Author Archives: Shubham Sindhwani

Jagannatha Snana-Yatra – Sunday, June 29, 2014
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A sure sign that the annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) is just around the corner (July 12-13, 2014) is the annual Jagannatha Snana-Yatra festival! Snana-Yatra, a wonderful festival, wherein Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra will be bathed amidst amazing kirtan and chanting!

The bathing ceremony will tentatively take place from 6:45-8:00pm. Please note that Lord Jagannatha’s altar will not be open for the 8:00pm Arati. After the bathing ceremony (Snana-Yatra), Lord Jagannātha apparently becomes sick. He is therefore removed to His private quarters, where no one can see Him. Actually, during this period the body of the Jagannātha Deity is repainted, this is called nava-yauvana.

During the Ratha-Yatra Festival on July 12th, Lord Jagannātha will once again come before the public. Thus for thirteen days after the bathing ceremony, Lord Jagannātha is not visible to any visitors! Don’t miss out this last opportunity to see Lord Jagannatha before his grand Ratha-Yatra festival!

The tentative schedule for the evening will be as follows:
   6:00pm to 6:30pm – Kirtan (Arati)
   6:30pm to 6:45pm – Welcome & Announcements
   6:45pm to 8:00pm – Deity Bathing Ceremony (Snana-Yatra)
   8:00pm to 8:30pm  – Kirtan (Arati)
   8:30pm to 9:30pm – Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)

"The Return of Hare Krishnas" – Article from Details Magazine
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We want to share an interesting article that we stumbled upon. It illustrates and discusses the lifestyles of some members of the Hare Krishna faith in the contemporary western world. The author begins:

The much-maligned Hindu sect has shed its freak-show status and, behind its yuppie-friendly pillars of yoga, meditation, and clean living, is transforming America into a postmodern ashram. Robes not required.“

The past and present of Hare Krishna suns himself in the high-resolution glow of code as it scrolls down his computer screen. He is 31 and married to a doctor and, after five years as an architect, is making the transition into tech—working at the largest data-protection company in the world to study its market strategies, which he hopes to apply to the start-up he’s planning to launch. He is just like you: career-minded and ambitious. He has a slim build, short-cropped hair, a vegetarian diet, and a dedicated yoga regimen. It’s only if you happen to catch a glimpse of the string of tulasi-wood beads—a sign of devotion to Lord Krishna—tucked discreetly inside his collared shirt that you might become aware that Palaka Das is existing on a different plane. [Read More]

Siva Ratri Celebrations this Sunday!
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This Sunday, March 2, 2014, Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple will be celebrating Siva Ratri.*
Siva Ratri literally translates as “the Night of Lord Siva.” Lord Siva is described as “the greatest Vaishnava (devotee of Lord Krishna)”; as such, this week’s Sunday “Love” Feast will be dedicated to honouring Lord Siva.

The tentative schedule is as follows:

6:00pm to 6:30pm – Arati
6:30pm to 6:35pm – Welcome and Announcements
6:35pm to 7:15pm – Class by HG Bhakti Yoga Prabhu
7:15pm to 7:35pm – Abhisheka (bathing ceremony) for Lord Siva
7:35pm to 8:00pm – Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)
8:00pm to 8:30pm – Arati


*Please note that the actual day of Siva Ratri is Friday, February 28, but the festival will be celebrated at the temple on Sunday, March 2.  

Lord Nityananda’s Appearance Day
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One of the sweetest festivals of the year falls on Wednesday, February 12th! A warm invitation goes out to you and your family to join us as we celebrate the advent (appearance) of Lord Nityananda this Wednesday evening, starting at 6pm. 


Lord Nityananda (also known as Nityananda Prabhu, Nitai, Nityananda Balarama) appeared as Lord Chaitanya’s principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Balarama.

This festival is a special one for ISKCON Toronto and often features very sweet, intimate and spiritually-soaked festivities! We are very excited to announce that joining us for the festival will be Her Grace Malati Prabhu.

The whole festival will be based on following verses: “The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda. Unless one takes shelter under the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha-Krsna. If one actually wants to enter into the dancing party of Radha-Krsna, he must firmly catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.” 

The program will be as follows (subject to change):

6:00pm to 6:30pm – Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm to 6:40pm – Welcome & Announcements
6:40pm to 7:15pm – Class by Bhakti Yoga Prabhu
7:15pm to 7:35pm – Special Presentation by Krishna Funskool
7:35pm to 8:00pm – Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)
8:00pm to 8:30pm – Kirtan (Arati)

Devotees are encouraged to come to the program wearing the colour blue, the colour commonly associated with Lord Nityananda!