DALTON — Rather than becoming the main course at a Thanksgiving dinner, animals were instead offered a meal at the seventh annual Thanksliving Nov. 2 at the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. Turkeys and chickens enjoyed a feast on a table filled with plates of greens, pumpkin purees and cranberries donated by the community.

“Every year at this time of year, we like to usher in the holiday season with gratitude and compassion for all life,” said Indra Lahiri, founder of the sanctuary. “And that’s what today is all about. It’s an opportunity for us to give thanks for the animals and all that they have taught us and all that they give us.”

“Indraloka,” which means “heaven on earth,” provides a safe haven for animals who have found themselves in abusive neglectful or other situations.

“They (animals) stay with us for the rest of their natural lives, and that’s where the word ‘sanctuary’ comes from,” said Lahiri. “We want to give them safe haven.”

This year’s Thanksliving was held at Indraloka’s (formerly in Mehoopany) new farm in Dalton for the second time. This spacious location is just under 100 acres, which offers more room to adopt more animals and is also more accessible since it’s closer to the highway.

“We wanted to make ourselves really easy for the schools and the kids to get to,” said Lahiri.

Naturalist Mike Freidlin took the guests around the sanctuary, teaching them about the nature of it.

The barn, which houses the sheep, was sponsored by the Tal family. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing took place in front of it on the day of Thanksliving. Bhante Kottawe Nanda, head monk of Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in Riverhead, NY, performed a blessing of the barn.

“When you save a life, you are expanding your life,” he said.

The sanctuary also has an Art Barn, which has drawings and photos of the animals on its walls. It replaced last year’s tent as a place for human guests to enjoy a meal. Parlor City Vegan, an experimental vegan cafe in Binghamton, NY, provided a fall harvest lunch with entrees of harvest pumpkin curry and roasted stuff seitan with sides of mashed potatoes and Thai peanut salad.

Raffles and a silent auction were held inside another barn, which will soon be used for classrooms and a meditation and yoga studio.

Thanksliving featured celebrity hosts, who held an auction to get volunteers to spring for things needed at the sanctuary, including hay shed, auto waterers, water coolers and a heating and cooling system in the infirmary. Celebrity hosts included news anchors Paola Giangiacomo of Fox News and Mark Hiller of Eyewitness News, who both also attended last year.

Actress, model and producer Gianna Simone, who appeared in feature films such as “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “I Can Only Imagine,” came to the Thanksliving event. She is founder of the Gianna Simone Foundation, which provides rescue and support to abused and neglected people and animals.

“I think animals are totally unconditional love without reservation,” she said. “Thy love without fear, without anything holding them back. They are all encompassing forgiveness and I believe that’s what Indra and Johnny (creative director Johnny Braz) are doing with this farm sanctuary in mirroring back to the animals the unconditional love they can’t help but give us.”

Dotsie Bausch, Olympic silver medal cyclist from the 2012 London Games, was also a celebrity host. Artist/writer Isa Leshko had a rap session and book signing for her book called “Allowed to Grow Old, Portraits of Elderly Rescued Farm Animals,” which features photographs of the animals she took when she visited the sanctuary in 2015.

“I visited numerous sanctuaries and Indraloka, though, has such a special place in my heart,” she said. “There is a sense of love and spirituality that guides everything that is done here and a sense of extending a circle of compassion to everyone not just the animals.”

Bhante Kottawe Nanda, head monk of Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in Riverhead, NY, gives a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony as Indra Lahiri, founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, looks on.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_20191102_114328.jpg.optimal.jpgBhante Kottawe Nanda, head monk of Long Island Buddhist Meditation Center in Riverhead, NY, gives a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony as Indra Lahiri, founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, looks on. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Musicians Jillian Hannigan, left, flautist, and Mark Woodyat, violinist, perform on piles of wood which will be used for fences.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_20191102_115740.jpg.optimal.jpgMusicians Jillian Hannigan, left, flautist, and Mark Woodyat, violinist, perform on piles of wood which will be used for fences. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Actress/producer Gianna Simone speaks with Indraloka founder Indra Lahiri, left, before the feast for the animals.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_20191102_115947.jpg.optimal.jpgActress/producer Gianna Simone speaks with Indraloka founder Indra Lahiri, left, before the feast for the animals. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Guests gather around to watch chickens and turkeys enjoy their meal.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_20191102_120802.jpg.optimal.jpgGuests gather around to watch chickens and turkeys enjoy their meal. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Animals gobble down greens and pumpkin purees.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_20191102_120815.jpg.optimal.jpgAnimals gobble down greens and pumpkin purees. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Guests eat and mingle inside Indraloka Animal Sanctuary’s Art Barn.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_20191102_123158-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgGuests eat and mingle inside Indraloka Animal Sanctuary’s Art Barn. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Event at Indraloka treats animals

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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