Radhastami 2014 – temple of Shri Radha Ramana, Villaggio Hare Krishna, Bergamo, Italy (Album 105 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The members of the present Krishna consciousness movement were not born in India, nor do they belong to the Vedic culture, but within the short time they have become such wonderful devotees simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra that even in India they are well received as perfectly well behaved Vaisnavas wherever they go. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 17.1 Purport) Read more ›

15 Million reached through Namahatta!
→ Mayapur.com

ISKCON Namahatta in Mayapur reaches 15 Million By Iksvaku das (ISKCON CDM Outreach Coordinator) On the auspicious day of Radhastami, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, co- minister of the Congregational Development in ISKCON, congratulated the Namahatta devotees from Sridhama Mayapur for having reached out to a record number of 15 million people in their last 35 […]

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Radhasthami celebration at Iskcon Auckland, New Zealand (Album 91 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

"As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28) Read more ›

Update on the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
→ ISKCON News

"We have good news and bad news from Ukraine.The good news is that practically all devotees from the Lugansk region have been safely accommodated elsewhere. Devotees are still fleeing the Donetsk region. On August 28th, eight more devotees from Donetsk, including three children, were assisted into safer accommodations."

The devotees in Kiev, Ukraine celebrate Radhasthami despite the war! (Album 14 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Fate can be changed by Krishna consciousness. Krishna says, "I shall give you protection from all the resultant action of your sinful life." That is fate changed. When you surrender to Krishna, He takes charge of squaring up all your sinful activities and their reaction. Surrender to Krishna; then your fate is changed. Delhi, November 28, 1975. Read more ›

Seattle, Washington Palanquin-yatra & Festival Of India! (Album 85 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

People should be given the chance to hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, but in the beginning they should not be instructed about the glories or the spiritual significance of the holy name. By constant hearing of the holy name, their hearts will be purified, and then they will be able to understand the transcendental position of the holy name. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.21 Purport) Read more ›

Krishna’s Healthcare
→ ISKCON News

Since time immemorial, human societies have championed Mother Nature’s therapeutic splendor as a reliable and sacred source of healthcare. It is important to be aware of the various health issues sprouting up during this iron age of Kali.

Harinama in Siberia, Russia (Album 48 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: For Radhastami in Omsk, Siberia we started off with kirtan, katha and abhisekha in the temple. After a big feast we went on harinam samkirtan and took the small Radha Krsna deities for a boat ride up the Irtish river. That evening we finished the day with discussion of Srimati Radharani's transcendental pastimes. All in a day! All glories to Sri Sri Radha Govinda, the presiding deities of Siberia. Read more ›

Gopal’s Garden: New Vrindaban’s Family School
→ ISKCON News

Just down the hill from the Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra Mandir, in a simple wooden building under the shade of tall, leafy oaks and maples, lies the key to New Vrindaban’s future. Four children are currently taught in the brightly painted aqua classroom of Gopal’s Garden, a homeschool co-op established in 2007. That may not be many, but it doesn’t make Gopal’s Garden any less important to New Vrindaban’s families, or to the very foundations of the community.

Krishna-shaped Hole
→ Seed of Devotion

For as long as I can remember, ever since I was a little girl, I have always had this longing for something or someone. Something or someone is missing from my life. It's either new clothes, a temple, a community, adventurous travels, friends, a husband, an education, a house, a car, money, spiritual initiation, a guru.

Something.

Someone. 

And when I finally get what I want, I long for something else, I long for someone else. This longing has been a curse and a blessing. A curse when I long for material things, because I get consumed with a fire that burns me up. A blessing when I long for spiritual things, because I get consumed with a fire that lights my soul. 

Lately I have been consumed with a longing for furniture. Sounds silly, but it's true. I have this intense desire to really just get settled into where I live - I've been wandering the world for so very long and now I just want to live in. one. place. One. Place. Getting the perfect bed and curtains is a product of this longing for home. But it's a feverish search, my ideas keep shifting and changing, I feel consumed and burnt out. 

Lately I have also been missing Radha Shyamasundar from New Raman Reti. There's an ache in my chest of longing. I miss singing for Them, putting away Their clothes, dancing for Them, and just being within Their glowing glance. It's this ache that gets more painful and also sweeter. I want to forget the ache, distract myself, but at the same time I know that it's sweet. I feel that it's sweet.

My spiritual master Radhanath Swami once told me, "There's a Krishna-shaped hole in your heart and no one will be able to fill that hole - not your parents, not a husband, not me. Only Krishna."  

For the past several months, whenever I have found it hard to get to sleep, I call into my mind's eye the faces of Radhe Shyam. I meditate upon Their forms and soon enough my heart and mind are at ease and I find myself drifting off to sleep. Radhe Shyam fill that custom-made hole in my heart. And for that window of time, my longing for someone or something is quieted and my soul rests.



Chanting Produces A Taste
→ Japa Group

Chanting produces a taste
for chanting. It becomes
an indispensable part of
your life, you can not
bear to go with out chanting
early in the morning. Prabhupada
said of his 1 A.M. rising
and writing his books, “This
is taste.” Similarly, this is
taste which drives me to
go around the beads for sixteen
rounds with out letup,
building the strength and
relishing the sounds, and
when I am extra fortunate,
con tem plating on Radha and
Krishna who stand together
on the altar and play in
Their pastimes in my mind.

From Viraha Bhavan #106
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Seminar Sep 5th: Teachings of Lord Caitanya
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

To inaugurate, as well as to set the mood for the upcoming Maha-Mantra Week (5th-15th Sep), we have a fun and interactive seminar which will be led by His Grace Kala Prabhu. He is a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and will throw his creative spin on how to best imbibe the Vedic teachings to lead a better quality life.

Here are the details-
Day: Friday, September 5
Timings: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost: Free (Donations are welcome)

A sumptuous dinner will be served at the end. To help us plan better,  please register here.