I write to applaud the executives of the NY Guyanese-based Shri Bhuvaneshwar Mandir for honoring the late Shri Prakash Gossai with the establishment of a mini-museum at the mandir in tribute to their fallen leader.  Gossai passed away in late June in Florida following a massive heart attack.

A mini-museum dedicated to the popular bhajan singer is most appropriate and was welcomed by the large congregation at the mandir. Gossai was enormously popular among Hindus.  Even non-Hindus got to like his singing and interpretation of the scriptures.  They came flocking to his discourses. And at a seven nights discourse on the Ramayana in Queens last week, worshippers talked about how they miss him.  No one could interpret the holy books as he did relating them to present day life and that was evident by the quality of presentations from the pandits who graced the Ramayana in the Park in Richmond Hill.

The museum is a gift by the mandir’s members to Gossai for his long years of service to the mandir and to humanity. In the museum are displayed personal paraphernalia belonging to the late guru including copies of his CDs, tapes, Ramayana, Gita, and other holy books.  One can actually see the belongings and holdings that were once used by Gossai.

In dedicating the museum to him, special Ganga and Lord Krishna Poojas were conducted for Gossai’s soul.  Services were presided over by Pandit Manoj who was trained by Prakash.

The mandir has also put on display on the first floor two beautiful life size cardboard portraits of Prakash sitting cross legged in the chanting (pandit) mode.  These portraits were donated by supporters of the late Pandit.

The executives of the Bhuvaneshwar mandir expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed in making the museum a reality and those who assisted in the construction of the portraits.
VISHNU BISRAM