If you were going to the Seva Asrama today the arati was starting on time. White silver pleated skirts for both Giridhari and Gandharvika. Giridhari also wears a silver white kirta to go with Mahaprabhu's chodder. The garlands were the usual Sunday best.
Today was one of the sunny days i hope will never end. As i pedaled by a chocolate shop i heard a group of radicals giving an impassioned speech. One said "You probably have a bike in your garage! Everyone knows someone who has a bike!" As i pedaled by he said "If you bike you will save the world!" i nodded in approval and held up my hand. Something you don't see everyday.
At the evening arati our swami took the lead in the kirtan. It was quite lively. He danced and jumped high. He grined and i laughed out loud. Following that performance the Deities slipped into the ninth for their night dress.

One of the most elegant dresses the Deities have today. Havibhu, born of butter,or like the foam on ghee. The fabric has an excelent texture, the sheer chodders, sashes and veil are a wonderful match. The effuljaya stand in for a backdrop. Gandharvika has a long sleeve coli and bells on the bottom of her skirt.
The fog rolled up and sat down today. Ah,but it takes more to cause we pedalers to lose our way. The horn rang out along the beach, probably more for show than the warning it once provided. At the lighthouse museum the folks still lined up and the deity of the sufferer had a fresh garland. The sea lions and gulls still sung out their song and i took the long way back to wake the Deities.
Green, blue and light and dark purple that's the color of the night dress. Labatira, daisy, one the garland maker calls a "hare krsna' flower were the arati offerings that were cleared away as the Deities took their evening rest drawing to a close another pedaler's tale

This was offered on Janmastami, at the end of August.
Opened the curtain for the midnight arati and the devotees cheered
As the offering started there was smoke from the incense
When the lamp was came around nearly burnt the temple down.
One brahmacari took it outside and threw it to the on the ground
Garlands from yesterday, but still looking fresh
Somehow i’ll not soon forget the midnight arati and the lamp thrown on the ground
lightly shod cleated cycle feet clicked into the pedals
floating over the road
Between the twin lakes under overcast skies threatening stromy weather
cars with bright headlights blinding my eyes
red dots leading back to the asrama in spite of persimmon colored shades
Tonight’s dress won’t speak the truth
doesn’t even try.
the peacock feathered crowns make the mood complete
Somehow i’ll not soon forget the midnight arati and the lamp thrown on the ground

The appearance of Sri Gadadhara Pandit,the dark moon. So the dress is the yellow and black with bumblebees. An outfit that makes people think it must have been offered on Gaura Purnima. So they are surprised to find that this was a Janmastami offering. Another sheer chodder for Giridhari. And today they had all gardenia garlands that added fragrance that pervaded the whole temple.
All around the twon today there were pedalers. From ebikes to recumbents. The sun has brought all out. Mostly down by the beach where joggers get in shape for wharf to wharf runs to come, mothers walk along with their baby sons, dogs are out on the leash with their freeks while i pedal along dogging them all trying to get down the street and back to the asrama for the sandhya arati.
The lion on the chase this evening. Green and mostly purple. A long skirt for Giridhari with purple dhoti showing through the split in front. Gandharvika has a purple veil over the green skit that features puple pleats in the front opening. Nahaprabhu has a green dhoti and kirta with purple chodder and sash.

Giridhari's coat has beads swinging from the boarder like the edge of a buckskin jacket. Gandharvika has a ruffled skirt while Mahaprabhu has a simple dhoti, chodder and kirta. All of pink and green. The beads are pink. A devotee in China had a photograph of this dress and painted a picture of it. Then Yudhamanyu Prabhu put it on the altar there.
As i pedaled by the boardwalk path i came upon some sufferers who were headed home as it was evening. Somehow i don't believe they had an idea that i'm a pujari.
Gandharvika has an orange sari in this night dress. There is green interwoven and a heavier green boarder. Giridhari has a coat with similar thread. Look at it from one side it's green and the other side it's orange.
A quiet night, the apprentice stayed home. hahaha

It’s the last week of April and the garland maker today somehow or other had hyacinth flowers for today. Amazing. Mahaprabhu has a kirta of blue sequins and yellow pants. Giridhari has gold pants with a deeper shade of blue gold coat that flairs up on the bottom. Over that is a sheer chodder that is full but light enough to drape over his arm and be lifted by the “breeze” to give a thin covering to the flair of the coat. Gandharvika’s skit is a similar shade of blue cut in a diamond shape at the end and that is filled in with the same gold as in Giridhari’s pants. Her veil is blue with a gold boarder topped with the peacock crown and effulgence.
It was a late afternoon pedaling today. The aroma of jasmine in the spring air.. The trees that lost their leaves in winter are begining to bud again. After so much rain the grass is green along with the flowers blooming. What a day for a pedaling.
With the setting sun the temperature goes down so the velvet like night dress keeps the Deities comfortably warm. One of the few night dresses that has jewelry made for it

An amazing chodder. So many colors. Along with a belt the seemstress made specially for this outfit. The only one like this. Gandharvika also has a belt but she's got a couple of dresses with belts. Mahaprabhu has a pale blue belt that's the color of Gandharvika's sari. Oh yeah, the hair was much better today. i'm sure SGM would still say she's become an American but her hair is more traditional today.
Another good day for pedaling. Past the wharf road, into Captiola through the village. Past the shops and up the little hill down the opal cliffs road up forty-first past the other town and Harley Davidson.
Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have blue but Giridhari has cream colored coat with orange pants. Gratefully come to the end of another night.

Today it was the hair’s turn. Giridhari’s had a piece in it that called a harlequin to mind. The pointy colors surrounding his topknot. A cause for a chuckle. Then there was Gandharivka’s. No wonder SGM said she’s become an American. Usually she wears her hair in a braid or a bun. Today she looks like she’s been to a fashionable hair stylist. Can you say wild for me? But then she does have color everywhere on this Ekadasi day. That must be why it took so long to comb her hair. It was as if she were a queen from the olden days.
A few raindrops were falling today so it was a day that took some craftiness to get the pedaling done. There was just enough space between drops to get in an ocean route that extended to the twin lakes and rattled through the downtown then ricocheted back to the asrama.
Just like fine silk, this night dress has a touch that can kill mundane desire for becoming a well turned out fashion plate. So much is the power of Deity worship.

The guru is like the water, the disciple is like the lotus, and Krsna is like the sun. The dress has lotus flowers done in watercolor. That's another way i've looked at this dress. Of course there are dragon flies and leaves. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have blue that is light like water. And that plane of consciousness is very far a way.
Pedaling away today past the houses farm and woods. Earth day so many folks were tossing frisbies and showing how to save the planet by those kinds of games. Pedaling by they raised their thumbs and cheered. The dogs, geese,and cows all gave approval in their own way also.
The same folks playing with their frisbies and dogs take the earth day as the most blessed event, but we know that can only refer to Gurudeva's birthday. Which is when this night dress was offered.

i know i’m in over my head on this one. The yellow and purple dress with the floral embrordery on Gandharvika’s veil and Giridhari’s cape with the red jewels make it quite a beautiful dress. The crowns were made independantly and influenced the dress to go with it. That leads into the over my head part (hahaha that one just hit me) As i was putting Giridhari’s crown on him i had such a rough time. The top knot on his hair and the fit of the crown i tugged, pushed, pulled exclaimed, “Oh come on!!!!!!” before the crown took it’s place on his head. It reminded me of Srila Guru Maharaja saying that Krsna’s mother, Yasoda, wants hiim to take proper rest to be healthy and strong. But the gopis want him to come out into the forrest and dance with them. The cowherd boys want him to help them drive the cows. i wanted the crown to take it’s place smoothly so i could open the curtain a bit early and allow the devotees to see the Deities a little longer. But the crown took it’s time.
The sun was here again today, but weren't those tiny raindrops on my sunglasses? Then i met up with Roy G. Biv. So he agreed to take the drops and leave me to get back to the asrama after my usual trip around the twin lakes and by the post office then back 'round the harbor through the shopping precint and back.
Oh yeah, the peacock crowns and effulgences, behaved much nicer than the ones this morning. Made the day seem like it wasn't a loss after all.

The pale green with purple and a few nearly red stones. Another silver dress. The backdrop has the pale green with purple vailances along with green beads accenting the flow of them. Giridhari's skirt lifts high and his chodder swirls. Gandharvika's dress has mirrors on the bottom. The jewelry made by one of the devotees of course goes so well with the dress and shows the way the dress curves and rises.
Not only has the rain left us alone for a few days this week, today even the wind was slower. As i pedaled down a side street near the beach i chanced to see a cat nearly under my wheel. i squeezed the brakes just in time to let it escape.
Krsna is a brahmacari and Durvasa Muni is an upavasi. The gopis used these phrases as the "secret passwords" to cross the Yamuna once upon a time and since Giridhari's dhoti is orange as sometimes a brahmacari's is tonight's dress was given this as one of it's names.

The white knight is talking backward. In this dress Mahaprabhu's kirta has a seam around his waist. To cover that up the seamstress made a sash that comes lower than usual. i don't know that it's been noticed yet. With all the sequins on it Gandharika's veil is so heavy that it shows that only a divne personality could wear it and not feel like there was a large weight on her head.
What a day for pedaling. It's just months since it's been so clear. From wharf to wharf. The last wharf is just past the "big dipper" something on the national historical register. Then back via positively front street. Past a couple of bike shops that have moved and a jumping monkey. hmmmm. Then over the bridge and back to the harbor high school football field. Next comes the hopsital, the rental place and a one man bike shop. Next the left for the asrama's road.
Pale green and silver Giridhari has a very large skirt and Mahaprabhu has a waist coat. Gandharvika's belt with the rosebud in the center makes this one a fun Radhastami dress. The nights are getting warm.

Heavenly cloud, the color of today's dress. That's almost the shade that temples in India are painted. Then there is red sequins along with silver trim. The silver looks white from further back. Because of that one person calls this one "Red, White and Blue."
The days are certainly getting better one after the other for pedaling. The "team" members are out on the roads where they can find good places to train for races. Places like the road to the asrama or down along the beach any place where there aren't too many cars or joggers. Also the everyday pedalers are out as always. It those who i find most interesting since they pedal more for the simple pleasure of pedaling.
The orange dress tonight. It's a dress well made for "stepping out" on these spring nights when the temperature can be either warm or chilly.

The devotees made and bought for this dress. The seamstress and Indian devotee explained to the tailor. The seamstress made an effulgence for Giridhari. With all this effort everyone praised it as the best yet. Few know that you seldom get just what you want. This dress was supposed to be quite a bit different. Still it came the way Krsna must have wanted.
Can you believe it? There wasn't any rain today. Maybe none for tomorrow too. It was a dash to get in as much pedaling as possible. In a store today even the cashierette said she couldn't wait to pedal down west cliff.
Still in all it was cold. The Deities danced away tonight in their grateful dvip with chodders.

By contrast, today’s garlands are neatly folded petals trimmed and mixed with whole roses and carnations. Very symmetrical and colorful without being wild. The mostly green dress has purple fringe on Mahaprabhu and Giridhari’s chodders. Also on the end of Gandharvika’s veil. On the middle ruffle on her skirt are gold bells.
What a surprise. The meteorologists were calling for a day of all rain but as on the previous two, there was rain in the morning but a clearer afternoon. As a result i was able to pedal my usual route. As i pedaled by the twin lakes i came upon some several geese who charged me not to cease so i pedaled harder but i don’t believe they knew i was racing the kalarupa
Now it’s the ninth with the small Deities in bed and the big ones to be dressed. The red, blue for all three and green pants for Mahaprabhu. Simple and fast dressing.

"Would you look at those garlands?!" That's what the folks were saying today. Some thought they were wild and others thought they were the best ones for this dress. Hiranya Padma has many hours of work put in hand embroidering flowers on the dress and the wild flowers in the garlands had the colors in the dress so it all worked out. In my day i've made some wild garlands of my own but i think these may have topped any of those. At least in the wild count.
Again today the rain came in the morning. Afternoon saw the clouds part enough to allow the pedalers to get out. First the block through the market area. Second Opal Cliffs was the trace. Not too many sufferers but the joggers were "sharing the road" today.
The clearing of the past two or three days made way for this evening's dress, the most blessed event. Of course that's the appearance of the Srila Gurudeva, who once said that pedaling is part of my service.

The deep pink and purple today. Giridhari's skirt and chodder fly high as he swirls with two hands on his flute. Gandharvika's veil is a bit short but still long enough. Mahaprabhu has one of his most simple dhoti, kirta, and chodder outfits. Mahaprabhu and Gandharivka had cloisine hearts today. Giridhari's lotus feet never leave the heart of Srimati Gandharvika.
Wow, started off as if it would be another day to nowhere, but even though the sun never came out, the rain did stop long enough to pedal down round the twin lakes and up past the bike shop make the loop and return in time for both waking and the sandhya arati.
This evening the small Deities wore a white and teal dress. The seamstress can't understand why i can't see that it's clearly green. i just shrug and explain that i must be color blind. The peacock effulgences top off the night for the big Deities.

The full moon day. White is the color for that day. So today Giridhari has a white silk turban. He wears a blue dhoti along with a white kirta. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have cooper with tiny blue beads. A Janmastami dress of some years ago, it still impresses people with the beading and Giridhari's turban.
Today the sky was so clear and the pedaling so excellent you might say it was onederful, twoderful, it was almost threederful! Maybe in the summer a day like this won't score such high marks but with all the wintery stuff so far this was quite a remarkable one.
What a better way to end the day than with the 'It's a miracle mom'. An outfit that was made quite fast so it could be offered on Prabhupada's vyasa puja, the day after Janmastami.

This dress was offere for Gaura Purnima and the bigger small Mahaprabhu has a bangle with a star on it. The small Krsna has stars sewn onto his dhoti. Mahaprabhu wears the only turban he has.Gandharvika and Giridhari have tiny roses on their dresses.
The rain has been unstopable and again today i pedaled in the barn. One day there will be sun that might seem like it will never end but right now the rain seems to be the only constant thing.
The green and orange this evening. And the sorcceror's apprentice said "I'd like to wear this coat!"

In today's dress Mahaprabhu wears mango-orange. One side of his chodder is different than the other. The Govardhana silas have yellow and silver. The small Mahaprabhu and Radha and Krsna have a dress that is the small version. It looks almost the exact same. They were here from the very begining of the asrama even back to 17th street days. Some say they called the big Deities here.
Well if yesterday was a stormy Monday then this Tuesday was worse. At least yesterday there was a gap in the rain enough to get out and pedal. Today was a fast trip to nowhere. i think i'm getting to familiar with the walls of the old cow barn.
The deep pink of Pralad a dad for this evening's dress. One of the few night dresses that has jewelry that was made for it. One of the ladies who really likes making it does it now and then and this was the first one she did.

Monday so let me see that means red. Red and purple today. Gandharvika's veil has two big peacocks for the palo. Since that goes right on top of her head no one ever gets to see them. Mahaprabhu and Giridhari's outfits are more plain. Mahaprabhu's dhoti is plain purple and his kirta is red and gold with purple chodder and sash. Giridhari has a red coat and dhoti. He has a purple chodder also but no sash. He gets a gold criss cross chain with red jewels. The small Deities' dresses are way too big. But somehow or other they get wraped around and tucked in here and there enough to look like it fits.
It seemed like they'd call this one stormy Monday but in the middle of the day the sun came out to dry up the someseveral rain drops so we all pedaled down round by the cement boat and the beach down that way. Quite a day after all.
And at the end of it all the Deities wore their 'Grateful 'dvip' dress this evening. There must have been some magic happening 'cause they called me in early so i'd finish early and leave them to whatever they do after the lights go out.

Plain white and embroidered silk along with yellow mixed with gold calls out across the universe. Offered on Srila Govinda Maharaja's appearance day this dress also features a backdrop of the same colors. The yellow/gold chiffon style cloth is gathered into vailances with strands of beads between. Gandharvika and Giridhari's belts are spectacular. Round stones forming the basis and strands of white yellow and gold beads drapping from the center out to the end of the front pieces.
Yet another day in which there was just enough dry time to pedal. Fewer than on the other two days which were drier than today but still a good number out along the beach around the twin lakes up to the harbor through the town and back round again to the cliffs by the wharf.
More embroidered silk in the night dress. An acordian chodder for Giridhari along with his pleated coat makeit they type of dress that flairs quite nicely.

The eleventh day Ekadasi. Giridhari puts on his cape and blue stared dhoti. Gandharvika wears a skirt of ruffles of multi colors and Mahaprabhu has orange pants with a rainbow kirta. Yet another day of Giridhari wearing his peacock crown while the other two wear gold jari.
A dash after the Deities woke this afternoon to take advantage of a day without rain. One day they'll all be this good but right now they're few and far between. Two members of a team pedaled around me but some how i was able to keep up
Tonight was the most blessed event. An outfit that goes on as quickly as it was made. Good for when the Deities have something they want to do at night rather than wait to be dressed.

Ramacandra's appearance day. The small deities celebrated with new wigs and ankle bells. Meanwhile the big ones got new chokers and earrings. Gardenias in their garlands today to go with the yellow, blue and green dress. Giridhari wore his peacock crown,Mahaprabhu had gold jari and Gandharvika had a silver-gold one.
Pedaling to nowhere inside an old cow barn. Our one day of summer returned to winter so i pedaled in the inner space.
This evening with the party over the Deities wear their brown night dress. The smallones wear an older one that is white with blue (or is it turquoise)Radha's veil is extremely long in this one. Tonight the swami just back from Navadvipa brought some new incense to offer. The party at noon gave way to a quiet night.

Recording their words to print in a paper back. The words of the angels so pure and so strong. Green, yellow and amber are the colors of this dress. It was offered for Guru Maharaja’s appearance back in ‘02. It came during the autum of the year so they seem to be colors of the season like the turning leaves on the trees.
A second day of sunshine. This could be addictive. Yeah, in a couple of weeks the rain will end till next winter and this one will only be a memory. A wonderful day for pedaling. Only dark spot came when i came upon a down tree. The rain has made the ground so wet that the trees do fall from time to time. When i got to this one a fire man had just arrived on the scene told me i’d have to go down the road to the right. It put me head on against the traffic and made an extra challenge to get back to my real route. Just a way to keep it fresh and unpredictable.
This evening is a green and purple dress. It was offered on Nrsmhacaturdasi. Night dresses seem to be a favorite for that day since the Lord appeard at dusk. Gandharvika has a purple veil, Giridhari has a purple chodder and belt . Mahaprabhu also has that combination, his belt has many types of designs in a whole host of colors.

We walked into the temple and offered dandavats. Giridhari's peacock feather dipped below his eye and his turban was pink and hot. After a line like that you know why this dress is called shut up kid. Mahaprabhu and Gandharvika have pink clothes. Again they wear gold jari crowns. Giridhari has a purple coat to go with his pink dhoti.
Is that the sun? Or are my eyes deceiving me? i've forgotten what it's like to ride without the threat of rain. Many folks were out pedaling today since the sun has been hidding itself lately.
In the evening the dress is from Radhastami. While it was being offered, a few verses from the Antyalila were beging read. The devotees were asking the doe if they had seen Krsna. The reader spelled the words so all would know who was being spoken to. Thus the outfit was named.

Gandharvika’s beautiful blue sari named today’s dress . A very deep blue with gold and red threads running through it forming a mango colored palo. Giridhari has yellow coat and dhoti with a purple belt and chodder. He wears his peacock crown while Gandharvika and Mahaprabhu wear their gold jari ones. Mahaprabhu wears a mango colored kirta with yellow gold pants. With a green belt and chodder.
When April showers are pierced to the root or however the Canterbury Tales begin. It’s only the fourth but wow so much rain now the hills are beginning to have mudslides. Today pedaling was short but is still at least onederful.
Pralad a dad. That’s what this dress is called. It was offered on Nrsmhadeva’s appearance so what else could it be called? One of the dresses that features a panel skirt for Gandharvika.

Today a couple of devotees came and saw the Cutty Sark dress. That is Gandharvika's short skirt. As they marveled over the beauty of it and drank the nectar of the Deities gentle smiles to their full satisfaction, they saw the painting behind. They chuckled about the monkies, cows and humingbird. Were impressed by the temple of Varsana, and enchanted by the peacocks. They were unlimitedly happy they were able to come and have such a darsana.
The April showers have come our way. Perhaps they'll bring us sunny pedaling days in May. Today i pedaled between the drops to fetch a pail of milk.
The greatfulest of dvips this evening. A call from Navadvipa. The devotees there were speaking about the dog here. So wonderful to be remembered in the land of Mahaprabhu. The Deities are so merciful.

“I was born at midnight” he began. Guru Maharaja was speaking about his life for his followers. Another time he recounted a story when Srila Saraswati Thakur said “Vrndavana? That is a place for shallow thinkers” When he heard that he said “I fell as if from the top of a tree.” Guru Maharaja opened our eyes to Mahaprabhu when we came over from our former society. The pink and purple colors of the outfit reminded me of the midnight hour. And since it was offered on Guru Maharaja’s appearance day i took those three and combined them to form the name for this dress.
Some several pedalers took to their routes ‘round the Monterey Bay inviting all to join along, but alas some were to busy and stayed in and had to watch the rain drops fall. Sadly we can only pedal along our way for this short time. Waiting in anticipation of summer’s arrival and the return of the sunshine.
And what better way to end the day that began with this year’s Guru Maharaja’s dress than a night dress offered on the same occasion a few years back. In the ninth praying for Guru Maharaja to enter our hearts to give instruction from within and SGM from out.

Today the Deities played their own prank on me. i had thought to put on the Cutty Sark dress. But Krsna caused me to tell the hairdresser that they would be speaking from the mouths of babes. i thought perhaps i could change her but she'd finished before i'd had the chance. So in the end it was the red, mango, and yellow.
At once the old pedalers had to quicken. The sun favored us today still the phrase was pedal it like you stole it. Hahaha. Down past the old post office round by a couple of bike shops. One with a windmill on the roof. The other with a geko lizzard. All in all a breakaway effort.
The events of the day were certainly blessed. The Lord and his devotees met in Puri in Caitanya Caritamrta today. Also the verse of Srila Guru Maharaja was quoted and discused. The verse that he wanted to use the introductory verse to his condensation of the Bhagavatam from eighteen thousand verses to seven hundred. It speaks of how Gadadhara Pandit used to read Srimad Bhagavatam to the Lord and his followers at the Tota Gopinatha temple on the broad blue ocean in Puri.