Author Archives: H.H. Ramai Swami

On the Friday night before the Sydney Opera House event, Pratapana and Jayasri hosted a “patrons” dinner for all the devotees who donated generously to help sponsor the function. Special guests were HH Mukunda Maharaja, HH Bhakti Caru Maharaja, Syamasundara … Continue reading →

Balarama Jayanti celebrates the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. Lord Balarama was born as the seventh son of Devaki and Vasudeva. After Kamsa had killed all the children of his sister Devaki, an unborn … Continue reading →

The Jhulan Festival is celebrated in July – August commemorating the pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna enjoying His childhood pastimes with His friends – the young cowherd boys and girls, swinging underneath the trees. It is a festival to celebrate … Continue reading →

When I was in Seattle I had the privilege of staying in the home of Senthil Nallasamy, his wife Sujatha, his son Nithin and daughter Navyah. Originally from India, they moved to Seattle around 15 years ago and became devotees … Continue reading →

One of the main attractions of the Ananda Mela in Seattle was the “Vedic Village” section. A ten metre long diorama was erected showing the descent of the Ganga from the toe of the Lord, through the Himalayas, through various … Continue reading →

Devotees at our Seattle temple have been working for months to organise the Ananda festival at a prominent park in Redmond Shire. The festival spanned a 2 day weekend and it was estimated that nearly 14,000 people attended. There were … Continue reading →

Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami (the son of a Vyenkata Bhatta, a Sri Vaisnava brahmana) appeared in Sri Rangam, South India. Lord Caitanya once stayed four months in his home, and con­verted the family to Gaudiya Vaisnavism. A mere boy at … Continue reading →

There are five full fledged temples in Bali. However, there are also regular home programs around the island where many visiting devotees give lectures. Bhakta Sasha from Russia has been in Indonesia for many years and recently started having programs … Continue reading →

The celebration of Rathayatra in ISKCON is popular all over the world. In Indonesia there are more than 20 Jagannatha Rathayatras in areas of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sulawesi and Kalimantan. I was able to attend 3 Rathayatra festivals when … Continue reading →

As part of ISKCON’s 50th year celebrations, the Balinese devotees organized a Bhakti Festival at a prominent park in Denpasar. Important leaders from local government, the Hindu Parisad and other organizations gave speeches of appreciation for ISKCON’s work in Indonesia. … Continue reading →

Some of the Indonesian devotees thought that it would be a good idea to have an ISKCON Leadership Sanga in Bali. Many had been to Mayapur and were enthused by the ILS there. The event was organised and experienced speakers … Continue reading →

One of the closest associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Purusottama Acarya (Svarupa) knew exactly the heart of Sri Krsna Caitanya. Glorifying him as “the storehouse of all devotional mellows,” Lord Caitanya added the word Damodara to his name. Svarupa Damodara … Continue reading →

Srivasa Pandit, the fifth member of the Panca-tattva, who are, Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa, lived in Navadvipa before the advent of Lord Chaitanya. He often met with Shri Advaita Acharya Prabhu and studied Srimad Bhagavatam … Continue reading →

Disciples of HH Tamala Krsna Goswami came from around Australia, New Zealand and Fiji to celebrate their Guru Maharaja’s 70th birthday and Vyasapuja over 3 days. The festivities were held at Sydney temple and on Vyasapuja day God-brothers and God-sisters … Continue reading →

The third Sydney West temple fundraiser this year was well attended. Vedavyasapriya Maharaja and I were guest speakers and also gave gifts to donors. The was a beautiful  bhajan led by Sri Prahlada and some of our devotee ladies presented … Continue reading →

The Vivid festival in Sydney has been going for the last 2 or 3 years and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the down town area. It spans a 23 day period and engages lighting artists, designers and … Continue reading →

Bhima the mighty warrior of the Pandava dynasty requested one vrata day by which he could obtain the fruits of all the other days of vrata that he was incapable of observing. Vyasadeva advised him to follow this difficult vrata. … Continue reading →

The Melbourne temple “kitchen project” has been in the planning stages for years. The old kitchen, which supplies prasadam for Crossways, festivals and feasts, has reached it’s use buy date. The temple management signed with a contractor and work has … Continue reading →

Vedavyasa described Krishna-lila in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Non-different from Vyasa, Vrindavan Das Thakur described Mahaprabhu’s lila in his Chaitanya Bhagavat. His book was first called Chaitanya Mangala, but when Locana Das gave the same name to his biography of the … Continue reading →

At the end of May the leaders around Australia assembled at Melbourne temple for the annual general meeting. Every year the AGM is held at different centres and after many years it was graciously hosted by Aniruddha and his team … Continue reading →

Gopal’s restaurant in Melbourne was renovated at the end of last year when the owners of the building put in a new elevator. Unfortunately, it had to be closed for a couple of months while work was going on but … Continue reading →

Every year the devotee leaders from around New Zealand come to Auckland for the annual general meeting. This is held in one of the classrooms at the Hare Krsna School at New Varshana. This year, along with other matters, there … Continue reading →

Lord Nrsimha is the incarnation of Lord Krsna that appeared to protect his young devotee Prahlada. He appeared as half-man half-lion and killed the envious, atheistic demon, Hiranyakashipu who was materialism personified (hiran-gold, kasipu-soft bed). Devotees pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva … Continue reading →

It’s been a long road to the rebuilding of Christchurch temple. When the earthquake struck five years ago, tens of thousands of properties were damaged, many to the point of no repair – including our temple. After a long battle … Continue reading →

Perth Temple has been having regular Bhakti Vrksa programs for some years now and I usually participate on my visits there. It’s always enthusing to see fortunate souls who want to have kirtan, read and ask questions about verses from … Continue reading →

Above the Adelaide temple room and restaurant is a hall that is used for Sunday school and seminars by visiting devotees. On my last visit I presented a series of Bhagavad Gita classes on the difference between karma, karma yoga … Continue reading →

Govindas Restaurant at the Adelaide temple has been operating for around 7 or 8 years. In the beginning they opened just a couple of evenings a week and customer numbers were small. Govindas is now open four evenings a week … Continue reading →

As usual, Thursday night programs at Govindas Asrama in Darlinghurst are great. On other nights there is mainly kirtan and wonderful prasadam served to the guests. However, on Thursday, there is a mix of kirtan with philosophy and of course … Continue reading →

The Sydney West Temple project has steadily been gathering momentum over the last few years. It will include a temple hall, restaurant, 40 -50 accommodation, function and office rooms and nicely landscaped gardens. To help raise funds for the project, … Continue reading →

Lord Balarama enjoyed His springtime rasa dance with His cowherd girlfriends. Also, at this time, it is the anniversary of Sri Krishna Vasanta Rasa, the Lord’s springtime rasa lila pastime. Sri Krishna Vasanta rasa takes place on Vaisakha purnima, which … Continue reading →

Many temples in ISKCON celebrate Rama Navami, the appearance of Lord Rama, not only on the actual anniversary day but on a second or even third day that is more convenient to the public. New Govardhana and Brisbane temples celebrated … Continue reading →

Rama Navami is the day on which Lord Rama incarnated in human form in the land of Ayodhya. Lord Rama exemplified the perfect person (maryada purushottam). He was the embodiment of compassion, gentleness, kindness, righteousness and integrity. Although he had … Continue reading →

Tulasi Jala Dan can be followed for one month during the hot season in the northern hemisphere. One may hang a pot with a hole in it, fill it with water and drip water over Tulasi and Shaligrama Shila. As … Continue reading →

Ramanujacarya was born in India during the year 1017 A.D. His parents were Asuri Keshava and Kantimati, both from aristocratic families. Ramanuja was a great acarya in the Sri Sampradaya. Prior to Ramanuja, the Sri Sampradaya was already an established … Continue reading →

Srivasa Thakura is a close associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and a member of the Panca Tattva. He is understood as tatastha-shakti, a marginal energy of Krsna. Devotees who are headed by Srivasa Thakura are described as ‘parts’ of transcendental body … Continue reading →

At Easter, many people go on holidays and our temples are usually quite busy receiving guests from all walks of life. New Gokula, even though in a little remote area of the country, welcomed 100-200 visitors every day at the … Continue reading →

The resurrection of Jesus is the Christian religious belief that, after being put to death, Jesus rose again from the dead. It is the central tenet of Christian Theology and part of the Nicene Creed: “On the third day he … Continue reading →

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Mayapur in the town of Nadia just after sunset on the 18th of February 1486. The moon was eclipsed at the time of His birth, and the people of Nadia were then engaged, as was usual … Continue reading →

Before Lord Chaitanya appeared He sent His eternal associates like Shri Advaita Acharya, Shri Jagannatha Mishra, Saci Mata, Madhavendra Puri and Isvara Puri to earth. Shri Madhavendra Puri took initiation from Shri Lakshmipati Tirtha in the Madhvacharya sampradaya. Shri Advaita … Continue reading →

The Bhakti Tree restaurant and preaching centre in Newcastle was officially opened a year ago.
The devotees decided to celebrate the first anniversary with kirtan led by Madhava Prabhu and sumptuous prasadam.