cause the sun and the moon move to her desire for service. This dress, offered on Radhastami is a muted green with the shine of silk. There is purple trim along with gold. On the bottom of Gandharvika's skirt are purple beads with clusters of bells. Yeah, she's there with bells on/
Today saw me pedaling under the lights. Even though the days are slowly getting longer i was out longer so i had to finish under the light on top of my helmet.. One person asked if i were a miner. So i answered, yes, a miner forty-niner.
The night dress tonight is orange and purple. an early Guru Maharaja's appearance day outfit, it has been worn longer than a lot of the early dresses. Mahaprabhu's kirta and Gandharvika's choli are evidence of how the style has changed over time.

Today was a surprise day. Ekadasi but with a new dress. Now that the Deities have enough dresses that they don't wear each one even once in a month i finally gave in to the idea of making another ekasdasi outfit. So for the new year i transformed the queen in days of old into the second Ekadasi outfit. i thought i'd see if anyone noticed. Asi suspected, only one person said anything about it to me.
pedaling amar mana pedaling amar mana today i had pedaling on my mind. As i went down the road with the greatest of ease i was seeing visions of pedaling in India combining with the tour de France. What a sight. Any way it passed the time nicely and spead me along my way.
This evening was the one silver night dress the Deities have. A light green with deep green trim along with silvery lace and jewelry.

Those who came for darshan today said how much they like the color combination the Deities wore today. Mahaprabhu green and purple. Krsna had yellow and a different shade of purple. Gandharvika had blue and silver gold and red. The back drop drew lots of favorable thoughts too. Black with two big peacocks and one in the center with it's tail spread fully. Three different crowns. Mahaprabhu wore gold jari, Krsna gold blue and light blue, peacock colors. Gandharvika had a silver gold red on!e.
pedaling all through town, on a grey red road bike. Since it's such a small town type atmosphere many people recognize me even though they don't know me. i pass by the locals on the beach or at the market and some wave while others say "I see you everywhere!" Quite an experience in a small town.
Orange all around this evening. Gandharvika has a panel skirt and Mahaprabhu and Krsna have cumberbunds. It's much warmer tonight so no winter chodders.

The chodder has many colors. Also Krsna's belt is quite unique. The seamstress was quite exicted about both of these features. The name almost called the heavyweight champion because of that. Gandharvika's belt is also quite prominent. purple red beads hanging from it. It's very wide also. Mahaprabhu has green with rust color chodder and belt. He has a necklace with all the colors of the other two. An amazing chodder at that.
On to the cement boat. Then back down to seabright and the Hong Kong street venfor's take out shop. Loop by the beach and back just in time to wake the Deities.
This evening the usual grateful dvip sees them ready for Their night pastimes.

Both Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika are in green with yellow accents. Whereas Krsna is in yellow with red trim and a green belt. Gandharvika's sari has black in the background and the palo has a lot of black in it. Offered at Guru Maharaja's appearance it has an autumn feel to it.
A clear and quick day for pedaling. Along the east cliff and by the boardwalk and the west cliff. Because it is Sunday many people were out to take advantage of the good weather.
This evening Mahaprabhu has blue and green Krsna is all in red and Gandharvika in a dark blue. At first the wrong night dress was brought so i had to switch, but the Deities got to take rest at a reasonable hour.

Mahaprabhu in dark, almost royal blue with yellow and red trim, Krsna in yellow with blue and red, and Gandharvika in burgandy with blue and just a little yellow. The back drop for this dress is just blue yellow and burgandy veilance. this was a janmastami outfit. This is the first part of a janmastami- Radhastami duo. Where the Radhastami version has a few different pieces. Garlands today had many interesting flowers. Holly berries, narcisiss, magnolia types along with leaves rolled in circles.
What a ride today. All the way to San Jose. Over hill and over dale, hitting the winding trail. Then on to the asrama there and offering arati.
There i put Mahaprabhu to rest and then come back here and do it again. i hope i didn't keep them up too late.

Gandharvika wears white in this dress. Krsna has a deep purple coat and a lighter shade of purple dhoti. Mahaprabhu wears smokey blue. This is a silver outfit. Along with the other colors the dress is trimed with silver. This was the first sivler one. After it was offered we had to get silver ankle bells for them along with crowns and a flute for Krsna. The flute had to be made custom style. The silver smith said he'd not made one with an elephant head on one side and a ball on the other. But that's how our guru told us to make Krsna's flute so he did.
Someone sawm me pedaling down by the boardwalk this afternoon. i was completely absorbed he said. i was pushing up a hill and really getting into it. He said he was inspired to go out and pedal himself after seeing me. The funny thing about that was i was on the other side of town, and didn't even go there today. hmmmm. It must have been a halagram. i won't tell him about it.
Chodders tonight since it feels frosty again. This morning there was frost on the windshields and on the plants. Quite cold for here. Ths dres is copper color with blue designs in the fabric. It's not embroidered bur just thread that forms the blue shapes.

A patka. That's a detailed and well sculpted front to Krsna's dhoti. This is the only outfit to feature one of these. This is yet another Gaur Purnima dress. Gandharivka's sari is made from tissue paper silk. A really sheer fabric. A simoky elegant outfit.
A much clearer day today. Many cyclists pedaling away. Mostly in wintery attire since it was quite chilly. The day light is lasting notably longer now. That invites everyone to pedal just a little longer.
Tonight's dress was made in just a few days. It was offered on Prabhupada's vyasa puja, the day after Janmasatami. It's a micacle mom.

Wednesday is pink or orange. This dress is raw sienia with orange boarder. Along with the gold ssquins it's a nice dress. It was made in India and put together here. Mahaprabhu got a sash to cover the seam in the center of his kirta. Gandharvika has orange pleats in the front of her sari.
When the gurus on the altar speak up and tell you where to go
and you've just had some kind of pakora and you feel your service grow
tell the swami, he'll want to know
that dollars and diplomacy are falling down dead
and the dhotis were sewn up backward
so the tailor's face went red
remember the acarya said
elevate your head
Pedaling between the rain drops today. The rain came for fifteen minutes and then the sun was around for about half an hour. then more rain followed by sun. Then rain then sun. You understand. That's the way the pedaling went today.
In the evening the lotus nails were being put on the Deities while outside in the hills a pack of cayotes howled.

Sky blue with red trim and silver lace overlay. Today i made it scream. Yeah,with a red backdrop. This one was a guru maharaja vyasa puja dress. The garlands were short today. Gandharvika's just did fit in her hands, Mahaprabhu's only to the center of his chest while Krsna's just came to his waist. Silver jari crowns and silver ankle bells.
Well if it's not possible to do all the pedaling in one ride divide. Today i took a couple of short trips whoch made the usual distance. In the evening there were four cyclists pedaling down the road of the asrama. They had their lights on and were talking excitedly during the slight rain. cycling is so wonderful.
This evening was another meeting of the Lions club. Since it's velvet there was no need for the winter chodders once again.

With peacock effulgences, Mahaprabhu in green and gold, Krsna with red coat and white dhoti, and Gandharvika in blue velvet, this dress led me from the line "I still see blue velvet through my tears" to a line from Mahaprabhu's eight verses of instruction. That is "nayanam galid asru dharaya" Or when will my eyes be decorated with tears while I chant your holy name?" Yeah that's a high verse that i shouldn't mix with the mundane one previously sited. This was offered on a Gaura Purnima. Mahaprabhu's instructions are what the inner ideal is.
Today i raced only agianst the clock hoping to be here in time for arati. Pedaling along the opal cliffs to do some purchasing and swiftly return.
This evening the Deities were able to take rest a bit early. Krsna wearing cream color jacket and orange pants, he stood creating a festival for the eyes and for cupid.

A turban for Mahaprabhu? i haven't seen a Gaudiya Math Deity of Mahaprabhu with one that i know about. Of course i haven't seen all of the Mahaprabhu Deities in the Gaudiya Math. Ready or not though with the Gaura Purnima dress of 2004 our Mahaprabhu has one. Pink and silver lace. That and the bracelet with the star on it contribute to the name 'Superstar'.
Somewhere on the road this cyclist did an aggresive enough attack to beat out the rain. A crisp January day. One of the usual roads had been blocked by a group working on the electric line. It called for a small detour, but nothing major. i got back sometime behind but it all worked out. "Among purifiers,I am the wind"
The touch that kills. Chinse silk with Russian angora chodders. The cloth is quite rich, full and luxious.

Akasa Puspa. Flowers of the sky. Today was pusya abhiseka of Sri Krsna. A shower of flowers and this dress is covered in them. A sign that the winter is begining to move on and spring is coming soon. With so many flowers there really seems no need for jewelry. To the poorer folks gold, diamonds, rubies, jewels like those are very atractive. But to those rich enough to have them the natural things like flowers, leaves and fruits are valuable jems. And since Krsna is Laxmi Pati, the husband of the Goddess of fortune, what use are millions of oppulences?
Today i felt like i was racing with the rain storm. For some time the rain would come down in buckets and then the sky would clear and the sun would shine. Once a rainbow appeared. So as i pedaled away i thought that at any moment the rain would sneak up behind me and soak me good. Fortunately it didn't.
The rain might be ending this evening, the sky is clearing a little. So the cold is back in the night air and on top of their most blessed event night dress they once again are showing winter chodders.

Purple,yellow, green and red. Along with crowns of the same color. The crowns really came first and then the cloth was bought accordingly. Krsna has all purple with a yellow cape. The cape has stones of the other colors on it. 'cause Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika's crowns are a little small they have effulgences. In addition there are other jewelry pieces to match the crowns.
The rain is about to return. So today was a longer ride around the beach past the boardwalk around steamer's lane and onto the natural bridges.
With the rain approaching it's warm enough to leave the chodders in the cabinet. Krsna's outfit is getting a little frayed. Maybe this one will be the next on the retirement list.

Lavender, that's what this outfit reminds me of. i heard someone say that today as they took darsan. "Is it because of the shades of grren with purple accents?" i asked. Yes was the reply. Well that may be what it looks like to a divya mauli, a divne gardener but it's called "is it tomorrow? or just the end of time?"
Pedaling through a mostly sunny afternoon. The usual route. Down by the east cliff past opal cliff then on to new leaf and back up to the temple.
It seems like a long time since the Dieites wore this dress at night. A lion on the chase. Sort of a kelly green triming purple. but it was only three weeks in reality.

The Deities favorite colors seemed to be pink and green for the first few outfits. Then others came along. After some time a pink and green dress manifest. So it was called the aruna har posse rides again.
An overcast day that even began with a small shower. But still a day of pedaling that was dry at least.
The silver dress came tonight. O deer doe, have you seen Krsna? This one is from last Radhastami.

Su nila vasana. A very beautiful blue dress. Today Gandharvika wore just that. A very beautiful deep blue sari. Mahaprabhu had a mango color dhoti and kirta with a green chodder and sash. Krsna wore yellow and purple sash and chodder. Today's garlands made by a new maker, their first time on their own. A good mix of petals, carnations, roses, and a few leaves.
The pedaling was great today. The sky was a bit cloudy which made the chill come a little early. Still down through town a brush near the beach and back up to the temple.
With an approaching rain, the clouds made it warm enough to leave the winter chodders on their hangers tonight.

Another Ekadasi day. Gandharvika's ruffled skirt and Krsna's cape. Mahaprabhu in orange. The garland maker appoligized for all the garlands not being symetrical. Prabhupada told us that symetry is beauty. So when something isn't then all of disciples feel we've done something way wrong. Of course that's because how else do we know what Krsna likes or how he feels.
The days are getting better and better as the roads dry out. The sun is warm and the light is staying a little longer each day.
Ahh but once the sun goes down it's chilly enough for the Deities to need a winter chodder.

The satin and sheer chodders along with the new ankle bells made this second wearing of Havir Bhu quite a spectacle. Also there was amber from Russia. Yhe only bad thing about today's dress was that Krsna's top knot was just a bit to far forward.
Pedaling today was the best of the three days. The harder core suffers were back on the beach and the driftwood was drifting away.
The night dress once again saw chodders added to it. Returning from the land of Auz some one brought some ghee to the Deities.

The crowns with today's dress were brought from Vrndavan. They had been ordered by someone else but never picked up. The maker gladly sold them to the devotees from here who had went to buy some crowns anyway. Each crown is two peacocks facing each other. Behind there is an effulgence of peacock feathers. At first the question came about using them for Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika but then there was a picture of Deities from the Math in Vrndavan wearing a similar set of crowns. In that way the question was answered. Now those have become the crowns for this dress.
Today there was no fog down by the beach. A few brave suffers were there to dodge the driftwood. From the temple to the beach through downtown back up through a village by another beach spin round by the post office. Back throgh the village, dowm by the pleasure point area,on to twin lakes up seventh avenue and back to the temple.
As i dressed the Deities for rest someone pointed out a book from Navadvipa entitled Sri Harinam the offenses commited while chanting. That gave us all a laugh since we're more used to hearing the offences to be avoided but srnvanti gayanti he sadhava. Even though they be imperfectly composed they will be sung and heard by those who are thouroghly honest.

Three shades of purple and a touch of pink. What an outfit. This one was offered on Guru Maharaja's appearance last year. So much wonderful work by the seamstress. Guru Mahraja started telling his life story by saying "I was born at midnight" and that's the way i started the name for this dress. i finished with another quote from him , "when I heard that Vrndavan was for shallow thinkers, I fell" and i added head over heals for Mahaprabhu.
While pedaling down by the ocean today the fog was so thick the ocean wasn't visible. Also it fogged my sunglasses so much that i had to push the water off in order to see clearly enough to continue.
The clear sky meant it was cold enough for the Deities to wear some Russian wool chodders this evening. Since they'll appear tomorrow morning, the chodders are white 'cause Saturday is white day.

Are you going to the Seva Asrama? Is the arati starting on time? The seamstress made the chodders black with deep forest green and gnga yamuna highlights. One of the most elegant outfits they have. Gandharvika's belt is a thick black strip with flowers embroidered.
A second day of no rain. The beaches are covered with drift wood and even the suffers stayed away today. The roads are drying off and it's such a joy just not to be inside on the no-where bike.
Tonight,Krsna is a bramhacari. So who knows what kind of rasa dancing will go on.

Today's was the first Gaura Purnima outfit. Peacock feathers,green, gold,and pink. These early dresses are so much simpler. It takes so much less time to put them on the Deities. Mahaprabhu has a bundi in this outfit, something unique. Krsna has a pair of pants that are just a little wrong, but then all the ones he has are. Gandharvika's dress is about right all the way around. The veil is a little long, other than that it's a good fit.
It seems like years since it's been clear, but today came sunshine and all of us pedlars said "It's all right". Down by the ocean people were suffering and the usual things. The streets are a lot less crowded now. Down by the natural bridges the gulls were hanging on the rocks.
This evening it was warm enough for no extra chodders. "A lion on the chase" is the name of the night dress .

This dress was the first to have Gandharvika's veil as part of her sari. The palo has two large gold peacocks. Also a longsleeve choli. Mahaprabhu and Krsna's are the same as the other paterns for their clothes at the time this was made.
As i pedal on the trainer today i keep my spirit alive by thinking that the weather gods say tomorrow there will be no more rain. Otherwise my pedal strokes get more and more finely tuned.
With the clouds moving away the chill in the air is enough to put on winter chodders. The grateful 'dvipa is this nights dress.
The traditional colors today. Mahaprabhu in a mango orange-yellow,Giridhari has a yellow dress and Gandharvika has a royal blue. The color she chooses for herself.
They said there'd be no more rain, the promised a dryier day, the told me this dream of tomorrow so i'd believe the honorable Mr. Scott.
As i dressed them in their night dress puting on winter chodders the hope springs eternal....

A Venezualian lady once told me that in her country people wear yellow on New Year's day for good luck. So today's dress has some yellow in it. Krsna has a yellow dhoti. Mahaprabhu and Gandarvika both have an orange shade of yellow along with red. That way i'm hoping for a good yearforone and all. But since Krsna always acts for everyone's best interest it cannot but be a good year.
Yet more rain today. How much can be said about going nowhere fast? Today i span along to the sounds of an ipod and the rain drops falling on the roof.
Because of the rain though there was no need for chodders. So this evening the embroidered red chinese silk is in full view.

this outfit is painted silk. First the outline is drawn on. Then the painting is done. After that it is allowed to dry. When that's done then it's washed and dryed in another special process. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have blue and pink lotus flowers. Gandharvika has dragon flies also. Krsna has yellow with blue and pink lotus flowers. Since all the silk was white to begin with each color had to be put on separatly.It all took a couple of months. The result was a light almost water color look. Impressive for sure.
Another break in the storm. The roads were still kind of flooded near the temple but in town they were more dry. Still it required careful and alert pedaling to get around today.
The first night it seemed cold enough for winter chodders an orana sasti of sorts.