Srila Prabhupada departed from this world in Vrindavan dham, India, on the 14th of November 1977. One would not usually celebrate the disappearance day of a person, especially one so loved and revered as Srila Prabhupada. However, the departure of a pure Vaishnava gives cause for jubilation because he returns to his eternal service at Krishna's lotus feet in Goloka Vrindavan, the spiritual world.

"He reasons ill who says that Vaisnavas die,
When thou art living still in sound!
The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try
To spread the holy name around."
(Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur)

Although Srila Prabhupada is no longer physically with us, on the spiritual platform he is very much present. He is present in his deity form, in his books and through his instructions. His mercy is available to all those who seek it.