Author Archives: H.H. Ramai Swami

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.

For the last few years during the Mayapur festival, there has been five days sets aside for devotees to participate in a kirtan mela. As usual, the Panca Tattva temple area is packed out from morning to night with devotees … Continue reading →

Sri Purusottama Thakur “The twenty-third and twenty-fourth prominent devotees of Nityananda Prabhu were Sadasiva Kaviraja and his son Purusottama dasa, who was the tenth gopala. Since birth, Purusottama dasa was merged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord … Continue reading →

Sri Isvara Puri appeared in this world on the full moon day of the month of Jyestha. He served his guru, Sri Madhavendra Puri, very faithfully, especially during the end of Sri Puripada’s life. On day when Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited … Continue reading →

Every year at the time of the Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival, the GBCs from all over the world come to meet. There are many proposals of various kinds put to the GBC body and discussions go over a couple of … Continue reading →

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura appeared in Jagannatha Puri on February 6th 1874 as the son of Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorised the Bhagavad-Gita, and relished his father’s philosophical works. He became known … Continue reading →

This year’s ISKCON Leadership Sanga coincided with the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada incorporating ISKCON in New York. Over 1200 devotees travelled to Sridham Mayapur to attend 8 days of seminars, kirtan and transcendental association. On the first day everyone … Continue reading →

Lord Nityananda appeared in the village of Ekachakra, in West Bengal, India, around 1474. In the Caitanya Caritamrita and other scriptures He is declared to be the avatar of Lord Balarama, the direct expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, … Continue reading →

On the seventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magh, the great ocean of ecstasy swelled to its limits, being forcibly attracted by the moon of Advaita. He appeared from the womb of Sri Nabhadevi as the … Continue reading →

The Canberra devotees were asked to participate in the capital’s multi-cultural festival that lasted three days and had hundreds of stalls set up in Civic Square. On the first day there was a parade and the devotees were able to … Continue reading →

Raghunatha Dasa couldn’t live after Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left this world. So, he came to Vrndavana to end his life by jumping off Govardhana Hill. Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis affectionately received him. They convinced him to live on and enlighten … Continue reading →

The New Gokula Dairy has been operating for about 30 years and there are around 70 cows, bullocks and a bull. The pasture is rich this year after a good rainfall season and Radha Gokulananda have plenty of milk and … Continue reading →

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to especially relish hearing the Gita Govinda as well as the works of Candidas, Vidyapati, Ramananda Ray and the Krsna-karnamrta by Bilvamangala Thakur. Sri Gita Govinda is full of intimate pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Govinda … Continue reading →

Vyenkata Bhatta lived at Sri Rangam and had a son named Gopal. When the boy came to offer his obeisances at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu the Lord picked him up and very affectionately seated him in His lap. Mahaprabhu … Continue reading →

I had the good fortune of meeting and having lunch with Bhakti Caru Maharaja during his recent visit to Australia. Maharaja usually comes a couple of times a year and this time in Sydney he gave a four day seminar … Continue reading →

Krsna Pusya abhiseka is a not very well known ceremony but wonderful nonetheless. During the morning puja, or worship, the Deity or a salagrama is bathed in pure ghee. Srila Prabhupada once explained the festival this way: “Krishna was just … Continue reading →

By the end of this year, the Christchurch temple will be rebuilt on the same land as before the earthquake. In the meantime, the devotee community has been renting a hall to hold Sunday programs and festivals. Even though not … Continue reading →

Jiva Goswami was one of the most prolific and important acharyas in Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He was the nephew of Rupa Goswami and Sanatan Goswami. Jiva Goswami left this world in 1596 (or 1618 according to some biographies). His samadhi is … Continue reading →

The Higher Taste restaurant in Wellington has been operating for many years with various cooks and management. Last year four devotee chefs came from India to raise the standard of the menu, especially in the matter of “a la carte.” … Continue reading →

Nimainanda, his wife Sucitra and his son Kunaal live in Auckland and attend New Varshana regularly. For a time Nimainanda lived on the farm and was the head cook. Some years ago the family started “Gopal,” a business that supplies … Continue reading →

Over the last year the Auckland temple devotees organised about 10 Rathayatras in the area. The big cart was used for the city and a smaller cart for the suburbs and nearby towns. A few days ago a Rathayatra went … Continue reading →

Saturday night kirtans have moved from the Lotus Room in Sydney to Govindas Asrama nearby. This is because the restaurant is so crowded that both the regular customers and those from the kirtans could not fit in at the same … Continue reading →