Websites from the ISKCON Universe
1200 devotees gather in Kiev, Ukraine for an ecstatic festival (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Comparing one’s own suffering to the suffering of others, one should be kind to all living entities. One cannot avoid the sufferings inflicted by providence, and therefore when suffering comes one should fully absorb oneself in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.24 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6WwHm1
Who is stronger, lord Vayu or Lord Jagannath? (video)
In this lecture Mayesvara prabhu narrates to the Los Angeles temple devot…
Jusaniya Devi Dasi, disciple of Srila Prabhupada left her body.
Dear disciples of Srila Prabhupada,
I am the son of your G…
Iskcon Videos presents “10 million views” a video project to promote spiritual activities of devotees around the world. Please view and share to get 10 million views!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/6npZpT
Photo highlights from the Manor’s Nrsimhadeva 2016 celebrations. (Album with HR photos)
David Crick: Bhaktivedanta Manor celebrated with a full programme on Nrsimhadeva Caturdasi with a beautiful altar display, a hilarious (and at times, ad-libbed) reading by the Bhaktivedanta Players, special class by Temple President Srutidharma Prabhu and a Nrsimha Kavacha Yajna. They then joined the ISKCON-London temple for maha harinama sankirtan in central London before spending the rest of the day at an external venue where there was an abhishek by the children and a drama and dance performance by the ladies ashram. The evening was rounded off with a sumptuous prasadam feast. Please find below photos from select parts of the day. Special thanks to Bhaktin Margarita for the London pictures. Find them here: http://goo.gl/0X6RZa
New Eco-School Inaugurated In Krishna-valley, Hungary.
Krishna-valley in Somogyvamos, Hungary is one of the fastest growing villages in the area. In the past two decades, due to the hard work of the devotees, the 275 hectars of land has become Europe’s largest eco-village.
There are 50 children living in Krishna-valley, who, by know, outgrew the original school building. Therefore it was time to build a new building, which, with its 200 square meters, 3 classrooms, big communal space could accommodate an additional 48 students.
The construction was financed by ISKCON Hungary, individual sponsors, as well as by the Human Resources Ministry of Hungary.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/ITTFx7
May 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Unthinkable – “What If?…”
Prabhupada struggled to leave India for America. It is a poignant drama: the preparation, the delay, the difficulties he had to undergo. What if something had happened to prevent him coming to us? Or as Prabhupada always pointed out, no one expected such an old man to embark on such an enterprise. Everyone retires at that age. Krishna and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura could have been sufficiently pleased by the path Prabhupada had already chosen, renouncing family and social life for the full-time service of Krishna. And yet if Prabhupada hadn’t come, what would have become of us?
He wrote and struggled to get donations to publish Back to Godhead in Delhi. Then he chose to reside in a little room in the Vamsi-Gopala temple in Vrndavana. Then he immerses himself in pure devotional service in the holy dhama in the Radha-Damodara Temple. But he thought, “Why shouldn’t people all over the world have the peace they are actually hankering for?” He rarely received visitors, but stayed alone writing. He walked to visit the temples in the evening.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
ISKCON at 50: How India’s bhakti movement manages its finances.
ISKCON is famous for its vegetarian food which is also distributed free on special occasions. Last year ISKCON Juhu distributed more than 10 lakh plates of prasadam meal and 60 lakh cups of halva in and outside the temple premises. The prasadam meals are also distributed to the underprivileged during several festivals, as part of Anna Dan Seva initiative during Makar Sankranti, at temple anniversary celebrations and other occasions.
“We are able to give free prasadam meals due to donations that we receive from devotees,” says Mukund Madhav Das, vice president, ISKCON, Juhu. Some of its most celebrated devotees offer their services either through dance and music and funds thus raised are donated to the temple. There are generous donations too made by the devout who visit the temple regularly either through cash or kind or by paying for services such as feeding cows, for free meals for the needy, etc. The temple also raises funds through sale of religious books, its restaurant Govinda in the premises, snacks and bakery shop and gift shop.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/BrPvRI
Lenore Skenazy: How does a suburban American kid end up living in India, leading a congregation that feeds 300,000 impoverished children a day, along with running a hospital, an orphanage, a handful of eco-villages, and about a dozen schools for the very poor?
And by the way, in between all these India duties, the swami travels the world to lecture at campuses across the states, including Google’s and Harvard’s, talking about things like spirituality and stress.
“I have to admit to them that swamis have as much stress as them,” Radhanath Swami chuckled. “It’s just a matter of how you deal with it.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Lg1yEM
Kumbha Final Shahi Snana (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Today on Purnima, we took part in the final Shahi Snana and our one month tapasya comes to an end! This time we took Srila Prabhupada’s murti to the ghat and all the devotees bathed him! For this procession, we had to start at 2:30 AM to be there on the auspicious time! Come along with us through Vittalrukmini photos!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/D9865O
Celebrating the Glories of the Vanaprastha Ashram.
In spiritual culture where self-realization is the goal of life, the elderl…
Lord Nrisimhadeva’s Appearance Day.
Our Christian friends are fond of quoting the Bible that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,”…
Nrisimha Caturdasi Celebration – 2016 – ISKCON SALEM (Album with 53 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Always remember that our first bu…
May 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Images of His Divine Grace.
Two of my favorite pictures from my “wallet”:
one shows Prabhupada
standing beside the birdbath
in the courtyard at 26 Second Avenue.
He is stout and strong, wrapped in big swathes
of khadi cloth. It’s a formal pose,
with japa-mala, from the early years
of strong health when Swamiji
played the drum 3 hours in the park.
You can worship his feet in gray shoes.
The other photo is also formal:
Prabhupada sitting with his 3 Bhagavatams,
with japa-mala, much cloth wrapped around,
and an almost sad, compassionate gaze.
I’ve shown two photos from my wallet.
And I wish to show 30 million more …
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
Naperville is Celebrating the 50 Years of Founder’s Journey.
Fifty years ago, on August 13, 1965, a lone elderly pilgrim and teacher, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami boarded the cargo ship in Calcutta, India for the one month sea voyage to New York City. While it was not unusual for immigrants from India to head to the US, what separated Swamji was the mission that urged him onward.
More than forty years before, during their first meeting, Swamjs guru had instructed him to spread the message of Lord Krishna to the English speaking world. Thus, after a lifetime of preparation, at the age of 69, Bhaktivedanta Swami, later to be known as Srila Prabhupada, left for the New World not seeking riches, but to teach and distribute the greatest wealth of India and the East—knowledge of God, or “Krishna Consciousness”.
Today, fifty years later members of the society, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and other admirers and followers around the world will be honoring this unique spiritual teacher and his achievements on August 13th, 2016.
Several community leaders, Academicians, Businesses professionals, and Naperville community in general will be joining us to celebrate the festivities. The celebration will include a brief presentation about ISKCON’s 50 year journey, cultural programs, and free delicious vegetarian feast for everyone in the Matea valley high school auditorium, Aurora IL. The invitation is open to all supporters, well-wishers and general public. Please visit www.iskconnaperville.org for more information and rsvp.
Newly Appointed Professor Talks Scholarship’s Role in Vaishnavism.
Professor Ravi M. Gupta (Radhika Ramana Das) is the newly appointed Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies, and Director of the Religious Studies Program at Utah State University.
It’s a prestigious position that brings to mind a gruff, silver-bearded elder. But Radhika Ramana flips that idea on its head. At a youthful 34, he’s got a beaming smile of pearly whites and a full head of black hair. He’s also disarmingly unpretentious despite his astonishing academic journey.
Homeschooled by his mother Aruddha Dasi at his home in Boise, Idaho, Radhika followed a highly unconventional curriculum based mostly on Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, from which he learned reading, writing, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking skills.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/mUA437
A Special Welcome!
Indradyumna Swami: Last week In St. Petersburg, Russia we held an initiation ceremony welcoming devotees into our Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, under the auspice of our beloved Srila Prabhupada. It was a joyous occasion which we celebrated with ecstatic chanting and dancing to the Lord’s holy names. All glories to the samkirtan movement of Lord Caitanya, presently flooding the great country of Russia with causeless mercy!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/FjluhR
ISKCON-Delhi – Sri Narasimha Chaturdashi Maha Abhishek: 20-05-2016 (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/lyrbcp
Prabhupada said, “If you don’t want to help, I will help.”
Mahakratu: I cooked every day, but early one morning Shakti Mati, a fierce Punjabi lady and a renowned cook, invaded the kitchen and decided that she was cooking Prabhupada’s breakfast.
I said, “Okay, you can do it,” and I went to the morning program and class. Shakti Mati had a group of brahmacharinis with her, and together they cooked a huge feast.
Later, Niragadeva and I came to the kitchen with two big silver platters and loaded them with the different preparations.
We went into Srila Prabhupada’s room, and Prabhupada’s eyes got really big. I put one plate down in front of him, and he said, “You have cooked all this?”
I said, “Oh, no, Srila Prabhupada, not me.” He looked at Brahmananda and said, “Who has cooked this? Shakti Mati?” and they both started laughing.
Then Prabhupada gave everyone—Chayavana, Brahmananda, Niragadeva, and me—a handful of prasadam.
He said, “You take this, distribute the rest, and then come back, and I’ll tell you what I want for breakfast.” He actually wanted local fruits.
He said, “The fruits in Kenya are excellent,” and that’s what he wanted everyday. He also specifically said that he wanted me to make his breakfast. He said, “I want you to do it.”
Prabhupada got angry when he found out that I was doing all the cooking without any help.
Everybody else wanted to be in his classes and go on his morning walks, so I was alone in the kitchen cooking for the Deities, the devotees, and Srila Prabhupada as well. It was quite a strain.
One day we ran out of gas, and Prabhupada’s offering wasn’t getting cooked. Nothing was getting cooked. By that time I was completely stressed. It was too much for me.
Prabhupada told Harikesh to find out what I was doing. Harikesh told Prabhupada, “The kitchen has run out of gas,” and this and that.
Prabhupada said, “Why? Who is helping Mahakratu?” Harikesh explained that I was doing it all by myself. I had to arrange everything and cook as well.
Srila Prabhupada said to Harikesh, “You help cook. I didn’t realize that Mahakratu was under so much burden.”
Harikesh helped for a while but walked out when some matajis came into the kitchen.
When he went back to Prabhupada’s room, Prabhupada asked him, “Why aren’t you helping in the kitchen?”
Harikesh said, “There’s matajis in there. Mahakratu can manage.” Srila Prabhupada got up and said, “I’ll go and help him then. If you don’t want to help, I will help.” In this way Prabhupada was very merciful.
Some Gaudiya Math brahmacharis were cooking a big feast outside, and I was watching them.
Then, all of a sudden, Prabhupada walked up holding his cane, stood a little behind me, and looked also.
I didn’t realize he was there. I turned around, and there was Prabhupada. I offered my obeisances, and Prabhupada said,
“If you can learn to cook like this, you can win the whole world. These Gaudiya Math cooks are very expert.”
Then he walked off. He was strolling around by himself looking at the different preparations.
—Mahakratu
Mayapur Daily Darshan Narasimha Caturdasi 20 May 2016 (Album with photos)
Narasimha-vesa. In the forest Apsaravana at the foot of Narasimha-tila lie two lakes, Puncari-kunda and the glorious Apsara-kunda. Here, by affectionately stroking young Prahlada Maharaja’s head, Narasimhadeva reassured him that he was now free from any further torment from his demoniac father Hiranyakashipu.
The Lord said to his devotee, “Dear child, stay in this forest, and with a purified heart, worship the pastimes of Radha and Krsna by chanting the Holy Name. Soon you will see them.”
(Nava-vraja-mahima, volume 3)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EvKxNC
Atlanta Annual Ratha Yatra festival.
2016 being the 50th year for ISKCON, we have organized our Annual Ratha Yatra as “MARCH FOR UNITY” inviting 50 organizations to participate in the event.
May 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji Gave Us Confidence.
There were many potentially awkward moments for Srila Prabhupada as he began conducting his movement in America in 1966. We rejoice now in recalling how he was so tolerant. While Prabhupada had some control over events within the storefront, it was more uncontrolled when we went to chant outside in Tompkins Square Park. When someone joined your kirtana by blowing loudly on a saxophone, it was not easy to tell him to go away. But Prabhupada always seemed to know best how to get through such situations.
Prabhupada’s chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra was a particularly effective way to smooth over awkward gaps between himself and the younger generation. He just recommended that people chant Hare Krishna “wherever you go, and whatever you do.”
Although Prabhupada was worlds apart from the young people in America, the younger generation accepted him as “cool”; he was hip in his own way. He was not a middle-class conformist, and he had not come to give us Boy Scout lessons. He was not a church minister giving sermons with a piety that we could not relate to.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
Radha Kunda Seva – April 2016 Photos and Updates.
We are excited to share photos with you of the progress on the building of Srila Prabhupada’s temple on the property adjacent to ours in Govardhan. The dome has appeared and is clearly visible from the Govardhana Parikrama path! Construction for the kitchen is scheduled to begin as soon as the temple is complete.
If you’d like to be a part of Prasadam distribution in Radha Kunda, this is an excellent opportunity. More about the project at http://radharani.com/build-a-kitchen/
The service of cleaning and prasadam distribution in Radha Kunda and Govardhan is continuing despite these days of extreme heat and sporadic, extreme storms with baseball-sized hail.
And on this most auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (the first day of Chandan Yatra), we want to express our humble gratitude for your support and prayers. Thank you!
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/YJO4nI
Rain does not stop the Harinama party in Lithuania (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kpYNjl
ISKCON pins hopes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Krishna temple in Moscow
Indiatimes.com (http://goo.gl/InVviV) Moscow, May 1 (IANS)
It was in the forefront to stall a ban on the Hindu holy book, the Bhagavad Gita, in a Siberian city, but somewhat like the story of Lord Krishna, whose address at birth was said to be a gloomy dungeon in ancient Mathura, the address to Moscow’s only Krishna temple is in a basement in a rented building.
And quite like the story of persecution of Lord Krishna’s parents Devaki and Vasudev, the temple run by ISKCON’s Moscow chapter dedicated to the Hindu god, has had to be shifted to the makeshift subterranean abode, due to what is being perceived as sustained non-cooperation by the authorities as well as conservative religious groups, which have in the past, thwarted attempts to construct a temple on land officially allotted to the New York-founded society.
But for Sadhu Priya Das, who has been pursuing the issue for ISKCON in Moscow, the arrival of Narendra Modi as the Indian prime minister, who has already visited Russia twice since assuming office in 2014, could well be a catalyst in ensuring that a temple for Krishna comes alive in the land of the Kremlin.
“We are very hopeful that in the current tenure of Mr. Modi our temple will be built,” Das told this visiting IANS correspondent.
The history of the Hare Krishna movement’s efforts to build the temple appears as chequered as it seems mystifying.
The Hare Krishna movement was first legalized in the then Soviet Union 1988, after an initial spell of suspicion in the government establishment about the cult on account of its American lineage as well as unique methods of worship.
The real trouble however began in 2004, when its first and only temple located on the Begovaya avenue was demolished by the civic authorities on account of an urban development project. The Society was then awarded an alternative plot of land on the tony Leningradsky Prospekt, a move which saw strong protests from the conservative Russian Orthodox Church and was eventually stalled.An offer of another patch of land in the suburbs of Moscow was also withdrawn by the government just as construction of the temple was about to get under way.
“We have gone through a very long procedure for constructing the temple and finally the land was taken back by the government. Almost five years ago, we were promised another piece of land for the temple construction, but so far nothing has happened. The temple is currently located in a rented building in a basement,” Das said.
The Krishna temple, according to ISKCON, would not just facilitate the religious needs of the 15,000-strong population of Indians and more than 25,000 ISKCON followers living in the Russian capital but also serve as a social and cultural centre for South Asians in general.
Apart from the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government being at the helm in India, what has given a fresh lease of hope for ISKCON Moscow followers is the permission granted by the authorities in India to build the country’s first Russian Orthodox Church in the national capital New Delhi last year, following requests by the Russian embassy.
Many like Das are perhaps hoping that the Indian government is able to calibrate a diplomatic swap between a church for Christ in Delhi and a temple for Krishna in Moscow.
“If the government of India has approved the construction of the (Russian) Orthodox Church in India that is very good sign of our friendship and a good gesture. I am sure that a Hindu temple in Russia by ISKCON will soon be a reality,” Das said.
Elevate Your Consciousness At Govinda’s Vegetarian!
Like any nice Jewish boy ought to, I decided to have lunch at a Hare Krishna temple.
Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant opened in 2007 in the basement of the ISKCON New York Hare Krishna temple at 305 Schemerhorn Street (just off Nevins Street) and it’s only open Monday through Friday from 12pm – 3:30pm.
“If you eat, healthy, good fresh home cooked food, you’re gonna feel happy and lighter and it’s gonna elevate your consciousness,” said Satya, who is both the manager and the chef.
This is Satya, the chef/manager of Govinda’s.
I was surprised to learn that Govinda is much a chain or, as Satya put it, “like a franchise.” They have successful locations in Los Angeles, Tuscon, and in Hawaii as well as elsewhere around the world.
ISKCON New York opened Govinda’s in 2007 as a means of spreading their message and raising funds.
“Hare Krishnas are known for their food, fresh homemade, no preservatives, as healthy as possible,” said Satya.
The food is served cafeteria-style and seating is the same. The no-frills approach masks the many splendors of the meal. Depending on the number of items you get, it can run anywhere from $7 to $12 (cash only.) The menu is always vegetarian, as the name implies, and sometimes it’s vegan, but the emphasis is on whole ingredients and not things like isolated soy protein.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/IzOj99
Grade 5 activities for Lord Nrisimhadeva’s appearance day at Sri Mayapur International School (Album with photos)
Face painting and chanting extra rounds for Lord Nrisimhadeva’s pleasure.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/y1t93HRead More…(…
Vrndavana Vilasini was attached to a hippie life of independence but found that lifestyle to be no protection from painful events and the intense suffering they caused. In her travels around America, she met devotees, heard the holy name, and took pr…
May 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Gift of Intimacy.
Aside from age and cultural distances, there is always a distance between two persons until they get to know each other. In the beginning, you try to see whether you will be able to be intimate with another person. Prabhupada was able to establish intimacy with hundreds of persons. He did not merely give us lessons in perfection delivered from a mountaintop. Rather, his physical association was always nearby. The awkwardness of not trusting him soon changed, and he also reached forward and pulled us toward him in a spiritual relationship.
Srila Prabhupada removed the awkwardness by convincing us that we did not belong to a different religion than he. He referred to the transcendental level at which all things come together. He used to say, “No one should object and say that they can’t chant Hare Krishna because it is a foreign name and it is not one’s own religion. This is transcendental sound vibration. We are all spirit souls, part and parcels of Krishna.” In this way, he established spiritual intimacy.
Prabhupada taught that all souls have an intimacy with Krishna and any feelings we had of alienation were not based on fact. They were illusion, based on false designation. Thus he gave a new consciousness and a new way to see reality.
As for Srila Prabhupada’s own unfamiliarity with Western culture, it was a feature that simply made him more dear to us. One time a devotee told Prabhupada that he might get fired from his job. Prabhupada was astonished and said, “Fired? They would fire on you?” Prabhupada thought the devotee would be fired with a gun. The devotee replied, “Oh no, Prabhupada! Fired just means they would release me from the job.” We would all laugh together about his not knowing these words. We did not expect him to know such things, but neither did we think of him as a “foreigner.”
Prabhupada knew the transcendental world, the real home. To be unaware of the material world was just another sign of his detachment. We did not expect that eventually he would educate himself in such things. He was not interested. They were all in the category of ignorance and passion.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
The Journey Within – book trailer (2 min video)
In this long-awaited follow-up to his international bestseller “The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami”, renowned spiritual leader and social activist Radhanath Swami shares intimate stories from his decades of experience as a guru of Bhakti Yoga that illustrate the basic teachings of the ancient philosophy. With illuminating references to Western religions and ideologies, The Journey Within invites readers from all backgrounds to discover the simple truths that unite us.
Daytona Beach Festival of the Chariots, Bhakti Yoga Culture & Wellness Fest.
Daytona Beach, FL Sunday, May 29, 2016
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Bhadra das at 352 316-4560 or Bhadradas@gmail.com
WHAT: An Indian multi-cultural parade and festival will be celebrated with entertainment for the whole family. There will be live music, singing, classical dance, books, bazaar, and lots of free delicious vegetarian food. The Ratha Yatra Parade is the oldest known parade in the world.
WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, May 29, 2016. There is an inauguration ceremony at the Daytona Beach Bandshell located at 70 Boardwalk. The parade begins at 4 PM going North on the beach several blocks, then turns back South, returning to the Bandshell where the free feast and cultural festival take place from 6 to 9 PM.
WHO: All are welcome. Free admission. Wholesome fun for the entire family.
SPECIAL: VERY VISUAL event with colorful traditional costumes and flower decorations. Photography is permitted. Performances by international guest musician, DJ & sound healer Srikology; healthy living booths; yoga/gong workshop (please bring your mats).
If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting colorful, exotic India, we have a treat for you. Get a taste of India without leaving Florida on Sunday, May 29, 2016. The Festival of the Chariots, Bhakti Yoga Culture & Wellness Fest, an Indian multi-cultural extravaganza, will take place starting at 4 PM at the Daytona Beach Bandshell located at 70 Boardwalk. A parade starts here and also ends at the same place, the Bandshell at 6 PM with free food and a cultural program from 6 to 9 PM.
There will be lots of family-friendly activities and entertainment: live music, classical Indian dance, drama performance, face painting & henna, mantra meditation, bhakti yoga. But the big draw is the delicious vegetarian food. There will be a sumptuous feast served free of charge to all.
The procession route is about 2 miles long and can be easily walked by all age groups. The parade will move in a leisurely fashion, stopping here and there along the route, giving way to song and dance. The procession’s unique feature is a huge chariot with a blue, red and yellow canopy decorated with swans, lotus flowers, flags, Hanuman and a brass chakra on top. This chariot has two very thick ropes attached to it that are over one hundred feet long. These ropes are pulled by the parade-goers, propelling the chariot along the parade route. Riding on the Chariot are the beautiful Deities of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, decorated with stunning silk outfits & real flowers. It’s a vision from another world. Accompanying the procession is lively Indian music and dancing, backed by double-headed mrdanga drums & karatala hand cymbals. It’s an ecstatic, exciting event.
The festival is mainly sponsored by ISKCON Alachua, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness whose Founder/Acharya, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, came to America from India forty-five years ago and introduced the timeless tradition of the Festival of the Chariot (called Ratha Yatra in India). Since the 60’s this festival has been held yearly in over 50 major cities in the United States, Canada, and all over the world. Nine Ratha Yatras are held yearly in the state of Florida: Miami, Jacksonville Beach, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach & St. Augustine.
Local sponsors of this festival include Kale Café, Space Girl Organics, Evolution Health Club, Sacred Strength Healing Arts, and Daytona Wellness.
All are warmly invited to attend this joyous, colorful festival, free of charge. Take advantage of a rare chance to experience the vibrancy of India, right here in Florida.
Questions? Contact Bhadra das at 352 316-4560 or Bhadradas@gmail.com
Please visit our website at www.festivalofchariots.org
Devotee, inventor of “kurma the frog” character left his body.
Jagadambika Devi: HIs Grace Shom Prabhu left the temple around 5:00 p.m. We had to wait until the police investigated, doctor signed off on Death Details, cremation place etc. At first the police would not let the devotees touch Shom’s body. They finally figured it out that there was no foul play. Apparently Shom Prabhu got up at 5:00 a.m. to bath and get dressed for his service. Then Anadi Das Prabhu, roommate, did not hear Shom leave by 6:00 a.m. yet, so he went to his room to check and he was face down on the bed. He was already dressed. So he must have left his body somewhere between 5 a.m. – 6 a.m.
Shom Prabhu’s body was in the house all day. As they took his body away by transport, the devotees were out chanting Hare Krsna to see him off. Then some of us went and opened all the temple doors outside so he could get one final darshan of Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakadisa. The mortuary transport stopped in front of the temple so Shom Prabhu could say goodbye. I opened Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra’s doors. Other devotees opened the other Deity doors. His body was the color of Krsna. He must have seen Krsna. I’ve seen many dead bodies but have never seen anything like it. He was really blue and had a big smile on his face. He became blue so quickly. He must have had another seizure. He’s had them a lot lately.
All glories to Her Grace Kriya Shakti Mataji! She’s cool calm and amazing! She was with Anadi Das Prabhu and Shom Prabhu’s body all day, arranging everything. She went through Shom Prabhu’s phone and got some close relatives contact, contacted a mortuary, etc. to pick up Shom Prabhu’s body. Mother Kriya Shakti Mataji arranged all the details for Shom Prabhu’s body, garlands and all. His Grace Rabindranatha Das Prabhu, Head Pujari came also. Mother Kriya Shakti must be exhausted from such a long day. I notice whenever a devotee is in need she’s always there to help out. She did such an amazing service with this sudden passing. She even got Shom’s family to allow the devotees to do everything for Shom Prabhu’s body from cremating, etc. There will be a Memorial for Shom Prabhu later. I don’t think they need to do an autopsy since doctor signed off.
It’s times like this I’m so grateful to be around devotees like Mother Kriya Shakti, and all the New Dwaraka Devotees. Family always come together when needed. They are always there. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada! Such an auspicious day to pass!
This is his facebook page, active until few days ago: https://goo.gl/K21942
The Transformation of a Dish Washer.
Vasudeva Dasa: I come from Holland, which is a very rich country by material standards. However, unlike India, where the family ties are still strong, the family culture in the west is fast eroding. Youngsters move out of parents’ homes to enjoy unrestricted freedom, working hard to finance their studies and social life. I too followed this system during high school, and would study five days a week and then clean dishes at a hotel on weekends. I used the money buy objects of sense gratification. Gradually, however, the hard work, irregular lifestyle, and bad habits began to take a heavy toll over my health.
I remember one particular evening: I had been nearing the end of washing what seemed like a mountain of dishes, when the cleaner dumped another stack before me. I was dead tired, still I continued and managed to clean them by mid night. My body was in excruciating agony, but more work was pending. “Clean the floor!” the boss shouted. Wearily, I picked up the broom and the mop. By the time I finished, the clock showed 2 am.
After the work that night, while walking home I asked myself, “Is this what I want from my life?” All my pent up emotions became impossible to hold back anymore and I broke down right there in the street. I tried to look for a way out of my hopeless situation, but nothing appeared.
Life continued.
Some time later, I came in contact with the Hare Krsna devotees and visited the center at my town. I was completely mesmerized with what I saw. The Deities, the chanting, the dancing, the lectures, the love of the devotees, and above all the prasadam completely conquered my heart. I realized that Krsna consciousness was the thing missing in my life.
One day I decided to render some voluntary service in the temple. I approached a senior devotee and asked him, “Can I help in some service?” He smiled and took me to the kitchen and pointed to huge black bottomed cooking utensils. “Can you clean them?”
“Of course,” I replied. “I have enough training in this art!” I lunged at the pots and began to scrub them with all my might. I soaped, scrubbed, and washed them for hours and hours untill they were sparkling bright. Then I cleaned the entire kitchen. By the time I finished I had half expected to collapse with fatigue. Yet there was something strange going on. I was not feeling tired at all Instead I was feeling fresh; I could have washed pots for another six hours. I was in euphoria! I felt as if I was floating in air.
It was then that I realized that service to Lord Krsna is unlike serving any mundane materialistic master. By serving Lord Krsna we engage in the natural activity of soul, as an eternal servant of Lord Krsna. The pleasure that one achieves by serving Lord Krsna is beyond any sensory and mental experience and purely on the spiritual level. Krsna consciousness’ transcendental nature thus became a tangible reality which I could perceive and experience in simple day to day activities and all this was so blissful. I decided at that moment never again to leave the shelter of Lord Krsna.
-Vasudeva Dasa
Direct Descendants of Sri Advaitacharya’s Lineage Make an Invaluable Donation to Bhaktivedanta Research Centre!
On Feb 18, 2016 BRC was blessed by a generous donation of a
special collection of 40 rare manuscripts from the Sri M K Goswami family, who are directly descended from Sri Advaitacarya (17th generation.) Originally from Shantipur, they currently reside in
Bangalore.
This donation of very precious and rare Vaishnava manuscripts
included Govinda Lilamrita by Ragunath Bhatta Goswami, Padyavali of Rupa Goswami, Stavavali of Ragunath das Goswami, and complete manuscripts of Chaitanya Charitamrita on handmade
paper. They are in good to excellent condition.
This donation was given in memory of Sri Nanda Gopala Goswami
and Nirmalya Rani Goswami, his revered parents. After a nice visit
to the library, Mr. Goswami was extremely satisfied that he had
made a good decision to place his manuscripts in our care. “A great spiritual feeling was accrued after visiting the library,” he wrote in the guest book.
Read this and more in the latest Bhaktivedanta Research Centre’s newsletter: http://goo.gl/hVOE9z
A Floating Harinama (Album with photos)
Yekaterinburg Yatra, Russia, organized a very unusual Harinama from 1 to 3 May.
Imagine: the May holidays, spring forest, tourists, catamarans, campfire, tents and resounding echo of the Hare Krishna mantra. Right in the middle of the river, on a conventional catamaran, with a small “combo”, around which there is ecstatic kirtan: devotees singing and playing, who sings, the rowing – all honestly)). At the sound of the water is carried away. On shore leave are the same “rafters” affably waving, trying to sing along and dance. Passing by catamaran was surprised looking at the proud flag on which is written the text of the maha-mantra. “And why did you write this? To forget themselves ”- trying to joke the passing tourists. “No, you read” – and continue to respond devotees kirtan. The alloy is also small harinama program in villages, distribution of sweets prasadam. And holy name, almost around the clock.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/o2RMJq
Two pairs of twin sisters join the Harinama and book distribution in St. Petersburg, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupad…
Huffington Post article features Agnideva das chanting the Maha mantra! Daily Meditation: Sacred Service (6 min video).
Antonia Blumberg: We all need help maintaining our personal spiritual practice. We hope that these Daily Meditations, prayers and mindful awareness exercises can be part of bringing spirituality alive in your life.
Today’s meditation features a Hare Krishna mantra. The mantra is commonly translated as, “O Lord, O Energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your service.” It is a mantra of devotion and sacred service.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/wwTiBA
London Wellbeing show (Album with photos)
Devotees in London attended the Wellbeing Mind Body Spirit Expo at Olympia London wi…
May 18. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Evoking Memories of 1966.
There is a famous example in the novel Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust. Proust eats a little piece of pastry, a petite madeleine, and as he mixed it with tea and it softened in his mouth, the scent of it and the taste of it suddenly threw him back many years to his childhood.
Maybe we can do things like that, by hearing the noises on the street and remembering how it was during those 1966 lectures:
I’m in my spot hearing him speak. A little afraid when hoodlums or teenagers out there make noises, but we’re not going to give up our places. I hope it doesn’t get into some big scene, but that they will go away so we can continue to hear the Swami. When someone comes and makes noises at the doorway, you can get a flash of how it looks to outsiders. They see you are just some hippies with this strange Indian man. The whole thing seems weird to them and they can’t figure it out. They just can’t figure it out. The Swami is obviously an Indian, so why is he with these young American hippies? They are street-tough, street-wise; they know American hippies well enough, but they don’t know the Swami.
When we were in the storefront and someone would look in or play their music from the radio and say, “Hey, what the hell is this?” Or just, “Hey!” – you sat there and absorbed it and they would usually go away. But one intruder after another would come; sometimes for a large part of the lecture there would be disturbing sounds. The thing is, Swamiji kept the door open. If he had shut the door, it might have been better, but he wanted people to feel free to come in. Maybe it was better that way. Maybe there would have been more disturbances if they hadn’t been able to look in and check it out and say something. If the door was shut, they might have been more frustrated. But for whatever reason, he kept it open.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
TOVP: A short update of what we’re up to at the moment. (Album with photos)
TOVP management has given their approval for the Murti of Lord Siva to be cast into fiber glass, which is the next stage of the process after the clay work is completed.
Sadbhuja and his team of artists are doing the final inspection.
In the background you can see Manu manifesting, who will be the next great personality in-line offering prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva.
Furthermore, HG Jananivas Prabhu, -our head pujari-, has approved for the final mold-making of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, for the Disciplic succession altar.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FkWsqr