An inconceivable society
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 December 2017, New Govardhana, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.10-12)

We live in a society that is based on passion and ignorance. This is all we know; nothing else. We have become conditioned by this society and continue to remain frustrated and unfulfilled by it. Even when we come into contact with spiritual life, we become convinced by transcendental knowledge to a degree and prepare to take up the process, however, still we find it very difficult to fully enter into the culture of Srimad Bhagavatam. If for instance, we come together with a few devotees one evening to have Krsna katha, it may be perceived to be weird or socially awkward. This is because culturally, we are still hanging onto our own conditioned culture, which happens to be one of passion and ignorance.

Srila Prabhupada however consistently had a vision of pushing Krsna consciousness, and enabling people to conform to the standards of Srimad Bhagavatam. He went beyond all social convention that people are used to and took every opportunity to glorify Krsna. He envisioned a Krsna conscious society where seekers of the absolute truth were never allured by unnecessary engagement in sense gratification. He described such a society, where its residents were always engaged in pursuing their spiritual goal. Not only was Srila Prabhupada explaining such a vision, but he was actually starting such a society where the Srimad Bhagavatam was put into practice. He created a community of people who are living by such standards, which seems almost inconceivable in the modern context!

The article " An inconceivable society " was published on KKSBlog.

Enthusiasm for Krishna
→ Servant of the Servant

When somethings give pleasure to our mind and senses we become excited or in other words enthusiastic about that something. For example, if a particular food tastes (tongue) good in a particular restaurant then we are enthusiastic to go to the restaurant. If by watching (eyes) a movie, i am happy, then that excites me. So like this in this world, things that excite us is that which gives pleasure to the mind and senses. However, enthusiasm to know, hear and serve Krishna cannot be defined in the same manner.

Enthusiasm for Krishna may not always be pleasurable to the mind and senses. So we cannot use the same mindset towards enthusiasm when it comes to Krishna. When Srila Rupa Goswami talks about utsahan (enthusiasm) as a key ingredient to progress in Krishna Consciousness, we cannot use our worldly enthusiasm as a compass to assess our progress because the worldly enthusiasm is sensual.

Enthusiasm in Krishna is different in that it is based on our long-term well-being (shreyas) especially when we are in the beginning stages of bhakti. We become excited in Krishna or enthusiastic to serve Krishna thinking this will help me transcend the miseries of this world and so we act like it is an investment. This may sound mercantile in the beginning but such attitude is helpful to live a pious and humble life. Such piety and humility then will till the field of our heart favorably so the seed of bhakti grows. Then as the seed becomes a plant, enthusiasm to serve Krishna becomes a matter of increasing our loving exchanges with Krishna. .

So yes the definition of enthusiasm on the worldly platform and Krishna are not the same and spiritual enthusiasm begins for ensuring our long-term well-being and when we cross that stage enthusiasm from our heart will be to increase our love for Krishna.

Hare Krishna.

TOVP Euro Tour Overview
- TOVP.org

Miracles are not uncommon in the pastimes and seva of the Lord, and certainly the TOVP Euro Tour is a current example of how the Lord reciprocates with His devotees, blesses them and simultaneously fulfills His own purposes, in this case the building of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and manifestation of His own prophecy of the adbhuta mandir.

From April 10th – 27th, history was created as Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus, led by Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari, traveled to twelve European temples inundating the devotees with the Lord’s mercy and MISSION 22 to complete the TOVP by the year 2022. Unexpected by all the leaders was the incredible outpouring of financial support by the small numbers of devotees in most of the European temples, many of them considered poor by material standards. The total collection in pledges was 1,240,150 Euros/1,470,290 USD!!! Never before has such a fundraising fervor taken place in the European countries. This overwhelming enthusiasm and support was an indication that Lord Nityananda is in everyone’s heart as Supersoul and is inspiring devotees to serve Lord Gauranga by helping to build His temple, the adbhuta mandir from which His service and Krishna prema will spread to all corners of the universe.

The Hare Krishna explosion has undoubtedly taken place in Europe! And this will create a revolution in the spreading of Krishna consciousness to the European people by the mercy of the Lord:

“The more you help develop Mayapur, the more Lord Caitanya will bless your area of the world and it will flourish.”

Srila Prabhupada letter to Hari-sauri das

Less than four years remain to the Grand Opening of the TOVP at Gaur Purnima, 2022. There is still much work to do, and time and funds are of the essence. We are grateful to all the devotees in the European countries for their hospitality, cooperation, support and general enthusiasm to help complete the TOVP.

The following temples participated in the Euro Tour:

Radhadesh, Belgium
Gauradesh, Germany
Wroclaw, Poland
New Navadvipa Dhama, Poland
New Ekachakra Dhama, Slovakia
New Vrajadhama Farm, Hungary
ISKCON Budapest, Hungary
ISKCON Vienna, Austria
New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Slovenia
Prabhupada Desh, Italy
Villagio Hare Krishna, Italy
ISKCON Zurich, Switzerland

We would especially like to thank the European GBCs and other temple leaders and TOVP Tour Coordinators who supported our efforts and made this tour possible. They are as follows:

GBCs

His Holiness Prahladananda Swami – Poland, Slovenia
His Holiness Bhakti Vaibhava Swami – Poland, Slovakia
His Holiness Sivarama Swami – Hungary
His Holiness Bir Krishna Goswami – Slovenia
His Grace Hrdaya Chaitanya dasa – Belgium
Her Grace Dina Sharana devi dasi – Germany, Austria, Switzerland
His Grace Madhusevita das – Italy
His Grace Praghosa das – U.K.

Temple Presidents

His Grace Manohar das – Radhadesh, Belgium
His Grace Keshava das – Gauradesh, Germany
His Grace Dwaraka Acyuta das – Nava Navadvipa Dhama, Poland
His Grace Krishna Kirtan das – Wroclaw, Poland
His Grace Trilokatma das – New Ekachakra Dhama, Slovakia
His Grace Gauramani das – Budapest, Hungary
Her Grace Nava Kishori devi dasi – Vienna, Austria
His Grace Ananta das – New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Slovenia
His Grace Guru Caran das – Prabhupada Desha, Italy
His Grace Krishna Prema Rupa das – Villagio Hare Krishna, Switzerland

TOVP Tour Coordinators

Her Grace Malati devi dasi & His Grace Manohar das – Belgium
Their Graces Vidyanath das and Keshava das – Germany
Their Graces Krishna Kirtan das and Kishor Kishora das – Poland
Their Graces Trilokatma das and Mahasankarsana das – Slovakia
Their Graces Sanatana das and Radha Krishna das – Hungary
Her Grace Nava Kishori devi dasi and His Grace Vidyanath das – Austria
Their Graces Ananta das and Urukrama das – Slovenia
Her Grace Citrarupini devi dasi – Italy
His Grace Krishna Prema Rupa das – Switzerland

And we cannot forget the tireless service of Her Grace Sukanti Radha devi dasi, the U.K. TOVP Coordinator who planned, arranged and coordinated the entire tour amidst many other TOVP and varied temple services.

The video of Jananivas prabhu is an overview of the tour and some general remarks concerning the TOVP filmed just prior to its completion at the New Yoga Pitha temple in Slovenia.

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

Click on this link to receive TOVP News and Updates: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Euro Tour Overview appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Евротур ХВП, день 13-ый: Цюрих, Швейцария
- TOVP.org

Покинув «Вилладжио Харе Кришна» в Милане в пятницу, 27 апреля, примерно за 3 часа мы доехали до храма ИСККОН в Цюрихе, где вечером этого же дня была запланирована программа. Таким образом, у нас оставалось достаточно времени, чтобы вернуться в Майяпур до махотсавы в честь День Явления Господа Нрисимхадева.

Вечером была проведена стандартная программа с киртаном, абхишекой и презентациями Джананиваса прабху и Враджа Виласа прабху. И снова милость Господа Нитьянанды обрушилась на преданных. Несмотря на то, что на программе присутствовало только 25 человек, они в целом пожертвовали 65 тысяч евро/77 тысяч долларов США. Наш приезд настолько вдохновил президента храма, Кришну Премарупу прабху, что на воскресной программе уже после нашего отъезда, невзирая на большие ежемесячные выплаты по ипотечному кредиту, он дополнительно собрал 10 тысяч евро/12 тысяч долларов США. Таким образом, общая сумма пожертвований составила 75 тысяч евро/90 тысяч долларов США. Вот он, пример жертвоприношения, за которое Господь проливает Свои благословения.

Мы хотим поблагодарить Джи-би-си, Дину Шарану деви даси, и президента храма, Кришну Премарупу даса, за их поддержку и сотрудничество, которые вдохновили всех преданных на щедрые пожертвования.

Вся слава Господу Нитьянанде! Вся слава Господу Нрисимхе! Вся слава всем преданным Господа!

Так завершился наш тур, и падуки и ситари вернулись на Свое место на алтаре в Шридхаме Майяпуре.

Чтобы подписаться на новости ХВП, перейдите по этой ссылке.

https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Посетите ХВП: www.tovp.org
Читайте о ХВП: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Смотрите о ХВП: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Поддержите ХВП: www.tovp.org/ru/donate/seva-opportunities/
Загрузите приложение ХВП для мобильного телефона: www.tovp.org/ru/announcements-ru/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Евротур ХВП, день 13-ый: Цюрих, Швейцария appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Euro Tour Day 13: Zurich, Switzerland
- TOVP.org

Departing Villagio Hare Krishna in Milan, Italy on Friday, April 27th, we traveled about three hours to ISKCON Zurich for a program the same evening, giving us time to get back to Mayapur for Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Appearance Day mahotsava.

The usual program was held in the evening with kirtan, abhisheka and presentations by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus. And once again, the devotees were so overwhelmed by Lord Nityananda’s mercy that, although only twenty five devotees were present, 65,000 Euros/77,000 USD was pledged. The temple President, Krishna Premarupa prabhu was so enthusiastic that even after we left and despite a large monthly mortgage payment, at the Sunday program he raised an additional 10,000 Euros/12,000 USD for a total of 75,000 Euros/90,000 USD. This is the type of sacrifice that brings the blessings of the Lord.

We would like to thank the GBC, Dina Sharana devi dasi and temple president Krishna Premarupa das for their support and cooperation which inspired the generous response from all the devotees.

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

The tour is now completed and the Padukas and Sitari have returned to Their places on the altar in Sridhama Mayapur.

Click on this link to signup for TOVP News and Updates: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Euro Tour Day 13: Zurich, Switzerland appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Krishna Can Bring Good Out Of Everything – Even Our Mistakes!
→ Dandavats



Krishna Can Bring Good Out Of Everything - Even Our Mistakes!
Chaitanya Charan Das: Sometimes when we commit mistakes, we may become embarrassed, irritated or enraged with ourselves. If we become excessively disturbed, that often becomes a second mistake. By fretting or seething, we waste the time and energy that could have been used for rectification. Certainly we need to learn from our mistakes, but learning requires calmness, which is lost when we let ourselves over-react.

Lean into Kirtan!
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Lean into Kirtan!
Ananda Vrindavaneswari Devi Dasi: We often speak about the importance of carefully hearing the maha-mantra while we chant our japa (meditation with beads). We don’t often speak about being as careful when we sing the maha-mantra together in kirtan.

INFUSING NAMA JAPA WITH LIFE
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INFUSING NAMA JAPA WITH LIFE.
Sacinandana Swami: It is well known that chanting the holy name in good company is easier than doing so alone. This holds true both for japa and kirtan. When we chant in a group of devotees, we co-create a devotional energy and atmosphere that we get to enter into together. It is therefore said that sankirtana (kirtana performed with others) can create such extraordinary delight in the chanter that he or she will find it easy to remain focused on the holy name and experience divine taste in chanting.


Read More...

“Overtaking the Spiritual Master” by Kripamoya das
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Overtaking the Spiritual Master.
Kripamoya das: Dear Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
There was a time in 1976 when you were being driven from Heathrow airport to Bhaktivedanta Manor. The M25 did not exist at that time, so you were moving along the road towards the village of Denham. We young men were excitedly following you in our yellow Ford parcel van. The windows were open and we were singing kirtan at the tops of our youthful voices. Guru and happy disciples on the A 412.

“Public and Private Life Should Be the Same”
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“Public and Private Life Should Be the Same” by HG Mahatma Prabhu (5 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Sadhu, those who are saintly person, for them there is no secret. Just now in our ordinary social affairs, there is difference between private life and his public life. Now, if somebody is teacher… he can explain very nicely a subject matter, but his private life is not very good. Then he is not a teacher. He is not a sadhu. That is Vedic conception.

ISKCON Scarborough – HG Kratu Prabhu will be giving a special class coming Friday
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

His Grace Kratu Prabhu - a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada will be gracing us with his presence coming Friday- 11th May 2018.
The program starts at 6.45 pm sharp!

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.34
Even a moment's association with a pure devotee cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with pure devotees is the highest benediction.

Bio data of HG Kratu prabhu:
Kratu Prabhu was born in aristocratic Gujarati Gaudiya Vasihnava family on July 5, 1944. His father was an ardent vaishnava and his mother persistently chanted 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha-mantra. His wife Her Grace Amrita Devi Dasi is also an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

During high schooling years, he became president of the students union and went on to receive a bachelor degree in engineering from the M.S. University, Baroda. He also achieved a Masters degree in Engineering from St. Louis University, Missouri USA.

His first exposure to ISKCON happened in 1970, at St. Louis. He later joined full-time in 1974, in Toronto. He met his Guru, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in 1976, from whom he received a direct order for preaching Krishna consciousness. He and his wife were initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1977 in Toronto, Canada.

While in West, he worked as a professional engineer for five years in Toronto In Chicago he worked for Chicago temple as director of congregational preaching. He then became temple President of Vancouver temple in 1987. In 1993, he moved to Baroda, Gujarat and conducted college and school preaching. He also started a book distribution program by Bullock Cart for every town and village. In 1997, he became temple President of ISKCON, Delhi and continued house and pandal preaching programs.


In 2002, he became an initiating Spiritual Master in ISKCON and is ever since vigorously traveling and preaching all over the world.

A warm invitation goes out to you and your family to join us coming Friday.

With best wishes from,


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7


Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:
www.iskconscarborough.org

Saturday, May 5th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto / Markham / Brampton

Beats Looking At Screens

The train for Toronto pulled in at midnight.  I decided to roll my luggage all the way back to our ashram, a distance of 4.3 km.  Let’s see how long the wheels will last.

At Dundas Square, I met up with Kamala Kanta, our cook of last year.  He got off his bicycle.  We both had the same question for each other.  “What are you doing here at this hour?”  He had just finished his security job shift and I had come off the train 30 minutes before.

We both like Yonge Street.  There’s characters here.  Other places tend to be bland.  Regarding safety, there’s usually not much to worry about, although just days before, up the street some kilometres, a maniac mowed down over twenty-five innocent people with his van, killing ten.  You never can be too sure!

Sleep came at 1:30 a.m. I rose at 7:00 a.m., enough time to hear and discuss a verse from theBhagavatam.  Not a day should go by that one should ever miss hearing and analyzing a divine verse.  It sets a tone of truth.  Stories, philosophy, imagery, drama, truth—theBhagavatamhas it all.

Out of all the items which constitute a monk’s morning sadhana, I think I like the portion where the group of us sit down and go over the process of analysis and discussion on what the world was, is now, and should be, based on slokas(verses) from the Bhagavatam.

It certainly beats looking at the flashing screens in Dundas Square.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Follow the leader
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 September 2015, Durban, South Africa, Kirtan at NJP)

Kirtan means that we have to listen. Just like in chanting japa, in kirtan there is also inattentive chanting. Inattentive chanting means that we sing something else than what the leader is singing and that is what you are doing. Of course, it is very beautiful what you are singing but it is something else. So let us try again. There are some varieties in the tune, it is not just staying the same all the time which means that you have to really listen each time and not go on automatic pilot. There is no automatic pilot in kirtan.

The article " Follow the leader " was published on KKSBlog.

Why psychological distress amidst technological progress – 3 reasons
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Congregation program at Cincinnati, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Why psychological distress amidst technological progress – 3 reasons appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Work hard and be free from stress
→ Servant of the Servant

Householders engage with family and job and this can lead to stress and even depression. Bhagavad Gita recommends working in such way that we do not get consumed by our work but at the same time work hard.

Krishna speaks;

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. Perform your duty equipoised, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga. If a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Kṛṣṇa consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior.

Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage. 

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions. The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace because he offers the result of all activities to Me; whereas a person who is not in union with the Divine, who is greedy for the fruits of his labor, becomes entangled.

Surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.

Ref. BG 2.47-48, 3.9, 4.22, 5.12, 3.30

Hare Krishna

European Religious Leaders Hold Annual Conference and Visit…
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European Religious Leaders Hold Annual Conference and Visit Krishna Temple in Budapest, Hungary.
Between May 7-10th 2018, the European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL) holds its annual conference in Budapest, Hungary.
The European Council of Religious Leaders consists of senior religious leaders from Europe’s historical religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam together with Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroastrians. ECRL is one of five regional Interreligious Councils within the Religions for Peace global network. Religions for Peace – accredited to the United Nations – is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/CUnMsq

Higher Taste (Album of photos) Ramai Swami: ISKCON Wellington’s…
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Higher Taste (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: ISKCON Wellington’s Higher Taste restaurant has been operating for many years and is still going strong. There are lots of people who come throughout the day, right up until 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday.
TP Jagjivan took me in one evening and even though it was late, there were people having their dinner there. I was fortunate enough to get a sample serving of the delicacies on offer, which I enjoyed very much.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/CvDHt2

Preaching program in St. Petersburg, Russia (9 min video)
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Preaching program in St. Petersburg, Russia (9 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Towards the end of our Russian tour we visited the devotees in St. Petersburg, the cultural capital of the country. In 6 weeks we had traveled over 10,000 kilometers from the far eastern city of Vladivostok. St. Petersburg was built over 300 years ago by Peter the Great. Our devotees have been active in the city since the late 1980’s. As everywhere we immersed ourselves in Krsna katha and endless kirtans!

Radha Kunda Seva: April 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of…
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Radha Kunda Seva: April 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of photos)
Along with the summer heat comes storms! We had two devastating storms this month, first a hail storm with golf ball sized hail, and then a dust storm! Somehow, by Srimati Radhika’s mercy, our crew, ladies, and facilities were unscathed despite the many fatalities, injuries and damage in the area. Cleaning and prasadam distribution steadily continued, and we are making plans to start feeding up to 150 ladies starting in July. Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Sri Arjuna dasa, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/K1UaTz

A new Film about New Vrindaban – ‘The Land of Krishna’
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Hare KrishnaBy Vrsabhanu dasa

Since the very beginning of ISKCON Srila Prabhupada encouraged the devotees to set up farm communities and become self-sufficient, depending on the land. Two of his disciples responded to an ad about a rural ashram in West Virginia and subsequently purchased an old farmhouse there. This was the start of New Vrindaban. It was meant to be a replica of Vrindavan in India. The community has gone through many different phases and at present the temple is a very busy place with lots of activities, especially during the summer months. Two hundred devotees now live within ten minutes of the temple. Each year 30 - 40.000 people come to New Vrindaban. There are about thirty major festivals and over one million plates of sanctified food are served. The cow protection programme has been running since 1967. It plays a very important part in Srila Prabhupada's vision of 'simple living and high thinking'. New Vrindaban is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary. Millions of dollars have been invested in the infrastructure to create facilities for hundreds of guests. This programme is the first in a series of films about the community. Continue reading "A new Film about New Vrindaban – ‘The Land of Krishna’
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TOVP Euro Tour Days 11 & 12: Italy
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

The temple programs, though attended by a small number of devotees due to the holiday season in Italy, were still most ecstatic and inspiring. Greeting the Padukas and Sitari, we were met by bight faced devotees who enthusiastically chanted the Holy Names, bathed the Deities and listened attentively to talks by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus. Once again, the response from the small number of devotees was overwhelming and the total pledges for both temples was 81,000 Euros/97,000 USD. With hearts fixed on the service of the Lord, these devotees gave their best. Continue reading "TOVP Euro Tour Days 11 & 12: Italy
→ Dandavats"

Higher Taste
→ Ramai Swami

ISKCON Wellington’s Higher Taste restaurant has been operating for many years and is still going strong. There are lots of people who come throughout the day, right up until 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday.

TP Jagjivan took me in one evening and even though it was late, there were people having their dinner there. I was fortunate enough to get a sample serving of the delicacies on offer, which I enjoyed very much.