Support for Indira: Longtime Lake Shrine Devotee

Longtime Lake Shrine devotee and volunteer Indira Gauri had to evacuate her apartment near Lake Shrine due to the Palisades fire and is waiting to hear what the extent of the damage is to her home and possessions. All the funds collected will be deposited directly from GoFundMe into Indira’s bank account to help cover needs not met by other sources of aid.

Here is Indira’s story in her own words:

I have been a Lake Shrine devotee since 1979. The Northridge Earthquake of 1994 saw me leave my damaged house and move to a building across the street from Lake Shrine with a trillion dollar view of the Windmill Chapel, Master's houseboat, Lord Krishna, and Christ Jesus atop the waterfall. If I were to take a long leap from my balcony, I could actually swim with the swans in the lake!

Over the years at Lake Shrine, I’ve served as the entertainment coordinator, as a member of the cleaning committee, and also as a Sunday School teacher. Before I moved close to Lake Shrine in 1994, I used to visit Lake Shrine three times a week, a drive that took about an hour one way. I would go there to attend services on Thursdays, polish brass at the gift shop, dust and vacuum the Windmill Chapel on Saturdays, and attend the 9:00am service and teach Sunday school at 11:00am on Sundays.

As entertainment coordinator, I used to arrange classical Indian dance concerts. Once, the sister-in-law of Ravi Shankar, the late Lakshmi Shankar, honored us with her presence by acting as playback singer for a Bhrata Natyam performance. Lord Shiva is considered to be the King of this style of dance.

On the work front, I have been a faculty member at an online university for over a decade and a half. The third week of my five-week course had just begun at midnight on January 7. I was ready to take a neighbor to her doctor at around 11:00am, when I heard my landline phone and cell phone ring repeatedly with the announcement to evacuate immediately. My neighbor found an acquaintance to stay with. There was hardly any time to prepare or pack. Since I was already dressed, I left with nothing but my clothes that I had on, my phone, and purse. A concerned devotee friend made a motel reservation for me in Orange County. I have been staying there since.

Because of this sudden chaotic development, I had to bow out of teaching my class, which was promptly assigned to another instructor. I have been constantly on the phone with FEMA for help, and with my medical insurance and pharmacies for prescriptions, as I left mine at home in a hurry.

I do not know the condition of my apartment yet, as no one is allowed on the premises due to mandatory evacuation being still in effect. All I know is that my building is still standing. For this, I am indebted to Master and Divine Mother for incarnations to come.

In the midst of this turmoil and uncertainty, I am safe and calm, surrendering completely to God and Guru. Your generosity will help me bridge the gap between what once was and the new normal yet to come. I am grateful beyond measure.