Author Archives: Admin108

Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California Read more ›

The waterproofing is being taken to the next level, the rainwater pipes are now being installed. They function to allow the surplus liquid from the dome to pour off and prevent water damage. The building is being protected against water seepage on any level and it will be perfectly sealed against moisture. These pipes will be spread across the dome in many locations for maximum efficiency. The HDPE pipes being used are of the highest quality to ensure that they will last at least 100 years. Read more ›

With Sivarama Swami. Read more ›

Glimpses of Ratha Yatra 2014 Heidelberg, Germany! Read more ›

Mukhya devi dasi: Congratulations to the students of the Bhaktivedanta Academy on the completion of their school year. I attended their closing ceremonies last Friday and was overwhelmed by the love and dedication of the teaching staff, the joy of the children and seeing just how much Krishna consciousness they were all learning. The middle school students have learned every verse of the Sri Gurv-astaka prayers in Sanskrit and English and each student chanted perfectly one verse for the ceremonies. Even among mundane education systems it is so rare to get the kind of personal input that our teachers at BANA give their students, what to speak of combining that kind of care with Vedic knowledge and understanding. All glories to the parents who sacrifice their time helping this school thrive and their income sending their children for this very specialized spiritual education. It is all paying off producing a generation of devotees who are powerful and intelligent in ways we have not yet seen. Read more ›

900 hundred people got prasadam, on each of these days.

One young man Kerim, member of “Crisis stuff Nemila”, helped devotees in all the places, he even distributed prasadam by himself. Therefore, devotees invited him to our Sunday feast and he came. He associated with devotees, heard Madhukanta prabhu’s lecture about glories of Krsna prasadam, received Srila Prabhupada’s book and box of maha prasadam, he danced in kirtan and stayed overnight in our temple.
Our Hungarian friends, who served tirelessly for 10 days, went back home on Monday. They even refused our offer to show them Baščaršija (Old Sarajevo) and around the city, explaining that they came only to do service.
Serving together in FFL was very deep and emotional experience for all of us, and we sincerely hope that they will come back soon.

FFL Phase 1 was a marathon for many enthusiastic devotees who took part.
They served tirelessly from 5 am until 10 pm for 15 days!
6000 people got prasadam in total for this phase 1 of our prasadam distribution!
We will take a short break to reorganize and continue very soon! Please keep supporting, donating, offering your services for phase 2.
Stay tuned, FFL Bosnia is coming back soon! Read more ›

Taken in Poway, California Read more ›

Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparä system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher or one who is killing his own self? SB 10.1.4 Read more ›

With Niranjana Swami and Prithu Prabhu. Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Äryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required. SB 3.33.7 Read more ›

Vaiyasaki Das & the Kirtan Explosion Band: We didn’t have time to catch our breath during a blissful kirtan-packed tour throughout beautiful Bulgaria. Our tour took us to Sofia, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevrad, and Pernik, for 15 kirtans in two weeks. We were also interviewed in a radio station, and made beautiful friends all over the country.

“The holy name of Krishna is a transcendental wish-fulfilling gem. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself. It is the personification of divine mellow and the fountainhead of all pleasure. The holy name of Krishna is eternally liberated and spiritual. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are non-different.” -Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.223 Read more ›

Bhaktivedanta Academy is a Montessori school rooted in the rich spiritual traditions and culture of ancient India. Our founder and namesake, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, believed that children who are given a well-rounded education that includes a foundation in the practices of bhakti, or devotion to God, will be fully prepared to make lasting and meaningful contributions to our world. He had a vision for a truly twenty-first century education, which we offer. Read more ›

When donors give money to someone, their own reserve of money decreases. If they are religious, the knowledge that they have gained pious credits solaces them. Still, the sense of loss at the immediate, practical level may nag.

Such nags are much lesser in charity of knowledge. Those who teach something to others often find their own understanding of that subject enhanced by teaching it. Still, if the possession of that knowledge is the qualification for some material position, then the transmission of that knowledge to another person may bring some insecurity: “What if this person usurps me?” Read more ›

Maha Harinama at Venice Beach in Los Angeles during the Srila Prabhupada Festival 2014 Read more ›

It has become a routine for devotees in Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur to take part in the monthly harinama palanquin procession. Originally started with a few people now it has become lika a small ratha yatra in the nook and corners of Kuala Lumpur and Klang valley. The enthusiasm of devotees to participate and distribute the Holy name is ever increasing. On 31 May 2014 devotees headed by H G Krishna Chandra prabhu went out on harinama at Taman Teratai, Sungai Choh, Rawang which is a one hour drive from the city. Harinam was well appreciated and accepted by the residents. Needless to say it was the first ever harinama at this area.116 residents offered archana to their Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. 58 books were distributed and 123 chanting beads were given out along with the mantra cards. Devotees made sure to make those who bought the beads to chant at least once the Hare Krsna mahamantra. 300 full meal prasadam was also distributed in the locality. Harinama went on for almost 5 hours with devotees tirelessly chanting until 10:30pm. Sumptuous prasadam was served to all the devotees at the end. Everyone returned home with the satisfaction of getting an opportunity to be part of the Sankirtana movement once again.
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In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions. SB 11.5.32 Read more ›

Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Tretä-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dväpara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. SB 12.3.52 Read more ›

Why Worship Nitai-Gaura Deities at Home?
Srila Prabhupada says: “Irregularity in worshipping Guru and Gauranga can be tolerated, as They are always kind and forgiving, but irregularity in worshipping Lord Jagannath and Sri Sri Radha-Krishna is not good.” Srila Prabhupada letter to Karandhara das, 19th September, 1970)
“Lord Chaitanya is very kind and He accepts the simplest worship or sincere chanting of the holy name of Krishna.” Srila Prabhupada letter to Sridhama das, 8th July, 1970) Read more ›

My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom. SB 12.3.51 Read more ›

New Godruma Dham, Iskcon Lithuania Read more ›

With Radhanath Swami. Read more ›

Thousands of people get the mercy in a crowded Rome while the devotees of Krishna chant and dance happily with enthusiasm and bliss! Read more ›

Several local people came running towards our car. We saw the completely surprised looks on their faces. They inquired if we were all fine and went on to say, . “Your god is great, Oh my god! We cannot believe this. We saw how the car was spinning and landed crashing into the drain. We thought you guys are finished. But not even a scratch? Uhhhh!”
In less than a minute, out of nowhere, a tow truck arrived at the scene! It was middle of the night, somewhere at the outskirts of the city, in Accra and a tow truck appearing in less than a minute? Yes, totally unbelievable! Read more ›

O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge. SB 2.1.11 Read more ›

900 people got prasadam-cooked meal as well as sandwiches and apples, each day. Devotees come to a village, place their table on the street and invite everyone.
Our devotees tirelessly serve from 5:30 am until 10pm every day for the last 15 days. Read more ›

There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when Your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless. SB 8.23.16 Read more ›

My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the sankirtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously. SB 6.3.31 Read more ›

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Simply because I chanted the holy name of the Lord in the association of devotees, my heart is now becoming purified. Therefore I shall not fall victim again to the false lures of material sense gratification. Now that I have become fixed in the Absolute Truth, henceforward I shall not identify myself with the body. I shall give up false conceptions of “I” and “mine” and fix my mind on the lotus feet of Krishna. SB 6.2.38 Read more ›

Therefore it should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions by chanting the holy name of the Lord and chanting of His qualities and activities. This is the only process recommended for relief from sinful reactions. Even if one chants the holy name of the Lord with improper pronunciation, he will achieve relief from material bondage if he chants without offenses. Ajämila, for example, was extremely sinful, but while dying he merely chanted the holy name, and although calling his son, he achieved complete liberation because he remembered the name of Näräyaëa. SB 6.3.24 Read more ›

In the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, near Durbuy, lies the fairytale castle of Petite Somme. The castle has a long history which now houses the spiritual community, Radhadesh Ardennes. The new residents have thoroughly restored the castle and transformed it into a true spiritual oasis where you can explore the colorful culture of the Indian traditions. The castle is now one of the main attractions of the Ardennes and is open to visitors every day. Read more ›

The prospect of inaugurating the 2014 art exhibits at MOSA with such outstanding, accomplished artists as Shobha Broota, Raghupati Bhat, and Poosapati Parameshwar Raju fills me with profound joy.

MOSA’s goal is to bridge the cultural divide between India and Europe and between material and spiritual life. Art is a perfect medium to do so, and we hope that many Europeans will discover the excellent Indian artists who try to convey a spiritual message. We are convinced that MOSA’s visitors will come to appreciate and enjoy the currently exhibited work of all three artists. Read more ›

If you have gradually made progress in chanting a fixed number of rounds each day, studied Srila Prabhupada’s books and given up your unwanted habits, there’s a good chance that you managed to do it with help from other devotees. Perhaps you have some good friends who have always encouraged you; maybe you belong to a group that meets regularly for kirtana and discussion, or perhaps you have the help of a senior devotee who guides you. Whoever helped you this far in your spiritual life is going to be even more important to you after you become initiated. At the time of initiation you will be making lifetime vows that you will be expected to keep. You’ll also be promising to continue to make spiritual advancement just as seriously as you’ve been doing up until now. In order to be successful, you will need various types of help. Firstly, you will need solid, supportive friendships with other devotees who can offer you moral and sometimes practical help. They should be sympathetic to your efforts in spiritual life, and ready to discuss the philosophy and how it applies to their own life. Preferably they should be open and honest and ready to offer you constructive criticism if they feel you need to hear it. Read more ›

Sometimes some nasty images come in our mind and make us feel appalled at ourselves: “What kind of devotee am I to be thinking such things? Is there any point to my practice of bhakti?” Yes, there is – the point is that our bhakti practice has enabled us to recognize the images as an unwelcome impurity, not as a welcome opportunity for a free show in our mental studio.

The mind is like a software program that records and replays especially those things that have excited some emotion within us. So, in response to our default search for pleasure, the mind periodically replays the impressions of the things we enjoyed in our pre-devotional life. Read more ›

900 people got prasadam-mercy in the form of cooked warm meal (beans, salad, bread and cookies) or in the form of sandwiches and apples. Devotees traveled for 2 hours, then done their distribution until 5pm.
Devotees also visited one new place called Kahrimani, where people from destroyed village Željezno polje are placed now.
They are so thankful, that some of them picked flowers from their gardens and offered those to devotees, who will offer those flowers to Krishna :).
Exhausting day ended happily in our temple with lunch and later with an amazing and very inspiring lecture given by our dear guest Madhukanta prabhu . Read more ›

We are happy to announce the successful test landing of Mayapur’s helicopter service today at 12.10pm. Captain Malhotra of Pawan Hans, along with Mr. Virendra Singh, Chief of Airport Operations – Durgapur Airport of West Bengal, were received with a warm Vaisnava welcome by the Deputy directors and managers of Mayapur. According to Captain Malhotra the landing was satisfactory, and he was optimistic about the future services of Helicopter to Mayapur.

The officials then greeted the deities, and received the blessing of their Lordship. They were then served delicious prasadam in our VIP lounge. They then departed for their onward journey to Durgapur.

It was Srila Prabhupada’s divine desire to get Sri Mayapur connected by air. Since March 2013, efforts have been in place to fulfill this desire, but by the blessings of Guru and Gauranga the first step has manifested today. With the blessing and prayer of all the vaishnavas, very soon a regular service between Kolkata and Mayapur will commence.

More details of the service will be given once they are finalized. Read more ›

Indradyumna Swami: Another talented photographer, Damodar-rati dasa, provides us with more beautiful photos of last weeks Sadhu Sanga Retreat. The festival has become the ‘talk of the town.’ The association was stellar, the chanting of the holy names out of this world and the prasadam something to remember. [ All photos from Dennis Sher Photography ] Read more ›

With Bhakti Raghava Swami. Read more ›

Banuyo, Makati City, Philippines Read more ›

Barnaul is a city and the administrative center of Altai Krai, Russia, located on the Ob River. Read more ›

What may seem like noise to many alarmed visitors is a symphony of sound to the team of individuals behind the construction. Indeed, photographers are always being sent to capture images of the TOVP’s ongoing development. The latest album will not disappoint. Read more ›