Trouble in Paradise

Govardhana Hill is indubitably one of the most sacred locations in the world. In fact, Krsna IS Govardhana. Guru Purnima is celebrated during the hottest time of the year in Govardhana – when temperatures hover between 104 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit day and night. However, at this time, pilgrims from the West are also confronted with a phenomena generally not known to them here – noise pollution. Somehow, the more flamboyant “spiritualists” in this part of the world, think their message has to be heard by one and all 24 hours a day. To this end they erect amplification and speaker systems that carry their voices at extremely high decibel levels, to the chagrin of pilgrims and residents of this holy dham alike. So loud is the sound, that even with the best of earplugs it becomes impossible to sleep on Guru Purnima eve and on the night of Guru Purnima itself.