Author Archives: Dandavats.com

ISKCON50 cake art by Anuradha Devi Dasi of the Manor. The seven purposes. In 1965, a 69 year-old spiritual teacher from India arrives in the West and settles among the hippies of New York’s Lower East Side. From a tiny storefront, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami starts a revolution of consciousness influencing tens of thousands in the US and worldwide. But what happens to his spiritual movement , the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), after their charismatic leader’s passing? Will it survive? Will it change? Can an ancient Eastern religious tradition be relevant in the modern 21st century?
Read more: https://goo.gl/arL2aW

Gorgeous!! The murti of Srila Prabhupada decorated today for the 50th anniversary of Iskcon in Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK.
And a s…Read More…

Srila Prabhupada’s Divine Lotus Feet (Album with photos) by Padmapani Das.
“The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are three very powerful substances. By rendering service to these three, one attains the supreme goal of ecstatic love for Krishna. In all the revealed scriptures this is loudly declared again and again. Therefore, my dear devotees, please hear from me, for I insist again and again: please keep faith in these three and render service to them without hesitation. From these three one achieves the highest goal of life – ecstatic love of Krishna. This is the greatest mercy of Lord Krishna.” (Caitanya-caritamrita, Antya-lila 16.60-63)
Find them here: http://goo.gl/GxrmyN

Happy 50th Anniversary ISKCON! (International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc.)
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder – Acharya!
July 13, 1966
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
(Pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York)
We, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York, do hereby make, subscribe and acknowledge this certificate as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation shall be INTERNATIONAL
SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
SECOND: The purposes for which the corporation is organized are:
(a) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
(b) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagawat Gita and Srimad Bhagawatam.
© To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at largo, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
(d), To teach and encourage the Samkirtan movement congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
(f) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
(g) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
THIRD: The corporation shall have the power, either directly or indirectly, either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, to do any and all lawful acts and things and to engage in any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful, suitable, desirable, or proper for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering, or attainment of any or all of the purposes for which the corporation is organized, and to aid or assist other organizations whose activities are such as to further, accomplish, foster, or attain any of such purposes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the corporation shall exercise only such powers as are in furtherance of the exempt purposes of organizations set forth in Section 501© of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended from time to time.
FOURTH: The corporation is not organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no member shall be entitled to any distribution or division of its remaining property or its proceeds, and the balance of all money and other property received by the corporation from any source, after the payment of all debts and obligations of the corporation, shall be used or distributed, subject to the order of the Supreme Court of the State of New York as provided by law, exclusively for purposes within those set forth in Article SECOND of this certificate and within the intendment of Section 501© of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and its Regulations as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended from time to time.
FIFTH: The operations of the corporation are to be conducted principally within the State of New York.
SIXTH: The principal place of worship of this Society is intended to be located at No. 26 Second Avenue in the City, County and State of New York.
SEVENTH: The number of trustees of the Society shall be nine.
EIGHTH: The names and addresses of the trustees until the first annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
MICHAEL GRANT 110 Bowery, New York, N. Y.
JAN OSLUND 110 Bowery, New York,.N. Y.
JAMES S. GREENE 324 East 6th Street, New York, N. Y.
The names and addresses of the trustees until the second annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
PAUL GARDINER 38 East 76th Street, New York, N. Y.
DONALD W. CHAPDELAINE 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
RAYMOND MARAIS 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
The names and addresses of the trustees until the third annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
KARL YEARGENS 218 Centre Street, New York, N. Y.
RAPHAEL BALSAM 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
ROBERT LEFKOWITZ 1847 49th Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
NINTH: The first annual meeting for the annual election of trustees shall be held on July 6, 1967, at 7:00 P.M. at No. 26 Second Avenue, in the City, County and State of New York.
TENTH: The matters set forth in paragraphs FIRST through
EIGHTH of this certificate were determined at a meeting held for that purpose pursuant to Section 192 of the Religious Corporation Law on July 6, 1966 at No. 26 Second Avenue in the City, County and State of New York. Said meeting was held pursuant to due written notice as provided in Section 191 of the Religious Corporation Law.
ELEVENTH: All of the subscribers to this certificate are of full age and all are members in good and regular standing of the church seeking incorporation through the filing of this certificate by admission with full membership therein in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have made, subscribed, and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 13th day of July, 1966.
[signed:] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Carol Bekar, Raymond Marais
STATE OF NEW ‘YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK)
On the 13th day of July, 1966 before me personally came A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA, SWAMI, RAYMOND MARAIS and CAROL BEKAR to me known and known to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing certificate of incorporation and they severally acknowledged to me that they severally executed the same.
STEVEN J. GOLDSMITH
NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF NEW YORK
NO. 81-1489875
Qualified in New York County
Commission Expires March 30, 1967
STATE OF NEW YORK )
SS:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
STEVEN J. GOLDSMITH, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he maintains an office for the practice of law at Two Park Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York; that he is the attorney for the subscribers to the annexed certificate of incorporation of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.; that he has made diligent search of the records of the Clerk of the County of New York, and as revealed by such search, that no prior corporation with the same or similar name as INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC. has filed a certificate of incorporation in New York County. [handwritten:] The undersigned affirms this made under penalty of perjury.
[signed:] Steven J. Goldsmith

Netherlands Introduces ‘Bhagavad-gita’ To 5th Graders.
Schools are arguably the most effective means of enacting the aims of integration. Texts/passages from scriptures such as the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ and ‘Upanishads’ have caught the imagination of primary education system in the Netherlands. Many ‘sayings and teachings’ from such spiritual Hindu scriptures are incorporated now in the Netherlands Schools system with the aim of making world education compulsory starting from 5th grade onwards.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/3yjiVk

A Taste Of Things To Come! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Woodstock is still days away but people are already floodin…Read More…

July 13. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Don Drifting Away.
Don was a test of Swamiji’s tolerance. He had lived in the storefront for months, working little and not trying to change his habits. He had a remarkable speech affectation: instead of talking, he enunciated his words, as if he were reciting from a book. And he never used contractions. It wasn’t that he was intellectual, just that he had somehow developed a plan to abolish his natural dialect. Don’s speech struck people as bizarre, like it might be the result of too many drugs. It gave him the air of not being an ordinary being. And he continually took marijuana, even after Swamiji had asked those who lived with him not to. Sometimes during the day his girlfriend would join him in the storefront, and they would sit together talking intimately and sometimes kissing. But he liked the Swami. He even gave him money once. He liked living in the storefront, and Swamiji didn’t complain.
But others did. One day an interested newcomer dropped by the storefront and found Don alone, surrounded by the sharp aroma of marijuana. “You been smoking pot? But the Swami doesn’t want anyone smoking here.” Don denied it: “I have not been smoking. You are not speaking the truth.” The boy then reached in Don’s shirt pocket and pulled out a joint, and Don hit him in the face. Several of the boys found out. They weren’t sure what was right: What would the Swami do? What do you do if someone smokes pot? Even though a devotee was not supposed to, could it be allowed sometimes? They put the matter before Swamiji.
Prabhupada took it very seriously, and he was upset, especially about the violence. “He hit you?” he asked the boy. “I will go down myself and kick him in the head.” But then Prabhupada thought about it and said that Don should be asked to leave. But Don had already left.
The next morning during Swamiji’s class, Don appeared at the front door. From his dais, Swamiji looked out at Don with great concern. But his first concern was for ISKCON: “Ask him,” Prabhupada requested Roy, who sat nearby. “If he has marijuana – then he cannot come in. Our society …” Prabhupada was like an anxious father, afraid for the life of his infant ISKCON. Roy went to the door and told Don he would have to give up his drugs if he entered. And Don walked away.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

GET YOUR FREE CUPCAKE!! Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the global Hare Krishna movement and 5000 cupcakes will be freely distributed between 7am & 9am at Euston, Kings Cross, Victoria, BBC HQ and GOOGLE HQ to celebrate!

Lotus feet of Guru.
Although the lotus flower grows out of the water, it is not touched by it. One of the synonyms for water i…Read More…

Millions will be watching ISKCON 50 Celebrations on 13th July 2016 from 4-5pm.
Keshav Murari Das, TP- ISKCON Rohini: DD Channel will be broadcasting a special program on ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary on the exact day of 50th Anniversary, 13th July, 2016 Wednesday from 4-5 pm. They will also feature ISKCON 50 documentary prepared by ISKCON 50 Global team during the show.

The inside job!
Sutapa das: The ungrateful, inappropriate and irrational ways in which people act can infuriate us to no end. We deal with our anger by letting it loose (passionate and vengeful outbursts) or locking it up (emotionally disconnecting). …

Preparing for the “battle” – Some of Krsna’s soldiers (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Today we held an Istagosthi to assign all devotees their duties at Woodstock. In this album you can meet some of Krsna’s soldiers who will soon be carrying His message to the masses.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8giZXZ

Krishna Temple Salt Lake City: Record-breaking Ground-breaking Celebration- SLC Krishna Temple!! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ukdVca

ISKCON of Central New Jersey: Temple reception ceiling being ‘mural’ized by our own high schooler devotee Yogini.
Srila Prabhupada: “In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Visnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.” (Narayana-samhita)

Bali Bhakti Festival Ratha Yatra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Jg7u7t

July 12. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: “Bells”
He picked up two brass bells in his left hand and began ringing them. Then, lighting two sticks of incense from the candle near the picture of Lord Caitanya and His associates, he began waving the incense slowly in small circles before Lord Caitanya, while still ringing the bells. He looked deeply at the picture and continued cutting spirals of fragrant smoke, all the while ringing the bells. None of the boys knew what he was doing, although he did it every evening. But it was a ceremony. It meant something. The boys began to call the ceremony “bells.”
After bells, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it would usually be time for the evening kirtana. Some of the boys would already be downstairs greeting guests and explaining about the Swami and the chanting. But without the Swami, nothing could begin. No one knew how to sing or drum, and no one dared think of leading the mantra-chanting without him. Only when he entered at seven o’clock could they begin.
Freshly showered and dressed in his clean hand-woven cloth, his arms and body decorated with arrowlike Vaisnava markings, Prabhupada would leave his apartment and go downstairs to face another ecstatic opportunity to glorify Krishna. The tiny temple would be crowded with wild, unbrahminical, candid young Americans.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

The seriously talented Ekendra Dasa and Tulasi Priya Devi dasi in a hilarious, irreverent skit on issues in life – and in Iskcon. (35 min video) A brilliant recent performance in Towaco New Jersey’s Krishna temple, (USA) on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/7o4aJ8

Kolkata Ratha Yatra Pandal Program (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra one immediately c…Read More…

Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel. 08.07.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age, no one is expected to be highly ed…Read More…

Iskcon New Govardhana, Australia – Ratha Yatra – 10 July 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Think of Krishna always an…Read More…

Ratha-yatra in Prague, Czech Republic, the heart of Europe (Album with photos)
“And A Child Shall Lead Them” Isaiah 11-6.
Nine-year-old Vamsi Gopal das led the post-Rathayatra Harinam. With his sweet Kirtan and smile he led for over a half hour. The streets of Prague were packed and he charmed them all…..
Find them here: https://goo.gl/zmCXUP

TOVP: Corian for TOVP Coffer Ceilings (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The TOVP Design team is considering using a material called corian for the coffer ceilings in the domes. It is cost efficient and light. Its primary use is for counter tops, bench top surfaces, and kitchen sinks. It comes in unlimited colors, so we could chose any color that we like. Our coffer ceilings would be made of a thin layer of corian and would be very light weight. Corian is excellent because it has great longevity, so it could last for a very long time.
The TOVP Design team has created a small sample to test the corian. The demo was made on the TOVP’s personal CNC (Computer Numerical Control) carving machine. This model is not a coffer ceiling, but rather is an example of how the corian may be used with the lighting. Thus, this sample is not what will be built in the TOVP. The model has three patterns of different textured carvings. One of the patterns is a very endearing and well detailed image of Srila Prabhupada.
The corian demo is very attractive when the light is turned on. All the patterns and images light up very nicely. This is the same technique that we can use to light up the domes from behind. We are pleased with the model and are optimistic about pursuing the coffer ceiling construction.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/a9AiD8

45th Kolkata Rathyatra Pandal Program (2016) (4 min video with the highlights)
Srila Prabhupada: As God is good, we are also go…Read More…

Baha, Bali, Indonesia–Village Ratha Yatra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants once only, it is to be understood that he has already passed all the examinations, not to speak of those who are chanting always, twenty-four hours a day. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.33.7 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iDZUX7

July 11. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji Puts on Tilak.
After his bath he would come into the front room, where his assembled followers would sit around him. He would sit on a mat facing his picture of the Panca-tattva, and after putting a few drops of water in his left palm from a small metal spoon and bowl, he would rub a lump of Vrindavana clay in the water, making a wet paste. He would then apply the clay markings of Vaisnava tilaka, dipping into the yellowish paste in his left hand with the ring finger of his right. He would scrape wet clay from his palm, and while looking into a small mirror which he held deftly between the thumb and pinkie of his left hand, he would mark a vertical clay strip up his forehead and then trim the clay into two parallel lines by placing the little finger of his right hand between his eyebrows and running it upward past the hairline, clearing a path in the still-moist clay. Then he marked eleven other places on his body, while the boys sat observing, sometimes asking questions or sometimes speaking their own understandings of Krishna consciousness.
Prabhupada: My Guru Maharaja used to put on tilaka without a mirror.
Devotee: Did it come out neat?
Prabhupada: Neat or not neat, that does not matter. Yes, it was also neat.
Prabhupada would then silently recite the Gayatri mantra. Holding his brahmin’s sacred thread and looping it around his right thumb, he would sit erect, silently moving his lips. His bare shoulders and arms were quite thin as was his chest, but he had a round slightly protruding belly. His complexion was as satiny smooth as a young boy’s, except for his face, which bore signs of age. The movements of his hands were methodical, aristocratic, yet delicate.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

Harinama and book distribution in Genoa, Italy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: These four principles: Always think of Krishna, become Krishna’s devotee, worship Krishna and offer your respect, obeisances to Krishna. That’s all. This is Krishna consciousness. Hyderabad, November 17, 1972.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iV1tVB

Stockholm Ratha Yatra 2016 (10 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Philosophy is the highest, but even higher than philosophy is the p…Read More…

Iskcon devotees in Taiwan celebrated the 5Oth anniversary of the incorporation of Iskcon at a retreat at Daxi, Taiwan (6 min video)Read More…

Experiences and realizations of devotees who give people Krsna consciousness by giving them books by Srila Prabhupada and his followers.
Death Wish Stopped
Once I was distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in a small city in Belgium, and I met a woman who listened very emotionally as I showed her a book. She told me she didn’t need the book, because she had just bought some pills in the pharmacy (she showed them to me) and was on her way home to take them all at once and end her life.

“Launch Party” for the Toronto annual Ratha-Yatra (video)
On Sunday, June 26th, the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple hosted a “Launch Party” for our annual Ratha-Yatra (Festival of India) in the heart of the city at downtown Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square. Check out the video highlights here: http://goo.gl/gbyAn5

“The Street Is The Temple” (Album with photos)
Dharmatma Das: Morning SKP lecture by Janananda Maharaja with this theme. “You never know what Lord Chaitanya has in store if you just let Him work through you.” The complete surrender of the Harinam Ruci boys is so inspiring. Daily Harinam from three to six hours, without fail, along with strong sadhana. There is nothing more liberating than street Harinam. Visnujana prabhu is a master at getting people to chant the Holy Names. Harinamananda prabhu out dances Baryshnikov. Gaurakaruna prabhu with his smile and horn gives, as he says, “Krishna Consciousness to everyone.” Along with books, CD’s and everything. He approaches anyone and everyone and leaves them with something. Also, Bhima Hari prabhu from Mexico leads sweet Kirtan. I can see him being full time with the boys. They bring joy to all that they come in contact with, both devotees and non-devotees. I thank Lord Krishna for allowing me to keep up with them.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lW6n3p

July 10. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: More On Lunch With Swamiji.
One boy, Stanley, was quite young, and Prabhupada, almost like a doting father, watched over him as he ate. Stanley’s mother had personally met Prabhupada and said that only if he took personal care of her son would she allow him to live in the monastery. Prabhupada complied. He diligently encouraged the boy until Stanley gradually took on a voracious appetite and began consuming ten capatis at a sitting (and would have taken more had Swamiji not told him to stop). But aside from Swamiji’s limiting Stanley to ten capatis, the word was always, “More … take more.” When Prabhupada was finished, he would rise and leave the room, Keith would catch a couple of volunteers to help him clean, and the others would leave.
Occasionally, on a Sunday, Prabhupada himself would cook a feast with special Indian dishes.
Steve: Swamiji personally cooked the prasadam and then served it upstairs in his front room. We all sat in rows, and I remember him walking up and down in between the rows of boys, passing before us with his bare feet and serving us with a spoon from different pots. He would ask what did we want – did we want more of this? And he would serve us with pleasure. These dishes were not ordinary, but sweets and savories – like sweet rice and kachoris – with special tastes. Even after we had all taken a full plate, he would come back and ask us to take more.
Once he came up to me and asked what I would like more of – would I like some more sweet rice? In my early misconception of spiritual life, I thought I should deny myself what I liked best, so I asked for some more plain rice. But even that “plain” rice was fancy yellow rice with fried cheese balls.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

Celebrating the Joy of Devotion in Lapangan Braja Sandi Niti Mandala Renon Denpasar Bali (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada:…Read More…

Car festival gets off to a colourful start – Rath Yatra organised by ISKCON in Visakhapatnam, India.
Sumit Bhattacharjee: Men, women join in traditional attire to pull ropes of the chariot
The annual chariot festival or ‘Rath Yatra’ of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, was marked with religious fervour, here in the city on Wednesday.
Over 1,000 people lined up to pull the ropes of the chariot carrying the deities during the Rath Yatra organised by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Ritual of ‘Chherapanhara’ or sweeping of the road and the chariot, before the start of the ‘yatra’ was performed by Visakhapanam MP K. Haribabu in the presence of ISKCON – Visakhapatnam president Samba Das and former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University G.S.N. Raju.
While many men and women dressed in colourful traditional attire joined to pull and ropes, the others danced to the chant of ‘Hare Krishna’.
The procession, started from the Gandhi statue opposite GVMC office and meandered its way through Dabagardens, Jagadamba, Beach Road to Andhra University convocation hall. The convocation hall will be the makeshift ‘Gundicha ghar’ or the house of Lord Jagannath’s maternal aunt.
Due to the procession, there was a huge traffic jam all along the route, despite the presence of traffic police, as men and women joined the ‘yatra’ all along the route.
“The deities will remain there for about nine days and daily puja will be performed,” said Mataji of ISKCON.
This is the 50{+t}{+h}anniversary of ISKCON and globally 555 Rath Yatras will be taken out to mark the occasion, by the end of the year, said Samba Das.
At Ukkunagaram
At the Jagannath Temple in Ukkunagaram, CMD of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant P. Madhusudan performed the ‘Chherapanhara’ donning the traditional attire of a king.
A large number of devotees, employees and locals joined the celebration and actively pulled the chariot through the streets of the VSP Township amidst the chanting of the Lord’s name and dancing to the beats of ‘mridang’ and cymbals.
P.C. Mohapatra, Director (Projects), D.N. Rao, Director (Operations), Raychoudary, Director (Commercial), along with their family members offered prayers.
The evening was laced with colourful cultural programmes comprising Sambalpuri Folk dance and Odissi dance. The festival will culminate on July 17.
Utkal Samaj
The festival was observed with all religiosity by the Utkal Sanaskrutika Samaj and the ‘Rath Yatra’ began from the Utkal Temple with the customary cleaning of the chariot by Pramod Chandra Deo Bhanj.
The colourfully-decked up chariot with the three deities was pulled by devotees from the temple premises at Dasapalla Hills to the Gundicha Ghar at Lawsons Bay.
The chariot passed through All India Radio, HPCL Millennium petrol bunk, Andhra University gates, Chinna Waltair, VUDA Park, Peda Waltair Junction, Geeta Ashram to Lawsons Bay.
Highlight was the performance by the Sarala Ghanata Nritya troupe from Odisha. According to president of the samaj, S.C. Choudhury, former Chief Commissioner of Customs, the deities will be in Gundicha Ghar till July 13 and will return (Bahuda Yatra) on July 14, to the temple premises.
Regular pujas will be taken up at the Gundicha Ghar, during the Lord’s stay, said secretary of the samaj, S.K. Panigrahi.

Annual Ratha Yatra festival of Lord Jagannatha in Kampala, Uganda.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) held the annual Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannatha on Saturday in Kampala.
The event is held annually in July. Rath Yatra involves moving deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana on a chariot called a ratha or rotho.
The procession led by a band started from the ISKCON Hare Krishna temple on Dewinton road, through Siad Barre avenue before ending at the SSDM temple in Nakasero, where prayers and dinner were held.
With live instruments being played coupled with clapping and dancing, followers chanted “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna-Krishna, Hare-Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama-Rama, Hare-Hare”. Others held onto the ropes attached to the chariot.
It is believed that one touch of the holy rope of Lord Jagannatha’s chariot can free one of all types of sinful reactions,” according to Rajni Tailor, the ISKCON patron.
This year’s local theme was all about the gratitude for helping Uganda go through a peaceful electoral process.
ISKCON was founded in 1966 by His Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and is headquartered in Mayapur village, near Calcutta, India. It draws spiritual sustenance from the Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Blessed One), a most sacred Hindu scripture.

Safety Check – Affected Zones
Nityananda Chandra Das: This material world is a dangerous place. In fact, if it had a Yelp review you would be quite surprised. Every ancient saint of every tradition had the same thing to say. Whether it was the Buddh…

TOVP: Celebrating the Construction Progress of the Main Dome (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: The first photograph reveals ho…Read More…

The touring festival of India in Poland finds big success (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One who thinks himself lower th…Read More…

Radha Kunda Seva: June 2016 Photos and Updates (Album with photos)
It’s been hot, hot, hot! And many of our crew have been getting sick and sicker. But life goes on in the Dham, as does our cleaning and prasadam distribution there.
It was with both gratitude and sorrow that we said goodbye this month to a donor who was contributing around 25% of the expenses for our daily prasadam distribution to the widows of Radha Kunda. If you would like to help sponsor one of the 23 ladies now in need of support, please visit… http://radharani.com/daily-meals/
Time is ticking and the temple is looking more and more beautiful. September is just two months away and we are looking forward to construction beginning on the kitchen! To see more about this project please visit… http://radharani.com/build-a-kitchen/
The gardens are thriving. (Yep, they like the heat.) Thousands of pilgrims are still going on parikrama. (They don’t seem to mind the heat.) And the cleaning continues daily. (Our cleaning crew manages to brave the heat.)
Thank you for being a part of our endeavor to clean and serve at Radha Kunda and Govardhan.
Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com.
Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8MhtPF

Bhaktivedanta Research Centre Team in a mission (Album with photos)
The BRC Manuscripts Mission Team sent these photos from th…Read More…