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Prabhupada arrived at Jan Smuts Airport, Johannesburg

Riddha Dasa : On October 14th, 1975, Prabhupada arrived at Jan Smuts Airport, Johannesburg, at midday. The welcome at the airport was much more relaxed than on his arrival in Durban. Prabhupada flew from Durban on a domestic flight with South African Airways, accompanied by Pushta Krishna Swami on one side and Harikesa on the other. A proud Mr Rasikbhai Parekh and friend greeted Prabhupada with a beautiful garland and walked by his side. Ramanujacarya led a chanting party that included Rocani, Bhaktin Gail and Bhakta Mike, while I scattered flower petals before Srila Prabhupada’s path.

As Srila Prabhupada was walking through the terminal, two young hippies appeared and prostrated themselves on the floor before His Divine Grace. Although I had no idea who they were, they evidently acted in all humility. Most likely they had read some of Prabhupada’s books and knew us from our former ISKCON center in Cape Town years before.



Reference: Mission in the service of His Divine Grace - Riddha Dasa Adhikari