Mantra Americana II is out!
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Mantra Americana II is out! This has been an ambitious love letter to kirtan. For Dave Stringer and me (and our talented team), this project has been passion and prayer, labor and seva. And now we are sharing it with you! A massive thank you to all who supported our campaign. If you enjoy the
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Appearance Of Sri Lalita Sakhi
→ Mayapur.com

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢?Lalita is famous as Srimati Radharani’s constant companion. Her complexion is like the yellow pigment gorocana and her garments are like peacock feathers. Her mother is Saradi-devi and her father is Visoka. Her husband is named Bhairava. He is a close friend of Govardhana-gopa. Her age is 14 years, 8 months […]

Sri Jhulana-yatra
Giriraj Swami

Today we are celebrating the beginning of Jhulana-yatra, which is steeped in the moods of Vrindavan. When I first began reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was struck by the following description in the introduction to Teachings of Lord Chaitanya: “Actually, Vrindaban is as good as the Spiritual Vrindaban, and therefore Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami says that underneath one of the desire trees of Vrindaban there is a nice throne decorated with valuable jewels on which Radharani and Krishna are seated. And His dear friends and the gopis are all serving Them: somebody is singing, somebody is dancing, somebody is offering betel nuts and refreshment, somebody is decorating with flowers.

“In India it is still a fashion of recreation to sit on a swinging throne, and, if it is moving, it is very refreshing. In each and every home they have a hanging throne, and when a man comes home from the office, if it is practical, it is moved from time to time and he becomes refreshed. So, similarly, the same system prevails, especially in the month of Sravana, July, when there is the function called Jhulana. During Jhulana, in all the houses—not only of Vrindaban but all over India—the people hang thrones. In every house and village they place Radha and Krishna and decorate Them with flowers and move the throne and offer dancing and kirtan. . . . The temples are decorated, and thousands of people come as spectators. Generally, people go to Vrindaban at that time. Krishna and Radha are seated on the throne, surrounded by His friends.”

Leading into these two paragraphs, Srila Prabhupada wrote, “There is an acharya who describes Vrindaban: When my mind becomes cleansed of all dirty hankering for material enjoyment, then I shall be able to see Vrindaban! So Vrindaban is actually experienced by persons who have finished with material enjoyment. Everything is spiritual. This becomes revealed. . . . As you become more Krishna conscious, as you become more advanced, everything is revealed to you.”

Although I am still waiting for that qualification and that revelation, even in my present state, by divine mercy I can relish some of the flavors of Vrindavan during Jhulan-yatra.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Applauds Dayanidhi Das In Greece
→ ISKCON News

On August 25, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the temple president of ISKCON Greece, Dayanidhi Das. In the private conversation, which lasted about 15 minutes, Dayanidhi Das shared a copy of “Bhagavad-gita As It Is” in Greek and spoke about ISKCON’s initiatives and objectives in Greece and worldwide. Prime Minister Modi applauded Dayanidhi […]

The post Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Applauds Dayanidhi Das In Greece appeared first on ISKCON News.

Radha Gopinatha Temple in Bali
→ Ramai Swami

The Radha Gopinatha temple land in Baha, Bali was the original property that was bought many years ago. It is about an hour from central Denpasar in a beautiful village area. For a long time there was not enough money available to build a temple and a shed like structure was used for programs.

These days it is quite developed with a large temple, ashrama, guest house and goshala. Devotee families have bought properties directly around the temple making it a fully enclosed devotee compound. There is a significant devotee community in the area and I regular visit here to give classes.

ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry Calling For Vaishnavi Artists
→ ISKCON News

The UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign aimed at addressing gender-based violence and promoting respect and fair treatment of women. From a Gaudiya Vaishnava perspective, the campaign emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals with respect and recognizing their inherent worth, regardless of material circumstances such as gender. […]

The post ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry Calling For Vaishnavi Artists appeared first on ISKCON News.

Nitai sachinandana Prabhu left this world
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Dear friends and devotees With heavy hearts we are letting you know that Nitai sachinandana, a great devotee and friend, left this world this morning at 1.25am due to lung congestion and an intestinal blockage surrounded by devotees chanting the maha mantra. Nitai grew up in Dublin. A disciple of his holiness Satsvarupa Maharaja, he
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Indian MP Shashi Tharoor & CGI Soumya Gupta attend ISKCON Hamburg Rath Yatra
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ISKCON Hamburg on the 19th August 2023, celebrated their Annual Rath Yatra Festival starting from Saturn, Mönckebergstraße. Amongst the participants were Sri Shashi Tharoor – Indian Member of Parliament & Smt. Soumya Gupta – Consul General of India in Hamburg, Germany. Sri Shashi Tharoor was ecstatic & shared “Delighted to participate in a Rath Yatra
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VIHE to Celebrate Rupotsava Festival This Weekend, In-Person and Online
→ ISKCON News

Every year, a cherished tradition unfolds as the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education’s staff, teachers, students, and guests unite to seek the blessings of Srila Rupa Gosvami by commemorating his Disappearance Day on August 26th and 27th at the VIHE. VIHE is inviting devotees from around the world to join them for this auspicious event (in person at the […]

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HG AMEYATMA DAS ACBSP left his body
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August 21, 2023 UPDATE: HIS GRACE AMEYATMA DAS ACBSP (Not the one who worked with FATE) We are saddened to report Ameyatma prabhu’ departure from this world at 5:43am this morning during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta time. Srila Prabhupada was chanting. Many devotees had visited him in the days prior. Janaka Rsi das was with
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