Dear ILites, This is FYI. Enjoy the bliss of Gokulam right here in Bangor, PA. Regards Vidya "Serving a cow is equivalent to serving Lord Krishna" is the motto of Sri Sankar Sastri, enjoying the company of ten cows in a serene environment close to Sri Sringeri Mutt at Stroudsburg, PA. and Sri Arsha Gurukul Vidyalaya at Saylorsburg, PA. Refreshing air, clean pond and sprawling fields present a striking contrast to polluted air, dirty rivers and crowded houses of metropolitan cities in USA. The company of cows, silence, and solitude make the place ideal for reading the Bhagavad Gita, contemplation and meditation. Prof. Sankar Sastri calls it "Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary" remembering the name of the cow loved by Sri Ramana Maharishi. Prof. Sankar Sastri is inspired by Kanchi Paramacharya who loved cows and spent many hours and days in Go Salas. Hindus regard the cow as sacred for many reasons. Cows give milk for all people, from birth to death. When cows start producing milk in diminishing quantities or stop producing milk, they are sent to slaughter houses. At that stage, Sankar Sastri rushes to prevent cruelty to cows offering loving care and protection. Prof. Sankar Sastri has a Doctorate degree in Engineering, worked as a Professor and Dean of Engineering in Brooklyn for decades, and now is enjoying retirement in the midst of cows. He shares his pension and social security with ten holy cows. His mission is to add divinity to the cow sanctuary and build a prayer hall for Go Mathaa. He visualizes youngsters in the area visiting the cow sanctuary and developing love for animals. He wants to provide facilities for devotees to perform Go Puja. He hopes that many others start similar cow sanctuaries in all the states of America, India and the whole world. Prof. Sastri is a role model for many retirees who aspire to engage themselves in worth while projects and share their retirement benefits and social security with cows. Please visit the link above for videos and the link below for photos taken during the feeding inside the shed. For more information please contact: Professor Sankar Sastri C/o Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary 1515 Ridge Road Bangor, PA 18013 U.S.A. Email: sankarl@yahoo.com Tel. No: (610)599 8824; (610) 653 7079 Website: www.cowprotection.com http://www.kamakotidevotees.org/media/misc/cowprotection.wmv
Dear Ami, I visit the Stroutsburg temple often, but have never visited this place. They announced it in one of their functions, and then emailed us the details of this place. I want to visit the place once during Mattu/Kanu pongal and offer prayers there or during one of the weekends. Maybe we can have a meet of all PA/NJ ILites at this place, chant the slokas given by ChitVish, have some snacks from "Ask ChitVish" thread and make a day out of it!! Let us try to meet there sometime. Regards Vidya
Dear Vidya, Count me in, for this place looks so quite and serene away from all the chaotic life that one leads in the city. Thanks for sharing this piece of info. Love,
Dear Mohana and Anjana, Yes, though I haven't gone to the go-shala, I go to Stroutsburg often, and the drive is very scenic. It is close to the Mountain springs lake and the mountains and the lake look very very colorful in Fall time. I am always reminded of Chandamama and Panchatantra tales whenever I visit the place, the scenery is so vivid and powerful. I know there are many places in the North America similar to this, but this makes it extra special because of the spiritual connection. Mohana, sorry, did not mean to exclude CTites.. You are most welcome! Anjana, you have to bring some dish along ( your feedbacks make me hungry.. Just kidding! Regards Vidya
