Author Archives: Dandavats.com

Iskcon of Silicon Valley – Janmashtami – 2016 (Album with…
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Iskcon of Silicon Valley – Janmashtami – 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna mantra is specifically mentioned in many Upanisads, such as the Kali-santarana Upanishad, where it is said: “After searching through al the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krishna.” (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 3.40 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XoeEGQ

Krsna Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja in Lagos,…
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Krsna Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja in Lagos, Nigeria (Album with photos)
Kavicandra Swami: It was very nice!
Surely not gigantic like in UK or New Dwaraka, but everything is relative. We had many local Nigerian and devotees and new guests. Many devotees stayed for the night and mangal arotika for Vyasa Puja was very crowded.
Kirtans in Africans are always high energy and this time was very sweet, altho often TOO loud for me.
Many devotees worked at decorating and cooking. Nigeria is in the midst of a serious economic crisis. It is an interesting place. Although the climate is tropical there are hardly any flowers around. The roads are “inconceivable”. I should have filmed a bit while we traveled cross country, but there was always bouncing and jerking so I did not get to it.
I find the children in Africa to be especially sweet.. They love kirtan and are very simple. They cannot afford all kinds of sense gratification and really take shelter of the holy names.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SWRbZ1

Attention! Don’t go down to the banks of the Yamuna and hear…
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The Flute Player of Vrindavan: Srimati Radharani, the eternal divine consort of Sri Krishna, is known as the Queen of Vrindavan. Vrindavan is where Krishna loves to be, because of Her love – and the love of all those who live there.
Vrindavan …

Ekadashi recipes (playlist of brief video-recipes)
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Ekadashi recipes (playlist of brief video-recipes)
Srila Prabhupada: Because we live in the temples of Radha-Krishna and continuously hold hari-nama-sankirtana – the chanting of Hare Krishna – we consequently live in Vrndavana and nowhere else. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 16.281 Purport).
Watch them here: https://goo.gl/JmHZJE

Prabhupada’s Appearance celebration in Iskcon New…
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Prabhupada’s Appearance celebration in Iskcon New Govardhana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: There is a need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society. Delhi, December 15, 1962.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lfTtsR

Devotees pay Homage to Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON. Indiatoday:…
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Devotees pay Homage to Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON.
Indiatoday: Glittering lights, melodious chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra by several devotees transformed the auditorium of Prabhupada Samadhi Mandir at ISKCON Mayapur in Nadia district into a transcendental world even as rich tributes poured in from all over the world in the form of messages including President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minster Narendra Modi and UK PM Theresa May.
“I pay my humble tribute to the contributions of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad who incorporated ISKCON in 1966 and whose teachings continue to resonate in the hearts of Krishna devotees all over the world even today,” President Mukherjee said in his message.
PM Modi has congratulated ISKCON and written “journey has been manifestation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam integration core of philosophy”.
May in her message mentioned, “For fifty years since its foundation by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the men and women behind ISKCON have dedicated their lives to the words of Lord Krishna to achieve peace and unity.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/HAuaER

Krishna Janmashtami Special: ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple,…
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Krishna Janmashtami Special: ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, Chennai.
My favourite part in the temple is the walls which are adorned with the mesmerising paintings of Lord Shree Krishna and all His adorable pastimes. Since we are celebrating His birthday, Krishna Janmashtami today, I thought of presenting those paintings with a few Quotes from The Bhagavad Geeta.
Life can seem tough or confusing sometimes and you don’t really understand the way, but through the vast treasure chest of knowledge and guidance He left us in the form of the sacred Bhagavad Geeta, one realises that making a way through anything is well within our grasp and very much possible. Collecting these quotes today inspired me, I hope they will do the same for you too.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Nu3i2N

ISKCON Temples all over the world celebrated Janmashtami, the…
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ISKCON Temples all over the world celebrated Janmashtami, the 5243rd “birth” of Lord Krishna, on 25th August 2016. Radha Krishna Deties in ISKCON Radha Gopinath Temple – Girgaum Chowpatty were wearing the opulent gold hand embroidered dress of zardosi on pure silken velvets in royal Colours inspired by the six opulence’s of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna during the day time .The night dress was completely hand woven by the weavers in Varanasi / Banaras in pure silks and gold Zari ,with intricate ornamental designs. Jaya Sri Krishna!

As Vasudeva-suta, Krsna performs pastimes that, for the most…
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As Vasudeva-suta, Krsna performs pastimes that, for the most part, prominently review His power and opulence, while as Nanda-suta He performs only humanlike pastimes that prominently reveal His sweetness. Vasudeva-suta’s lila is clothed in opulence while decorated with sweetness, like an opulent mirror decorated with an attractive picture. By contrast, Nanda-suta’s lila is clothed in sweetness while decorated in opulence, like a beautifully painted stage curtain decorated at the bottom with a row of opulent mirrors. Both these forms of Krsna are oceans of nectar, but the form of Krsna in Vraja is the most absolutely perfect.
(from Gopiparanandhana’s comments to Sri Laghu-bhagavatamrta)

‘What do we love about Krishna?’
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In the chapter of the Krishna book titled “Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krishna in the Womb” Srila Prabhupada cautions against the tendency to be a bit impersonal towards God. We understand that Krishna, as the Supreme Personality of …

MayapurTV: ISKCON’s biggest ever TV broadcast for the…
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MayapurTV: ISKCON’s biggest ever TV broadcast for the ISKCON 50th Anniversary!
This video shown to over twenty million viewers on satellite to promote the MayapurTV broadcast (the animation was done by talented Russian devotees): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6wJo6YKF_o
Around the world at Janmashtami time, many temples such as Mumbai and Vrindavan, as well as dedicated individuals like Ramanuja prabhu and others, make a special effort to reach the public through TV broadcast. By their efforts many millions of people have been included in various ISKCON temple Janmashtami celebrations.
Joining in this world effort by many devotees, this Janmashtami MayapurTV is experiencing the biggest ISKCON live TV broadcast – live simultaneously on: Airtel, Tata Sky, Dish TV and Videocon (all satellite broadcasts) as well as reaching their usual several million viewers in West Bengal Cable TV. Not to forget the devotee viewers on Mayapur.tv from around the world – who fund MayapurTV activity and to whom the credit for this surely must be given.
Hare Krishna

Janmastami on the Jaladuta
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Janmastami on the Jaladuta.
Yamuna Devi: THREE YEARS AGO, on Janmastami, Lord Krsna’s appearance day, I received a copy of the diary Srila Prabhupada wrote aboard the steamship Jaladuta. It’s a personal account of his first journey from I…

Short film on Srila Prabhupada, “Saviour” (6 min…
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Short film on Srila Prabhupada, “Saviour” (6 min video)
“The glory of a great legend our Divine Spiritual Master HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/eQ6aal

JOY of DEVOTION – Srila Prabhupada in Montreal
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JOY of DEVOTION – Srila Prabhupada in Montreal: SEPT. 4-5
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, the Montreal Temple is inviting all devotees and members of our world-wide ISKCON Vaisnava Sangha to please come join us in a very historic gathering. We are hosting a Grand All-Canadian Festival this coming Sept. 2 to 5, with a two-part festival.
Firstly, on Sept. 2-3, in the Complexe Desjardins, a very prestigious downtown venue, will be held a special cultural Expo: Journey to the Heart of India, which will present the salient features of India’s ancient Vedic culture, and highlight Srila Prabhupada as India’s greatest modern spiritual ambassador, with the abundant spiritual legacy he gave to all mankind.
The second part of the celebrations will be at our temple on Sept.4-5, with the special theme: Joy of Devotion -Srila Prabhupada in Montreal. Our main focus is in fact Srila Prabhupada’s famous summer-long stay in Montreal from June to late August 1968. And we are hosting our guests of honor Guru Das, Malati, Suresvara and Srutirupa. The first two devotees were personally trained by Srila Prabhupada in the art fo kirtan before he famously sent the 3 couples off to conquer England and the rest of Europe with the glorious waves of Harinam.

The Holy Appearance Day of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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The Holy Appearance Day of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Maharaja
When Nanda Maharaja is observing a great festival for the appearance day of his beloved son, Sri Krsna, that very day Krsna’s very dear devotee, very intimate devotee, His own man, has appeared.
What is the necessity of the Vaisnavas coming here? Sadhu-vaisnavas, Krsna’s own men are always with Krsna in that sat-cid-ananda-maya-dhama. Those who have attained Krsna, only see krsna-sambandha, the relationship with Krsna. They see how everyone, everything, every object is related to Krsna. Krsna is the only relationship. Krsna nitya-sambandha — every jiva has a perfect, eternal, loving relationship with Krsna. A completely Krsna conscious person has this vision. For that premi-bhakta Krsna is his most beloved and Krsna is his object of love. Krsna prananatha — Krsna is the Lord of his heart. The premi-bhakta, Vaisnava sees that everything, every jiva is related to Krsna in this loving relationship. Therefore how can he tolerate the suffering of Krsna’s jiva? His heart bleeds seeing the jivas who are suffering because of their forgetfulness of Krsna and forgetfulness of their relationship with Him. They are bereft of Krsna consciousness therefore they are suffering. This is the only cause. Sadhu Vaisnava knows the cause very well. If they will develop Krsna consciousness, that lost consciousness and become completely Krsna conscious, then there will be no more suffering. They will go back home to Godhead.

Danny Glover gets the Bhagavd-gita As It Is.Sri Bhakti Das:…
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Danny Glover gets the Bhagavd-gita As It Is.
Sri Bhakti Das: Yesterday we went with my wife to Sanfic film festival in Santiago-Chile. We had the opportunity to meet with several national actors sharing with them Srila Prabhupada’s books and telling them about 50th anniversary of ISKCON. We also met Danny Glover, renowned Hollywood actor (Lethal Weapon), and gave him the Bhagavad Gita as it is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
We also found the Hollywood film director and scriptwriter of Taxi Driver Paul Schrader and gave him “King of knowledge” of Srila Prabhupada.
We also gave them “Krishna Sambandha CDS”

Transcendental Journey, celebrations for Iskcon’s 50th…
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Transcendental Journey, celebrations for Iskcon’s 50th anniversary in Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As stated in the Padma Purana: “One cannot understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krishna through one’s materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wnlzSW

Janmashtami – Illustrated Stories for Kids- ISKCON Desire Tree -…
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Janmashtami – Illustrated Stories for Kids- ISKCON Desire Tree – videos.
Srila Prabhupada: “O Lord, Your transcendental name and form are not ascertained by those who merely speculate on the path of imagination. Your name, form and attributes can be ascertained only through devotional service.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36)
Watch them here: https://goo.gl/8uS9lr

Preparations for Janmashtami in Iskcon Auckland, New Zealand…
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Preparations for Janmashtami in Iskcon Auckland, New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna has taken birth or taken shelter within the womb of the Krishna consciousness movement. Men of Kamsa’s class, therefore, are very much afraid and are busy trying to stop this movement, especially in the Western countries. But as Krishna could not be killed by Kamsa, this movement cannot be checked by men of Kamsa’s class. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.20 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2084m9

Tonight I Dined: Govinda’s Houston Govinda’s opened…
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Tonight I Dined: Govinda’s Houston
Govinda’s opened this summer at the ISKCON Hare Krishna temple in the Houston Heights. The facility was always worth a visit because of the beautiful architecture, and now it’s definitely worth a visit since the opening of this vegetarian restaurant! They are opened for a lunch buffet and a dinner buffet with a mix of Indian and American cuisine. There is a small salad bar and about 8 hot offerings. Everything is labelled, and most of the offerings are labelled vegan. I got two American dishes: pasta and BBQ tofu. The pasta was just ok, I like it more al dente, but the sauce flavor was really good. The pasta seems like a good option for a family dining here with a picky kid. The BBQ tofu texture was really chewy and great, the sauce was tangy, but I wish the flavor was more developed. For the Indian cuisine I tried: Aloo Baingan (potato and eggplant), kidney bean curry, fried cauliflower, papadum (cracker), tamarind sauce, and mint chutney. The fried cauliflower was my favorite thing on the plate, and tasted amazing dipped in the tamarind and mint chutney (which was actually very spicy!). My second favorite was the aloo baingan, it was perfectly spiced and very filling. The red kidney bean curry was also amazing, and a dish I had never tried before! The interior is well decorated and very modern (and quite large, so it would be good for groups). I would definitely recommend this restaurant to vegans, because it is one of the few places in Houston that serves Indian food that labels items as vegan and you don’t have to inquire about the ingredients!
Read more: http://goo.gl/952xsT

32.741 rounds chanted from Krishna Katha Desh devotees for World…
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32.741 rounds chanted from Krishna Katha Desh devotees for World Holy Name Week and Iskcon’s 50th anniversary.
Krishna Katha Desh celebrated WHNW by chanting for 50 hours non-stop this year to mark 50 years of Iskcon along with World Holy Name Week. All the Devotees started chanting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday 11th August 2016. They continued chanting till Saturday 13th August 2016, 9:00 p.m. 412 Devotees participated in this Japathon and chanted 32,741 rounds. Many Devotees are on vacation else the rounds chanted would have been higher. Please accept this small/tiny offering from Krishna Katha Desh Yatra.

Aloha! Dear community members just to let u know that we…
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Aloha! Dear community members just to let u know that we recently received the award from the HONOLULU MAGAZINE for GOVINDA’S VEGETARIAN BUFFET located at 51-Coelho way.
Thank you all for your support and coo-operation.
A review: Govinda’s is such an exotic, out-of-the-ordinary experience for me living in Hawaii. Located in an old Nu’uanu mansion is a Hare Krishna temple serving the most delicious and spiritually refreshing food on the island. You can tell just by stepping in the door that this will not be your average dining experience, because not only are shoes not required, you are expected to leave them at the door (like any local household- but not restaurant!). Entering the house you are greeted by Hindu art and the sounds of Indian music coming from the gift shop where you pay ($10 for all you can eat). I came at about 1pm on a Wednesday and the buffet had 8 choices of hot items and a salad station. Some of the food (fried cauliflower and lasagna) was running low but it was quickly replaced. I loaded my plate with salad, saffron rice, dal (lentil soup), mild veggie curry, fried cauliflower, steamed veggies, and of course the lasagna. Poured myself a cup of the fresh ginger lemonade and my mother and I went outside to sit beneath the massive banyan tree.
The surreal experience continued as we ate, as each bite brought exotic spices, flavors and delicious new tastes into my mouth. There was no dish I did not love (my mom thought the lasagna was a little spicy). The garden/yard area was so serene and soothing and feeling the grass between my toes as I ate was great. We even had a little friend (black and white cat) visit us and share some love. After I finished my plate I went back for the dessert of halva. I had never had it before and it was like a sweet polenta textured pudding flavored with cinnamon and cardamom with raisins and coconut. It was so delicious! I ate my fill but did not feel overly stuffed, just satisfied, and my mother and I walked through the gift shop looking at jewelry and skirts and sari type clothing.
I had such a great time here I felt so removed from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and got a great dose of culture and spirituality I was not familiar with. It almost felt like I was experiencing part of an ashram type lifestyle, the gardens would be perfect for meditation and quiet reading. I picked up a Krishna brochure on my way out to try and learn more about this interesting culture, so different from my own religious beliefs, and as a bald Krishna devotee sitting on the stairs said goodbye to us, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I would be back to satiate the urges of my wanderlust disease.
Read more reviews here: https://goo.gl/a0oINa

Celebrating Iskcon’s 50th anniversary in Beijing, China…
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Celebrating Iskcon’s 50th anniversary in Beijing, China (10 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: One should invite people, chant Hare Krishna, and then distribute prasada. This yajna will satisfy all the demigods, and thus where will be peace and prosperity in the world. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.6.53 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/eYMu7r

How to Celebrate Janmashtami
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How to Celebrate Janmashtami.
Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of Krishna, who is described in India’s sacred writings as God Himself. One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, it is celebrated by nine hundred and thir…

Iskcon’s mega kitchens on National Geographic Channel (42…
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Iskcon’s mega kitchens on National Geographic Channel (42 min video)
A super production illustrating the huge organization and endeavor invested by Iskcon for the preparation of first class prasadam meals for thousands and thousands of devotees every day. Very well done!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/JrPsey

“Up the Ladder” by Dana-keli Devi Dasi. Krsna-Kumari…
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“Up the Ladder” by Dana-keli Devi Dasi.
Krsna-Kumari Devi Dasi: I would like to announce the birth of a wonderfully inspiring book written by a new Vaishnavi, Donna Lee, who was initiated Dana-keli Devi Dasi in May of this year by His Holiness Giriraj Swami. She has written the story of her 68-year adventure coming to Prabhupada’s movement. We often hear about climbing the ladder of spiritual growth through all the levels of disciplines. Here is a personal account of such a journey, and all done in one lifetime. Ever wondered what it might be like to slowly climb from one rung to the next and embody all the meaningful teachings along the way? Here it is! From this personal triumph, we can see that it is never too late to come to the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.
This beautiful little book is a great treasure for any new person and should be kept handy in any FOLK meeting place, KC restaurant, gift shop, library or Festival event. Replete with moving quotes and lively narrative; you won’t be able to put it down. Do you always target young people when you preach? Think again! There are millions of receptive mature individuals who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and who are now in their own 60’s and 70’s, and finally realizing that they have not yet fulfilled the dreams they were once searching for as Hippies and flower children. Many of them are professionals, like Dana-keli Devi, who have much to share in the way of life lessons and experience as well as love, joy, and enthusiasm which doesn’t fade. Lord Krishna is ready to rescue them all. You just need to find them, and this book is a finely-tuned homing device.
How many ladies in the movement are sharing their life, heart, and struggles along the path with us all? Very few, and yet we Dasis are just as much in need of inspiring role-models as our brother Dasas. This new book, as well as this new author, have much to share and many more experiences to unfold into your waiting hands. Whether you need inspiration, confirmation, revelation or an invitation—enter here with eagerness, and you will not be disappointed:
Up the Ladder by Donna Lee – Sanctuary Publishing on Amazon.com: https://goo.gl/Lfztwh

Successful West African Preaching Tour (3 reports) AUGUST 1 TO…
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Successful West African Preaching Tour (3 reports)
AUGUST 1 TO 14, 2016 – REPORT ON IVORY COAST VISIT
HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami: My first stop on the West Africa tour was in the Ivory Coast. HH Bhakti Carudesna Maharaja was on hand to receive me at the airport in the capital city of Abidjan. The first thing that comes to ones notice is the country’s National Flag. It has the exact same colors as that of the Indian National Flag, Green, White and Orange. I shared with Maharaja how in the last elections in India, the now newly elected Prime Ministry, Sri Narendra Modi, had given a fresh interpretation of the color meaning: green refers to organic farming, orange refers to sadhus or spiritual life and white refers to cows who give us wholesome and nutritious milk.
Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/e4QAcZ
REPORT ON GHANA VISIT
HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami: I was pleasantly surprised to see the domed structured temple that immediately reminds one of India’s traditional temples. We first took darshan of HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja’s Puspa Samadhi close to the entrance of the temple. Maharaja was very instrumental in opening up the preaching all over West Africa and brought many people to Krishna consciousness. We then took darshan of the presiding Deities, Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva and Subhadra. The temple room is large and easily can accommodate 400 to 500 devotees.
Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/Lefx8Y
REPORT ON TOGO TOUR
HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami: Togo is the smallest of all the West African countries having as capital TOME. I visited the devotees here accompanied with HH Bhakti Carudesna Maharaja after having toured our projects in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Maharaja travels regularly to these countries as he actually oversees the seven French-speaking countries of West Africa. The devotees serving in Tome have been blessed to have their own property that is also quite centrally located. This was made possible by the kind donation of some of the local Indian community supporters. The temple President is Madana Gopal prabhu and he personally looks after the Deity worship assisted with another long-standing devotee, Atma Tattva prabhu who is the National Secretary for ISKCON Togo. The temple has presiding Deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda-Madhava, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra. Devotees have a weekly Food for Life program serving about 100 guests, in addition to having Harinam three times a week in the streets of Lome.
Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/Zcckpc