The Gift Prabhupada Project is an initiative undertaken by a group of devotees to gift a miniature (54 mm) brass murti of Srila Prabhupada, particularly to his direct disciples. Alloyed within the brass murti are coins donated for Srila Prabhupada’s books from each of the 25 countries he personally visited, symbolizing the global impact of […]
Bhakta Dasa at work on one of 20 large paintings inspired by the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Photo courtesy: Sydney Morning Herald. Bhakta Dasa, Communications and Interfaith Director for ISKCON Australia and Australasia recently had his reflection entitled, “How a schoolyard bully set me on my spiritual path” published in the opinion section of The […]
Perth temple celebrates Lord Jagannatha’s Rathayatra in the summer and the devotees observed the Lord’s Snana Yatra Festival a few weeks before.
According to Skanda Purana, when King Indradyumna installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is considered to be the birthday of Lord Jagannatha. After the ceremony, the deities are not seen for a fortnight. The deities are kept in a special “sick room” and looked after by the pujaris.
It was my good fortune to participate in the Snana Yatra and associate with the many devotees who came to bathe Lord Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra on this auspicious occasion.
Vrajmohan Das has crafted a unique board game, “To Every Town And Village,” inspired by the classic game Monopoly. As the name suggests, the goal of the game is to help sponsor temples, develop projects, and spread Srila Prabhupada’s mission to every corner of the globe. Blending elements of fun, strategy, and devotion, the game offers […]
Recently, a vibrant interfaith program took place at St. Alban’s Cathedral, bringing together individuals from various religious backgrounds to share their faiths to foster understanding, and work towards a stronger, more harmonious community. This event was a testament to the power of dialogue and mutual respect, where members of different traditions had the opportunity to […]
Since many of our ISKCON congregational members are of South Asian Indian descent and may be interested in participating in this program described below, we are publishing this story. We recognize it’s not relevant or open to many of our readers. However, because a sizable number may be interested in this opportunity to visit India […]
Guruttama Dasa, in gold, on President Alexander Stubb’s left, along with other key religious leaders at the Presidential Palace. On November 19, 2024, Guruttama Dasa, one of the managers of ISKCON Finland, attended an important meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, hosted by the President of Finland, Mr. Alexander Stubb. The gathering brought together […]
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Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi, Temple President of ISKCON of DC, gave class. She urged the devotees to take care of themselves to develop lasting friendships and warned her audience against burning out. In her concluding remarks, she asked the assembly, “Take a look around. Every single devotee is valuable. Let’s remind ourselves about that. As Read More...
In a recent gathering, Kalakantha Prabhu addressed the importance of servant leadership within the context of spreading Krishna consciousness in North America. He began by expressing gratitude to the RGB North American leaders for their hard work in organizing the conference, highlighting the beautiful fall day in New Vrindavan as a perfect backdrop for this Read More...
ISKCON’s North American Leadership Conference was held October 4-6th at New Vrindaban, West Virginia, gathering over 120 leaders from across the continent. Sankirtana Dasa, a long-time resident of NV, reflects on its relationship to Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission, his experience and realizations attending some of the sessions, and insights from interviews with leaders over […]
Premanjali holding one of her signature Learn Kirtan harmoniums. Kirtan, the sacred practice of chanting and singing the names of The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, is a profound tool for meditation and self-expression. For Premanjali Dasi, kirtan is not only a complete devotional activity but also a transformative experience she aims to make […]
On October 31, the auspicious day of Dipawali, the TOVP celebrated the Jvala Nrsimhotsava Festival of Lights for Lord Nrsimhadeva, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the Nrsimha Wing construction. Thousands of devotees from all over the world were present for this historic event, marking another milestone in the TOVP progress. Click HERE to […]
During the month of Margasirsha, (November-December) every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds would take one another’s hands and singing of Krishna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe.
Desiring to obtain Krishna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers and other items.
The gopis first ate havishyanna, a kind of food prepared by boiling together mung dal and rice without any spices or turmeric. According to Vedic injunction, this kind of food is recommended to purify the body before one enacts a ritualistic ceremony.
After they had bathed in the water of the Yamuna, just as the sun was rising, the gopis made an earthen deity of goddess Durga on the riverbank. Then they worshiped her with such aromatic substances as sandalwood pulp, along with other items both opulent and simple, including lamps, fruits, betel nuts, newly grown leaves, and fragrant garlands and incense.
Each of the young unmarried girls performed her worship while chanting the following mantra. “O goddess Katyayani, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please make the son of Nanda Maharaja my husband. I offer my obeisances unto you.”
SB 10.22.4 katyayani maha-maye maha-yoginy adhisvari nanda-gopa-sutam devi patim me kuru te namah iti mantram japantyas tah pujam cakruh kamarikah
Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and master of all masters of mystic yoga, was aware of what the gopis were doing, and thus He went there surrounded by His young companions to award the gopis the perfection of their endeavor.
Hare KrishnaBiggest Vaishnava gathering happening NOW at Sri Kshetra Puri dhama!On the sea beach shores, Parikrama inauguration took place with sankalpa and Maha arati to Sagar. Many ISKCON sanyasis are taking part in this parikrama.3 days of Parikrama 18-20 Nov4 Parikrama Parties ( Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, South Indian- international)!More than 10000 devotees in Parikrama!Lots of […]
Prime Minister Starmer (far right) with Visakha Dasi in background with other leaders. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, invited faith leaders from different traditions to join him for breakfast on Thursday, November 14th. Visakha Dasi, representing ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, was pleased to hear Mr Starmer emphasize the importance of faith to […]
Bhaktimarga Swami and leaders of Zone 1 cut a cake to honor the event. The 2024 Zone 1 Leadership Conference, held from November 8th to 10th in Edmonton, Alberta, brought together over 60 leaders from more than 25 ISKCON centers across Canada and six northern U.S. states. Under the theme “Think Big, Do Big, Act […]
2023 Winter Krsna Kidz Camp participants. The 16th Annual Winter Krsna Kidz Camp and Youth Retreat will be held at ISKCON Detroit – The Devasadhan Mandir from November 28th to 30th. This events aim to engage children and the youth in a fun and meaningful way that connects them to their Vedic culture. Kids, ages […]
According to the legend, Tulasi Devi was a devoted and chaste woman named Vrinda. She was married to the demon King Jalandhar, who had obtained immense power due to his wife’s chastity. Jalandhar’s power became a threat to the demigods, and they approached Lord Vishnu for help.
Lord Vishnu, in the form of Jalandhar, went to Vrinda and tricked her into breaking her chastity, thus weakening Jalandhar’s power. The demigods then defeated Jalandhar in battle. Upon learning the truth, Vrinda was devastated and cursed Lord Vishnu to turn into a stone (Saligram) and wander the earth.
In his Saligram form, Lord Vishnu met Vrinda and explained the reason for his actions. He assured her that she would remain eternally connected to him as the sacred plant Tulasi. Vrinda, in her love and devotion, accepted this and requested that she be married to Lord Vishnu every year. This union is celebrated as Tulasi Vivaha, symbolising the eternal bond between Lord Vishnu and Tulasi Devi.
During Tulasi Vivaha, a ceremonial wedding is performed between a Tulasi plant and a Saligram stone representing Lord Vishnu. Devotees decorate the Tulasi plant with flowers, ornaments, and sacred threads. Mantras are chanted, and the wedding rituals are conducted with devotion and reverence.
Since 1972, the Prabhupada Book Marathon has inspired ISKCON devotees to share the spiritual wisdom of Srila Prabhupada’s books with the world. Now celebrated as the “Live to Give” campaign, this annual effort aims to “cover the earth” with copies of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, including its recent milestone of even delivering Gitas to […]
Introducing the Jaladuta Boat Cruise Services! 🌊🛥️ Hare Krishna dear devotees and well-wishers! 🙏✨We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand-new website, www.gangacruise.in, on this auspicious occasion of Rasa Purnima! This launch is made possible by the special mercy of the Sri Mayapur deities, the crown jewel of our hearts. Experience the divine […]
According to Vrinda-kunda Baba, Srimati Vrindadevi appeared on the full-moon night at the end of Kartik, or Damodara.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, in Sri Vrndadevi-astaka (6-8), glorifies her:
rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrnda-
vane tvad-isanghri-saroja-seva
labhya ca pumsam krpaya tavaiva
vrnde namas te caranaravindam
“By your mercy, people attain residence in Vrindavan, the desire to serve your masters’ lotus feet, and the desire to assist in the rasa dance. O Vrinda, I bow to your lotus feet.
tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra-vidbhir
lilabhidhana kila krsna-saktih
tavaiva murtis tulasi nr-loke
vrnde namas te caranaravindam
“They who are learned in the Satvata-tantra glorify you. You are Krishna’s pastime-potency. The tulasi plant is your form in the world of men. O Vrinda, I bow to you lotus feet.
bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih
ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye
kpamayi tvam saranam prapanna
vrnde namas te caranaravindam
“O merciful one, I am devoid of devotion, and millions of offenses have thrown me into the turbulent waves of lust, anger, greed, and other faults. O Vrinda, I take shelter of your lotus feet.”
May Srimati Vrindadevi—and Sri Sri Radha-Damodara—bestow their mercy upon us all.
Dr. Sumanta Rudra, Academic Dean of BRC, Radharaman Das, Vice President, ISKCON Kolkata, along with Scottish Church College Principal, Vice-Principal, Head Librarian, and others. Kolkata, being Srila Prabhupada’s appearance place, holds the unique distinction of being home to numerous special sites intimately associated with his life, particularly from his childhood and youth. One such place […]
Sanjay loves cartoons and comics, while his father tries to draw him into his Hindu traditions. Reluctance turns into awe-inspiring adventure as the boy embarks on an amazing journey, returning with a new perspective they can both embrace. Read More...
Yesterday we were very pleased when the monks and staff of the Bakonybél Bench monastery visited us in the Krisna Valley. In total, seventeen arrived to get to know our community and share our culture and traditions with each other. 🏞️ During their visit, we showed them our farm, our beautiful gardening and our cow. Read More...
Bhugarbha Goswami was a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. Sri Kavikarnapura writes in his Gaura-ganodesa-dipika that Bhugarbha Goswami was formerly the gopi named Prema Manjari in Vrindavana.
While in Vrindavana, Bhugarbha Goswami passed away and entered into the unmanifest pastimes of the Lord on the fourteenth day of the full moon in the month of Kartika.
Lokanatha Goswami and Bhugarbha Goswami lived together in Vrindavana as one. Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakura writes about them in his Bhakti-ratnakara: “Bhugarbha Goswami and Lokanatha Goswami were world-preachers; they were so close and affectionate to one another that they were like one body.”
Jaya Govinda Das leads 2024 guests on a hay ride through the New Talavana farm. The annual Cow Fest, or Go-Puja Mela, is a celebration with deep roots at ISKCON New Talavana, nestled in the peaceful countryside of Mississippi. Each year, this festival unites a diverse community to support the Krishna’s Cows farming initiative, an […]