Planet ISKCON

Hare Krsna, Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

After the departure of Aindra Prabhu, a good friend of his, Rama Raya Prabhu, had the strong feeling that his friend Aindra wanted him to chant the holy name in New York City. So this is what he and many others do, 365 days a year. There are no days off. Aindra Prabhu was originally doing harinama preaching in NYC, but Krsna has His plans, so Aindra went to Vrindavana and restarted the 24-hour kirtan that Srila Prabhupada had once instituted. Now Rama Raya and his team of chanters in NYC not only distribute the holy names but also books. Last month they distributed 2,293 books and magazines in the Big Apple. When there’s harinama and book distribution, how can Aindra Prabhu and the whole parampara not be pleased?

Your servant, Vijaya Dasa

                    For complete results
          go to www.SankirtanNewsletter.com (password: wsnhome)
            Deadline for scores is the 15th of the next month


         WORLD           WORLD     SANKIR       NEWS      LETTER
          WWW             WWW    SSS     TAN     NEWS       NEW
           WWW           WWW    SSS       SSS    NEWSLE     NEW
            WWW   WWW   WWW       SSSSS          NEW NEWS   NEW
             WWW WORLD WWW           SANKIR      NEW   NEWS NEW
              WORLD WORLD      SSS        TAN    NEW     LETTER
               WWW   WWW        SAN      SSS     NEW      NEWSL
                WW   WW            KIRTAN       NEWSL      ETTER

         *********************************************************
           W O R L D    S A N K I R T A N    N E W S L E T T E R
         *********************************************************
                               February 2016            3/25/2016


              For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this page
       contains the following results for the month of February 2016.

            World Totals                                 Page 2
            Monthly Congregation and Weekend Warriors    Page 2
            Monthly Continents                           Page 3
            Monthly Top Ten Temples by Size              Page 3
            Monthly Top Ten Temples by Continent         Page 4
            Monthly Top Teams and Individuals            Page 5
            Monthly All Countries                        Page 6
            Monthly All Temples                          Page 7
            Monthly All Prabhupada Disciples             Page 8
            Cumulative Top Ten Countries                 Page 9
            Cumulative Top Ten Temples                   Page 9
            Cumulative Top 50 Individuals Worldwide      Page 9



**** Page 2 ****


     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     *              -- OFFERING TO SRILA PRABHUPADA --               *
     *                                                               *
     *    During the month of February 2016, 116 temples reported    *
     *    distributing the following number of books:                *
     *                                                               *
     *                    94,443 Maha-big books                      *
     *                    25,588 Big books                           *
     *                    44,883 Medium books                        *
     *                   118,497 Small books                         *
     *                    38,577 Magazines                           *
     *                     3,535 BTG subscriptions                   *
     *                       938 Full sets                           *
     *                                                               *
     *                   343,198 literatures for the month           *
     *                   713,373 literatures year-to-date            *
     *               522,761,424 literatures worldwide since 1965    *
     *                                                               *
     *                All glories to Srila Prabhupada!               *
     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



                         WORLDWIDE BOOK DISTRIBUTION
                        Total Literatures Distributed
 Books (Millions)
16.........................................................................

14X........................................................................
  X     x
12X.....X..................................................................
  X     X
10X.....X.x.x.................x............................................
  X   x X X X             x X X _ x                                     _ x
8XX...X.X.X.X...........X.X.X.X.X.X..................................._.X.X
 XXX  x X X X X         x X X X X X X                             x X X X X
6XXX..X.X.X.X.X.X.......X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.......................x.X.X.X.X.X.X
 XXXX X X X X X X     X X X X X X X X X                   x x X X X X X X X
4XXXX.X.X.X.X.X.X.....X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X...........x.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X
 XXXX X X X X X X     X X X X X X X X X X _       x X X X X X X X X X X X X
2XXXX.X.X.X.X.X.X.x.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X
 XXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
0XXXX_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X

 79 80  82  84  86  88  90  92  94  96  98  00  02  04  06  08  10 12 14 15




                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                          CONGREGATIONAL PREACHING
                               February 2016

    Congregation and                   %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Weekend Warriors         Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 WW Baltimore Jiv Bal USA 2000.35   na    991      6     16     13    11
  2 WW Team ISV Week Sil USA 1688.25*+699%   821*     1      0    181*    0
  3 WW Toronto WW    Tor Can  335.25* +65%   112*     6    104    213*    0
  4 WW Nairobi WW    Nai Ken  291.00  -67%     3     74    120    604     0
  5 WW Dallas        Dal USA  138.00  -17%    32     34*    61*    38     0
  6 Sasolburg NH     Len SA    54.00   na      0      4      0    200     0
  7 WW Los Angeles   LA  USA   42.50   na      0     10     30     70     0
  8 WW Kostroma      Kos Rus   40.25   na      6      5      1     91     0
  9 London Sastra Da Lon Eng   34.00  -66%    17*     0      0      0     0
 10 WW Chicago MSF   Chi USA    7.75   na      3      0      0      7     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



**** Page 3 ****

                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                             MONTHLY CONTINENTS
                               February 2016

                                % of  M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs Full
  Continent (temples)   Points  World Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags Sets
  _________________________________________________________________________

1 Asia (26)           171901.95  62%  63465   8333  15104  69269 50849  825
2 North America (22)   48721.30  17%  13040  10977  11687  20764  5770  102
3 CIS (14)             21771.50   8%   7714   1919   4134   9430     0    0
4 Europe (27)          21027.65   8%   6514   1806   9739   4991   650    1
5 Australasia (6)       7527.05   3%   2822    869    847   2067   738   10
6 Latin America (13)    6179.45   2%    634   1343   3147   7977     7    0
7 Africa (8)            2138.55   1%    254    341    225   3999  1773    0



                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                          TOP TEN TEMPLES BY SIZE
                               February 2016

                                       %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
                             Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

      TOP TEN LARGE TEMPLES (41+ devotees)

  1 Mayapur            Ind 77664.50* +45%  33095*  3043   7002* 19722*    0
  2 Mumbai-Juhu        Ind 31461.00   na   12043   1978   2707  16174     0
  3 Los Angeles        USA 12222.90  -16%   2084   3284*  5028*  8870   394
  4 Moscow             Rus 11432.75* +29%   4847*   521   1004*  2863*    0
  5 New Delhi          Ind  9839.35  -66%   1794    484   3129  10335 16191*
  6 Pune               Ind  9621.55* +94%   4133*   160*   407*  2527* 2577*
  7 Mumbai-Chowpatty   Ind  4045.50*+398%   1814*   186*    35    740   138*
  8 Ujjain             Ind  3410.50  -28%    900    852    954   1126     0
  9 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng  2527.25  -25%    791    119*  1421    463*    0
 10 Mumbai-Kharghar    Ind  1068.00   na     456     59     58    272     0

      TOP TEN MEDIUM TEMPLES (21-40 devotees)

  1 VV Nagar           Ind  9447.50   na     810    650      0   2190 15912
  2 Sydney-North       Aus  4691.00* +19%   2012*   214*   441*   930*    0
  3 Salem              Ind  4075.65  -45%   1702    228      0   1387*  304
  4 Ahmedabad          Ind  3800.00*+128%   1490*     0    227*  1576*  750*
  5 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind  3681.20  -65%    600      0      0   5000  7676*
  6 Gainesville        USA  3356.25   -7%    848   1070*   756*   849     0
  7 London-Soho        Eng  2937.50* +12%    948*    63*  1313   1288*    0
  8 Mexico City        Mex  2754.00  -48%    274*   415   2190*  2784     0
  9 Moscow-Jagannath   Rus  2524.00   na    1092    128    198    452     0
 10 Simhachalam (NJNK) Ger  2500.00*+287%    959*   198*   768*     0     0

      TOP TEN SMALL TEMPLES (6-20 devotees)

  1 RupanugaVedicColle USA 12164.85* +35%   4221*  3083*   186*   849* 3346*
  2 Sankirtan Dham TST Ita  3842.50*   0%   1369*     0   2209*     0     0
  3 Surat              Ind  2733.75  -75%    673    126*    70*  2437* 1482
  4 Rajahmundry        Ind  2576.25  -28%    974    230    368    857     0
  5 Chicago            USA  2472.75*+755%    610*   686*   318*   987* 1610
  6 Krasnodar          Rus  2442.25   na     289    548   1654   1957     0
  7 Silicon Valley(ISV USA  1688.25*+699%    821*     1      0    181*    0
  8 New York Harinam   USA  1679.25* +17%    448*   379    151   1315*    0
  9 Bhopal             Ind  1671.50* +24%    751*    99*    40*   202     0
 10 Madurai            Ind  1609.20  -79%    506      8*     2   1344  2522

      TOP TEN MAHA-SMALL TEMPLES (1-5 devotees)

  1 TBB TSKP           USA  4194.25    0%    379   1738*  2659*  1469*   15*
  2 Baltimore          USA  2000.35*+999%    991*     6     16*    13    11
  3 Sofia              Bul  1650.75*+114%    595*    16*   602*   575*    0
  4 Bologna            Ita  1101.50   na     468      0    331      0     0
  5 Recife             Bra   447.00   -3%      0      0      4   1780     0
  6 Hartford           USA   415.70* +83%    166*    16      6     48    87*
  7 Prabhupada Bhavan- Cze   386.00  -66%     25    336      0      0     0
  8 Heidelberg         Ger   246.50*+197%     40*    67*   199*     0     0
  9 Vologda            Rus   106.50   na      10     30     64     98     0
 10 Gurabo (PR)        Pue   101.00  -31%      1     17     66    196     0


**** Page 4 ****

                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                        TOP TEN TEMPLES BY CONTINENT
                               February 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
                             Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
                            _______________________________________________


      TOP TEN TEMPLES - ASIA

  1 Mayapur            Ind 77664.50 +190%  33095   3043   7002  19722     0
  2 Mumbai-Juhu        Ind 31461.00   na   12043   1978   2707  16174     0
  3 New Delhi          Ind  9839.35  -32%   1794    484   3129  10335 16191
  4 Pune               Ind  9621.55 +288%   4133    160    407   2527  2577
  5 VV Nagar           Ind  9447.50   na     810    650      0   2190 15912
  6 Salem              Ind  4075.65  +10%   1702    228      0   1387   304
  7 Mumbai-Chowpatty   Ind  4045.50 +896%   1814    186     35    740   138
  8 Ahmedabad          Ind  3800.00 +355%   1490      0    227   1576   750
  9 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind  3681.20  -29%    600      0      0   5000  7676
 10 Ujjain             Ind  3410.50  +44%    900    852    954   1126     0

      TOP TEN TEMPLES - NORTH AMERICA

  1 Los Angeles        USA 12222.90  +67%   2084   3284   5028   8870   394
  2 RupanugaVedicColle USA 12164.85 +170%   4221   3083    186    849  3346
  3 TBB TSKP           USA  4194.25 +100%    379   1738   2659   1469    15
  4 Gainesville        USA  3356.25  +87%    848   1070    756    849     0
  5 Chicago            USA  2472.75 +999%    610    686    318    987  1610
  6 Baltimore          USA  2000.35 +999%    991      6     16     13    11
  7 Denver             USA  1888.50  +67%    489    243    716   1238     0
  8 Silicon Valley(ISV USA  1688.25 +999%    821      1      0    181     0
  9 New York Harinam   USA  1679.25 +134%    448    379    151   1315     0
 10 Farmington Hills,  USA  1229.00   na     509      9    404      0     0

      TOP TEN TEMPLES - CIS

  1 Moscow             Rus 11432.75 +159%   4847    521   1004   2863     0
  2 Moscow-Jagannath   Rus  2524.00   na    1092    128    198    452     0
  3 Krasnodar          Rus  2442.25   na     289    548   1654   1957     0
  4 Perm               Rus  2199.25 +826%    612    247    611   1691     0
  5 Ivanovo            Rus   921.75  +96%    310    150    100    407     0
  6 Ekaterinburg       Rus   773.00 +271%    222    222      0    428     0
  7 Minsk              Bel   619.00  +19%    172     46    257    402     0
  8 Kirov              Rus   274.00   -1%     87     12     12    328     0
  9 Novopolsk          Rus   267.50   na       0      0    220    630     0
 10 Vologda            Rus   106.50   na      10     30     64     98     0

      TOP TEN TEMPLES - EUROPE

  1 Sankirtan Dham TST Ita  3842.50 +100%   1369      0   2209      0     0
  2 London-Soho        Eng  2937.50 +123%    948     63   1313   1288     0
  3 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng  2527.25  +51%    791    119   1421    463     0
  4 Simhachalam (NJNK) Ger  2500.00 +674%    959    198    768      0     0
  5 Sofia              Bul  1650.75 +329%    595     16    602    575     0
  6 Bologna            Ita  1101.50   na     468      0    331      0     0
  7 Milan              Ita   864.50  +82%    179      0   1013      0     0
  8 Kaunas             Lit   691.50 +474%    215    178      5    324     0
  9 Budapest           Hun   609.60  -49%    137    115      1    768   281
 10 Prague             Cze   586.25 +162%     93    298      0    409     0

      TOP TEN TEMPLES - AUSTRALASIA

  1 Sydney-North       Aus  4691.00 +138%   2012    214    441    930     0
  2 Auckland Loft      New  1029.40   na     180    441     52    584   564
  3 Melbourne          Aus   784.25  +70%    320     61     79    175     0
  4 New Govardhana     Aus   365.00  -29%     89      0    231    286     0
  5 Perth              Aus   339.40 +215%    147     13     37     40    39
  6 Wellington         New   318.00   na      74    140      7     52   135

      TOP TEN TEMPLES - LATIN AMERICA

  1 Mexico City        Mex  2754.00   +3%    274    415   2190   2784     0
  2 Curitiba           Bra  1279.00  +32%    164    441    681    678     0
  3 Itajai             Bra   481.00   na      98    112      0    692     0
  4 Recife             Bra   447.00  +94%      0      0      4   1780     0
  5 Pouso Alegre       Bra   391.00 +999%     15    246      0    460     0
  6 Guadalajara        Mex   337.75   na      65     75     90    351     0
  7 Cueramaro          Mex   238.00  -82%     14      0    110    620     0
  8 Gurabo (PR)        Pue   101.00  +37%      1     17     66    196     0
  9 Natal              Bra    69.50   na       0      0      0    278     0
 10 Florianopolis      Bra    66.00 +552%      0     36      0    120     0

      TOP TEN TEMPLES - AFRICA

  1 Kinshasa           Con   549.00   na     157      0      0    460  1200
  2 Bon Accueil        Mau   512.50   na       0     53     26   1786     0
  3 Nairobi            Ken   316.00  -44%      3     74    120    704     0
  4 Durban             Sou   301.50  -28%     28    200     29    124     0
  5 Phoenix(MA)        Mau   257.95   na      60      7     11    499     7
  6 Lenasia            Sou   174.10 +397%      0      5     23    416   536
  7 Abidjan            Ivo    16.50   na       4      1     15      0     0
  8 Lusaka             Zam    11.00   +1%      2      1      1     10    30


**** Page 5 ****




                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                           TEAM BOOK DISTRIBUTION
                               February 2016

                                       %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Puspa Gopal d    May Ind26624.75   na  10838    340   2095  14245     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year




                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                             TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS
                               February 2016

                                       %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Gokuleshwar d    Mum Ind 5512.50   na   2225   1000     10    230     0
  2 Bhagavat Ashraya Mum Ind 4222.00   na   2101      0     40      0     0
  3 Hemagiri d       Mum Ind 4093.25   na   1362    310    710   2817     0
  4 HH Jayapataka Sw May Ind 4000.00   -5%  2000      0      0      0     0
  5 Mahapuran d      May Ind 3678.00   na   1520    300     76   1200     0
  6 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  USA 3672.55* +43%  1081*   779*   437*  2045    18
  7 Radha Krsna d    Mum Ind 3201.25   na   1399    121    301    527     0
  8 Bk Jay Khush     LA  USA 3171.30*  +2%   824    594*   657*  2346   143*
  9 Paramesvara d    RVC USA 3047.45* +32%   984*   832*     0    237* 1882*
 10 Krishna Bhagavan RVC USA 2920.10* +16%  1004*   727*     0    256* 1211*
 11 Mayapur Candra d May Ind 2602.00   -8%  1301*     0      0      0     0
 12 Bipin Bihari d   May Ind 2512.50* +48%  1002*     0    425   1184*    0
 13 Pavitra Hari d   New Ind 2450.00   -9%   600      0      0   5000     0
 14 Banamali Mukunda May Ind 2213.75*  +9%   760*   525*    50*   575     0
 15 Sri Caitanya Can Pun Ind 2072.00   na   1036      0      0      0     0
 16 Ghanashyam Govin Syd Aus 2047.00*+278%   896*   106*    86*   424*    0
 17 Deva Krsna d     RVC USA 1935.25* +46%   740*   422*     0    133*    0
 18 Tirtha Govinda d May Ind 1884.00* +11%   400*   313*  1176*   732     0
 19 Bk Storm         LA  USA 1840.45*  +4%   565*   278*   351    993    87*
 20 Dhanvantari d    Mum Ind 1662.50   na    400      0    140   3170     0
 21 Harinam Kripa Si May Ind 1638.25  -23%   786*     0    130      5     0
 22 Tusta Ram d      May Ind 1601.50   -5%   728*   103*    85*     0     0
 23 Brajananda d     RVC USA 1570.25* +74%   543*   417*    85     99     0
 24 Patit Uddhar Gov May Ind 1558.25* +16%   711*    87*    79*    39     0
 25 Gaur Sundar d    LA  USA 1556.15  -16%   722     75     45     55*    9*
 26 Bhaktiman Gadadh May Ind 1527.00* +44%   606*     0    500*   260     0
 27 Udar Gour Sundar May Ind 1502.00* +26%   751*     0      0      0     0
 28 Krishna Caran d  Mum Ind 1496.25   na    547    152    425    151     0
 29 Sadhu Sevak d    May Ind 1493.25*+188%   725*    21     26*    37     0
 30 Kamal Nayan d    May Ind 1479.50*  +2%   734*     4*    15*     0     0
 31 Kishor Gopinath  May Ind 1428.00  -17%   714      0      0      0     0
 32 Gopal Balak d    May Ind 1413.50*   0%   638*    28*   219*     0     0
 33 Bk Monoj         May Ind 1411.00* +21%   436    539*     0      0     0
 34 Dasya Prema d    RVC USA 1406.30* +45%   539*   271*    27     74*  253*
 35 Raya Nitai d     TBB USA 1389.50*+137%    68    512*  1362*   242     0
 36 Gaur Lila d      Pun Ind 1363.00  -31%   681      0      1      2     0
 37 Prema Sankirtan  LA  USA 1353.00   -3%   348    490*    89*   490     0
 38 Kamalapati d     May Ind 1333.00* +18%   659*     8*     8*    12     0
 39 Bk Carlos        Gai USA 1302.00* +18%   380    407*    98    344     0
 40 Lokeswar Balaram May Ind 1238.75* +22%   612*     9      7      9     0
 41 Nityadham d      New Ind 1231.20*   0%     0      0      0      0  7676*
 42 Bala Gopal d     May Ind 1228.00* +10%   600*    12     15     34     0
 43 Dharmaraja d     RVC USA 1217.75* +35%   395*   396*    42     43     0
 44 Jagannath d      Mum Ind 1216.50   na    444     84    316    346     0
 45 Srivasprem d     May Ind 1175.00*+388%   587*     1      0      0     0
 46 Sundar Caitanya  Mum Ind 1173.75   na    182     51     30   2975     0
 47 Subikram Baladev May Ind 1168.75  -13%   575      3     14     35     0
 48 Revati Raman d   Mum Ind 1168.00   na    391     51    175    990     0
 49 Bk Carlos        TBB USA 1131.75* +23%   207*   254*   634    587*    0
 50 Nama Sankirtan d Lon Eng 1129.75*+279%   473*    41    197*   177*    0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year


**** Page 6 ****



                           World Sankirtan Newsletter
                                 ALL COUNTRIES
                                 February 2016

                                     %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small   BTGs
   Country (Temples)        Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books   Mags
   ________________________________________________________________________

 1 India (20)            170757.95  -22%  63061   8152  15066  68751  50784
 2 United States (20)     48096.95  +45%  12824  10950  11511  20455   5769
 3 Russia, CIS (13)       21152.50 +352%   7542   1873   3877   9028      0
 4 Italy (6)               6402.50  +75%   2084      0   4436      0     51
 5 Australia (4)           6179.65 +184%   2568    288    788   1431     39
 6 United Kingdom (2)      5464.75   -2%   1739    182   2734   1751      0
 7 GermanyAustria (6)      3767.00  -20%   1324    342   1554      0      0
 8 Mexico (3)              3329.75  +27%    353    490   2390   3755      0
 9 Brazil (7)              2737.75  -32%    277    835    688   4019      0
10 Bulgaria                1650.75  +37%    595     16    602    575      0
11 New Zealand (2)         1347.40  -27%    254    581     59    636    699
12 Malaysia (5)            1091.50   na     384    171     38    508     65
13 Hungary (2)             1014.15  -61%    246    201      1   1043    599
14 Czech Republic (2)       972.25  -22%    118    634      0    409      0
15 Lithuania (2)            915.50  +56%    298    201     12    450      0
16 Mauritius (2)            770.45  -85%     60     60     37   2285      7
17 Canada (2)               624.35  -69%    216     27    176    309      1
18 Belarus, CIS             619.00   na     172     46    257    402      0
19 Congo(D.R.)              549.00   na     157      0      0    460   1200
20 South Africa (2)         475.60  -14%     28    205     52    540    536
21 Switzerland              369.00 +105%     60    162    173      2      0
22 Kenya                    316.00   +2%      3     74    120    704      0
23 Slovenia                 271.25  +91%     15     52    208    341      0
24 Sweden (2)               104.00   na      21      4      3    226      0
25 Puerto Rico              101.00   na       1     17     66    196      0
26 Sri Lanka                 52.50   na      20     10      0     10      0
27 Bosnia                    49.50  -74%      8      9     16     66      0
28 Romania                   47.00   na       6      3      0    128      0
29 Ivory Coast               16.50   na       4      1     15      0      0
30 Zambia                    11.00  -41%      2      1      1     10     30
31 Suriname                   7.50   na       3      1      0      2      0
32 Dominican Republic         3.45   na       0      0      3      5      7
                                   (%)Change compared
                                     to Feb last year


**** Page 7 ****



                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                                ALL TEMPLES
                               February 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Temples (size)           Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Mayapur (L)        Ind 77664.50* +45%  33095*  3043   7002* 19722*    0
  2 Mumbai-Juhu (L)    Ind 31461.00   na   12043   1978   2707  16174     0
  3 Los Angeles (L)    USA 12222.90  -16%   2084   3284*  5028*  8870   394
  4 RupanugaVedicColle USA 12164.85* +35%   4221*  3083*   186*   849* 3346*
  5 Moscow (L)         Rus 11432.75* +29%   4847*   521   1004*  2863*    0
  6 New Delhi (L)      Ind  9839.35  -66%   1794    484   3129  10335 16191*
  7 Pune (L)           Ind  9621.55* +94%   4133*   160*   407*  2527* 2577*
  8 VV Nagar (M)       Ind  9447.50   na     810    650      0   2190 15912
  9 Sydney-North (M)   Aus  4691.00* +19%   2012*   214*   441*   930*    0
 10 TBB TSKP (MS)      USA  4194.25    0%    379   1738*  2659*  1469*   15*
 11 Salem (M)          Ind  4075.65  -45%   1702    228      0   1387*  304
 12 Mumbai-Chowpatty ( Ind  4045.50*+398%   1814*   186*    35    740   138*
 13 Sankirtan Dham TST Ita  3842.50*   0%   1369*     0   2209*     0     0
 14 Ahmedabad (M)      Ind  3800.00*+128%   1490*     0    227*  1576*  750*
 15 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind  3681.20  -65%    600      0      0   5000  7676*
 16 Ujjain (L)         Ind  3410.50  -28%    900    852    954   1126     0
 17 Gainesville (M)    USA  3356.25   -7%    848   1070*   756*   849     0
 18 London-Soho (M)    Eng  2937.50* +12%    948*    63*  1313   1288*    0
 19 Mexico City (M)    Mex  2754.00  -48%    274*   415   2190*  2784     0
 20 Surat (S)          Ind  2733.75  -75%    673    126*    70*  2437* 1482
 21 Rajahmundry (S)    Ind  2576.25  -28%    974    230    368    857     0
 22 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng  2527.25  -25%    791    119*  1421    463*    0
 23 Moscow-Jagannath ( Rus  2524.00   na    1092    128    198    452     0
 24 Simhachalam (NJNK) Ger  2500.00*+287%    959*   198*   768*     0     0
 25 Chicago (S)        USA  2472.75*+755%    610*   686*   318*   987* 1610
 26 Krasnodar (S)      Rus  2442.25   na     289    548   1654   1957     0
 27 Perm (M)           Rus  2199.25*+363%    612*   247*   611*  1691*    0
 28 Baltimore (MS)     USA  2000.35*+999%    991*     6     16*    13    11
 29 Denver (M)         USA  1888.50  -16%    489    243    716*  1238*    0
 30 Silicon Valley(ISV USA  1688.25*+699%    821*     1      0    181*    0
 31 New York Harinam ( USA  1679.25* +17%    448*   379    151   1315*    0
 32 Bhopal (S)         Ind  1671.50* +24%    751*    99*    40*   202     0
 33 Sofia (MS)         Bul  1650.75*+114%    595*    16*   602*   575*    0
 34 Madurai (S)        Ind  1609.20  -79%    506      8*     2   1344  2522
 35 Curitiba (S)       Bra  1279.00  -34%    164    441    681*   678     0
 36 Farmington Hills,  USA  1229.00   na     509      9    404      0     0
 37 New Talavan (S)    USA  1167.25  -14%    436      9    533*    79     0
 38 Tirunelveli (S)    Ind  1150.10  -64%    372      5*     3    814  1961
 39 Bologna (MS)       Ita  1101.50   na     468      0    331      0     0
 40 Mumbai-Kharghar (L Ind  1068.00   na     456     59     58    272     0
 41 Auckland Loft (S)  New  1029.40   na     180    441     52    584   564
 42 Hillsborough, NC ( USA  1001.10*+193%    285*   113*    20*  1172*  151*
 43 Ivanovo (S)        Rus   921.75   -2%    310*   150    100    407     0
 44 Vellore (S)        Ind   887.00*+157%    226*    15      0     40  1250*
 45 Milan (M)          Ita   864.50   -9%    179*     0   1013      0     0
 46 Miami (S)          USA   845.85*+177%    127*   175*   164*  1283*   53*
 47 Trivandrum (S)     Ind   810.25  -80%    298      0     27    803     0
 48 Melbourne (L)      Aus   784.25  -15%    320     61*    79*   175*    0
 49 Ekaterinburg (M)   Rus   773.00* +85%    222*   222      0    428*    0
 50 Amravati (S)       Ind   696.90  -27%    325      3*    37     68    21
 51 Kaunas (S)         Lit   691.50*+187%    215*   178*     5    324*    0
 52 New Orleans (S)    USA   645.50* +26%     22      0    338*  1730*    0
 53 Minsk (M)          Bel   619.00  -40%    172     46    257*   402     0
 54 Budapest (L)       Hun   609.60  -74%    137    115      1    768   281
 55 Prague (M)         Cze   586.25* +31%     93*   298*     0    409*    0
 56 Berlin (S)         Ger   553.50*+772%    217*     0    239*     0     0
 57 Toronto (S)        Can   552.10  -22%    200     17    145    250*    1
 58 Kuala Lumpur (M)   Mal   550.75   na     157    158     38    223    40
 59 Kinshasa (S)       Con   549.00   na     157      0      0    460  1200
 60 Bon Accueil (M)    Mau   512.50   na       0     53     26   1786     0
 61 Laguna Beach (S)   USA   510.00  -59%    227     10     22    110    75
 62 Nellore (M)        Ind   508.25   na      99     26      0   1137     0
 63 Itajai (S)         Bra   481.00   na      98    112      0    692     0
 64 Villa Vrndavana (L Ita   478.00*+175%     54*     0    737*     0    15*
 65 Recife (MS)        Bra   447.00   -3%      0      0      4   1780     0
 66 Hartford (MS)      USA   415.70* +83%    166*    16      6     48    87*
 67 New Vrajadham-Hung Hun   404.55  -82%    109     86      0    275   318
 68 Pouso Alegre (S)   Bra   391.00*+777%     15    246*     0    460*    0
 69 Prabhupada Bhavan- Cze   386.00  -66%     25    336      0      0     0
 70 Zurich (S)         Swi   369.00  -13%     60    162*   173*     2     0
 71 New Govardhana (L) Aus   365.00  -65%     89      0    231    286     0
 72 Perth (S)          Aus   339.40* +58%    147*    13*    37     40    39
 73 Guadalajara (S)    Mex   337.75   na      65     75     90    351     0
 74 Leipzig (S)        Ger   334.50*+313%     51*    71*   323*     0     0
 75 Wellington (S)     New   318.00   na      74    140      7     52   135
 76 Nairobi (S)        Ken   316.00  -72%      3     74    120    704     0
 77 Durban (L)         Sou   301.50  -64%     28    200*    29*   124     0
 78 Dallas (M)         USA   275.75  -57%     77     79     62*    47     0
 79 Kirov (S)          Rus   274.00  -50%     87     12*    12    328     0
 80 Ljubljana (S)      Slo   271.25   na      15     52    208    341     0
 81 Novopolsk (S)      Rus   267.50   na       0      0    220    630     0
 82 Phoenix(MA) (S)    Mau   257.95   na      60      7     11    499     7
 83 Heidelberg (MS)    Ger   246.50*+197%     40*    67*   199*     0     0
 84 Cueramaro (S)      Mex   238.00  -91%     14      0    110    620     0
 85 Vilnius (S)        Lit   224.00*+220%     83*    23*     7    126*    0
 86 Taiping (S)        Mal   216.00   na     108      0      0      0     0
 87 Lenasia (S)        Sou   174.10 +148%      0      5     23    416   536
 88 Sacramento/TYM (S) USA   155.25   na      47     10     65     75     0
 89 Penang (M)         Mal   144.00   na      72      0      0      0     0
 90 Seremban (S)       Mal   140.75   na      27     13      0    285    25
 91 Cologne(Gauradesh) Ger   130.50* +13%     56*     6     25      0     0
 92 Berkeley (S)       USA   112.70*  +5%     19*    20*    49    110*   27
 93 Vologda (MS)       Rus   106.50   na      10     30     64     98     0
 94 Gurabo (PR) (MS)   Pue   101.00  -31%      1     17     66    196     0
 95 Prabhupada Desh (M Ita   101.00  -64%     14*     0    146      0     0
 96 Almvik (L)         Swe    97.75  -19%     21*     1      1    217     0
 97 Krasnoturinsk (S)  Rus    75.00   na      36      3      0      0     0
 98 Vancouver (S)      Can    72.25  -45%     16     10     31     59     0
 99 St. Louis (S)      USA    71.50   na      18     19     18     30     0
100 Natal (S)          Bra    69.50   na       0      0      0    278     0
101 Florianopolis (MS) Bra    66.00*+226%      0     36      0    120*    0
102 Batticaloa (MS)    Sri    52.50   na      20     10      0     10     0
103 Sarajevo (S)       Bos    49.50   na       8      9     16     66     0
104 Cherepovets (S)    Rus    48.75   na      14      4     10     47     0
105 Rybinsk (S)        Rus    47.50*+245%     17*     3*     3*    36*    0
106 Timisoara (S)      Rom    47.00  -33%      6      3      0    128*    0
107 Kostroma (S)       Rus    40.25   na       6      5      1     91     0
108 Kulim (S)          Mal    40.00   na      20      0      0      0     0
109 Abidjan (S)        Ivo    16.50   na       4      1     15      0     0
110 Terni (S)          Ita    15.00   na       0      0      0      0    36
111 Lusaka (MS)        Zam    11.00  -49%      2*     1      1     10    30*
112 Paramaribo (S)     Sur     7.50* +20%      3      1      0      2*    0
113 Gothenburg (S)     Swe     6.25  -19%      0      3      2*     9*    0
114 Manaus (S)         Bra     4.25  -98%      0      0      3     11     0
115 Santo Domingo (S)  Dom     3.45  -63%      0      0      3*     5     7
116 German Congregatio Ger     2.00  -75%      1      0      0      0     0
                                    (%)Change compared          (*)New high
                                    to monthly average            this year


**** Page 8 ****



                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                            PRABHUPADA DISCIPLES
                               February 2016

                                       %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Prabhupada Disciples     Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 HH Jayapataka Sw May Ind 4000.00   -5%  2000      0      0      0     0
  2 Gaur Sundar d    LA  USA 1556.15  -16%   722     75     45     55*    9*
  3 Mohanasini dd    New USA 1089.75  -17%   436      9    378     79     0
  4 Nidra dd         Den USA  720.50   -3%   246*   125*   105    204     0
  5 Trai d           Bol Ita  407.50   na    163      0    163      0     0
  6 Drumila d        New USA  339.00* +28%     0      0    238*   880*    0
  7 Bhrgupati d      LA  USA  171.70  -29%    44     64*     8     60     7
  8 Visala d         Mia USA  122.50  -34%    26      3      3*   264*    0
  9 Lalita dd        Ber USA   16.75  -15%     3*     2     10     15     0
 10 Shankar Pandit d Chi USA   13.75  -50%     0      0      0     55     0
 11 Nartaka Gopal dd Mia USA    4.00   na      0      0      0      0    40
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year


**** Page 9 ****


                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                       TOP TEN COUNTRIES (CUMULATIVE)
                        January thru February, 2016

                                   %   M-Big    Big   Medium   Small   BTGs
   Country (Temples)    Points  Change Books   Books   Books   Books   Mags
   ________________________________________________________________________

 1 India (23)          333389.75 -25% 119335   19910   27935  162877  97152
 2 United States (22)   88563.95 +29%  25470   18038   18340   37415  10094
 3 Russia, CIS (17)     37144.00 +42%  13283    3695    5996   15540      0
 4 United Kingdom (3)   13333.50 +33%   4451     292    6907    2744      0
 5 Australia (4)        12284.80+158%   5124     409    1490    3388    358
 6 Italy (8)            12133.30 +21%   3698       0    9439       0     64
 7 Mexico (4)           12131.25 +67%    953    3775    5916   13969      0
 8 Ukraine, CIS (12)     6366.00 -26%   2503     401    1216    1404      0
 9 Hungary (2)           5629.10  +1%   1263    1162     318    5848   3201
10 Brazil (7)            5386.60 -42%    561    1706    1359    7508     21
                                (%)Change compared to Jan-Feb 2015



                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                        TOP TEN TEMPLES (CUMULATIVE)
                        January thru February, 2016

                        Points        %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small   BTGs
    Temples (size)        (Months) Change Books  Books  Books  Books   Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Mayapur (L)   Ind 131236.50(2)  +20%  54309  10176  12786  24198      0
  2 New Delhi (L) Ind  38902.45(2)  -34%   9096   1531   6715  50391  32242
  3 Mumbai-Juhu ( Ind  31461.00(1)  -54%  12043   1978   2707  16174      0
  4 Los Angeles ( USA  26835.90(2)  +35%   6444   5802   6996  18044   1369
  5 RupanugaVedic USA  21178.55(2)   na    7424   5199    323   1373   6268
  6 Moscow (L)    Rus  20278.00(2)   na    8520   1296   1723   4322      0
  7 Tirupati (L)  Ind  17746.05(1)  -39%   5794    752    598  12293   9261
  8 Pune (L)      Ind  14583.70(2)  -25%   6300    258    482   4034   2995
  9 New Delhi(Pun Ind  14106.15(2)  -70%   2673      0      0  25191  15352
 10 Surat (S)     Ind  13462.50(2)  +62%   5364    212     90   3640   3762
                                   (%)Change compared        (*)Better than
                                      to Jan-Feb 2015             last year



                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                     TEAM BOOK DISTRIBUTION (CUMULATIVE)
                         January thru February, 2016

                        Points        %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small   BTGs
    Individuals           (Months) Change Books  Books  Books  Books   Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Puspa Gopa May Ind 26624.75(1)   na   10838    340   2095  14245      0
  2 Ajit Govin New Ind  6318.75(1)   na       0      0      0  25275      0
                                   (%)Change compared        (*)Better than
                                      to Jan-Feb 2015             last year



                         World Sankirtan Newsletter
                       TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS (CUMULATIVE)
                         January thru February, 2016

                        Points        %   M-Big   Big  Medium  Small   BTGs
    Individuals           (Months) Change Books  Books  Books  Books   Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 s Puspa Go May Ind 26624.75(1)   na   10838    340   2095  14245      0
  2 Madhusunda New Ind 10260.00(2)   na    3770    340   2806   3908      0
  3 HH Jayapat May Ind  8200.00(2)   +3%   4100      0      0      0      0
  4 s Ajit Gov New Ind  6318.75(1)   na       0      0      0  25275      0
  5 Bk Jay Khu LA  USA  6273.20(2) +130%   1758    891    900   5560*   262
  6 Ananda Kir LA  USA  6245.20(2)  +63%   1944    944    513   4576    127*
  7 Gokuleshwa Mum Ind  5512.50(1) +418%   2225   1000     10    230      0
  8 Krishna Bh RVC USA  5443.40(2)   na    1910   1280      3    408   2399
  9 Mayapur Ca May Ind  5437.75(2) +134%   1731   1846    190    139      0
 10 Paramesvar RVC USA  5353.25(2)   na    1731   1458      0    367   3415
 11 Keshav Mur New Ind  5350.00(1) +551%   1800      0      0   7000      0
 12 Pavitra Ha New Ind  5150.00(2)   na     600      0      0  15800      0
 13 Banamali M May Ind  4251.75(2)   na    1504   1050*   100    575      0
 14 Bhagavat A Mum Ind  4222.00(1)  -57%   2101      0     40      0      0
 15 Bipin Biha May Ind  4211.75(2)   +4%   1550    230    913   1701      0
 16 Hemagiri d Mum Ind  4093.25(1)  +43%   1362    310    710   2817      0
 17 Narayan Pa Sha Chi  4043.00(1) +526%   1519    118      0   3548      0
 18 Harinam Kr May Ind  3764.75(2)   na    1562     26   1082*   295      0
 19 Mahapuran  May Ind  3678.00(1)  -45%   1520    300     76   1200      0
 20 Bk Storm   LA  USA  3610.20(2) +185%   1110    460    791   2082    142
 21 Tirtha Gov May Ind  3585.00(2) +111%    800    626   2352    732      0
 22 Gaur Sunda LA  USA  3401.10(2)   na    1580    160    113     92     16
 23 Gaur Lila  Pun Ind  3326.00(2)   na    1659      7      1      2      0
 24 Tusta Ram  May Ind  3294.50(2)   na    1456    206    170    366      0
 25 Deva Krsna RVC USA  3258.00(2)   na    1326    542      0    256      0
 26 Radha Krsn Mum Ind  3201.25(1)  -54%   1399    121    301    527      0
 27 Kishor Gop May Ind  3153.50(2) +181%   1568      5     20     10      0
 28 Kamal Naya May Ind  2926.50(2)   na    1368      8     30    670      0
 29 Patit Uddh May Ind  2906.75(2)   -6%   1322    174    158     39      0
 30 Nava Gaura Tir Ind  2833.25(1)   na    1087    192    100   1665     10
 31 Gopal Bala May Ind  2827.00(2)   na    1276     56    438      0      0
 32 Sahasra Ne New Ind  2753.50(1)   na    1049     82    320   1278    940
 33 Prema Sank LA  USA  2749.00(2) +159%    751    627    111   2258      0
 34 Tirtha Kri Tir Ind  2731.75(1)  -63%    989    179    155   1931    126
 35 Udar Gour  May Ind  2696.00(2)  -55%   1348      0      0      0      0
 36 Bhaktiman  May Ind  2589.00(2)  +67%   1012      0   1000    260      0
 37 Ghanashyam Syd Aus  2588.50(2)   na    1151    116    118    446      0
 38 Bk Monoj   May Ind  2581.00(2) +219%    965    639*     2     44      0
 39 Subikram B May Ind  2507.00(2)  +85%   1213     13     29    214      0
 40 Brajananda RVC USA  2471.25(2)   na     845    714     85     99      0
 41 Kamalapati May Ind  2463.00(2)   na    1218     16     16     12      0
 42 Nityadham  New Ind  2462.40(2)  +95%      0      0      0      0  15352
 43 Bk Carlos  Gai USA  2408.50(2)  +48%    796    582     98    742      0
 44 Mohanasini New USA  2405.25(2)  -32%    966     22    797    211      0
 45 Dasya Prem RVC USA  2374.65(2)   na     892    466    119     81    449
 46 Bala Gopal May Ind  2345.00(2)   na    1132     45     33     78      0
 47 Lokeswar B May Ind  2255.75(2)   na    1095     39     22     63      0
 48 Bk Sanjiv  May Ind  2224.00(2)   na    1072     16     69    118      0
 49 Nanda Dula May Ind  2173.50(2)  +16%   1029     42    105     84      0
 50 Kaunteya S Tir Ind  2170.75(1)   na     775    112    100   1835      0
                                   (%)Change compared        (*)Better than
                                      to Jan-Feb 2015             last year

Lord Caitanya's magnanimous desire was to bless the whole world with His infinite mercy by displaying His most sublime lila of tasting and widely distributing the supreme fruit of love of God, Krishna prema. He thus desired to engage all willing souls to help Him distribute His sublime gifts everywhere. To fulfill his divine desire, Lord Nityananda Mahajan became the chief distributor of this transcendental harvest of pure love through the chanting of the nectarean Holy Names of Lord Krishna, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. And Lord Nityananda forever continues to fulfill Mahaprabhu's merciful desire by empowering so many worthy devoted souls with Gaura-shakti, the divine force to awaken bhakti in all hearts. Continue reading "Only Srila Prabhupada
→ Dandavats"

Sacred Sounds (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Today was the first day of the Sacred Sounds Festival at New Govardhana in Australia. Set in the beautiful rural countryside of New South Wales over 600 devotees enjoyed a day of classes, kirtans and delicious prasadam. All the action was perfectly captured by our dear Ananta Vrindavan dasa
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XjtGeF

By Jagabandhu dasa

In the morning, I sing the words of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur from Arunodaya -kirtan to millions of suffering jivas as I ride through the pre-dawn darkness on my way to work. I follow with Sri Rupa’s famous prayer of extreme self-abnegation (mat tulyo nasti papatma) and Srila Kaviraj Goswami’s obeisance to all the Gurus, Vaishnavas and the diverse aspects of the Divine Lord Who is recognized in completeness as Shree Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Then I sing some verses from Sri Brahma-samhita glorifying the Seva of Lord Shiva, Mother Durga and Lord Ganesh. I have done this for a very long time.

When I sing to the various souls embodied as plants, trees, insects and various other forest creatures I do it without considering whether or not or how long before they are able to re-awaken to Real Krishna Consciousness. Now or in some future lifetime. Or whether I might receive any benefit from such singing. I have no desire for any kind of personal liberation or boon for myself. If God Himself Came to offer me reward for my feeble facsimile of service I would politely refuse. I sing because Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga so desire (hoping the squawking of my voice does not disturb Them). And that as a fallen soul I am most eager to achieve Their Pleasure and Smile upon me with Their Grace. Which I might then dispense without false ego to all whom I might meet. Life after life.

The influence of Sri Rupa’s prayer has been of inestimable benefit to the incremental development of my real inner life. It was of course a tremendous blow to the false ego to become firmly convinced of my own interminably fallen position before attempting honest, earnest growth from the real bottom of the barrel of my actual contemporary subjective consciousness. It is extremely helpful to consider how poorly the Truly Great Souls actually always thought of themselves. Mahaprabhu Himself expresses this mood perfectly in His Second Beautiful Precept. And it can be particularly found throughout the various expressions of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. A sincere seeker must always carefully cultivate the same mood within their own unique environmental circumstances. Much trouble comes from a practitioner disbelieving in their own real fallen-ness. The false ego can then easily completely contaminate what might be considered imaginary spiritual progress achieved through cosmetic devotion, official piety and empty ritual.

Some time ago, when listening to Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada sing Chintamani… I was struck with the thought of how the Holy Name is a Deity which he was bathing with the Devotion of his Singing. From that day on I strove in my own meager way to make the Holy Name(and the Vaishnavas) my Deity and all the world my temple. When I see all the countless suffering, sad and dying people in the world as exemplified by a simple trip to the supermarket, I whisper Hari! Hari! as we pass like ships in the ocean of illusion. By God’s Grace, possibly He may overlook my many abysmal deficiencies and nonetheless travel off my tongue through the ear and into the heart of another soul forgetful of their own original nature. May they remember. In this life or the next. Or some future life. Somehow. Someway.

The post Conversation with guests in Timesoar appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Daily Darshan: March 25th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple - Festival Report - Gaura Purnima 2016 (Album with photos)
Picutres by Sahil Srivastava and Subhadra devi dasi
On a rainy, full moon Tuesday evening in March, devotees from Toronto’s Hare Krishna community gathered to celebrate the advent of one of the most merciful forms of Lord Krishna - Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! A packed temple, filled with reveling devotees exploded with colours, kirtan and the aroma of a delectable vegetarian feast.
The evening began with kirtan (musical chanting) and continued with a class by Krsnadas Kaviraj das wherein he lovingly expounded on the appearance of Chaitanya over 500 years ago. He then weaved a beautiful picture of a famous pastime (story) of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wherein He danced through the Jarikanda Forest, singing and dancing and the animals accompanied Him in the chanting and dancing as well.
In seamless fashion, the next part of the program featured a parade of smiling children dancing their way into the Temple Hall, both costumed and face-painted as tigers, monkeys, rabbits, butterflies and foxes. They were led by an actor playing the role of Chaitanya amidst joyful kirtan. Once glance at the audience was enough to prove that all hearts were melted instantaneously as the smiling children reenacted this most glorious story of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!
As the costumed-kids settled in, the grand abhisheka took over. The abhisheka was a special “bathing ceremony” wherein small Deities of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda were lovingly bathed in various items like yogurt, milk, honey and more! The walls resounded with kirtan as colourful lights illuminated the Temple Hall.
A final kirtan (arati) was followed by a giant feast served for anyone and everyone! Spiritually contented, the community of devotees made their way home with memories of a very special evening dancing in the forest of their minds!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6W5kjF

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On the auspicious occasion of the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Dr Sahadeva Das offers two Esraj songs unto His divine lotus feet. These songs, ‘Ujjvala Varana Gaura Vara Deham’ and ‘Nava Gaura Varam’ were composed by Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. The melody has been taken from the albums of Bhakti Charu Swami.

Esraj is an important instrument in traditional vaisnava music and by the 1980s the instrument was nearly extinct. Of late, this instrument is seeing some revival. However only a handful players remain all over the world. The Esraj played here is carved out of a century old block of Burma teakwood. No effects or reverb have been added to the sound of the instrument. 

“The way to get kids nowadays into the Mahabharata is to turn it into a game!”
Imagine if you could fight as the great warrior Arjuna, launching an attack with your Gandiva bow? And imagine if your friend, taking on the role of Karna, could counter-attack with his own bow, Vijay?
Now you both can!
Learn how to do this here: http://goo.gl/qW11Uj

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Is the past a good place to learn from?
Devotees and religious people in general are sometimes under the impression that now they are special and will be protected from difficulties or intense problems or suffering having tasted a new joy and fulfillment in dedication to serve God and others. While there are many places which say that those who have dedicated their lives for spiritual advancement have their suffering reduced, we never the less still have to deal with our physical body and mind, and what the Vedas refer to as current Age of Kali, which is full quarrel, hypocrisy, garbage, and an exploitative mentality. We also read how great devotees suffer in their service and from just living in the world. Do we really want to avoid problems, or are problems the answer to a mediocre, or ho-hum life?
I heard Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, the father of positive thinking, and prolific author, speak about someone who came to him complaining about all his problems and difficulties, which he thought were ruining his peace and distracting him from a Godly life. So Rev Peale, heard him out, and told him he knew a place where the residents had no problems at all, and asked him if he would like to visit them, to which he received an enthusiastic “Of course.” They got into Norman’s car and drove in silence for 20 minutes and then pulled into a long driveway. Getting out of the car they began to walk, and the Reverend pointed to all the tombstones, and told his amazed friend, “These people have no material problems. Material problems are a sign of life. If I have no problems I pray to God, ‘Don’t you trust me? Please give me some good problems that I can solve for your glory.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/IlOvHx

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On Friday March 18^th, GBC and ISKCON New Delhi leader Gopal Krishna Goswami had the opportunity to meet with Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at his residence in the capital city, to discuss ISKCON’s work. Mr. Modi is known for promoting the Bhagavad-gita, and so Gopal Krishna Maharaja gifted him a special deluxe edition of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Gaura Purnima Festival in Iskcon San Diego (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna says that his devotee is never vanquished. Therefore all the disciples practicing Krishna consciousness should obediently follow the regulative principles and remain fixed in chanting the holy name of the Lord. Then there need be no fear. Otherwise, one’s position is very dangerous, especially in this Kali-yuga. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.58 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/4SqSfT

Imagine if you could fight as the great warrior Arjuna, launching an attack with your Gandiva bow? And imagine if your friend, taking on the role of Karna, could counter-attack with his own bow, Vijay? Now you both can. It all came about when back in 2012, high school friends and huge gaming fans Varun Devanathan and Huren Sivaraj met to catch up.

Gaur Purnima Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Canberra

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The Radha Gopinath Temple in Mumbai, India celebrated their annual Flower Festival on January 30th, 2016. Over two hundred western yoga teachers and students joined thousands of members of the Radha Gopinath Temple congregation for the event. Participants of the Bhakti Immersion Retreat held at Govardhan Eco Village rushed to Mumbai for the celebrations. Gaur Vani, of the music band The Hanumen, posted on the internet, “After seeing the new developments at Radhanath Swami’s Govardhan Eco Village (including life-size replicas of the holy sites of Vrindavan), tons of hugging cows, serving with villagers, and loads of kirtans and music and yoga classes we’ve come back to Mumbai for the world-famous Flower Festival….” Sixty students of Jiva Mukti Yoga’s Yoga Teachers Training also joined in.

At 7:00 a.m. on the day of the festival a team of hundreds of volunteers began plucking petals from 2300 pounds of flowers – white and yellow chamomile, orange and coppery marigold, yellow and white chrysanthemum, pink and red roses, jasminum molle and jasmine. This seva continued for several hours as Radhanath Swami gave a talk describing the history and teachings of the path of devotion. Then in the evening those plucked petals were showered upon temple deities Sri Sri Radha and Krishna as Gaur Vani, Vishvambhar and his wife Vrinda lead the thousands of devotees in Kirtan. Finally the same petals were showered upon the devotees.

Gaur Vani posted on Facebook the next day, “At one point while chanting the entire harmonium gets covered in petals. I’m just poking at this flower covered, wheezing box hoping to hit something that sounds halfway decent. Flowers in every pocket, gap, opening, fold, and crevice. Still pulling petals out of cameras and backpacks the next day .

Just prior to the flower showers Radhanath Swami spoke of how bhakti unites us for the common purpose of serving Sri Krishna: “Here are people from Mexico and United States, from Canada and Sweden, from Switzerland and Australia, from Russia and Ukraine, from England and Italy, and a lot of people from India. And this morning everyone was sitting around the same little baskets of flowers, plucking petals, irrespective of what status, caste, sex or economic bracket we came from. Despite our incredibly amazing differences we are one in our love for God, in our compassion for each other, and in our appreciation for each other.”

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Bhaktivedanta Manor: 50 hours of kirtan!
This weekend Srila Prabhupada’s grandchildren celebrate 50 years of ISKCON with 50 hours of kirtan at Bhaktivedanta manor… Will be streamed on Mayapur TV as well

Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat ISKCON New Govardhana - Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari, Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The process of chanting the holy name of the Lord is always superbly effective, but it is especially effective in this age of Kali. All the great authorities of bhakti-yoga recommend the devotional process beginning with the chanting of the holy name of Krishna (tan-nama-grahanadibhih). (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.21 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/eHk7Sa

March 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Letter to Sumati Morarji.
Prabhupada expressed his optimism about his situation in a letter to Sumati Morarji:
I was very much encouraged when you wrote to say, “I feel that you should stay there until you fully recover from your illness, and return only after you have completed your mission.” I think these lines dictated to you are the words of Lord Bala Krishna expressed through your goodness.
You will be pleased to know that I have improved my health back to normal, and my missionary work is nicely progressing. I hope my project to start a temple of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna will be realized by the grace of the Lord.
Since I came to New York from Butler, Pennsylvania, I have rented the above room at seventy dollars per month, and I am delivering lectures on the Bhagwat-gitaand Sriman-Bhagwatam, accompanied by sankirtana. And the American ladies and gentlemen come to hear me. You will be surprised to know that they do not understand the language of sankirtana, yet they hear with attention. The movement which I have started here is completely new to them, because Americans are generally acquainted with the Indian yoga gymnastics as performed by some Indian yogis here. They have never heard of the bhakti cult, of the science of Krishna before, and still they are hearing me. This is a great success for me.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

Letter to Sumati Morarji

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 on such occasions, in bathing in the Bhagirathi with loud cheers of Haribol.

His father, Jagannatha Misra, and His mother, Saci-devi, both descended from ‘brahmana’ stock originally resided in Sylhet. Mahaprabhu was a beautiful child, and the ladies of the town came to see Him with presents.

His mother’s father, Nilambara Chakravarti, a renowned astrologer, foretold that the child would be a great personage in time; and he, therefore, gave him the name Vishvambhara. The ladies of the neighbourhood styled him Gaurahari on account of His golden complexion, and His mother called Him Nimai on account of the ‘nimba’ tree near which He was born.

Lord Chaitanya is the Supreme Person, Krishna, appearing as His own worshiper. He is the combined form of Krishna and Krishna’s most dear devotee Srimati Radharani. He came to experience the love She feels for Him, and to show by example how to fully surrender to Krishna.

He exhibited symptoms of love of God to the highest degree, and emphasised chanting the holy names of Krishna as the best means to attain love of God.

This post addresses some questions that arose from yesterday’s post on this topic.

I’m not sure how “morality” is precisely defined and on what basis?

Morality is a translation of the concept of dharma.

Dharma literally means the essential nature of a thing. Everything has a particular function based on its nature, and to fulfill that function is the definition of morality. The function of a student is to study, studying is a moral act for a student. The function of a teacher is to teach, teaching is a moral act for a teacher. Everyone is slightly different, so everyone’s moral definitions will be slightly different, this is why you may not find “precise definitions” in śāstra – but instead you find the essential principle, guidance on how to apply the principle, and some examples of how it should be applied to different types of people in different situations.

Also, everyone has many different natures in many different contexts and thus many different co-existing duties. For example I am a student in one context, a teacher in another, a son in one, a father in another, a husband in yet another, a neighbor in yet another, etc. etc. etc. I have duties for each role, and to attend those duties is my morality. To fail to attend those duties would be immorality.

My ultimate identity is as consciousness, emanated from the root consciousness, and therefore in an eternal mutual relationship. My ultimate duty and morality, therefore is to function in that capacity.

The more eternal the nature of a thing, the more important its function. For example, I was once a Californian, and I was once a child – but am no longer. Yet I will be a human being for my entire life. So the duties I have as a result of being human (my responsibilities to the planet, for example, and to the animals and ecosystem) are more important than my responsibilities to the Californian government or my rights and responsibilities as a child to play and have fun. This is another reason Krishna-bhakti is the supreme dharma, because it is the function of who we are on the deepest, eternal level: consciousness in mutual relationship to the supreme root of consciousness. That’s why it is nitya-, sat-, or sanātana- dharma — because it never changes. In contrast all other dharmas are naimittik- (“occasional”, “conditional”)

THE PAST CAN BE A GOOD PLACE TO LEARN, BUT IT'S A LOUSY PLACE TO LIVE: One of the reasons I share my past growing up and my various struggles on account of it, is to show that we have to make peace with our history so we can move on, often through some type of healing, forgiveness, or various kinds of personal work, often with professional help. In spite of how horrendous our past might be, it doesn't have to define us or have negative power over our lives.

There are two extremes, one is to repress or not deal with our past and stay in reaction to it, and the other is to let it define and limit us by keeping us a tied down victim. We want to identify ourselves as a lovable part of Krishna, not as an incest survivor, child of an alcoholic, or what have you. Some people wear their past trauma like a badge of honor. At the same time, while spiritual advancement is the ultimate solution to all our problems, where we gradually realize and identify ourselves as a effulgent soul beyond material designations or clinical diagnosis, it can be helpful to "name" our type of conditioning since we often identify with it as who we are and suffer accordingly. The way out is through! We aren't our life story, and yet within that story are keys to rise above it. Every negative situation carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater gain.

This is a further elaboration on one of the basic questions of life: "Who am I?" that I recently spoke of. Just rattling off our spiritual identity, or that "we are not the body," without dealing with our conditioning will fall short of helping us come to the spiritual platform.

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Kadamba Kanana Swami’s stay in Durban continues. He is still in the compulsory recovery phase after his surgeries. During this time, Maharaj has been making a weekly appearance at the Sunday Program. On the special occasion of Gaura Purnima, a day that is known for special mercy, Maharaj extended himself to be part of the morning program at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Durban and to be part of the evening program at the New Jagannatha Puri Temple in Phoenix, about 40 km away. His lectures focused on the theme of mercy and especially on the fact that in order to receive more mercy in our lives, we need to give out mercy. Recordings of the lectures and photos are found below.

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KKS_DBN_23March2016_GauraPurnima_SSRR_Morning_Bhajan_Sri-krsna-caitanya-prabhu

KKS_DBN_23March2016_GauraPurnima_SSRR_Morning_Lecture

KKS_DBN_23March2016_GauraPurnima_NJP_Evening_Kirtan-during-abishek

KKS_DBN_23March2016_GauraPurnima_NJP_Evening_Lecture

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From left to right: Venkatachalpati, Venkatash Krsna, Gaurnataraj and Nikunja Rasa.

The Congregational Development department (the CD team) is taking care of members and pilgrims alike this winter with an array of services. From Go Puja and Parikramas, offered by Venkatachalapati dasa, to outreach programs such as daily phone calls by Venkatash Krsna dasa, or gifts of delicious sweets from our Goshala, made by Sri Rupa dasa, the CD team has it covered. Gaurnataraj dasa, the head of the CD team and Nikunja Rasa das have been traveling tirelessly this winter, preaching at Bhakti Vriksha’s nationwide, and have been well received, while Rahul dasa has been away in India purchasing alters.

This winter, the CD team had a goal to increase home visits and outreach programs, emphasizing the chanting of the holy names. More than doubling their efforts from last year, they are exceeding their expectations and the results are great. Registrations and long weekend turnouts have increased and new families are visiting New Vrindaban as well.

“The only thing we can offer them is love and devotion and they are becoming very enlivened to chant the Mahamantra and listen to class. ” says Gaurnataraj, “Lots of people have shown interest in Srila Prabhupada’s books and we have already sold eight sets of the Srimad Bhagavatam this winter.”

Happy devotees holding sweets made right here in the Dhama.

Lord Chaitanya predicted the holy name will be spread to every town and village in the world and the CD team is helping to fulfill this desire by chanting the holy name wherever they go by giving lectures, singing kirtans and holding japa introduction courses. With visits to over ten states this winter, they are networking Bhakti Vriksha programs nationwide, encouraging its members in spiritual life and helping to awaken their dormant love for Krishna. Those who were not previously chanting, some are committing to chanting every day and those who were already chanting are committing to chant even more attentive rounds.

For Christmas last year, the CD team held a seminar on chanting japa, as well as classes about ‘The Ten Subject Matters of the Srimad Bhagavatam’, over a span of three days. Then, for New Years Eve, Sukhavaha Dasi gave a special program on ‘Giving Up Bad Habits’ which followed by a Bhagavad Gita class, and ended with kirtans lasting into the New Year’s morning.

To offer Lord Damodara the lamplight of their love this upcoming Kartik, the CD team is currently procuring altars to install Radha Krishna deities for members who are serious. They hope to have many altars installed so that they can sing Damodarastakam prayers for the pleasure of Their Lordships.

Gaurnataraj preforming a fire sacrifice.

Gaurnataraj says of the team, “our outreach programs are increasing and our team has great camaraderie and harmony amongst each other. Our main goal is to glorify and serve New Vrindaban and we hope that our offering of love and devotion touches the hearts of all those we speak with and that they become inspired to visit and become devotees. We hope to increase this outreach mission in a big way.”

Gaurnataraj is currently doing a series of lectures, ‘The Seven Kandas of the Ramayana’ every Thursday night at 8:30 pm starting March 3 – April 14, leading up to Rama Navami.

People can join in on the Rama Katha, as well as Bhagavad Gita class every Tuesday, via the live feed on his website – www.astroandyoga.com/live/

Even Google is into Holi!
If you click on the following link and place your pointer or cursor on the word Google you will see the Holi animation: https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl

Basu Ghosh Das: Here are the links:

1. Tulasi arati — http://tinyurl.com/h5aexo7

2. Abhishek — http://tinyurl.com/gtj5uvb

3. Deity Darshan  — http://tinyurl.com/hoof6h6

4. Holika dahan [burning of the demoness Holika] —

http://tinyurl.com/jjm3bw3

5. Sandhya arati — http://tinyurl.com/jcvk7kx