Author Archives: Admin108

A Most Sacred Place (Album 99 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The famous temple of Trimbakeshwar is situated 25 kilometers from the city of Nashik, in the state Maharashtra. Inside the ancient temple is one of the 12 famous Jyotirlingas, self manifested deities of Lord Siva, found in India. It has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. The Pandavas stayed there for sometime during their exile and Lord Caitanya visited the temple during His tour of South India. While there He bathed in Kusa-varta, a small kunda which is formed from the waters of the Godavari, considered one of India’s most sacred rivers. By the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada we were also able to visit this holy place. While in the temple I prayed to Lord Siva to be kind and grant me eternal residence in Sri Vrindavan Dhama.
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Words of wisdom from Mint Garden (3 min video)
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Bhakti Chaitanya Swami awarded the order of sannyasa today (Feb 21st) to two Iskcon devotees, Dhirashanta dasa from England and Ananda Chaitanya dasa from Lithuania, in Sri Dham Mayapur. Read more ›

The final trip for Manorupa Devi Dasi (Album 62 photos)
Dear Manorupa dd thank you so much for all your wonderful service in Srila Prabhupadas ISKCON. We pray that by the mercy of your Gurus amd the vaishnavas you are happy in your eternal service at t… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir: HH Sacinandana Swami
Narada Muni, knowing well that the Lord would not appear again to him, made a conclusion. “Thus, I began chanting the holy name form of the Lord by repeated recitation, ignoring all of the formalities of the material world. Such chanting and remembering of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord are blessing one and all. In doing so, I travel all over the world, fully satisfied, humble, and unenvious.”
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Hare Krishna! HH Bhakti Charu Swami on HH Tamal Krishna Goswami
Tamal Krishna Maharaj joined Srila Prabhupada in 1968. Srila Prabhupada went to a place where the young Americans were living in the redwood forest near San Francisco. He was so aloof from… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! “Plain Living and High Thinking”: An English Lesson with Srila Prabhupada
Ravindra Svarupa Dasa: Any student of Srila Prabhupada will at once recognize the phrase “plain living and high thinking.” It occurred frequently and memorably in his discourse. It functioned as kind of motto or slogan to epitomize Prabhupada’s vision of a natural spiritual culture, an alternative to our modern, “soul-killing” industrial civilization. Prabhupada had made use of the phrase even before he journeyed to America in 1965.
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Devotees Brave War-Torn Ukraine to Provide “Food For Life”
A brave group of devotees have mounted a Food For Life effort and are preparing enough sanctified vegetarian food, or prasadam, to distribute to 600 to 800 people every day in the war-ravaged city of Donetsk, South-East Ukraine. When Kishora Gopala Das, Yuthesvari Dasi and others at the ISKCON temple in Donetsk – which, fortunately, is not in a dangerous part of the city – saw the situation escalate last year, they wanted to help citizens in affected areas. The city and especially its suburbs were under attack, buildings ruined, and communications damaged. There was no water and electricity, and food was at a shortage.
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Bhaktimarga Swami Hit By A Monk! One swami gave me a slug. Yes, in truth I got hit by a monk in the left brow and cheek. It was not ill-intended. It was an accident but at the time it felt a hard blow. What actually happened is that at the first day of the kirtan mela, the chanting fest, I was making my dance moves during the chant session. Dozens of men were following my lead when Chandramauli Swami comes in to participate. He always gravitates to the place where there’s a beat and a thump and a mantra – I commend him for that. At one point in the kirtan he broke into a wild spin and like a tornado he spun out of control and headed my way. The Maharaja apologetically said, “I stepped out of line, I’m sorry.” And of course, all was done with genuine heart. The incident had all alarmed but the dance persisted and both swamis, he and I, demonstrated a transcendence, if I could say. The hurt subsided and there were no signs of permanent damage. Life goes on, as it should, with the chant in prevalence. I think of the conviction of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, who carried on, despite being knocked over by a horned bull while on the streets in Delhi, and how on his ocean journey on the vessel “The Jaladuta” he encountered two heart attacks, but on the will of persistence, forged ahead with a mission. The apparent blow to my head was minuscule compared to what my guru has done. May the Source be with you!
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Bhagavad Gita Sloka Recitation 09.25-27 by Krishna Singh (3 min video)
Bg 9.25 yanti deva-vrata devan pitrn yanti pitr-vratah bhutani yanti bhutejya yanti mad-yajino ’pi mam
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me.
Bg 9.26 patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati tad aham bhakty-upahrtam asnami prayatatmanah
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.
Bg 9.27 yat karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi dadasi yat yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva mad-arpanam
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform – do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/olh9cK

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Blissful Kirtan Mela Day 5 in Mayapur (Album 14 photos)
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Gaura Purnima Festival Entertainment
This year the Gaura Purnima Festival, Main Pandal Entertainment will be held on February 28, March 1, 2, 3 & 4. The Main Pandal is located near Vamsi Bhavan. There is a number of great acts already booked to perform this year including a new production by BhaktiMarg Swami. Maharaja’s new drama, “Blue Mystic” will play at 7PM on 1st February. If you would like to perform on the main stage or know of a quality act please contact us as soon as possible.
Y.s. Damodara Pandit das
Ph: 8609 364 066
Email: yakdas@Hotmail.com

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More Sannyasis-preachers for Iskcon!
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami will be awarding the order of sannyasa tomorrow(Feb 21st) to two devotees in Sri Dham Mayapur. Dhirashanta dasa from England and Ananda Chaitanya dasa from Lithuania. The ceremony will be broa… Read more ›

Harinama in Hlavni Mesto Praha, Czech Republic (Album 41 photos)
For many years harinams – the color joyous procession of devotees singing the holy name of Krishna accompanied by harmonium, mridangas and karatalas – are inseparable from Prague. This singing represents the yuga-dharma for this age. We go regularly on Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 PM from Obecni dům on Republic Square.
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Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir: HH Niranjana Swami
All of us have gathered to relish the sweet taste of Krishna’s names here in the association of devotees. But as servants of the holy name, we should never try to selfishly relish that sweet taste ourselves. Our duty is to go out and to give it to others. That is the auspiciousness of this event that has been created for all of us to take part in – to go together and to relish these sweet names
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New Altars for Lord Krisha’s Deity is getting ready (Album 38 photos)
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Hare Krishna! Radhanath Swami felicitates Book Distributors at ISKCON Chowpatty
This year we had a successful Book distribution Marathon at ISKCON Chowpatty. This time the highlight was cent percent devotee participation. All devotees – Temple as well as Congregation put up strong efforts to please Srila Prabhupad by distributing his books. Irrespective of their age and gender, right from Gopal Fun school kids to Varishta Vaishnavas (Senior citizens), all went out to distribute Srila Prabhupad books.
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Hare Krishna! Message from the GBC Chairman: 2015 Year of the TOVP!
Srila Prabhupada: “My idea is to attract people of the whole world to Mayapur”. 2015 will be the official year of the TOVP whose purpose is to fulfill this desire of Srila Prabhupada. Watch this new video about the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in High Definition with the messages of GBC Chairman Praghosa prabhu and of TOVP Chairman Ambarisha prabhu. A special TOVP World Tour is now being organized, carrying with it Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s divine lotus shoes and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s sitari (helmet) from the Mayapur Chandodaya Mandir, accompanied by His Grace Jananivas prabhu, His Grace Radha Jivan prabhu, and His Grace Vraja Vilas prabhu. TOVP Chairman Ambarisa prabhu will also be present at many of the programs. The Tour will begin Spring 2015 in North America from March through July.
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Krsna-jivani’s anna-prashna ceremony in Mayapur (Album 56 photos)
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Hare Krishna! No One Can Help You Like You Can
Mahatma Das: A devotee asked Prabhupada for help, saying that he was not able to follow the four rules. Prabhupada looked sternly at him and said, “If you do not follow the regulative principles, then no one can help you’.” Following the practices of Krsna consciousness is the platform from which help comes. It is not that we attract mercy by virtue of the fact that we are so fallen that we can’t follow or don’t try to follow. To think this way only perpetuates the problem. Devotees feel in great need of mercy, not because they are having difficulty following principles or vows, but because they don’t feel they are spiritually advanced and thus need help.
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Sivaratri celebrated in Mayapur (Album 29 photos)
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Hare Krishna! Affcap Meeting With Rajasthan’s Minister Of Cow Protection
Presently, AFFCAP is formulating a proposal for a Pilot Project with the goal of identifying this region’s registered cows. According to Ministry records, there is presently over one and a half million cows officially registered in government programs throughout the State. Of course, the devil is in the detail, but we will report back regarding our success or failure in designing and implementing the Ahimsa Verification Program throughout these first 284 gaushalas.
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Mystical and blissful Kirtan Mela day 3 in sacre Mayapur (Album 18 photos)
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Now available Mayapur Kirtan Mela in 720p High Definition on Livestream.com
(You may need to sign up with Livestream for an account to watch)
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Hare Krishna! ‘‘To raise one soul to Krsna consciousness is counted by Krsna as a very great service, so you do this duty very carefully and Krsna will certainly bestow His blessings upon you.” (Srila Prabhupada letter to Krsna dasi November 2, 1969)
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Hare Krishna! Farewell to uncle Jnanagamya prabhu
A writer, speaker, movie maker and fighter of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON is no more with us. The cremation took place in the all auspicious holy dham Mayapur yesterday the 17th of Feb at the Ganga, while some 150 devotees sang the holy name. His desire to leave his body in Sridham Mayapur was fulfilled and his inspiring association will be greatly missed. A few months ago on the Mayapur Forum there was discussion on devotees getting sick, their health care and death; Jnanagamya prabhu, in his usual combination of utmost sincerity and witty mood, wrote “Do Not Remove from the Dham!
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Hare Krishna! The Book Under My Pillow
One morning in the glittering city of Mumbai, India, a small girl, barely seven years old, woke up without knowing that on that day she would make a journey she had been awaiting for many millions of lifetimes. That afternoon, in 1984, she held her grandfather’s hand and walked into the complex of a gorgeous temple. Under a beautiful clear sky, she beheld sprawling gardens and heard strange yet sweet-sounding chants. She walked around the gardens, holding her grandfather’s hand and looking curiously at every passerby.
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6 Hour Kirtan in the heart of London – Feel Your Heart Smile (Album 7 photos)
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Hare Krishna! Wrestling for Krishna: A Meditation Teacher’s Journey
How inspiration to become a devotee of Krishna came from two unlikely sources: an interest in wrestling, and words from the founder of Transcendental Meditation. As a student, I competed in the sport of wrestling for eight years, from 1963 to 1971, but happiness eluded me. In high school, even when I won the California Interscholastic Federation championship at 123 pounds, I felt strangely empty inside. At the University of California at Berkeley, wrestling was a diversion, but I couldn’t forget the Vietnam War and the countless problems that hung over my generation.
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Hare Krishna! Kirtan mela in Mayapur attracts devotees globally
After sravan utsav, kirtan mela is the next big event happening in Mayapur. Kirtan mela adivas took place on 15th evening. HH Loknath Swami led kirtan. Devotees danced along with kirtan. H… Read more ›

The “source of all strength” revealed!
Bhaktimarga Swami: The best of lunch are the chapatis that are pulled up by way of a device from one floor below. Perhaps these flat-bread circular wonders are offered optimally with and without ghee (clarified butter). We usually lunch in the Lotus Building. Wheat, a chappati’s main ingredient, is not indigenous to the area of Bengal like its’ popular rice – but it is loved. With it, you tear off with right hand a portion of it, and with that, you scoop up almost any or all of the delectables on your plate. It might be the air that touches these chapatis as they ascend from one veranda to the other that enhances the flavour. They come out as soft and tasty fibrous edibles. I know that I couldn’t live without tortillas (similar to the chappati but larger) that hold in place my raw slices of veggies to form a wrap. It’s my morning mainstay. When I see a chapati, whether on a temple kitchen grill, or on a shelf wrapped in a plastic zip-loc bag from an Indian shop, or one that’s handed to me lovingly from my support person on one of my walks – I relish those guys. It can be a labour-intensive ordeal rolling out the dough, transferring it to a grill, and then properly exposing it to a flame. Such is the methodology as executed by an incredible devotional crew, consisting of men and women, who put devotion to the task. I’ve been walking trails in the area with rice paddy field on both sides of me but I have special preference to the wheat fields that produce those delicious chapatis or rotis worthy of being offered to the deity of Krishna with love and devotion. May the Source be with you!
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A New Book: ‘Vanity Karma.’
One of my monk friends, my senior actually, showed up the other day. He came down the trail near the brahmacari kitchen. He has that distinct build, rather thin, and walks with a grave smoothness. Jayadwaita Swami by name, is an American-born early pioneer to Krishna Consciousness in New York. He was glowing in presence when we met after a reasonably long time not having seen each other. Offering a warm smile he stretched his arm to hand me his book, an advanced copy called ‘Vanity Karma.’ “Thank you, Maharaja!” I said with genuine gratitude. I dashed off to my room in order to take that sneak peek. In the forward by Graham M. Schweig, he writes, “‘Vanity Karma’ invites us into an exploration of the meaning of life through deep philosophical reflections and a richly layered dialogue. To do this it places the book of Ecclesiastes (from the Hebrew Bible) in dialogue with the Bhagavad-gita (from the Hindu epic poem the Mahabharata) and we quickly find that this is not only an external dialogue but an inner one as well.” The author, Jayadwaita Swami, talks of his early years at Temple Sinai in New Jersey for Jewish instructions. He relays how the term ‘vanity’ was discussed based on Ecclesiastes and is generally understood as a sort of pride. Upon further deliberation of this word one teacher expressed that it refers more to the meaningless or pointlessness of the world. As Jayadwaita put it, “a man works his whole life, and what does he get for it?” Somehow Jayadwaita gingerly brings the message of the Bhagavad-gita to the fold as a person’s stepping incremental growth to finding life’s rich purpose. I’ve begun reading it. I love it.
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In and Out of the Dust
Bhaktimarga Swami: The two lovely ladies were taking a beating. Mayapura’s two elephants lay there in the dust receiving a kind of massage from the trainer. He takes a burlap sac and strikes the body of each mammal. This included poking the head, neck, and trunk. Vishnupriya and Laksmipriya are the honoured ladies-in-waiting. What are they waiting for? Their morning stroll – of course. But prior to that, their trainers (from Asam), they had their evening sleep followed by the massage. Dust was thrust in the air at each flick of the sac. Elephants are known for their enjoying their dust. When having their afternoon bath, a massive task on the plot of land highly populated by hundreds of banana trees, elephants are known to gather dust with their trunk and toss it over their bodies for cooling purposes. The small group of us walkers, watched the two huge mammals make their way up with trainers on their backs and very resolutely ambled along with a chain affixed to their left ankle. Naturally their trunks snaked in the direction of our extended hands. Snacks seem to be what they always hanker after. Unfortunately we were empty-handed but compensated by offering our own form of massage on their agile hoses. Love is what is being given to the two princesses, Vishnupriya and Laksmipriya. Love is always the ingredient that provides the greatest reassurance. Ultimately, we need only to give this love to the Creator. That translates as bhakti, intense devotion.
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Ecstasy and devotion in Kirtan Mela’s 3rd day in Mayapur! (Album 23 photos)
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Jnanagamya prabhu leaves the material world. (Album 7 photos)
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Hare Krishna! AGM Day 3: GBC discusses Youth Engagement, Visit to TOVP and SMIS School
The third day of the ISKCON GBC’s Annual General Meetings opened with a presentation by Madhavananda Dasa, a member of the ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai. He informed the GBC body of a mega kirtan festival, Chant for a Change, being planned in Jagannath Puri to coincide with the Navakalevara festival wherein the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra are changed once in 16 years. The most unique element of this kirtan festival would be that spiritual leaders and members of the four Vaishnava sampradaya would come together to glorify the names of Lord Krishna. The Chant for a Change festival which is being held in collaboration with the Odisha Tourism is expected to attract nearly 200,000 guests. Anuttama Dasa, GBC Chairman and a member of the Chant for a Change organizing committee, requested the GBC members to bless the initiative.
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Hare Krishna! NASN January 2015 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of November. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
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Hare Krishna! Offering Dandavat: A Nurturing Display of Surrender
Surrender to the Supreme Whole is not an abnegation of will but a willful decision to “respond rightly to the dancing of Krishna” rather than dance independently, as Prabhupada writes in Krishna, Chapter 33. He also says that the whole world is full of Krishna’s singing. Those souls whose every thought, word, and action is like a song and dance in harmony with Krishna achieve ultimate surrender and unlimited spiritual bliss.
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Seminar on stress Management via Yoga & Meditation at Assumption University, Bangkok.
We had a good response for the topic. Nice prasadam was arranged and Books was also sold during the seminar .
Apart from the seminar classes given by Maharaj there was also wonderful dance performance about the story of Lord Narasimha dev by the devotees.

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Scenes from the transcendental and all auspicious event of Kirtan Mela day 1 in Mayapur (Album 25 photos)
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