Puri Parikrama: Very good news. This year the Puri Parikrama organization team is giving more attention and facility for an Enlgish speaking party.
Anasuya devi dasi: Jaya Jagannath! Puri Parikrama organization is pleased to announce the most auspicious 2015 Sri Ksetra Puri Parikrama! A much loved annual event, this year’s Puri parikrama will be from the 27th to the 30th November.
Every year our International group attends the parikrama, along with many Hindi speaking devotees. The parikrama usually consists of a majority of Hindi and Bengali speaking devotees, so this year the organizers have decided to have an even bigger international group specifically for English speaking devotees.
So if you really want to experience all aspects of Sri Jagannath Puri Dhama and immerse yourself in hearing the wonderful pastimes of Lord Jagannath, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Their associates, then you should definitely sign up for this year’s ISKCON Puri parikrama.
None other than His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Maharaja, a Puri dhamavasi himself, will be expertly guiding us on parikrama. Maharaja, who is a wealth of Krsna conscious knowledge and katha, has been organizing this parikrama for 10 years, so we are sure to be in for a treat in his fine association.
For the first time the well-known HG Madhavananda prabhu will give us his rare association in ISKCON Puri Parikrama. He is one of the most learned devotees in Jagannath katha!
Every year, approximately 10,000 devotees attend this event, which makes it an enormous festival of maha prasadam, kirtana and of course, lots of Sri Jagannath and Gauranga katha.
JAGANNATH PURI FROM MAHAPRABHU’S PERSPECTIVE:
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu lived in Puri for eighteen years, so He had many confidential pastimes there. For example, He had pastimes in Gambira, Siddha Bakul, Tota Gopinath, Simha Dvara (the gate of Jagannath’s temple where Mahaprabhu visited each day), Narendra Sarovara and Jagannath Vallabha’s garden. All these places are described in Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, so nothing is more auspicious than to visit them in the association of learned devotees such as Maharaja, who can give us a deeper understanding of the life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Puri.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO GO ON PARIKRAMA?
The word parikrama means circumambulation, and to go on parikrama means to circumambulate the holy places. The best days for going on parikrama are described in sastra. It is very important to schedule a parikrama during the specified times, so that one can gain maximum benefit. Therefore, in adhering to this, our parikrama schedule is as follows:
Devotees will arrive in Puri on the 27th of November and will have a full schedule until the 30 th of November.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON PARIKRAMA?
21 KILOMETRES DAY PARIKRAMA:
On the 30th of November, we will do the full circumambulation (parikrama) of Puri, which is 21 kilometres. We will start walking at around 6:00 AM and will finish at 2 PM.
We will be a monumental parikrama party of almost 10,000 devotees walking the path of great saints and the Lord Himself…an experience to remember for a lifetime.
* PLEASE NOTE: that these dates are subject to change and that the international devotees will have their own kirtana party.
KIRTAN, KIRTAN, SPECIAL CLASSES AND…MORE KIRTAN
While on parikrama in the daytime and during evening programs, there will be no shortage of kirtana and special classes.
In fact, this year is a particularly special year for Jagannath temple: it is Navakalevara’s year, when the bodies of the Dieties are changed. There will be a special class and slideshow explaining the meaning of this ceremony, and also the hard work the Puri devotees put into caring for their beloved Lord Jagannath. Hearing such lilas of Lord Jagannath and appreciating His devotees’ service to Him will bring us much closer to Him.
MAHAPRASADAM:
To honour mahaprasadam in Puri in the association of Lord Jagannath’s devotees is the perfection of life. For confirmation, we can remember Mahaprabhu’s life:
Q) What were the devotees doing in Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s association?
A) Every day they were having monumental kirtanas, ocean baths and…Honoring huge amounts of mahaprasadam!
Therefore, at least once in our life (or ever year, why not?!), we should experience this…kirtana, ocean baths, Krsna katha and, of course, maha prasadam.
WHAT DOES THE PARIKRAMA COST?
The Puri Parikrama fees are very low. To register for the international group costs only 500 (five hundred rupees). This amount covers the whole parikrama and includes prasadam every day (3 meals, included Jagannath Maha prasadam!). The only thing it doesn’t include is accommodation.
HOW MUCH IS ACCOMMODATION?

Hotel Category 1
Hotel category 2
Price: 500 rupees daily for one person ( two people sharing)
Price: 600 rupees daily for one person (two people sharing)
Bathroom attached, clean, nice place
Bathroom attached, clean, nice place, garden, hall+ amenities

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST (ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED)?
Fees+ Hotel Category 1: 2500 (two thousand five hundred rupees)
Fees + Hotel Category 2: 2900 (two thousand nine hundred rupees)
Hotel Category Number 1: www.rajgroupofhotels.com (Hotel SUV Palace)
Hotel Category Number 2: www.gajapatihotel.com

We look forward to your association on this year’s Sri Ksetra Puri Parikrama.
For registration, please contact: puriparikrama@gmail.com
For any more information about accommodation or if you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us:
puriparikrama@gmail.com or
bpssecretary@gmail.com
We are here to serve you to the best of our capacity.

Your servants at
International Group,
Sri Ksetra Puri Parikrama organization

As we all know that on 17 September 1965 Srila Prabhupada first arrived at foreign land. So in year 2015, whole ISKCON world is celebrating 50th anniversary of this grand occasion. By co-incidence or by arrangement of Krishna, the 17th September is also the Vyasa Puja day of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja. So […]

The post Grand Celebration Of Srila Prabhupada’s Memorial Festival 2015 & 50th Anniversary Of The Arrival Of Srila Prabhupada In America appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.36)

How can we always remain appreciative in association of devotees? Sometimes, we lose it so how can we stay always in the correct mood?

By thinking that we are not appreciating devotees enough and that we are always falling short in appreciation. As soon as we start thinking, “Yes, I am appreciating the devotees.” I think that is where we go wrong but when we think, “I am not appreciating the devotees enough.” Then we can maybe stay a bit more alert. Anyway, it is only a theoretical answer because I am not appreciating devotees enough and that is a problem.

If we do not appreciate the devotees enough, then we get corrected. I wish I could tell you that my spiritual life was just ideal, that it was beautiful from day one and everything was just perfect and that I always appreciated the devotees very much.The truth is I did not and I get purified again and again, either by arrangements of Krsna or he sends me some association just at the right time! Krsna is there to look after us and that is our saving grace.

We must realize that we are not appreciating the vaisnavas enough, that will help and for the rest where we fall short, just wait awhile, Krsna will make an arrangement – sometimes sweet and sometimes hard like a thunderbolt! Anyway, giving credit to devotees is the key. Give credit to other devotees and do not take any credit ourselves.

Hare Krishna! The Many Faces of Halva
Kurma Dasa: Anyone who has ever visited a Hare Krishna Temple feast or a Hare Krishna restaurant will have undoubtedly tasted halva. The memory of its sweet, warm, moist, spiritually-infused ‘comfort food-iness’ will no doubt have lingered long after all traces of the buttery ecstasy have left the lips. You may not know just how widespread the halva story actually is, and how much world history there is to it. Halva is one of those dishes found from the Balkans to India and claimed as its own by practically every culture and country in between. There are many versions. Basic halva, as it is found throughout the Balkans and Turkey is a simple dessert. The most common version is made by cooking semolina and then shaping it into balls which are then sweetened with either honey or “pekmez” – grape must syrup.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20355

03.10.2015 H.G.Narshimha Kavacha Prabhu_SB-06.01.54

Although Prabhupada didn’t want to create waves, he asked if they could have open house meetings in the evenings. The Agarwals agreed, and every night Prabhupada spoke and answered questions from guests.

Parvati devi dasi from Denpasar is a high school teacher and regularly organisers classes on Bhagavad-gita at public schools. She, along with her husband, who is also a teacher, speak at Universities as well.

Hare Krishna! ISKCON UK – October newsletter
Devotees gathered at Temples across the UK to offer deep thanks and gratitude to the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, marking 50 years since he arrived in the USA. Fifty years ago on 17th September 1965, Srila Prabhupada arrived at Boston Harbour with his message of devotion to Krishna. He was alone and unannounced, and from very simple beginnings he established an international movement of tens of thousands of devotees and palatial temples all over the world. His message was simple, chant and be happy.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20351

Devotees started working in the new farm “Goloka” that they purchased near Morkovice-Slížany, a town in the Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/A6pGfT

Dear Jagannath bhaktas, We are pleased to announce addition of services to our Jagannath online seva page. New services include one month’s ghee, honey or incense, balya bhoga, Mahaprabhu and Simantini Devi Bhoga, one day flowers/ garland or even special pujas. Jay Jagannath Baladev Subhadra Maharani ki jay!!

The post Jagannath Online Seva Update appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The post Remembering Mr. Göncz Árpád, ex-president of Hungary and well-wisher of our movement, who just left this world appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! ISKCON 50: ISKCON is now 50 – What next? (Videos)
Bhakti Caru Swami, Romapada Swami, Gunagrahi Swami, Bhaktimarga Swami, Vaisesika Dasa, Rambhoru Devi Dasi, Radha Devi Dasi and other devotees discuss about the meaning of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s Iskcon and what should be the priorities for the future. Better relations among the devotees, less big temples and more devotee care, unity in diversity, less bureaucracy and more preaching, book distribution and Harinamas were some of the subjects proposed in a recent meeting for the beginning of ISKCON50 events at Iskcon Houston
Watch them here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20348

Preaching at the Mahendradatta University, Bali (Album with photos)
His Holiness Ramai Swami gives a Bhagavad-Gita class at the University of Mahendradatta, Depasar, Bali on the 9th of October 2015.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/PShl5w

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2014, Mayapur, India, Siksastakam Seminar: Verses 1&2, Part 1)

Currently, our chanting may not be so complete, in the sense that it is free from any form of anartha or aparadha, and done in a full transcendental knowledge. But all chanting will help in purifying the dust from the heart to different degrees. Ceto-darpana-marjanam (Siksastakam 1).  We begin our chanting as a process of purification. Therefore, our first motive in chanting is for purification and this should be our approach: we do everything for purification.

Someone said to me, ‘I have no taste for chanting, so I gave up chanting. I cannot do it anymore – I have done it for years and I just had no taste for it and therefore I just can’t do it anymore!’  So what do you say to someone like that, especially after they have chanted for many, many years? I was thinking of what to say and after some thinking, I said, ‘Look, for you it is too late, as you have chanted for too long! You are a devotee and there is nothing you can do about it; whether you chant or not, you are going to be a devotee. But there are two options for you: either you are going to be a happy devotee or you are going to be an unhappy devotee. And if you don’t chant, you are going to be an unhappy devotee. But if you chant, you can be a happy devotee!’

So we chant for purification; it is not about, ‘I have no taste!’  So much talk is there about taste, a higher taste, and that is good because we want to get there, to chant with a higher taste, but at the same time, chanting with a higher taste is quite “high”. Maybe sometimes we are chanting with some higher taste but to chant with a higher taste all the time is “high”. Therefore, for most of us, we go back to that platform of looking for purification, again and again that should be there – looking for mercy and purification. Look for more purification and if anything more comes – some moments of higher taste – that is a bonus, that is extra, but that is not what should drive us, ‘Oh, I am chanting and still no higher taste!’

Maybe not, maybe not in this life, maybe the next life! Maybe not in the next life, but maybe the life after that, or maybe after a hundred lives, the higher taste will come. So, chant for purification because the mercy is so great, the gift that comes is so great, that is worthy of all efforts.

Hare Krishna! The Sun Behind the Rainbow
Durban’s Sri Sri Radha-Radhanatha Temple of Understanding has shed its light for thirty years as if untouched by time. I perceive it as a gigantic golden lotus opening its petals on a dazzling pond, or a celestial aircraft that has descended and landed on an ordinary spot. The temple’s architectural perfection intrigues me with its fusion of traditional and modern design. Towering above the shimmering octagonal roof, gold-leaf-edged domes display tilaka-shaped windows that delight the eye and the soul. Austrian architect Rajarama Dasa conceived the design, which follows principles of the Vedic shilpa-shastra. The building’s very layout is meant to teach spiritual truths – and to suggest stories of courage, determination, and hope.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20343

Hare Krishna from Mongolia! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: We are indebted to Ananta Vrindavan dasa for his amazing photography and excellent videos covering our travels here in Mongolia this past month. As our adventure winds down and we start heading back to the capital, Ulaan Bataar, we share a few more of his photos taken this last week on the road.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ZlT0vR

Hare Krishna! TOVP: GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) Molds Approved
The TOVP management team went on site and gave approval for the production of GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) molds to begin. At the moment we are focusing on 4 different areas where the GRC molds will be used; the 24 Kalash brackets, the Chatri ribs, the 7 meters utility floor columns, and main base cornice of the Kalash brackets. The management, art team and Sadbhuja prabhu have given full consent, and are very satisfied with the mold making and its progress. Once finished, GRC will be poured into the molds to create the desired pieces. The high quality GRC we are using isn’t available in any commercial market; it can only be produced in-house. In the photos, Savya Sachi prabhu and his team are making the polyurethane molds to produce the Kalash bracket molds. Polyurethane combines the best properties of rubber and plastic, without the weaknesses inherent in plasticized vinyl films.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20338

The post Daily Darshan – October 10th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 8/16/2015

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes Simple Living, Cow Protection, Engaging Oxen, Local Agriculture, and above all, Loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Madhava Gosh and Ranaka

Participating Advisors: Sri Tulasi Manjari, Radha-Krishna, Jaya Krsna

Participating Managers: Mukunda

Recording secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Village Council Update

The New Vrindaban Village Council Steering Committee made an informal request to the Joint Board members to engage a person (or couple) in a ministerial role to help reconnect the residents of the New Vrindaban community. The Steering Committee also proposed a budget to cover one year’s expenses related to this effort. There is a general mood of support and encouragement from the ECO-V Board and the board members are looking forward to hearing additional details from the Steering Committee.

2. Clarity of Relationship Between INV and ECO-V

Mukunda expressed a desire to clarify ECO-V’s relationship with ISKCON New Vrindaban. Chaitanya Mangala suggested that much of this will be worked out on the managerial level and that the relationship is dynamic and will continuously evolve, so our challenge is to find ways that the two organizations can best work together in mutually beneficial and supportive ways.

3. Mukunda’s Project Management Updates

Mukunda reported on the previous month’s projects:

• Prabhupada’s Palace Greenhouse: Improvements have been made, including the old plastic removed and new double layer of greenhouse plastic installed, the old air pump removed and new air pump installed, the old yellowed single-layer fiberglass end walls removed and replaced by clear double-wall polycarbonate panels, and the old inefficient propane heater replaced with new one.
• Palace Gardens: Vraja Dhama is working at the Palace Gardens and is training to be a Palace Manager.
• Teaching Garden: Radhanath (Raphael) has been taking care of the Deity Flower Garden, which is going well.
• Rose Garden: The garden crew is working with Paul Zimmerman to determine the best varieties of roses to grow for garlands.
• Temple Goshala: There is a broken fence in need of repair. Also, there are plans to install insulation and a bathroom. Mukunda would like to dedicate a couple days each month to the goshala’s maintenance.
• ECO-V Conference Room: Mukunda and Ray are renovating the space next to Ranaka’s office for a designated conference room.
• Trailer for Nitaicandra prabhu: Mukunda has made some needed repairs to a trailer near the G7G in order to make it ready for his arrival.

4. Nitaicandra as New ECO-V Staff Member

ECO-V has signed a contract with Nitaicandra. He comes to New Vrindaban after completing a 5 year engagement at the ISKCON Escondido Farm. Nitaicandra has a broad skill set, including gardening, cow care, carpentry and running equipment. He expects to arrive in New Vrindaban in early September. The ECO-V Board Members eagerly await his arrival.

5. Testing Water at Bahulaban

The water was tested at this site five years ago. As ECO-V previously committed, Mukunda will repeat the same tests to see if anything has changed.

6. Creating and Adopting a Simple Garbage Disposal Policy

Mukunda brought up the point that INV and ECO-V do not have a recycling program in place. Jaya Krsna requested a proposal for a recycling and disposal program, which Mukunda will work on.

Over time Sally grew very fond of Prabhupada. “He was the most enjoyable man. I really felt like a sort of daughter to him.  Even in such a short time... He enjoyed everything. I liked him. I thought he was tremendous.”

[Reposted from March 3rd 2009]
What can I contribute to the family of the Earth, divided by gender,mentality, nationality, religion, or ethnic tradition?

By spiritual constitution we are all one--individuals of the same nature and family of God. We come into the material world and accept a false ego that tells us we are the material body, mind, intelligence and emotions, and that we should act for this selfish self interest. We believe we must compete with others for what we perceive as scare resources and facilities for survival and enjoyment.

At times we may feel like this: "How pitiful that although I believe in my and everyone's spiritual identity and also have experience of myself beyond the perishable body, I am still affected by the same selfishness."

read more

Little children love pretend-playing “doctor”. But what happens when a real doctor comes to your school?

Dr. Rajendra Chouhan had graciously agreed to meet with our Middle and Uppper Elementary classes, teaching them about the human body. Along with him he brought a special surprise: Ultrasound! Indeed, that was the highlight of his visit. If only we had the whole day to view everyone’s internal organs…  There was great excitement when a couple of students had their heart and liver displayed on the screen. We even got to see the blood vessels in action.

Dr. Chouhan’s is a familiar face to our community.  He is a Surgeon in Eurology from Madhya Pradesh, India.  He immigrated to the United States in 1982, where he trained in Eurology in Brooklyn.  In a few short years, he moved to Dallas/Fort Worth area where he set up his own clinic.  His Eurology Clinic in Arlington is where he repairs many patient’s kidney and bladder disorders every week. You’ll see Dr. Chouhan every Sunday in front of Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji during 8:00 PM Bhajans.  He has been attending temple programs for many years.  He has also supported TKG Academy generously.

Thank you, Dr. Chouhan for the lovely visit and the thrilling real-life experience!

—————————
Ravindra Svarupa prabhu spoke and Giriraj Swami sang during this program.

“Then there are Carbon atoms and they form complicated structures and at a certain level of complexity something else happens in the world and there are no longer just complex structures of matter but there is the experience of complex structures of matter. What is that? We know there is experience of structures of matter because we are talking about it—what we would call consciousness. It is a different ontological category. If you just have different levels of complex structures of matter then that is all there should be—so you have a problem with consciousness. And, people keep worrying about it. Some try to get rid of it. To me the Bhagavad-gita account is very convincing because there are two different energies of Krishna that flow together and from which the world arises—the external potency and the tatasta (jiva) sakti. People can’t deal with this consciousness. It is an anomaly but it is fascinating.”

—Ravindra Svarupa dasa

Talk by Ravindra Svarupa dasa
Kirtan by Giriraj Swami

There is hardly anything as nice as going out to explore nature and its wonders. In Mid September, the Preschool and Lower Elementary classes went on a field trip to the Dallas Arboretum and the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. There they learned about solar energy, wind, water, parts of flowers, and hoards of other fascinating things. View the pictures to get a glimpse into their blissful escapade.

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