Planet ISKCON

Prayers for Chennai!
Jayapataka Swami is praying for people at Chennai who are suffering due to the flood. Maharaj expressed his concern about the devotees and is in touch with senior members of ISKCON Chennai as well, motivating them to be of any help that may be required.

New Book Looks at Past, Present and Future of ISKCON.
The book is an academic sequel of sorts to the 2007 book “The Hare Krishna Movement: Forty Years of Chant and Change” by authors Dr. Graham Dwyer and Richard J Cole (Radha Mohan Das). That book came about after Dr. Graham Dwyer, a Research Fellow at Winchester University, finished his PhD in social anthropology in a Hindu community in Rajasthan. Wanting to continue his studies, he visited ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor, where he met and befriended Radha Mohan Das, the Manor’s communications secretary.
Read more: http://goo.gl/wPOGkt

By Bhakti Niskama Shanta

The archaeological record is very limited and its analysis has been contentious. Hence, molecular biologists have shifted their attention to molecular dating techniques. Recently on April 2013, the prestigious Cell Press Journal Current Biology published an article (Fu et al. 2013) entitled “A Revised Timescale for Human Evolution Based on Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes”. This paper has twenty authors and they are researchers from the world’s top institutes like Max Planck Institute, Harvard, etc. Respected authors of this paper have emphatically accepted that the fossil record is inadequate and unreliable. These statements clearly substantiate that now biologists are agreeing that fossil records do not provide any significant evidence at all for conventional evolution theory. Despite the well-recorded fact of the continual grand propaganda of Darwinism based on fossil evidence for more than 150 years, in recent times biologists are surprisingly coming up with such statements, based on their confidence that evolution can be explained purely by the genealogical/genomic record provided by modern molecular biology. Still many respected journals (for example the article in Nature, Retallack, 2013) continue to publish articles on fossil evidence to support Darwinian evolution. These incoherently diverse claims prove that Darwinists are struggling with unscientific ideological approaches to explain biodiversity. Darwinian evolutionary theory is not only the basis of modern biology, but also acts as the guiding principle of science and intellectual reasoning for modern civilization. Hence, a scientific understanding of the breakdown of the Darwinian theory of objective evolution is very important for overcoming the traditional scientific temper of mechanistic intellectualism that characterizes this ideology. In my article “21st Century Biology Refutes Darwinian Abiology” it was noted that several recent findings challenge the credibility that random mutations and natural selection can provide a valid basis for justifying the naturalistic evolution of species. The present article summarizes the problems associated with the fossil record and dating techniques, and its implication on the neo-Darwinian mechanistic misconception of biological life as mere molecular chemistry or abiology. An alternative approach based on the Vedāntic view for explaining biodiversity in the light of 21st century biology is also discussed in the end of the article.

More photos here.

By Govinda prema das

It was in 1973 that Srila prabhupada first laid his Divine feet on this continent. the first place he visited in Africa was Kenya and specifically Nairobi. SrilaPrabhupada stressed to his disciples in Nairobi that the mission of Iskcon in Africa was for the local people, he called it our “real business in Africa”

That is our mission. If we get African devotees, then we are successful. So already some are coming. Now keep them fixed, and they will bring others. Letter to Cyavana — Vrindaban 4 September, 1975

Here in Nairobi our program is going on very nicely. There are TV engagements and a very large meeting is scheduled at the University of Nairobi for tomorrow. Many respectful Hindus are inviting us and I am staying in everyone’s house for four to five days. Most probably our center here in Nairobi will be a strong one, as strong as any of our other centers. Letter to Jayapataka Maharaj-October 05, 1971-

With lots of trials and errors,we finally established a program which is showing tangible results.this year our university outreach program “simple livinghigh thinking” had 650 registered students.it runs twice weekly at the Nairobi centre,and students from various universities attend the classes.the syllabus is based on three of Srila prabhupada books which covers three semesters in 12 months,students are required to sit for exams quarterly.our final exam was held in November and 95 students attended the final exam!

The students are very inspired by the teaching of the Vedic culture,the graduation ceremony was attended by HH Bhakti Narasimha Swami , HG Umapati prabhu, HG Manasi Ganga mataji and other senior devotees.We also established a training centre which enables the students to come and live in a contemporary ashram,where they pay a minimum rent.Every morning and evening the students attend a sanga class and a japa meditation workshop.

By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada in 6months 30 students have become vegetarians, chant, dress up in vaishnava attire and do service in the temple.May the vaishnava community bestow their mercy upon us so that we may remain fixed in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Your servant
Govinda prema das

Iskcon Nairobi

By Mina Sharma
ISKCON UK National Head of Media and Communications
ISKCON 50 UK Media Coordinator

Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple’s President HG Srutidharma Das, Managing Director HG Gauri Das and Head of Communications Vinay Tanna were amongst the few leaders selected to meet the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, during his recent visit to the UK.

Photos released today show Srutidharma Das shaking hands with both Modi and Cameron at a special showcase event held at Wembley Stadium, which featured a performance of both the Indian and British national anthems by children from the Krishna Avanti Primary School amongst others, and was attended by thousands.

David Cameron also met and shook hands the children from Krishna Avanti, a flagship Conservative free school, and sat with them in the VIP area, which was an unforgettable moment for them.

Srutidharma Das spoke to Narendra Modi in Gujarati about ISKCON’s 50th anniversary next year, for which he offered heartfelt congratulations. Modi also spoke about his visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor in 2005. Upon meeting Srutidharma Das, David Cameron said “We meet again!” as Prabhu had only recited Diwali prayers at No 10 few days earlier. He also commented on the mangal arati sweets which were given as a gift to the Prime Minister and Mrs Cameron, who had worn a sari for the occasion, which his children enjoyed immensely.

HG Srutidharma Das said: “We were absolutely delighted to be part of this historic event – it was a milestone for the UK and India, and ISKCON were right at the very heart of it.”

Srila Prabhupada: “Contact our good friend Mr. George Harrison and ask him to help us to find a bigger property.”
Dhananjaya: At 5:00 a.m. on Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s Disappearance Day in December 1970, a white Mercedes stretch limousine with blacked out windows came to our temple.
The chauffeur, with his cap, his dark suit and his polished black shoes, had a piece of paper with my name on it. I was called out of the temple room. I identified myself and the chauffeur said, “I’ve been told to take you to the fruit and vegetable market.”
I said, “Who told you to do this?” He said, “George Harrison is with John Lennon on a yacht on the Thames, and he remembered it was an auspicious spiritual master’s day, so he gave me 100 pounds.
John gave permission to use his Mercedes and I’m to take you to the fruit and vegetable market to get fruits and vegetables for a feast.” While partying with his friends on a yacht, George spontaneously decided to do this.
Srila Prabhupada wrote to me, “How is the preaching in London?” That year so many boys and girls joined our temple that the brahmachari and brahmacharini rooms were overflowing.
About 65 devotees were living in a property meant for 10 or 12. I reported this to Prabhupada and he wrote back, “Contact our good friend Mr. George Harrison and ask him to help us to find a bigger property.”
George Harrison happened to be in town at the time—that year he recorded the album later called “Living in the Material World,” which had an insert of a big color print of Krishna and Arjuna, the same picture that’s on the cover of Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
When I visited George, I’d take him all his favorite types of prasadam, like deep-fried potatoes, cauliflower and deep-fried curd soaked in sour cream, samosas, cauliflower pakoras, different kinds of sweets like burfi, sandesh and Simply Wonderfuls, as well as the strawberry buttermilk nectar that we became famous for.
I was seeing him once a week until he said, “If you keep bringing all this stuff you have an open invitation to come as often as you want.” Then I began visiting him three or four times a week and when I felt it was the right opportunity I said, “George, now we have so many devotees in our temple that we’re running out of space. Could you help us find a bigger place?”
Without hesitating he said, “Sure. No problem. Visit different estate agents, see different properties and if you find something really good, call me and I’ll come with you to check it out.”

Bhagavatam class.

The post Devotees think, “Let conditioned souls become Vaisnavas”, and Krsna attends to his devotees’ desire appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Podcast

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The post Positive Thinking 7 Get the IDEA Identity, Divinity, Eternity, Activity appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Shyamsundar Prabhu reads excerpts of his upcoming book “Chasing Rhinos with the Swami” about the begining days of the Hare Krishna movement in England. (video)
Never before known details about the meeting with the Beatles and other amazing facts happened those early days, narrated in a unique way.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/F88gFJ

December 3. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada is mysterious and we cannot fully understand him. We know him the way an affectionate child knows his father. We think, “This was my father’s cup and these were his shoes. This is what he says.” We know him in a familiar way, yet we also know that he is inconceivable. We should never minimize the strength that we get by thinking of ourselves as followers of that person, Prabhupada. If I study a God consciousness or Vaisnava philosophy with someone who does not have a tight connection with guru – or if I myself do not feel my connection to Srila Prabhupada – then spiritual life becomes vague. There is a hollow feeling. Someone may talk of “experience of God,” but you want to ask him, “Do you know what you are talking about? Do you have experience of this?” No matter what he may say, he cannot convince or touch me the way Prabhupada did. That which is most solid for me in Krishna consciousness is based on my relationship with Prabhupada. It comes to this: God is known by our relationship to the guru. If all you know is guru, you are doing all right. Vaisnava philosophy does not approve of strong aspirations for connection with God, while maintaining weak connections to guru.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

The post Daily Darshan – December 2nd, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

From Muralidhara Prabhu

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The post How does the principle of sacrifice apply in a devotee’s life? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Vrinda Devi’s Sacred Kunda

Mysterious, Yet Familiar

The ancestrals, divinities and philosophers were satisfied and delighted by the king’s speech. All the good people said, “Very good! Very good! Now we know why Vedas speak the truth when they say that parents attain success through their children – the guardian is partially responsible for the deeds of the protected. By your excellent deeds, you are saving your wicked father, Vena, from the darkness of being killed by the curse of philosophers. It is like Hiraṇyakaśupu, who entered the darkness because of hating the All-Attractive, was saved by the effect of his connection to Prahlāda, his son.”

Then they blessed the king, “You are the greatest hero, just like a father for the entire earth. May the years of your life be endless, for we see that you are devoted to Infalliable Acyuta, who is the true maintainer of all the worlds.”

Then they expressed their gratitude, “Aho! Now we really feel purified, for we have heard the enlightening words flowing from your lotus-like face, describing the True Master, Viṣṇu, who is the Subject of Topmost Poetry, and the Illuminator of Philosophers. Lord, it is not surprising that you can govern and provide livelihood for your people, for it is the trademark nature of great people to be affectionate and compassionate to the masses. Prabhu, all-knowing destiny keeps us wandering here and there in our petty tasks, like blind men. But today you have brought us closer to the other side of darkness.”

Finally, they offered their respect, “You are the most exalted and evolved, yet also the most original and primal existence, the most glorious person. Through the philosophers, you nourish the rulers. Through the rulers, you protect the philosophers. Through both, you protect this whole world. We off you our respect.”

– Excerpt from an early draft of Part 4 of

Beautiful Tales of the All-Attractive

A translation of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam’s fourth canto [4.21.45 ~ 52 (end)]

By Vraja Kishor

Parts 1, 2, and 3 of Beautiful Tales of the All Attractive

are available at VrajaKishor.com

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 16 April 2014, Durban, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.34)

The first and foremost quality of the brahminical order is kṣamā or forgiveness. This is the beginning of tolerance. See, external tolerance will not do. One can act very tolerant but if internally one cannot forgive then internally one is burning with fire and burning with anger. So forgiveness is the foundation of tolerance, like the tolerance of a brahmana.

By Radha Bhakti devi dasi

As you may have heard, we are creating a display at the ISKCON Leadership Sanga in Mayapur, taking place on February 24 – March 2, 2016. The display will feature highlights of the centres around the world from the last 50 years. It will consist of photos and text showcasing different yatras’ temples, programs, and devotees. In particular, devotees have submitted such things as:

– When their temple was built
– When deities were installed
– When Srila Prabhupada visited
– Significant successful programs and when they were launched
– Devotees who contributed to the community and who have since passed away
– And more

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to be featured! The perfect submissions have a document detailing highlights, and an accompanying high resolution photo for each highlight. Please indicate your interest to submit by sending an email to radhabhaktidd.cms@gmail.com. So far, we have received full or partial submissions from:

– Bus Tour
– Ahmedabad
– Bhaktivedanta Manor
– Boise
– Botswana
– Brazil
– Durban
– Indonesia
– Kiev
– Malaysia
– Nairobi
– Ottawa
– Seattle
– Vancouver
– Italy
– Japan
– Minneapolis
– Pandava Sena
– Pune
– Stellenbosch
– Vladimir
– Japan
– San Diego
– Nellore

Don’t miss out! Email us immediately at radhabhaktidd.cms@gmail.com for more information.

After receiving both triple bypass heart surgery and hip surgery, his Holiness Mukunda Goswami has returned safely home to ISKCON’s New Govardhana farm in New South Wales, Australia. His occupational therapists expect him to be “back to his normal self in no time.”

ISKCON has signed the Hindu Declaration on Climate Change issued on November 23^rd, showing its support along with 60 other Hindu leaders and organizations. The Declaration was put together by the Bhumi Project at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, both of which count ISKCON devotees amongst their staff.

Standing on street corners, speaking to random people, and showing them spiritual books, amongst whatever else I do in life, this simple and sublime activity is what I relish most. 

This December Marathon, for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada on the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, Bhaktivedanta Manor has a set a goal to distribute 100,000 of Srila Prabhupada's books all over the UK.

By Kumari Sherreitt

It’s a momentous year for ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) all over the world for it is 50 years since Founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada came to West and started the movement, and especially in its ever-growing community in the UK. ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna temple, was the UK’s first temple, and has just celebrated its 46th anniversary of the Deities Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara’s installation.

Although the Deities were first installed at another location, they soon after (in the late 1970’s) moved to the present location at 10 Soho Street, right off the hustle of famous Oxford street, in central London.

Special guests of the evening, held in a large hall in central London, were three of the six pioneers of ISKCON in the UK: Gurudas das, Malati devi dasi, and Syamasundarda who spok, a little about the past of ISKCON, a little about the present, and most poignantly, to make a plea for commitment to the youth towards the future of the movement. Also H.H. Radhanath Swami, whose extensive celebrity meetings and guest appearances in the media, as well as his successful book: “The Journey Home” have made him a household name, spoke about the the amazing feats done by ISKCON so far by its Founder Acarya Srila Prabhupada.

The evening was a showcase of the success of the accomplishments of ISKCON-London, including a heart-wrenching drama from the Mahabharata and reggae mantra music by the temple’ record company: Radha Krishna Records (radhakrishnarecords.com).

By Kumari Sherreitt
ISKCON-London Communications
For more information about ISKCON, or for upcoming events at ISKCON-London please see:
Web: www.iskcon.london

There are devotees of the Lord who circumambulate Govardhana hill two, or even three times, a day. Athough busy with visiting other holy places in Vrajamandala Indradyumna Swami's group of 350 devotees also managed to do parikrama around Giriraja twice during their stay in Vrindavan.

Anuttama Das, International Minister of ISKCON Communications speaks during Srila Prabhupada's Arrival in America 50th Anniversary. September 19, 2015, Boston, USA.

Special guests of the evening, held in a large hall in central London, were three of the six pioneers of ISKCON in the UK: Gurudas das, Malati devi dasi, and Syamasundarda who spoke a little about the past of ISKCON, a little about the present, and most poignantly, to make a plea for commitment to the youth towards the future of the movement.

Iskcon Disciple Course.
By Krishnarupa devi dasi (ACBSP) New Govardhana recently hosted its second ISKCON Disciple Course this year. The course was held over two weekends, with 13 attendees - four from Brisbane, two from Kingscliff and the balance from the local community. As facilitator of the course, I was impressed with everyone’s enthusiasm and commitment. Since Janmastami 2015, any devotee desiring to take either first or second initiation must have undergone the course and received a certificate proving that they have passed the assessment. It is recommended that the course be taken well before the initiation stage for first initiates. It is expected that New Govardhana will be hosting the next Disciple Course around April next year.
(In the photo: Students from the recent ISKCON Disciple Course, with facilitator Krishnarupa devi dasi - second row, centre)

Study shows red meat dwarfs others for environmental impact, using 28 times more land and 11 times water for pork or chicken.

MEET THE PUJARI: Syamamrita Vitarani devi dasi.
In the mid-nineties, Syamamrita Vitarani (Victoria Zinchenko) would sometimes run into devotees on the streets of her home city in Moscow. She never paid much attention until her father brought home a Bhagavad- gita.
Syama recalls that she and her mother were not too pleased when dad immersed himself in reading the sacred conversation. Aware of family disapproval and keen to avoid conflict, dad would hide in the bathroom to study the text.
At the age of 15, due to some health problems, Syama became a vegetarian and her mom and dad joined her in support of her alternative choice. Syama met her husband Vladimir Vodopyanov (Visnujana dasa) at her workplace in the sky, as they were both employed by Aeroflot International Airlines.
Vegetarian food was hard to come by at that time in Russia and she laughingly recalls an early date with her husband when they sat on a park bench and shared a whole jar of pickles.
Being keen to develop a spiritual lifestyle at this time, the couple were practising Tai Chi along with the parents and grandparents. They also embraced a mystic yogic path of deep meditation, which culminated in walking across shattered glass and glowing embers. No accidents were involved!
Eventually they met Krishna devotee Medini Pati dasa, who guided them in the practices of devotional life.
Syama assisted the pujaris at the local temple in Moscow and also took the Deity worship course, learned the art of Vedic cooking and Vedic psychology. Daughter Nika (16) and son Balarama (14) are now senior students at New Govardhana gurukula.
Syama, with assistance from the kids, took up garland-making, paraphernalia duties and cooking several times a week for her guru Mukunda Goswami.
She is presently appreciating performing the midday offering and arati twice a week at the New Govardhana community, Australia. Visnujana dasa is taking a Bachelor of Film Production course at the SAE Institute.
The couple are happy to serve at the temple and be near to their spiritual master, Mukunda Maharaja.

By Yasoda devi dasi

On the 12 September, New Govardhana had a visit from 44 Year 9 students from Kadina High School, Goonellabah. The students were accompanied by three of their teachers. They are studying Geography at school and as part of their curriculum are required to investigate a ‘Community’.

Upon arrival, we visited the fruit and flower gardens in the Krishna Village area. We looked at the type of shortterm accommodation available and the communal kitchen, pizza oven and so on. We wandered across to the yoga centre and they were very impressed with how the shed had been beautified and converted into a yoga centre. We also headed up to the vegetable gardens to look at the produce growing here and to view some of our cows lazing in the sunshine. This led us into a discussion about the concept of “Simple living and high thinking”.

The bus drove everyone to the temple area. The teachers had sent me a document of 18 questions prior to the day of the excursion. I answered these as a group, as it is a requirement that the students were to discuss and record the answers for an assignment that they will complete back at school after their visit to us. The questions are quite varied and some of the topics include Hare Krsna key beliefs, sense of identity, lifestyle features, history and the like.

It was now time for the midday arati. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to experience first hand what they had come here to learn about. I had asked permission from the gurukula, if the secondary students would be present at the arati. Anjali led a very powerful kirtana, with most students assisting with playing instruments. The students from Kadina were dancing enthusiastically.

The gurukula students then sang the Shanti mantras for peace, which impressed everyone with their potency. We followed this with the gurukula students explaining a little about their lifestyle and answering questions from the Kadina students. It was a wonderful exchange for everyone involved.

The Kadina students enjoyed a succulent lunch of prasadam cooked by Jhulan dasi. Many thanks to the devotees who assisted on the day, especially Vasustrestha dasa and those who assisted. This contributed in making it a very special and memorable day for the students.

Finally, I was so impressed that one of the teachers from Kadina has brought many school excursions to our community from various schools that he has taught at over the years. He had first visited us when he was a student on the same type of bus tour with the school he attended as a teenager. This showed me how much of an impression that our community had upon him, so much so that he wishes to share the experience with his own students whom he now teaches.

I am reading this wonderful book, “Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma Māhātmya”, by Śrīla Sac-cid-ānanda Bhaktivinoda Thākura which is a conversation between Lord Nityānanda and the young Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī as they go on a tour (parikramā) of the holy dham. Once the parikrama is over and Srī Jīva is blessed to go to Sri Vrindhavan, he submits the following statements to the assembled Vaishnavas (devotees of Krishna) in the courtyard of Śrīvāsa’s home. Folding his hands, he said to all of them:

Please excuse all of my offenses. You are Sri Chaitanya’s servants, the gurus of the world. O desire trees, be merciful on this insignificant living entity. Let the attraction of my mind reside in Lord Chaitanya. And let Nityananda Prabhu be the goal birth after birth! Without understanding I have given up my home as a mere child, but you are my friends, taking care of my life. Without the mercy of the Vaishnavas one cannot attain Krishna. Therefore, brothers, give me the dust from your feet.”

By Madhavendra Puri dasa

Venture up the back hills of New Govardhana Farm, to Harrison House, or by chance be at the temple at an odd time of the day and you may get the privilege of bumping into the somewhat unassuming, gentle soul known as Mukunda Goswami. Despite his humility, Mukunda Goswami is a veteran of the Hare Krishna movement, who was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in the very first Western yajna in 1966. He located the first ISKCON temple (NY), went on to establish the second ISKCON temple in San Francisco and then with a few devotees travelled to London and spread Krishna consciousness all over Europe. The rest is history.

Recently, Maharaja has been living a rather recluse life, yet when difficulty struck, a worldwide community brought their hearts and minds together to offer loving prayers for his wellbeing. On 23 October Maharaja slipped in his bathroom, fractured a hip and was ambulanced to Murwillumbah Hospital. Later he was transferred to Tweed Hospital for optimal care and pre-operation tests. Tests showed irregularities in his heart and Maharaja suffered a heart attack in hospital. He was transferred to Gold Coast Hospital and underwent a triple bypass openheart operation on 27 October. Three days later Maharaja went in again for a critical hip operation.

As all this was unfolding, prayers were flooding in from all corners of the world.

“I have been thinking of Mukunda Goswami constantly and praying for him intensely” said Giriraja Swami.

Mukunda Goswami’s brother, Tom Grant (an established jazz musician), also asked for prayers on the night of Maharaja’s first surgery, pulling together thousands of correspondents in prayerful thoughts.

Niranjana Swami posted: “Please continue with prayers for Mukunda Goswami and as much as possible have kirtanas for him.”

Devotees organised kirtanas in New Govardhana, and Krsna Ksetra Swami organised kirtanas in Radhadesh, Belgium, and there were many more around the globe dedicated to Maharaja.

“We pray to Radha Madhava that your operation is successful and you give your association again” said Jayapataka Swami, and Lokanatha Swami organised 1,500 devotees on Vraja-mandala parikrama to pray for Mukunda Goswami’s protection and recovery.

Many devotees sent prayers and praise including some very senior leaders. Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Bhakti Caru Swami, Bhaktivaibhava Swami, Laksmimoni Mataji, Malati Mataji, Radhanath Swami, Ramai Swami, Ravindra Swarupa Prabhu, Sivaram Swami, and many other godbrothers, godsisters and wellwishers all sent heartfelt messages.

Maharaja is spending some weeks in Murwillumbah Rehabilitation Ward before being discharged.

In the meantime his residence is being analysed by an occupational therapist and will have necessary modifications prior to his return. We all continue to pray for Maharaja’s full recovery.

As Kavicandra Swami aptly put it: “We all owe Mukunda Goswami a great debt for his going out to preach with nothing but his love for Srila Prabhupada.”

The post Turning our faces towards Krsna appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Chennai’s Iskcon Temple gets inundated by flood waters.
Note from the local devotees: Chennai is suffering from continous rain. Most areas flooded.
Our temple is surrounded by water. We are moving our devotees to a safer place.
Videos and photos: https://goo.gl/d2xprv
https://goo.gl/N0CSGK
https://goo.gl/ZPeygw

The Sacred Path To Ter Kadamba (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: From Yavat, where Radharani lived with Her in-laws, to Ter Kadamba, where Srila Rupa Goswami did bhajan, is one of the most sacred and beautiful walks in Vrindavan. It was our final parikrama in Kartika and we relished every step.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tcDYQH

By Basu Ghosh Das

Pictures of the bhumi puja can be seen on the internet here:

http://tinyurl.com/nm53ko4

Jagannath Puri is one of the four holy “dhamas”, sacred places of pilgrimage, described in the Puranas and is visited by thousands of Hindus on a daily basis. The Brahma and Skanda Puranas mention that city of Puri itself was built in ancient times by Raja Indradyumna. It is most famous today for the ancient temple of Lord Jagannath, His elder brother Baladev, and His sister Subhadra. This temple was built by the Rajas of Kalinga and Utkala (ancient names of present day Odisha), situated in East India on the bank of the Ganga Sagara (literally “Ocean of Ganges water”).

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, after accepting the order of sannyas, made his headquarters at Puri upon the request of his mother, Sachi Mata. After traveling throughout much of India for six years, he resided continually at Puri for the last twelve years of his manifest presence. Namacharya Haridas Thakur also resided at Puri during the presence of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and left his body before Mahaprabhu’s disappearance. One of Mahaprabhu’s prominent pastimes at Puri was to personally place the body of Haridas into a samadhi on the ocean shore. For these reasons, Puri holds special importance for his followers, the Gaudiya Vaishanvas.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur was posted as a Government Officer at Puri around 1870. It was here that his son, Vimala Prasad, who was to become Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur was born. And his disciple, ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada expressed the desire that a grand center of ISKCON be established at Puri.

The annual Jagannath Rathayatra festival (chariot festival), observed on the aashaadh shukla dvitiya (second day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of aashadh) draws more than a million (ten lakhs) pilgrims to Puri. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu attended the annual festival during his presence five hundred years ago. Srila Prabhupada instituted this festival around the world. Nowadays this festival has become synonymous with ISKCON, almost everywhere!

Srila Prabhupada wrote to his godbrother, Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Maharaj on April 8, 1972:

“You have requested me in your letter to consider for purchasing another house. But there is one difficulty, because the present administration of Jagannath Puri sometimes do not allow us to enter the temple. Of course, for our vaishnavas this discrimination is spiritually illegal: Arche siladhi gurusu navamati vaisnave janavate: if one is dressed in vaishnava dress, according to vaishnava law, if he is considered not a vaishnava, then that is a hellish condition. You know this also. So I think so long Vishwanath Das, Chief Minister of Orissa, is there, he should pass some law to help us. Vishwanath Das knows everything, he can pass an act to allow foreign disciples into Jagannath Puri. Many hundreds of foreign disciples will be coming to India in the near future, and already we have got nearly 100 men there, so it is a great opportunity for the administrative officials of Puri to increase the fame and prosperity of Jagannath Puri all over the world, and it will be their misfortune if so many qualified devotees of the Lord are not allowed into the temple, simply because they have taken their birth in a faraway place. So if you are able to do something, and approach the right persons like Mr. Vishwanath then we shall be free to have our center in Puri.”

While the struggle for foreign devotees to enter the temple of Jagannath continues, it is a fact that despite the continued ban on entrance, thousands of foreign ISKCON devotees visit Jagannath Puri regularly. To date ISKCON does not have a proper center to facilitate these devotees visits to holy Jagannath Puri dham.

However, that is about to change.

After years of struggles of various types, including having to overcome a number of legal hurdles, ISKCON has inaugurated the beginning of a grand project at Jagannath Puri by performing the bhumi puja and installation of Ananta Shesha on the 18 acre ISKCON project land in a grand ceremony that was attended by thousands of devotees who participate in an annual three day Puri Parikrama (circumambulation of Jagannath Puri) organized by Bhakti Purushottam Swami, ISKCON’s Governing Body Commissioner for much of Eastern India, including his native Odhisha (formerly “Orissa”).

Seven to eight thousand devotees, mainly from Bengal and Orissa, but also from other parts of India and abroad attended this years Puri Parikrama. Teachers and students of the Bhaktivedanta Academy at Sridham Mayapur performed the bhumi puja rituals. Headed by the Academy Dean Pritivardhana Das, the boys performed homas to satisfy Lord Jagannath. Later on Krishna Chaitanya Das assisted Lokanath Swami in the installation of the Deity of Ananta Shesha, the expansion of Lord Vishnu who is the supporting power holding up the universe, in the ground where the foundation of the Radha Krishna temple will be constructed.

Twelve ISKCON sannyasis attend the bhumi puja, i.e. Jayapataka Swami, Lokanath Swami, Subhag Swami, Bhakti Purushottam Swami, Bhakti Vishrambha Madhava Swami, Bhakti Gaur Narayan Swami. Gauranga Prem Swami, Bhakti Nityananda Swami, Rama Govinda Swami
Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami, Bhakti Ashray Vaishnav Swami, and Bhakti Priyam Gadadhar Swami.

Several senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada attended the program, i.e. Turiya Das, Pankajanghri Das, Mayapur Chandra Das, Bhaktarupa Das, Basu Ghosh Das, Shakitmati Devi Dasi, Kusha Devi Dasi and Shubhangi Devi Dasi. Senior ISKCON devotees Braja Hari Das, Bhadra Charu Das, Aravindaksha Govinda Das Madhavananda Das, and Vanamali Das were in attendance.

Bhakti Purushottam Swami spoke and described to the assembled devotees about the glories of Lord Jagannath’s Mahaprasadam. He explained in great detail why the Lord’s prasadam is offered to the Deity of Vimala (Durgadevi) after being offered to Lord Jagannath.

Devakinandan Das, the Chairman of the Puri Project Committee, which has been mandated by the ISKCON Governing Body Commission as the zonal authority for the Puri Project, addressed the crowd in both Hindi and English and encouraged them to support the project. Bhadra Charu Das translated his speech into Bengali and Oriya.

Jayapataka Swami and other senior devotees on the stage released the large verison of the Project brochure – a separate pamphlet was also released – detailing the various aspects of the proposed project. Jayapataka Maharaj himself told the crowd that Srila Prabhupada had a desire to construct a large temple and project at Puri and now that desire of his will be fulfilled. And guests pledged almost a million rupees (Rupees ten lakhs) towards the project on the spot.

The Puri project itself is situated on 18 acres of land at Sipasirubuli, on the Southwestern side of the town. Some of the features of the ISKCON Puri Project, the estimated cost of which will be approximately Rupees one hundred crore (fifteen million US dollars) are:

Grand Radha Krishna Temple
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Museum
Lord Jagannath Lila Museum
Library
Amphitheater and auditorium
Amusement park for chidren
Govinda’s restaurant
International Guest house
Ayurvedic Clinic and Yoga center
Inmate ashram & prasadam hall
Convention hall
Bhakta nivas (residence for devotees) – 500 units
Vedic school
Dharmashal (low cost residence for pilgrims)
Vaishnav market area

Detalied project plans can been seen on the internet at the Project website: www. puriiskcon.com.

Those who are interested to donate for the project or donate for a residence in the bhakti nivas, where one, two, and three bedroom/hall/kitchen facilites are to be constructed may contact Puri Project Director and Temple President Vanamali Das via e-mail at , or , or contact him over the phone: +91-94370-65008.

Additionally, the ISKCON Puri Project is already operating a guest house to facilitate ISKCON devotees and life patrons.

The ISKCON Puri Project guest house is situated in a new building located just off the main Chakratirtha Road, behind the Purushottam Vatika on road near the Urban Hatt to Railway station road. Nearby the Puri Railway station, which is only half a kilometer from the guest house.

Eighteen rooms are available, and all rooms have split air conditioners, and wifi internet. All the rooms have attached bath rooms with hot water.

The project has already begun a Govinda’s Restaurant. This fully air conditioined restaurant, is situated on the main Chakratirtha Road at Banki Mohan, not far from the Mayfair Hotel, and the Subhash Bose Statue. Govinda’s runs on “alacarte” system. Life Patrons can avail 20% discount at Govinda’s.