Author Archives: Dandavats.com

TOVP: The Chatri Peacock Work Continues (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The TOVP has 8 roof top Chatris. Each Chatri will be beautifully ornamented with pillars, cornices, and peacocks. The peacocks have been handcrafted in the Glass fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) Factory. Each Chatri will have 12 peacocks installed above the pillars.
The peacock is a symbol of beauty, prosperity, royalty, love, compassion, soul and peace. It is a magnificent bird that displays it’s beautiful plumage for all to see. Its iridescent plumage is remarkable and stunning. Peacocks are pure of heart. They pair with one mate and are loyal and faithful to their partners. To many, they also symbolise eternal love.
Currently, we are decorating our first Chatri with peacocks. This Chatri is located close to Lord Nrsimha’s Dome.
After we finish nicely decorating this Chatri, we will then do the electrical work. All of the pillars will have lights installed, and thus the peacocks will be illuminated to allow their glorious beauty to shine.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5vjrgc

Harinama in New York city, USA (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, ju…Read More…

The TOVP’s New Hoist (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Recently we have integrated another new Jaypee Hoist into our construction work. This new hoist can very sufficiently lift workers and an abundance of materials together.
It is assisting us and making our construction quicker and easier. It is creating an easy flow for us to lift up an abundance of materials at anytime constantly, without any stoppages. This new hoist has upgraded our construction logistics, and thus has made TOVP high tech.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vS0nZ8

Harinama in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krishna, whic…Read More…

Harinama in a rainy Auckland, New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting the holy name is the chief means of at…Read More…

Find and learn about any ISKCON Center in the world in this new interactive website, the new official directory of ISKCON centers.
To find the center you’re looking for on the website, there are many different options. You can simply type, say, “Spain” into the “What are you looking for?” box on the homepage, and find a list of all the centers in that country accessible through attractive thumbnail photos. Or, you can be more specific, and select “Spain” from the “regions” drop-down menu and “farm” from the “categories menu, and find the New Vrajamandala farm. Other search options include the “Browse categories” menu, where you can go straight to, say, all the Namahatta groups or all the restaurants in ISKCON worldwide. Then there’s “Centers by Region,” where you can go straight to all the centers in a major region of the world, like “Latin America” or “Asia-Pacific.” There’s also “Centers of Interest,” which currently has only “farms” in its drop-down menu, and leads you directly to the GBC Ministry of Agriculture and Cow Protection’s official global directory of all ISKCON farms. Future “Centers of Interest” to be added will include a one-click pathway to all major ISKCON schools.
To learn more about the website: https://goo.gl/F26ukn
To visit the website: https://goo.gl/Jhdzva

Notes of a pilgrim.
Mukhya Devi Dasi (President of Iskcon’s Raman Reti community in Alachua): We’ve spent the past week in the rarefied atmosphere of Sri Vrindavan Dhama, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. ISKCON’s Krishna Balaram Mandir is chock full of life: kirtan, seva and bhakti vibrating from end to end. Just watching the pilgrims stream through during sundara arati and hearing the 24 hour kirtan in full swing begin dancing as they have darshan of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Krishna Balaram and Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar, is an evening activity for us. There is nothing like it in the three worlds. We are charmed and humbled by their natural devotional feelings. Many classes going on from morning to night, in many languages, with many devotees in attendance. There’s even a class for guests that happens right after mangal arati, in an office within the Temple itself.
The holiest of holy tirthas, for me, is here too, Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi, his resting place. His huge murti form emanates a unique expression of compassion, certainly Krishna was guiding the hands of the artist who created this most extraordinary murti. In one form the pure devotee remains within his Samadhi to give mercy to faithful and sincere devotees, and here one can receive inspiration and enthusiasm in his devotional service. Each day after the morning program we leave for parikrama, visiting one or two temples where we can sit and read and chant, before getting into the market for shopping. Some of where we’ve been:
Gopiswara Mahadeva Temple (this linga was installed 5,000 years ago by Lord Krishna’s grandson Vajaranabha) Here we take permission to enter the holy dhama Vamsi Vata (where Krishna called the gopis to dance with Him)
Govindaji Mandir Even after desecration and deterioration, this huge mandir which was originally seven stories high made of huge red sandstone block, intricately carved domes and lattice work screens, seems like an architectural marvel. Somehow they take us right up onto the altar here, then down a secret stairwell to have darshan of an ancient deity of Yogamaya (Krishna’s sister).
Braja Mohan Temple. The deity of Narottam das Thakura, this lovely well maintained, quiet (and monkey proof) spot is one of our favorites. We sit here a while and chant the songs of Narottam das and feel our good fortune. His Holiness Indradyumna Swami gave a donation here to fix up the temple, and they are very nice and personal with us.
Radha Vinode, Radha Gokulanada, deities of Lokanatha Goswami and Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur. We also visits the Samadhi garden here, chant and circumambulate.
Radha Kunda
We did a half day parikrama of Radha Kund with Dina Bandhu prabhu. The only way to go! We really understood why they say only mad dogs go out in the noon day sun, it was painfully hot for us, but Dina Bandhu was cheerfully carrying on, being respectfully and happily greeted by every baba we met.
64 Samadhis, all the major goswamis and preachers of Vrindavan have either a full or a pushpa, nama, or smrita Samadhi here.
Purnamasi Temple. The mother of Sandipani Muni, everyone considered her on all matters, and she made arrangements with Vrinda devi for Radha Krishna’s pastimes. Situated at a corner of Seva Kunj.
Bath in Yamuna, she was very shallow this week, but cool and refreshing nonetheless.
Radha Damodar Temple. “the center of the spiritual world.” The bhajan place of Rupa Goswami, where he would daily hold discourse on Srimad Bhagavatam with the other goswamis and their close associates. Also here is the Govardhan sila of Srila Sanatana Goswami which has the footprint of Lord Krishna impressed upon it. Srila Prabhupada’s rooms are here, beautifully maintained ‘as they were’. We spend extra time here reading aloud Bhagavad Gita, and chanting bhajan.
We were happy for the chance to visit with His Holiness Gunagrahi Swami, who is absorbing himself in kirtan, nice association, hearing-chanting-remembering. We had a nice chat, sharing realizations and memories. Two more days and we leave for the airport on a very very long trek home. Be it ever so humble…I will be very happy to get there.
Everywhere I go I am praying for all the residents of New Raman Reti, may we always stay engaged in service at Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet.

The handwriting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself? (Album with photos)
The Bhaktivedanta Research Centre’s Mission for Manuscripts Team visited the Sripata of Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, Denuda in Bardaman (West Bengal).
On the altar there …

As they walked together under a steel bridge, Prabhupada pointed upward with his walking cane, “Look”-a sign under the bridge read UNALLOYED STEEL-“they have unalloyed steel, and we have unalloyed devotional service.
“What if people don’t want to hear our message?” Pradyumna asked.
“The people might not understand our message, but Krsna will be pleased,” Prabhupada replied. “And that is our mission. They thought Jesus Christ’s mission was stopped. They killed him. But his mission was attained. He preached three years only, but so many followers. He pleased Krsna. We must not be disappointed that no one is hearing Krsna consciousness. We will say it to the moon and stars and all directions. We will cry in the wilderness, because Krsna is everywhere. We want to get a certificate from Krsna that “This man has done something for Me.” Not popularity. If a pack of asses says you are good, what is that? We have to please Krsna’s senses with purified senses.”

Distributing stacks of books! (Album with photos)
Jaya Chaitanya Das distributes stacks of books! See how the #1 book distribut…Read More…

Atma Tattva: In the early ‘80s in Bangalore, I was required to make at least two Life Members a month. I was a bad Life Membership maker and one month I had only ten days left.
I was looking in the telephone directory for Bengali names and I f…

Sunday Love Feast 9/25/16 at Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Mandir – Queens, New York (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glor…Read More…

Harinama at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia – 25 September 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada:…Read More…

Krsnanandini Dasi: On Saturday, September 24, the Cleveland Nama Hatta Program, an affiliate of ISKCON, sponsored a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s coming to the west. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude for the devotees and well-wishers who contributed to the the success of this special event.
Mother Malati joined us with her unique brand of wit, work and wisdom; she shined on our Interfaith Panel and Prayer for Peace section, which was a hit of the celebration. Vrajalila Devi & Ekavira Prabhus just emanated cooperation, intelligence and devotion in their roles of Panel participant and Kirtan leader; Alicia Ambika Dasi Pascal devi, with so much love, along with her beautiful niece Shani, came all the way from New York to dazzle the audience with her BharatNatyam dance.
Sankirtana Prabhu, (Master storyteller, Andy Fraenkel, from New Vrndavan), patiently endured the technical difficulties to present a wonderful audio/visual offering of the Mahabharata and the history of Prabhupada’s contributions and the establishment of ISKCON.
The awesome teamship of the Nama Hatters like Sri Isopanisad, Agni-hotra & Avadhuta, Paurnamasi & Bhakta Mike, Tulasi & Sirrhan, Prashanti, Parvati Dasi, Lilasmaranam, Tariq Prabhu, Akhilananda & Jean, Ganga Sarasvati, Krsna-Jivani, Lola, Turiya, Sowmya and Hari, Mohan Dasabey, Visnu Ziyad, Kat Rasta, Dayal-Nitai, Ganga & Vrajendrananda, Jahanavi and Prasadat Iluvme Devi, Vani & Brahma bhuta, (Radica & Khrishna and Nishant Soni Prabhus were absent but very much present by their support and love) and others like Laksmi (LaToya Kent) who set the tone so effectively with her Yoga demonstration—left the audience marveling at how well everyone cooperated together, with courtesy and eagerness to serve.
The Christian ministers: Pastors C. Jay Matthews (Mt. Sinai Ministries) and James Roberson (Cory United Methodist Church) and the two Imams Akmed Saeed (Masjid Bilal) and Imam Abbas (First Cleveland Mosque) gave some thought-provoking and heart touching responses to our questions about why and how servants of the One God should work together on the Interfaith Panel.
Master Mayo from Northern Wind Martial Arts School had the attentive audience applauding as he and his young son demonstrated some martial arts techniques.
Finally, the extensive, delicious, vegetarian feast and bake sale, prepared and offered with love by AgniHotra Dasi, Kamagiri dasi, Krsnanandini dasi, Lilasmaranam Prabhu, Avadhuta Dasa Kibble Prabhu, Paurnamasi Turkal, Krsna-Jivani Ziyad, Lola Reeder, Indrani Bhattacharya, Sowmya Thirumoorthy and Dayal Nitai (Don Foose)– was relished by all.
“The only thing wrong with the program was that it was not long enough!” Mother Kamagiri
“Everyone left the celebration feeling inspired and happy.” a guest, giving feedback.

This sincere soul, wearing her traditional hijab, stopped everything to read her new Arabic “Perfection of Yoga” in the middle of the popular 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California. The gentlemen to her right, witnessing her excitement in obtaining the book and how fully absorbed she seemed to be in reading it, soon purchased from Nila Madhava Prabhu some of the Arabic and English books for himself. He explained that he had just undergone a major operation and was feeling very morose. But upon seeing the blissful Harinama party and the special effect this little Arabic book was having on this woman, he said he felt an immediate sense of relief and happiness. He knew then and there that he had to find out what was happening here, what was behind all of this…
The FAR EAST • MIDDLE EAST division of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust publishes Srila Prabhupada’s books and other BBT titles in fourteen languages of the Pacific Rim and Middle East for distribution in those regions of the world.
As a new Western outreach initiative, BBT FEME is also developing titles specifically for distribution in the Western world to foreign language speakers living within large foreign residential communities, as well as to the many foreign students studying in Western colleges and universities.
Read more: https://goo.gl/Rho3ON

ISKCON Imphal, Deities, Temple interior and exterior, “function” kitchen – where they cook daily on wood (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: How can we think mundane thoughts and at the same time chant? Two things are happening, and one will conquer. As maya is working to drag you from Krishna consciousness, you can challenge maya by chanting Hare Krishna. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, 3.6.10, Los Angeles 1968).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9rv144

Scenic Shots from the top of the Dome of the TOVP (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Please see these​​ new scenic shots that were taken from the top of the side Dome Kalash. These images we captured when the final measurements on the Kalas…

ISKCON NZ Padayatra Fiji (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: Today we chanted in the outer suburbs of Fiji and distributed hu…Read More…

Plastering on the TOVP (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The beautification of the TOVP is set into full motion now. We are currently plastering all of the TOVP’s outer walls, including the walls under the Domes. Once this is completed we will then install the white marble.
The workers are using our wonderful new hoist to keep their work simple and safe. Using this hoist is a remarkable alternative for scaffolding and is making our construction smarter, more cost efficient, and is saving us time.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oo3dcM

TOVP: Bronze Ornamentation Samples (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Our very creative Manufacturing Process Engineer, Savyasa…Read More…

TOVP: Demigod Sculptors (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: After a year of dedicated work and co -creativity, we are reaching a great milestone in our Art department. The artists have been creating 8 sculptors of chosen demigods and associates of the Lord.
The demigods that we have sculpted are Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Lord Indra, Sri Lakshmii Devi, Manu, and Garuda. Currently we are finishing the last two Vaikuntha associates, Nanda and Sunanda.
Once completed, the sculptors will be placed in Lord Nrsimha’s Dome. The 8 Demigods and the Lord’s associates will fill the circumference on the second gallery level of Lord Nrsimha’s Dome.
They are all in the mood of fear and submission because they have never seen Lord Nrsimha this ferocious. They will be facing Lord Nrsimha because they have come to witness His pastimes and offer their humble obeisances.
After this project is completed, the artists will then begin sculpting the Guru parampara that will go on the leftmost altar in the Main Dome.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/F5wqfl

Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel, 24.09.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Narada Muni, citing a practical example from his…Read More…

Harinamas in London “shake” the city! (6 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: If we simply place ourselves at the lotus feet of Krishna by taking to Krishna consciousness and keeping always in touch with Him by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we need not take much trouble in arranging to return to the spiritual world. By the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this is very easy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.53 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/xucdEL

Scientists claim Saraswati did exist, debunk 5,000-year-old myth.
Prithviraj Singh, Hindustan Times, Dehradun: Scientists at the Dehradun-Based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have debunked established belief that river Saraswati is just a 5,000-year-old myth.
They claimed to have found after extensive research that the river did exist during ancient times, but got buried because of tectonic changes in the Himalayas.
The mythical Saraswati forms the Hindu holy triumvirate along with the Ganga and Yamuna, and the hypothetical confluence of these three rivers in Allahabad is the source of humanity’s biggest gathering every 12 years during the Kumbh Mela.
Scientists said the Saraswati flowed from its origin at Adi Badri in the Shivalik range of Haryana’s Yamunanagar to its meeting point with Chautang river in the plains. This is the course the river followed when it flowed in the Vedic era.
They confirmed that tectonic activities along the Shivalik Himalayas separated the river course from Adi Badri and it was never recharged because of a series of climatic disasters.
The river died eventually. But rainwater collected at scattered hollow locations above the buried river gives proof of Saraswati’s existence and the course it took.
Physical and chemical analysis of nearly 22 samples from a 60-km buried water stream confirmed that of it was indeed the ancient Saraswati, now entombed by five feet of top soil, the scientists said.
Source: https://goo.gl/PpWEgW

5 Things to do Everyday for Happiness.
Ananda Vrindavanesvari Divi Dasi: The ancient teachings of the Vedas say there are 5 things humans can do everyday to be happy. We would say that these are directly connected to an effective spiritual practice. If we understand that life is meant for self-realization then the following 5 support and help us achieve that goal, while being happy along the way.
Here they are:
Get up before the sun
Get clean
Worship the Lord
Give in charity
Receive guests
Get up before the sun – this sounds easy but we all know it can be oh so difficult to pull ourselves from the comfort of the comforter. Planning ahead is the key – this means early to bed, which means turning off screens, which means being determined to value the early morning hours. What’s so good about the time before sunrise? Rise early and you will see!
Get clean – this is not just about teeth and body. This is also about our space. A clean body and a clean space really help control the mind. This is a good thing as the mind, according to the bhakti teachings, is the source of all misery. If cleaning is not your thing, try setting your phone timer for 15mins and do a blitz. You will be amazed how much can be achieved and how good you will feel.
Worship the Lord – whether it’s for 5 minutes or 15 or for a few hours, the absolute best thing to do before anything else is to connect with Krishna. Of course we can do this at anytime during the day, but the tendency is to get busy and forget. Get up, get clean and get absorbed in some worship – in our practice it can be mantra meditation, or offering flowers or incense at an altar, or reading something wonderful about Krishna and His associates.
Give in charity – this is such a nice reminder. It is described that there is a difference in giving to those in need and giving to God, who is not in need. Giving donations to those in need shares our wealth; giving to Krishna acknowledges the source of our wealth and the importance of deepening our relationship with Krishna through our giving. Giving is such a core component of self-realization – giving up, giving away, giving back, but it’s also a complex and nuanced activity. We should reflect on the spiritual call to give and do so in small and big ways every day.
Receive guests – in the traditions of the Vedas, guests are to be treated as good as God. Especially unexpected guests – they are signs of good fortune. No matter if we are at home or at work, we can try to interact with others as if they are guests in our space. Treat them as guests for that moment and be happy in their company. Offer water or some refreshment and kind words. Receive at least one guest into your life every day and be blessed.

The Light of Bhakti.
Varsana Swami: Deeply cherished amongst devotional practices which Kartik inspires, it is essential to sing the beautiful Damodarastakam prayers while offering small individual candles or lamps to the Lord.
Lighting the candle depicts igniting the spirit, the inner flame, to consume the outer wax, or flesh, integrating body and soul as they unite in the luminous and purifying nature of fire.
As Kartik is a time for reaffirming our vows and increasing our service, this offering of fire kindles a spirit of dedication and inspires the heart to burn with a desire for seva. In the luster cast by hearts ablaze, we perceive life in a more wholesome perspective, being reminded again of our true spiritual nature.
In the light of eternity, our daily struggles become increasingly consumed in the burning heart of a greater love. This love never dies but forever shines forth as the light of the world, the effulgence of bhakti, which the rays of the sun represent.
We place our little candles in the sand at Damodara’s lotus feet, and as they flicker and fade, we witness how the luster of His toenails shines on like an endless series of moons glittering in the light of the countless devotees. The endless reflections symbolize the eternal nature of this simple ceremony of offering a small flame to our dear most Lord.

Radhanath Swami and Marci Shimoff on Finding Everlasting Happiness (Album with photos)
Silicon Valley which is a hotbed for innovation for technology, scientific developments, and entrepreneurship, hacked into spirituality for a mindset shift on July 16, 2016, with Bhakti-yoga leader Radhanath Swami and Marci Shimoff, bestselling author of several self-help books including Love for No Reason and Happy for No Reason. Marci Shimoff is also the woman’s face of Chicken Soup for the Soul and is a featured teacher in the international film and book sensation, The Secret.
Held at the Jain Center, the program was cohosted by Bay Area entrepreneurs N. Prameela, Damodar Reddy, Sushant and Namrata Patnaik as well as by Artha Forum, a community dedicated to providing healthy work/life balance and business ethics based on spiritual principles. Around 300 entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and thought leaders attended the event.
During his introduction N.Damodar Reddy, Founder, Chairman and CEO, SutiSoft Inc., shared about Radhanath Swami, “One thing that stands out with all my conversations with Swamii is that it’s all about finding love within your own heart. And that is the essence of Bhakti-yoga.”
The event began with a mesmerizing flute recital by the Director of Digital Commerce at Adobe Prasad Bhandarkar and his son Kunal. This created a mood of tranquility for the evening.
Marci Shimoff spoke briefly about finding happiness in a world plagued by sorrow and gloom. Sharing her personal story about finding happiness she said, “Since childhood, I had existential angst. In June 1998, I had three books on NYT bestseller list. I felt like an author rock star. But I burst into tears. I couldn’t convince myself to believe to be happy. After a lot of interviews with people who practice spirituality and happiness, I realized being joyful is not dependent on external circumstances.”
Radhanath Swami began his talk by explaining the aphorism “annada mayo ‘bhyasat”. “We are all seeking happiness. From the cockroach on the kitchen counter to a Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Everyone is trying to avoid what interferes with their happiness. This question leads to the very basis of spirituality – Who Am I?” said Swami.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fWsjqU

TOVP: The First Cornice is Installed (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: We have reached a new level of work in our external ornamentation of the TOVP. On Saturday September 24, 2016 we installed our first decorative cornice. The cornice was installed above a pillar’s capitol.
We are decorating the outside of the temple in a systematic order. We work on one section at a time on one level that goes around the whole temple. Once the pattern is completed, we then move up vertically to the next section. We will do this until the whole outside of the temple is decorated from the top to the bottom.
Thus, the entire outer circumference of the TOVP will be decorated with cornices in a linear fashion. Once this is complete, we will then go up above the cornice to the next level of white marble and sandstone work. On that new level, then the same white marble and sandstone pattern that was applied before will be repeated in the new location.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/p3XebP

Preaching program in Kiev, Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma (Supersoul) in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.2.17)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tZb80P

Glastonbury Rathayatra, UK – 25th September 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The tapasya of chanting and glorifying t…Read More…

Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia – Harinam Sankirtan @ China town (Petaling street) on 24/09/16 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “For one who wants liberation from the fruitive reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, or glorification of the name, fame and pastimes of the Lord, is recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such chanting eradicates the dirt from one’s heart completely.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.12).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/CcbEyk

TOVP: The Kalash Frame on the Small Dome is Complete (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The work on the Dome Kalashes is progressing very successfully. Currently, one of the engineers from Moscow, Russia, Yurii Tereshkov, is here to assist us with perfecting the measurements and dimensions of our TOVP Kalashes.
Each of the side Domes Kalash frames are layered in 3 sections. On Sunday September 25, 2016 we installed the topmost section (Layer 3) of the Kalash frame onto the Planetarium Wing Dome. The stainless steel section was lifted with a crane to the top of the Dome.
Next, we will lift and install the topmost section (Layer 3) of the Kalash Frame onto Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Dome. Then Yurii and other TOVP engineers will personally climb into the Kalash frames to measure the dimensions. From those measurements they will perfect and finalize the dimensions that will be required to construct the titanium nitrate coverings in Moscow.
After the measurements are finalized here in Mayapur, the engineers in Moscow then may begin the official construction of the Kalash outer shell coverings. We are now moving full speed into this wonderful construction project.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MRHOvX

Ratha Yatra in Philadelphia, USA (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The process of chanting the holy name of the Lord is al…Read More…

KK Bindu #384: With first time translation of a little known song describing Lord Gauranga going to battle.
CONTENTS INCLUDE: * CHILDREN AND KRISHNA BHAKTI – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gives instructions to some of his disciples.
* FLOWING WATER AND MOVING SADHUS – Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami. Maharaja speaks of the only business for saintly persons.
* REMEMBERING KRISHNA – A fresh translation done especially for this issue of Bindu from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Bhakti-sandarbha speaking about different levels of remembrance of the Lord.
* GAURA GOES TO BATTLE – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu of a little known medieval Bengali song.
* EVEN WHEN REJECTED BY THE REJECTED – Another fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam.
This issue can be downloaded here:
https://archive.org/details/bindu384

Saturday Night Harinam London (24th Sept 2016) (5 min video)
Following are three predictions made by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur:
1. “A personality will soon appear and he will travel all over the world to spread the teachings of Lord Caitanya.”
Jaya Srila Prabhupada !!!
2. “Very soon the chanting of Harinama sankirtana will be spread all over the world. The day will come when people from America, England, France, Germany, Russia will take up karatals and mrdangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns.”
Jaya Srila Prabhupada !!!
3. “The day will come when the fair-skinned foreigners will come to Sri Mayapur Dham and will join the Bengali Vaisnavas to chant “Jaya Shachinandan, Jaya Shachinandan”.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada !!!
All of these wonderful predictions have come to pass due to the determination and spiritual purity of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
At the start of the following video clip you will see a blonde lady join in the Kirtan in China Town. Nothing unusual about that. It happens every week, maybe not always a blonde – but members of the public spontaneously join in every week. What is really unusual about this particular video is that shortly after you will see two young Chinese girls approach the Kirtan Party with the clear intent of joining in the fun. The result is that very quickly you will see an English lady dancing away merrily with one of the Chinese girls. I think if you had asked either of them earlier in the day if they thought that before the day was out they would be dancing merrily in such a way in China Town neither of them would have believed it.
The Holy Names are so powerfully attractive that these kind of things are happening everyday all over the world were the Samkirtan Parties regularly go out.
To all the followers of Srila Bhaktivinoda, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada, please take up the challenge of taking the Holy Names out on to the streets. Practically everyone in this movement has been out on Harinam. Remember how blissful it is and try to make it happen again for our own ETERNAL benefit and for the eternal benefit of all human kind
Param Vijayate Sri Krsna Samkirtanam
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada !!!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/awhCsZ

Harinama in Suva, Fiji’s capital (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: Today we arrived in Suva the capital city
of Fiji and Jaya Ram Prabhu the Temple president greeted us very nicely and we all went out on Harinam for the joy of the local people.
Harinam Sankirtan is always the winner!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hSpmUe

Hare Krishna festival in Borehamwood, UK.
Hundreds are expected to attend the upcoming Hare Krishna festival next Friday.
Next week the Hare Krishna festival will be held at the Fairway Hall, in Brook Close, Borehamwood at 7pm with live music, dance and vegetarian food and is open to the public.
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and local members of the Hare Krishna movement have teamed up to invite the public to the festivities.
Giridhari Das, a Hare Krishna monk who heads the UK festival team, said: “Probably best known from the Glastonbury Music Festival or for singing in the streets of central London, as the Hare Krishna Festival team we tend to appear all over the place. Whether local carnivals, theatres or town halls we like to be with the people.”
The Hare Krishna Movement follows ancient teachings of devotional yoga with roots in the Vedic culture of India, dating back more than 5,000 years.
It became popular in the 1960’s when its message was brought to western countries by A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada – an Indian guru, aged 70, who left Vrindavan, India, and set sail for the United States in 1965 with just a few dollars in his pocket.
Within a year of his arrival he set up ISKCON, and today the movement has more than 700 temples and centres worldwide, including 60 farm communities, 50 schools and 90 restaurants.
The Borehamwood festival, and other festivals across the UK this year, is part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Hare Krishna movement.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Aldenham, has been a spiritual retreat for thousands ever since it opened in 1973.
Nathan Hartley, who looks after PR & Communications at ISKCON Festivals, said: “Our philosophy is very rich and attractive to many people. In a world that’s becoming increasingly competitive, and has people believing they will only be happy through material gain, we are showing a deeply positive alternative.
“The Krishna Consciousness message is for everyone. A universal, non-sectarian message of love, simple living, service and above all – connecting the self with the original spiritual source, Krishna.”

“Here is a real saint.”
Bhutatma das: I had made friends with a noted religious scholar, Mark Juergensmeyer, one of the professors in the Religious Studies Department at Berkeley University.
I asked him, “What do you think about having a program with Srila Prabhupada and some of the faculty?”
Juergensmeyer was enthusiastic and one of the people he invited was Dr. Staal, who had already had scholarly exchanges with Prabhupada about chanting the mahamantra. That exchange was printed as a brochure that we distributed to validate the scholarly nature of our movement. Dr. Staal was already well known to devotees.
Twenty or twenty-five faculty members plus their wives attended, quite a big turnout for that kind of group. They were interested to meet Prabhupada because of the history behind our movement. We set up a room and put a vyasasana on top of a table, which I think seemed a little pretentious to them—a colorful, big chair with peacocks on it so high up that the base of it was head height for them. Some of them seemed to question the appropriateness of this arrangement. When Prabhupada arrived, I accompanied him to the building saying, “Prabhupada, it’s an old building, but …” He said, “We don’t care, old or new, the building doesn’t matter.” The entrance to the room was from the back—the people were facing the other way. I held the door and Prabhupada walked in, and as everyone turned around I saw their expression. The moment they saw him, such a transcendent figure dressed in saffron that the little subtle edge melted away. Their sense of someone pretentious or pompous was eliminated, and they sensed, “Here is a real saint.” Prabhupada was pleased by the turnout and he smiled and got on the vyasasana very naturally—”Yes, I do belong here, I’m representing Vyasa.“ He spoke not about Radha Krishna but about Vedic and brahminical culture. Pradyumna, Svarupa Damodar and I sat on the side. After the talk one of the professors asked, “You are interested in making people brahmans and bringing the brahminical culture to the West. What about your followers here, are they brahmans?” I wondered what Prabhupada would say because we were not really brahmans. But Prabhupada handled it adeptly. Prabhupada said, “They are trying to become brahmans,” with a tone that said we weren’t struggling vainly but we were going to be successful, we were on the path. It disarmed the challenge and gave us the appropriate status that we were sincere and we were following the correct process, even though we may still be conditioned by the modes of passion and ignorance. Prabhupada also had a little exchange with Dr. Staal. He said, “I see the illustrious Dr. Staal is here.” Of course that flattery made Dr. Staal happy. Every time I saw Prabhupada interact with anyone, the common theme was that Prabhupada was completely in command, not by dint of assertiveness, but because on some level everyone knew he was a bona fide representative of God. Prabhupada never had a trace of lack of confidence. Neither did he have any hubris or pride. Prabhupada had that overwhelming sense of self-confidence that comes when one’s self-realized. Everyone at this scholarly gathering sensed that. After we left the meeting Prabhupada said to me, “This was an important meeting,” because he had met scholars and had established the credibility of our movement. And later one of the scholars told me, “I was a little skeptical in the beginning. I thought, ‘Maybe this will be some kind of elderly Bengali brahman who is caste conscious,’ but after I heard him speak I understood that this person was someone very special.” That comment confirmed what I had perceived that evening. —Bhutatma . . Excerpt from “Memories-Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint” by Siddhanta das

Kitchri For 1000 People Yesterday In Salem, Tamil Nadu 🙂
This is our new bronze pot 🙂 It’s weight is 1090 kg and capacity is 1350 liters…price..almost 8 lakhs..

Nigeria, Nanda Gram Temple – Journalists Interview HH Kavicandra Swami.
Mahavrata Devi Dasi: Maharaja spoke on the need for Ni…Read More…