Vedic Village
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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 holy places like Hrsikesa, and finally going out into the ocean at Ganga Sagara.

Other parts of the village included a pen for two of our cows, roti making using traditional clay and cow dung oven, produce from our farm etc.

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ISKCON 50 Releases Three More ‘Inspiration Series’ Videos
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ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Committee released three more video clips in continuation of the two that had been released earlier on 13th July, as part of the Inspiration Series. The new clips feature talks by Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhaktivijnana Swami and Dina Sharana Devi Dasi, who discuss the importance of the 50th anniversary and encourage the worldwide community of devotees to participate enthusiastically in the celebrations around the globe.

Dina Sharana Devi Dasi Speaks on ISKCON 50th
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The Inspiration Series is a set of video clips where ISKCON leaders speak about the importance of ISKCON's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2016, with a view to encouraging active participation from the worldwide community of devotees. In this episode. Dina Sharana Devi Dasi speaks about the importance of ISKCON 50.

Boat Festival in London, 31 July 2016
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Written by Nimai

In honour of ISKCON’s 50 year anniversary, ISKCON London organized a Boat Festival on the River Thames this past Sunday (31 July). Over 500 guests boarded the Dixie Queen at midday and for six hours we sailed up and down the Thames, with a nonstop kirtan taking place. 

The festival was advertised as a “Chant for Peace” campaign and it was covered in the media. While we travelled on the subway to the city centre to board the Dixie Queen, people recognised us as Hare Krsnas and greeted us very warm-heartedly! One of the touristic highlights of the cruise was when the Dixie Queen approached the famous London Tower Bridge, which then opened for the boat to pass through. Devotees were waving from the bridge with “Chant for Peace” signs in hand and many other people were watching.

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There were many senior devotees and famous kirtan leaders on board, making it a really wonderful event and more than just a public stunt. Radha Londonisvara Prabhu was first on the line-up, and he set the scene with a light melody while everybody got comfortable on the boat. As the main room of the boat had filled up, devotees were eagerly waiting to hear Kadamba Kanana Swami sing. He started his kirtan in a mellow fashion, building up to the high-pace style that many had hoped for. With Jahnavi on the violin, Varun on the mrdanga and Ravi as back-up singer, Maharaj had an excellent team of musicians on the stage with him. Towards the end, Maharaj engaged the crowd even more by making them chant loudly together for about ten minutes.

In reflecting thoughts about the event, Maharaj thanked the organisers and everyone who had participated and emphasised the importance of peace, represented by the Hare Krsna movement.

While lunch was starting to be served downstairs, Dina Bandhu Prabhu sang a beautiful Vrindavan styled kirtan ending with a long and loud, ‘Radheee Shyam!’ Then Mahatma Prabhu started his “reggae-dance” kirtan as he jokingly referred to the tune.

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Agnidev Prabhu was next on the stage. He sang gauranga bolite habe first, followed by different beautiful melodies of the maha-mantra. By his unique voice, he created an ecstatic atmosphere. He expressed his deep gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for everything that Prabhupada had gone through for his disciples and said that Prabhupada would have been proud to see devotees have a Boat Festival on the famous Thames in London!

Last but definitely not least, BB Govinda Maharaj started leading kirtan after a few introductory words. He started very slowly and beautifully but eventually speeded up and got everyone to stand up and dance. It was a wonderful finish to the successful 50 year anniversary festival of ISKCON in London!

*photos by Arjun Bhattacharyya

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Berlin’s Historic Ratha Yatra
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Devotees in Berlin held their annual Ratha Yatra on July 30th near to Brandenburg Gate, Germany’s most famous landmark. It was an historic occasion which brought tears to the eyes of many devotees, including Sacinandana Swami who has served in the German yatra for over 40 years. A video by Ananta Vrindavan.

Thousands Immersed in Krishna at Polish Woodstock
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Running from July 15th to 17th this year, Krishna’s Village is an ISKCON success story, one of the biggest outreach efforts in the world. It’s been part of Woodstock since the music festival’s inception 22 years ago in 1994, when organizer and renowned philanthropist Jurek Owsiak saw a similar vision in traveling preacher Indradyumna Swami.

Promoting VIP Attendance and Media Coverage for Janmastami ISKCON 50
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Hare KrishnaBy Anuttama dasa

We are just under a month away from Janmastami, the Appearance Day of Lord Sri Krishna. Janmastami this year offers a special opportunity-for many temples the best opportunity-to promote ISKCON's 50th Anniversary and connect with the media, dignitaries, and other vips in your area. To date many wonderful ISKCON 50 events have been celebrated around the world, inspiring devotees and informing larger audiences about the relevance and important contributions of Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON society. For temples and communities that have not yet capitalized on the opportunity that ISKCON 50 provides, I am writing to remind you that with Janmastami coming-NOW IS THE CHANCE! For ISKCON communities Janmastami is our biggest and most important Holy Day. It's a great opportunity to take advantage of the natural attention that Krishna's Appearance Day draws. Janmastami gives us a chance to tell your community's story-ISKCON's story, Srila Prabhupada's story-widely. And, to gain favorable media exposure and build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with your local government, religious, academic, neighborhood, and other leaders and vips. And, with ISKCON's 50th Anniversary celebration continuing through this Janmastami, its an even bigger opportunity. I pray you will take full advantage. Continue reading "Promoting VIP Attendance and Media Coverage for Janmastami ISKCON 50
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Gita 10.40 – Krishna’s infinitude brings not confusion, but jubilation
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Gita verse-by-verse podcast


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The post Gita 10.40 – Krishna’s infinitude brings not confusion, but jubilation appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Devotees Inaugurate Newly Renovated Leicester Temple
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Devotees at ISKCON of Leicester, England, publicly inaugurated their temple and presented new renovations to Srila Prabhupada as an offering for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary on Saturday July 30th. It was a special moment for Leicester devotees. Back in September 2010, their Thoresby Street temple was completely destroyed by a gas leak explosion in the kitchen. They purchased a new temple, a 15,000 square foot historic former HSBC Bank in the very center of Leciester, in December 2011.

Saturday, July 30th, 2016
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Saturday, July 30th, 2016
Redfield, Iowa

I Start

I start when the crickets are in concert and when the owl can be heard, but not seen.  It’s true.  I can never discern which tree he’s perched upon when I begin those early steps before dawn cracks.  Sometimes I become oblivious to sound, to the point where I’m convinced there is no sound outside of my murmuring mantrasbefore the tree residents show presence.  I feel it’s so silent that I start to hear human voices in the distance.

In this case at 4:33 am, as I was leaving the quaintness of town Perry, I did hear voices—real ones.  Quite early for cyclists!”  I thought.  But there they were, and there they went.  Two women, helmeted for safety, with bikes lit for any objects ahead.

So I became an object, and not one to be objected to.  We all share the trail here.  That is the culture established on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.  On Saturday hundreds of cyclists tread the trail.  All other creatures cross, or crawl, or hop, or fly, or leap the trail.  Rabbits, chipmunks, skunks, coyotes and more make their move.  No, I haven’t seen a raccoon yet, strange as it is.

Those that don’t have the capacity to move, but stand gloriously as they offer their looks, smells and tastes.  Blackberries, wild plumbs, choke-cherries, apples, mulberries, elderberries, and all herbal wonders line this path.  There’s a serious community present.  And the cyclists?  They move fast but are ever courteous about space.

They, the cyclists, runners and walkers, I’m convinced, are the happiest people.  Line them up against a wall of motorists and they’re no comparison.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Thursday, July 28th, 2016
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Thursday, July 28th, 2016
Dallas Centre, Iowa

Trek Sayings

To accommodate a family that came all the way up from Florida, it was decided to route ourselves along some bike trails like the High Trestle Trail.  This route and a similar one today, forming a loop, would be sage for peaceful conversation.  The state of Iowa is blessed to have such excellent and well-maintained trails.

While the caption for yesterday’s blog “More Walking, Less Squawking” is my own dreamed-up slogan, I picked up some really brilliant sayings that were posted along the trail—sayings that promote the walking culture.

Let’s begin with insomniac Charles Dickens who consumed much time in his daily (or rather “nightly”) walks.  He is quoted saying:

1)    “If I could not walk hard and fas,t I would explode and perish.”

2)    “The way to extend your days is by walking steady and with purpose.”

Savour this one:

3)    “Thoughts come clearly while one walks,” wrote Thomas Mann.

4)    “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking,” penned Friedrich Nietzsche.

5)    “It is solved by walking,” is a Latin Proverb.

And, from an unknown source, here is a thought of wit…

6)    “You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt.  And who wants to leave butt prints in the sands of time?”

I want to thank Ananta, Vaishnavi and their son, Gopal, for joining us all the way from Florida.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Friday, July 29th, 2016
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Friday, July 29th, 2016
Jamaica, Iowa

The Walking Monk Takes His Path Through Ames

Bhaktimarga Swami, who is often referred to as the Walking Monk, made his way through Ames on Wednesday while continuing his mission to walk from New York City to San Francisco.

This is the first time Swami has walked border to border in America, but this is not a new mission.  In the past, he has walked across his home nation of Canada, Ireland, Israel, Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Guyana.

These treks are not simply a spiritual journey for the orange-robed Hare Krishna monk but more of a way to spread his message of health and self-consciousness.

“I’m saying let’s slow down.  Let’s get more in touch with ourselves by walking,” Swami said.  “Really, it’s to check the imbalanced lives we live. We are very much in the consumer world, capitalism, and we just don’t take enough time for introspection. So when you walk, you have time to just process things.”

Swami said that being in Ames on Wednesday was also a celebration of a momentous occasion for followers of the Hare Krishna movement because it marked the 50th anniversary, to the day, of the movement being started.

“It’s a movement that has its challenges but it exploded, went all over the world, and  here we are 50 years later,” Swami said.

Born John Peter Vis in 1952 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Swami said he found the Hare Krishna movement to be similar in many ways to Catholicism, which was the religion he was raised in as a child.  Since making the transition into being a monk, Swami said he started making his pilgrimages to help spread his beliefs but to also meet people and learn more about himself.

“It’s walking, meditating, connecting with people, getting more in touch with yourself, and your soul and just trying to be more contemplative about things,” Swami said.  “When you walk at the human pace that we’re supposed to, there’s an appreciation and sensitivity that develops.”

While traveling from place to place, Swami said that the vast majority of his encounters have been positive and people are usually very receptive of his message.  However, there have been some troubling encounters as well, including some close calls with grizzly and black bears.

“I have been mistaken many times for being an escapee from a prison wearing an orange jumpsuit,” Swami said.

He added that someone also called the police on him when he was walking near a mental institution close to Iowa City because they were worried that he was an escaped patient.

According to Swami, he averages about 20 miles per day and at that pace he believes he could complete his entire trip in about five months.  However, due to a prior commitment, he will stop for the summer once he reaches Nebraska and then pick up where he left off next summer to continue on to San Francisco.

Swami said that during his trip in America, he has seen a different kind of culture that he hasn’t come across in the other areas he has traveled.  He said that he has seen most affluent of neighborhoods and the poorest of ghettos.  According to him, America has several issues that has caused him to be concerned for the world.

“America’s a place of a lot of extremes,” Swami said.  “Obesity is a big problem.  It’s embarrassing to be human sometimes. People could do better.”

One thing that walking across a country has taught Swami, is that no one is above the pains associated with growing older or putting strain on your body.  He said it is also part of his mission to accept those pains for “austerity purposes.”

“It means to voluntarily take up a little bit of inconvenience so to build character, to toughen up a little bit, to be a tough boy,” Swami said.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016
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Wednesday, July 27th, 2016
Ankeny, Iowa

More Walking, Less Squawking

From the “Newton Daily News” Alex Olp wrote:

Bhaktimarga Swami, also known as “The Walking Monk,” made his way through Newton on Thursday as he continues his project to walk coast to coast across the country.

Bhaktimarga Swami, which means “path of devotion,” has done walks before across seven other countries including four in his homeland of Canada.  He is making his first trip across the United States for a couple of reasons — to promote the walking culture and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hare Krishna movement.

“I think we lost touch with walking, and it’s important to get back to it,” Swami said.  “The one main gain is to get a balance for life.  It’s a good workout of course, but it’s a good ‘work in’ as, well, meaning you take a little time to yourself to look at the little things and the little demons inside of you that you want to address.”

He explains walking as an internal cleaning as it not only provides a physical workout, but improves the mental state as well.

“I really believe strongly in ‘more walking, less squawking,’” he said.  “I don’t like cars.  I don’t like what cars have done to the world and what they’ve done to us.  They made us kind of impersonal.  That’s the big thing about walking — you meet people.”

On some occasions, you meet animals, too.

During one of his walks across Canada, he came face-to-face with a grizzly bear.  A bear, he said, that was interested in him but was luckily scared away by a tractor traveling along the road.

So far, his first walk across America hasn’t had many close calls, but he has caught the eyes of few people.

A couple of occasions in Iowa City left him answering to police after locals dialed 911 after mistakenly identifying him —wearing his orange robes — as an escaped convict.

However, Swami said police have been nothing but nice to him, especially in Iowa which is a state he is visiting for the first time.

“People here are very pious and very kind,” Bhaktimarga Swami said.  “They really look after each other and I’d say there’s a wholesomeness here.  And I don’t see things falling in decline like some other states I have gone through.”

On Thursday, he began walking near Grinnell at 3:30 a.m. to avoid much of the day’s scorching heat.  With a few stops along the way, including Newton Public Library to rehydrate, Swami reached his average of 20 miles per day around 1 p.m. just west of Newton.  Due to an obligation elsewhere, he will put his walk on hold until Monday when he will return to his exact spot on Highway F48 and make his way west to Colfax.

Bhaktimarga Swami began the walk across America last fall making his way from New York to Pennsylvania before winter break.  He returned to Pennsylvania on Mother’s Day and has walked in a relatively straight line since then.  He plans to reach Grand Island, Neb. as a halfway point this year and complete the entire project next summer.

Contact Alex Olp at aolp@newtondailynews.com

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Tuesday, July 26th, 2016
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Tuesday, July 26th, 2016
Des Moines, Iowa

Turning Some Souls

Yes, we made it to the big city—big, meaning big for Iowa.  Someone said that its population is just over a half-million.

Frankly, though, there was minimal interaction with people during the course of our walk (Mandala is with me).  We did trek through an area of corn, then an urban sprawling Altoona, followed by Des Moines itself.  Strip mall retail zones, the guts of the city—industrial—along Delaware Ave., then municipal district (capital state building), the artsy area, and then the university.  At one point in the morning rush hour, at Hwy. 6, motorists, noticing the robes, became head-turners.

By noon I had done my day’s quota.  Much of the trek was under the hot sun.  We were like toast!  Mandala, by the way, victoriously did his first 20 miles, ever.

It was in the University City of Ames, north of Des Moines that I could realistically interact with humans.  At Inis Grove Park local students set up a program for a “Tales from Trails” session.  The set topic I was asked to extract from this was “Is the Concept of World Walking Utopian?”

To prepare for my talk to this group of brilliant students, I reviewed my blog notes since beginning this leg of the walk.  It was a refresher looking over the adventures of the last two months.  I realize from the perusal that our team touched many souls.  No way are we poised to convert everyone into a pilgrim or pedestrian, but if by the message more people buy into the walking culture, we will consider to be having some success.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

‘Walking Monk’ heads across Iowa. Bhaktimarga Swami, known as…
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‘Walking Monk’ heads across Iowa.
Bhaktimarga Swami, known as “The Walking Monk,” says “the walk before” encourages him to keep walking, which got him started on his most recent walk, a walk across America.
Bhaktimarga Swami (formerly John Peter Vis) is a Hare Krishna monk who is walking across America to promote a healthier global lifestyle, a strong spiritual foundation and a simple meditative life.
“I’m also out here to integrate with people,” the 63-year-old Canadian said. “It’s kind of like a workout and a workin … to take time to process life.”
He is also walking to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Hare Krisna movement.
On this particular day (Wednesday, July 20) he started just outside of Brooklyn on Highway 6 and was stopped just east of Grinnell.
Born in 1952 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Bhaktimarga Swami adopted the monastic lifestyle of the Hare Krisna order in 1973.
Traveling on foot is a common practice in various traditions, he said, and it’s an effective way to reach out and communicate the importance of morality and ethical priorities.
“You learn to take it all in,” Bhaktimarga Swami said. “The heat, the wind, the rain, the traffic, the cold, the black flies, the mosquitos, the public attention or none. With all of that you learn detachment from the externals and how to go within to be happy.”
Bhaktimarga Swami said that during his travels he has had a number of different experiences. He usually starts a walk very early each day – recently to beat the heat in Iowa he has started around 4 a.m. And with wearing an orange robe he has been mistaken for a number of different things in the dark, including an escaped convict.
That normally brings the police, but after a brief discussion, he continues on his way.
In Iowa, Bhaktimarga Swami had only good to say for the law enforcement community.
“The police have been terrific,” he said. “The cops are nice here in Iowa.”
This tour is made of three parts – he started last fall in Boston, went to Bulter, Penn., then into New York. The second leg started in Butler and brought him to Grinnell. He plans on stopping near Grand Island, Neb., before continuing on the third leg next summer.
This isn’t new to him, he has trekked across Canada four times, Ireland, Israel, Guyana, Trinidad, the Fiji Islands, Mauritius and other countries. He was featured in a National Film Board of Canda’s documentary titled “The Longest Road.”
He averages about 20 miles a day, he said.
“While I walk I also meditate,” Bhaktimarga said. “As a monk you have that obligation to yourself – take to the elements and toughen up inside.”
Source: http://goo.gl/AXuNMJ

A series of new ISKCON 50 Vyasa-puja posters, designed by Bhaktivaibhava Swami has been released
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Hare KrishnaBy Kamala Sundari devi dasi

Exalting the festivities of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja would provide more opportunities for present and future generations of devotees to nurture and strengthen their individual relationship with His Divine Grace, and further secure the understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s pre-eminent position in our movement. By producing a Vyasa-puja pack, with its booklet, posters, postcards, banners, videos and more (www.founderacarya.com/vp), the Srila Prabhupada Position Committee aims to inspire and facilitate ISKCON temples and communities worldwide to enhance the celebration of Srila Prabhupada’s annual Vyasa-puja festivities for years to come and to encourage ongoing exchange among devotees. A series of new ISKCON 50 Vyasa-puja posters, designed by Bhaktivaibhava Swami has been released. “Please make good use of the help offered for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada”, Bhakti Charu Swami Continue reading "A series of new ISKCON 50 Vyasa-puja posters, designed by Bhaktivaibhava Swami has been released
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ISKCON Vraj Mandal Parikrama 2016 2015 was the 500th anniversary…
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ISKCON Vraj Mandal Parikrama 2016
2015 was the 500th anniversary year of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s visit to Vraj Mandal and 2016 being ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Come for Vraj Mandal Parikrama on this special occasion and immerse yourself in Krishna katha and kirtan by devotees from around the world.
There will be special facilities for international group. Visit www.vrajmandalparikrama.com for details on booking and facilities available. For more information contact us
VRAJ84@Pamho.net, Brajbhoomi.lok@pamho.net, shyamrupdas.lok@gmail.com.
Brajbhoomi Das :-+91- 9415113744
Istadev Das:- +91-9593648074
Shyamrupa Das:- +91-8087115554
Paramdham Das:-+1(301)906- 3598
Fees
A) Rs. 5000/- Bramhachari, Fulltime Devotees,Namhatt Devotees ( with recommendation letter )
B) Rs. 7000/- Regular Indian devotees
C) Rs.11000/- International Group
D) Rs.12000/- shuttle Group
E) Rs. 21000/- Special Group
Below is the schedule.
October 2016
16th:- Vrindavan Parikrama – Ishtagoshti
17th:- Vrindavan To Mathura
18th:- Mathura Parikrama
19th:- Mathura to Madhuban
20th:- Madhuban To Shantanu Kund
21st:- Shatanukund to Radhakund
22nd:- Radhakund – Goverdhan Parikrama
23rd:- Radhakund – Bahulaashtmi Radhakund
24th:- Radhakund to Deeg
25th:- Deeg to Badrinath
26th:- Badrinath Parikrama – Indira Ekadashi
27th:- Badrinath to Kamavan
28th:- Kamavan Interior Parikrama
29th:- Kamavan External Parikrama
30th:- Kamavan to Barsana – Deepavali
31st:- Barsana – Goverdhan Puja
November 2016
01st:- Barsana
02nd:- Barsana to Nandgaon
03rd:- Nandgaon to Kokilavan
04th:- Kokilavan – Prabhupada Disapp Day
05th:- Kokilvan to Sheshashyai
06th:- Sheshashyai to Shergarh
07th:- Shergarh to chirghat
08th:- Chirghat to Bhandirvan – Gopastami
09th:- Bhandirvan to Mansarovar
10th:- Mansarovar to Lohavan
11th:- Lohavan to Dauji – Utthan Ekadashi
12th:- Dauji to Brahmand Ghat
13th:- Bramhand Ghat to Raval
14th:- Raval to Mathura – Kartik Purnima

TARANG Festival (Album with photos) IYF C2C organised its first…
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TARANG Festival (Album with photos)
IYF C2C organised its first ever only Boys festival ‘TARANG’.
In an anticipation to have deep association of each other, IYF C2C organised its only boys festival Tarang. This festival saw a confluence of large number of new enthusiasts along with the experienced devotees. Not only was it a different experience for these new boys who were eagerly looking forward for some spiritual healing but also gave a new taste to the existent devotees.
IYF C2C was honored with the presence of HG Patri Prabhu from ISKCON Nepal, who is an ardent preacher and inspirer of Krishna consciousness. He shared with everyone the 'Password of Happiness’ through interactive seminars and served everyone with some food for thought. The festival was ornamented with an exceptional mime play which gave way to yet another series of take away questions for all. The festival finished with extremely stunning performance by our Rock band and some delicious prasadam.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/y4rQE3

Disha Festival 16 (Album with photos) It was a festival in the…
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Disha Festival 16 (Album with photos)
It was a festival in the true sense! Very many beautiful colours, dance performances, dramas, music, food and absolutely unlimited bliss. IYF C2C’s first only girls Festival- Disha'16 was a complete success because of the beautiful smiling faces its welcomed. Girls independent from the rest of the world but lovingly dependent on each other, put across a beautiful show. There were ecstatic kirtans, classical dance performances, a hilarious drama on the topic ‘Why do Bad things happen to good people’. A presentation on 'The password to happiness’ made many Young minds think. It was followed by a flash mob and a pantomime show called 'Me and my mind’. Lastly, the festival impressioned the audience with its rock show and a beautiful Vedic Fashion show where Young vaishnavis showcased beautiful traditional outfits.
The festival wrapped up with a huge gathering of girls at their favourite counter of 'Gol gappa’s’ along with other delicious items of prasadam.
All glories to the young Vaishnavis!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5Bbs20

Should we study scripture deeply and slowly or rapidly to get an overview?
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Answer Podcast


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Kadamba Kanana Swami: I have a cartoon. The first picture shows…
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Kadamba Kanana Swami: I have a cartoon. The first picture shows a child, you know, baby just born and the caption says, “Too young.” Next picture shows a couple in love, hand-in-hand, full moon behind them, “Too much in love.” Next picture shows a family, a few kids, you know, bags with groceries. He has got a phone, a computer, a drill and a screwdriver. I mean, they have six arms; they are, “Too busy.” Next picture, an old man; death, “Too old.” Last picture has cross on the grave, “Too late.”
So at every stage of life, we have an excuse. We always have an excuse. So, now you can say, “I always thought chanting Hare Krsna was very difficult and now I have the perfect excuse – children! So happy that I have children because I don’t have to chant Hare Krsna anymore. It is a relief, right, because now I have very good arguments not to chant.”
No, chanting must be done under any condition of life and no material difficulty can ever be accepted as a valid excuse for not chanting.
Yeah, you know, “Why didn’t you chant your rounds today?”
“I broke my leg.”
“That is not a valid excuse. You could have chanted in the hospital.”
“Yes, but I was unconscious.”
“Well, then you should have started chanting when you regained consciousness.”
So we do not accept any excuse when it comes to chanting. Sorry! That is the first point and that is how we have to deal with ourselves. You have to take charge of yourself with intelligence as if you are another person, looking at yourself then you see yourself coming with excuses.
RedAlarmClock“I’m too busy.”
“Sorry, that’s not an excuse.”
Make time. You manage to make time when you really like something… like for your favourite TV program. So yes, with our intelligence, we must take charge and make arrangements – make time to chant. And chant with a plan. Don’t just let chanting happen.
“I have to chant sixteen rounds. I’m really trying, I’m trying. But I’m so busy, I’m so busy. You can’t believe how busy I am, I just cannot do it. I just don’t have the time. I try and try, every day I try. Don’t have the time.”
Uh, uh. Get time management! You have a time management problem. Yes, you are chanting without a plan. How do you think you will get it done without a plan? You have to have a plan. You have to build chanting into your day. Say, “I’ll chant here, I’ll chant there, and I need so much time for sixteen rounds. So many rounds here, so many rounds there.” That is how it is done!
You know, I also have a plan to chant today because I just arrived in Australia. I am sort of still dizzy and disoriented and looking at like, “Where am I?” Seems to be Sydney and there are three programs today. Three programs. So, I have to chant some rounds on the drive back… I have to make sure that I don’t fall asleep and that the driver is not going to try to reveal his heart to me while driving. (laughter) So, make a plan for spiritual life and it will go well.

The Leadership Show | Porsche Pray Love | Interview with HH Bhakti Charu Swami and Roh Singh
Bhakti Charu Swami

HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj had an interview with Roh Singh at Australia. Here is what he writes at his channel : “His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, a devout monk for 40 years, is Coach of Leaders in Corporations and Governments, Incoming Chairman of ISKCON, (100 Countries, 650 plus schools, temples and wellness centres, feeding 1.2 […]

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The Power of the Holy Names Turns Gobhakshaka to Gorakshaka
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Hare KrishnaBy Acarya Dasa

On July 31st padayatra camped on the outskirts of the Manalmedu Village, 10 kilometers away from Karrur. There was an old age home nearby where many disabled, diseased and elderly people lived. We thought because they could not walk to come see us that we would go to them. So, we went there and had a wonderful kirtana and katha for the residents. When we were leaving the old age home we noticed a man very cruelly dragging a cow to his village. It was painful to watch and we understood by the manner in which he was treating her that he was going to kill her for sure. A few of us followed him as he entered his village. When he reached his house we saw a large pile of cow flesh. It was very evident that he was preparing to kill the cow that he had hauled to his home. We were both horrified and really scared when we saw that he had a big sharp instrument that he was going to use to cut the cow’s head. Continue reading "The Power of the Holy Names Turns Gobhakshaka to Gorakshaka
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“Ocean Of Mercy” Book Launch At ISKCON New Jersey By Bhakti Charu Swami
Bhakti Charu Swami

On 3rd August 2016, HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj did his second book-launch in USA of “Ocean of Mercy” at ISKCON New Jersey as an offering to Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. Please watch the video of the event here:

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Maha-Mantra Festival – July 28 to August 14
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

A lone, broke and aged man once embarked on a cargo ship to an unknown land. He suffered three heart attacks but what kept the him going was a mission which was not even his own but his guru’s. A perfect beginning to the history in making. Decades later he is celebrated on CNN as one of the top 10 successful men who launched their careers after 50.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada or simply Prabhupada, in a span of five decades, has inspired thousands and established hundreds of temples globally. Amongst his biggest contributions are the English translation of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and over 60 other titles that are now translated in over 80 languages.

This year ISKCON centres all over the world will commemorate the arrival of Srila Prabhupada to the West from July 28th - August 14th. In Toronto, we will have an 18 day festival with a mix of a variety of events- seminars, Harinamas, readings and more. Also known as the 'World Holy Name Week', this really is a festival of gratitude and appreciation for what Prabhupada has given us via the medium of learning and sharing the (Holy) word! Be engaged in the following variety of ways.

Weekday Events:

  • Daily 15 min readings from Srila Prabhupada’s Lilamrta 
    • Time: 9:00pm - 9:15pm
    • A lifetime spent in preparation to build a house the world could live in. Who is this 70 year old remarkable man who continues to change lives in this universe and beyond, way after he moved on to the eternal realm in 1977? Sound ethereal yet? Let's discover his unbelievable journey with 15min of daily readings and celebrate the man himself.                                              To participate, call: (416)-800-4317; conference code: 8440353#
  • Thursday, Jul 28: Inaugural Kirtan
    • Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
    • The festivities kickstarted with the right mood of welcoming the Holy names. It was a sweet evening and the Deities looked stunning in pink!
  • Tuesday Sanga with Laxmimoni Dasi, 
    • August 2, 2016
    • Key Elements of Vaisnava Etiquette
  • Wednesday, August 3 and 10: Weekly Kirtan
    • Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
    • The attempt of these kirtans will be to focus and meditate by diving deeper into the resonance of the Holy name in congregation. 
Weekend Events:

  • Saturday, Jul 30: Monthly Sankirtan Festival
    • Time: 11am - 2pm
    • Join us for the monthly sankirtan festival, this month in honour of Srila Prabhupada's entrance to the Western world. We will continue to celebrate with more kirtan, prasad and smiles - this time with the residents of Toronto. Location TBD.
  • Wednesday, Aug 3 and 10: Seminar: How to Study Srila Prabhupada’s Books
    • Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
    • So there is "reading a book", and then there is "studying with scrutiny". A gulf of difference between the two. We might have read some of Prabhupada’s books and thought them to be philosophically appealing; how about reading them in a light that would turn and transform your life? It is possible. It has happened and continues to happen. Come find out how.
  • Sunday, Aug 7: 32+ Rounds Japathon
    • Time: 4:30 am onwards
    • Kirtan is a collective prayer while japa or chanting on beads is a personal one-on-one. Here is a chance to connect deeper with the Holy name by chanting 32+ rounds with the support and association of others!
  • Saturday, Aug 13: Maha-Harinam 
    • Time: starting 4pm from temple
    • We will head out to the Old City Hall, as we've done so in the past, and bring these positive vibrations to those in Downtown Toronto. There will be singing, dancing, jumping and lots of smiling.
When Prabhupada came to the West, among the few sparse items that he brought with himself was a book of his translated Bhagavatam. As a part of the ISKCON50 celebrations, embrace yourself with the 50+ Bhagavatam Challenge! All one needs to do is pledge to distribute one set by August 14th!

18 days of mindfully embracing the Holy names! See you there! For further information, please feel free to contact- Hladini Gopika Devi dasi: 647-989-1806 or email: toronto.sankirtan@gmail.com.