Hundreds Gather in “Old Vrindaban” to Celebrate Multiple 50th Anniversaries
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All photos courtesy of Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi, New Vrindaban. On June 7th, 2023, hundreds of devotees gathered in “Old Vrindaban” at the historic original farmhouse temple to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the installation of the Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Nath Deities there in 1973. Five years earlier, in 1968, this wood-framed farmhouse was […]

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Upcoming Richard L. Thompson Lecture Series: Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy
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The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies has completed Mechanistic and Nonmechanistic Science (1981) and will continue the Richard L. Thompson (Sadaputa Das) Lecture Series by introducing his second published book, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (1989) on July 1, 2023, at 11 AM EDT. Dr. Thompson shows in this pioneering work that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s Fifth Canto cosmography […]

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Vaishnavas Care Team – Mexico hosts Second Holistic Health Fair at the ISKCON Mexico City Temple
→ ISKCON News

During the weekend of June 3-4, 2023, the Vaishnavas Care Team (Mexico) presented their Second Holistic Health Fair at the ISKCON Mexico City temple.  Vaishnava healthcare professionals and well-wishers participated in the two-day event by offering their skills to congregational members and guests from neighboring areas. Free services included reiki sessions, acupuncture treatments, physiotherapy, homeopathic […]

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Surat, India Witnesses Largest Ratha Yatra in 25 yrs and Exceeds Book Marathon Goals
→ ISKCON News

This year, Surat witnessed the largest and grandest Rath Yatra in the past 25 years. “The city was filled with devotees rushing to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannatha,” said Jagannath Damodar Das, “There was a very heavy rush throughout the path to see the Lords of the Universe on the chariot.” Surat is a district in […]

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Devotee Author Creates Engaging Books to Connect Children to Vedic Stories
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Chanel Enjoem, known by her spiritual name Shyamsakhi Dasi, is an inspiring author, storyteller, and advocate for meaningful reading experiences.  Shyamsakhi was born in Suriname with roots in Bali and India, raised in the Netherlands, and currently resides in Belgium, all of which brings a rich background to her books. Through her writing and illustrations, […]

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Jalangi Devi Dasi: A Dedicated Manager, Educator, and Advocate for Women Empowerment and Youth Mentorship
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Jalangi Devi Dasi, a prominent figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in South Africa, is making waves as a female manager and advocate for women empowerment and youth mentorship. With a passion for education and a commitment to nurturing the next generation, Jalangi is paving the way for positive change in her […]

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Historic Rathyatra & Record Book distribution in Surat
→ Dandavats

Dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glory to Srila Prabhupada. Jay Jagannath… Jay Baldeva… Jay Subhadra… This year, Surat experienced the largest and grandest Rathyatra in the past 25 years. The day dawned with brilliant sunshine, illuminating the Rath and creating an atmosphere of transcendental happiness and celebration. The city was filled with
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Three Grand Ratha Yatra Celebration in Jhenaidah, Bangladesh
→ Dandavats

On the 20th of June, 2023, the city of Jhenaidah in Bangladesh celebrated the three grand Ratha Yatra, a vibrant and significant event in the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. Rath Yatra, the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, is a momentous spiritual event celebrated annually in the city of Jhenaidah, Bangladesh. Jhenaidah District, located in southwestern Bangladesh
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The TOVP Prayer
- TOVP.org

We are pleased to present the TOVP Prayer, written by H.G. Sriman Kalakantha prabhu, to all devotees. It is an appeal to the Lord to help us all do our part to complete this great and magnificent temple, Srila Prabhupada’s dearmost project, and the new home of our beloved deities at ISKCON World Headquarters in the sacred place of Sridham Mayapur.

Oh Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Asta-sakhis, Sri Mahaprabhu,
Oh Sri Pancha-tattva, great acharyas! If it pleases You,
Build Your temple, born of Srila Prabhupada’s heart.
Oh Lord Nrsimhadeva, please help me. Let me do my part.

This October, the next phase of the project will be completed with the opening of the entire West Wing, the largest Nrsimhadeva temple in the world, during a three-day festival. This will herald the forthcoming Grand Opening of the TOVP during a four-month-long festival from December, 2024 until Gaura Purnima, 2025 when all the Deities will be relocated.

Funds are still required to complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s temple this year and all donations are being used for that sole purpose. We encourage our readers to visit the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Campaign page and select a sponsorship option to help the cause. Large pledges can be paid monthly in 2-3 years.

You can also go to our Online Pledge Form and make your sankalpa. We will contact you afterwards to explain the methods of payment.

Please show your love for our Divine Protector, Mayapur Nrsimhadeva and help complete His new home in the TOVP today!

A Miracle in the Making ~ Home of Our Divine Protector

 

 

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Hera Panchami
→ Ramai Swami

Hera denotes seeing, while Panchami denotes the fifth day.

The great festival of Hera Panchami is held on the fifth day after Rathayatra. Lord Jagannatha departed the temple in Jagannatha Puri (representing Dwarka) on the day of the Rathayatra and traveled to the Gundica temple (representing Vrindavan).

Before departing, Sri Jagannatha assured His wife Lakshmi that He would return the following day. But the fifth day passed with no word regarding Sri Jagannatha. So Lakshmi summoned her servants and gathered an army to bring Lord Jagannatha back. She made a big display and pompous entrance to the Gundica shrine. When they arrived at the temple, they began beating and seizing Lord Jagannatha’s servants before forcing them to commit to returning Him as soon as possible, preferably the following day.

The Nandigosh cart, the Ratha of Lord Jagannatha (which transported Lord Jagannatha to the Gundica shrine), was attacked by Mother Lakshmi’s servants as they returned from the temple, and a small piece of the cart was broken off for them to capture.

Hera-pancami: “Seeing on the Fifth Day”
Giriraj Swami

After Snana-yatra, when Lord Jagannatha falls sick, He spends two weeks in His private apartments in the company of His wife, Laksmidevi, the goddess of fortune. At that time, He develops an intense desire to go to Vrindavan. So, on the pretext of participating in the Ratha-yatra festival, the Supreme Enjoyer leaves Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri) on His cart and journeys to Sundaracala, which is full of beautiful flower gardens that look just like Vrindavan. There, He takes up residence at the Gundica temple, which is a replica of Vrindavan, and absorbs Himself in the mood of Vraja, wandering from flower garden to flower garden. Although He promised Laksmidevi that He would return the next day, He does not return.

After waiting for two or three days, the goddess of fortune begins to feel neglected and becomes resentful. In an angry mood, she decorates herself gorgeously and mounts her golden palanquin, accompanied by many members of her family, all of whom exhibit extraordinary opulence. Carried by four men and bedecked with many different kinds of jewels, Laksmidevi’s palanquin is surrounded by people carrying umbrellas, camara (white yak-tail hair) whisks for fanning, and flags, and it is preceded by musicians and dancers. Hundreds of maidservants, all attractively dressed and wearing valuable necklaces, carry water pitchers, cämara whisks, and boxes for betel nuts.

When the procession arrives at the main gate of the Gundica temple, angry Laksmidevi orders her maidservants to arrest all the principal servants of Lord Jagannatha. The maidservants then bind the servants of Jagannatha, handcuff them as if they were common thieves, and make them fall down at the lotus feet of the goddess of fortune. Being pushed and shoved and chastised by the maidservants, Lord Jagannatha’s servants almost lose consciousness. “Why did your Lord Jagannatha abandon the great opulence of the goddess of fortune and, for the sake of a few leaves, fruits, and flowers, go see the flower garden of Srimati Radharani?” the maidservants ask. “Your master is so expert at everything, but why does He do such things? Bring Him before the goddess of fortune.” Saying this, the maidservants begin to beat the Ratha car with sticks, and Lord Jagannatha’s servants submit to the goddess of fortune with folded hands, assuring her that they will bring Lord Jagannatha before her the very next day.

Being thus pacified, the goddess of fortune returns to her apartments, and the next day Lord Jagannatha mercifully returns to Nilacala.