By Anuttama dasaWe are just under a month away from Janmastami, the Appearance Day of Lord Sri Krishna. Janmastami this year offers a special opportunity-for many temples the best opportunity-to promote ISKCON's 50th Anniversary and connect with the media, dignitaries, and other vips in your area. To date many wonderful ISKCON 50 events have been celebrated around the world, inspiring devotees and informing larger audiences about the relevance and important contributions of Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON societ...
-
- 4 Aug 2016
By Bhaktivedanta ManorSanskrit vibrations emanating from the County Council For the first time, Srutidharma Das recited Sanskirt prayers and shared words of wisdom in Hertfordshire County Council’s main chamber. A wonderful way to elevate the atmosphere of such an important institution.
...- 4 Aug 2016
By Kamala Sundari devi dasiExalting the festivities of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja would provide more opportunities for present and future generations of devotees to nurture and strengthen their individual relationship with His Divine Grace, and further secure the understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s pre-eminent position in our movement. By producing a Vyasa-puja pack, with its booklet, posters, postcards, banners, videos and more (www.founderacarya.com/vp), the Srila Prabhupada Position Committee aims to in...
- 4 Aug 2016
By Acarya DasaOn July 31st padayatra camped on the outskirts of the Manalmedu Village, 10 kilometers away from Karrur. There was an old age home nearby where many disabled, diseased and elderly people lived. We thought because they could not walk to come see us that we would go to them. So, we went there and had a wonderful kirtana and katha for the residents. When we were leaving the old age home we noticed a man very cruelly dragging a cow to his village. It was painful to watch and we understood by the manner ...
- 4 Aug 2016
By The Himalayan TimesThe chariot procession was organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Nepal to mark the golden jubilee of its establishment. Devotees made a beeline in the street as the chariot procession of Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra started from Kamaladi and passed through Ghantaghar, Bhadrakali, New Road, Keshar Mahal, Durbar Marg and Putalisadak before ending at Brikutimandap.
...- 3 Aug 2016
By Tom MackA long project to create a new home for a group of Hare Krishna monks driven out of their former temple by an explosion has finally come to an end. The Iskcon Temple in North Evington burned down after an explosion in the building's kitchen nearly six years ago. They have now moved into the former HSBC bank. Two community members, who had become wealthy since moving to Leicester from East Africa in the early 70s, decided they wanted to give something back and bought the building for Iskcon. Iskcon p...
- 3 Aug 2016
By Bhaktivedanta Research CentreBRC wishes to express thanks to Sri M.K. Goswami and Srimati Priti Rekha Goswami of Bangalore. The Goswami family, who are directly descended from Sri Advaita Acharya Prabhu, gifted over 40 rare manuscripts to the library last February. They made another generous donation last May– a rare set of Srimad Bhagavatam originally commissioned by the King of Tripura, known as the Murshidabad edition. On a recent visit to Mayapur, Hari Sauri made a received a special addition to the Rese...
- 2 Aug 2016
By Daamodara Dhananjaya DasJust as you enter the outskirts of Kathwada village, a temple known as Ramji mandir is situated in a corner of the road. In front of the temple, in the open space, our Ratha was being bedecked at 8.00 am, while a lot of amazed sparkling eyes gazed at this spectacular decoration, wondering what we were up to. Gradually, our Kirtan party commenced with some enchanting tunes of Hare Krishna Mahamantra, as Their Lordships Shri Shri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra, Sudarshana and Srila Prabhu...
- 2 Aug 2016
By Bhagavata Dharma Dasa“Padayatra helps devotees to present Krishna consciousness to people in a perfect way. We should try to appreciate people even if they are not favourable to our mission. This helps devotees to create (the) right attitude and environment towards people with the theoretical understanding that we are all part and parcel of Krishna. (In this way) genuine love towards people and other living beings can be attained.” Mitja, a new devotee joining padayatra for the second time said, “My ori...
- 1 Aug 2016
By Indradyumna SwamiBrandenburg Gate in Berlin, built in 1791, is one of the best-known landmarks of Germany. Through it's existence it has often been a site for historic events. On July 30 it served as a prestigious backdrop for ISKCON Berlin's annual Ratha Yatra festival. Sacinandana Swami, of German origin, was so enlivened that ISKCON was allowed to hold Ratha Yatra in such a time-honored place, that he chanted and danced in great ecstasy throughout the day.
...- 1 Aug 2016
By Jack Suntrup“To gain connection with God, we go to a place of worship,” said Yamuna Jivana Das, an event organizer. “One of the things this festival represents is that deities, instead of staying in temple, are taken out in public for the purpose of everyone and anyone being able to see them.” The holiday got its start in Orissa, India, according to the Krishna Balaram Temple of St. Louis. Organizers said Rath Yatra — or “Chariot Festival” — is now celebrated in cities all over the world. Lal ...
- 1 Aug 2016
By BBC staffHare Krishna monks have finally moved into their new home after an explosion that destroyed their former temple six years ago. Thirty people escaped just before the Iskcon Temple in Leicester exploded on 3 September 2010. A Leicester family donated a former bank in Granby Street to Iskcon, and renovation work to the Grade II building has now been completed. The monks are taking residency on the upper floors. The space also includes a meditation area, kitchen, classrooms and offices.
...- 31 Jul 2016
By Ananda Vidya dasDuring the summer we follow the rock concert tours. That is a very ecstatic experience. Vijay Prabhu is one of my inspirations for doing these concert tours. I think he might have been the one who gave me my first book at one of those concerts in the summer of 1994. I had gone to a "Grateful Dead" concert in Washington DC, and one of my friends had gotten a book from one of the devotees, the "Journey to Self Discovery." I borrowed that book from him. I had not met the devotees personally at tha...
- 31 Jul 2016
By Vijaya DasaThe devotees in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, have come up with one of the most innovative book distribution techniques I've seen. They go to a school and arrange with the principal to speak to all the teachers, sometimes thirty or forty of them. The devotees explain the glories of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and because the teachers are all educated and Sri Lanka is steeped in Vedic culture, they understand the book's value. Wherever the devotees go they have great success-sometimes every teacher will take a s...
- 31 Jul 2016
By ISKCON 50 Global OfficeThe new clips feature talks by Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhaktivijnana Swami and Dina Sharana Devi Dasi, who discuss the importance of the 50th anniversary and encourage the worldwide community of devotees to participate enthusiastically in the celebrations around the globe. “Our first release on 13th had clips featuring Radhanatha Swami and Anuttama Dasa,” said Romapada Das, International Coordinator for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, who produced the series. “We have released five cl...
- 30 Jul 2016
By the GBC ECHis Holiness Krishna Das Swami's life reads like a story from the scriptures, much like his glorious departure from this world. Born in a pious family, His Holiness was trained by his grandfather in devotional practices from his very childhood. Armed with a lifetime of encouragement in serving his dear Lord and the philosophical training to understand the essence of human life, Maharaja took initiation in the Brahma Sampradaya while simultaneously continuing with his academic studies. Years later, ...
- 29 Jul 2016
By Madhava SmullenDevotees are set to hold a prestigious conference in celebration of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON’s 50th anniversary at the Italian Parliament in Rome on October 5th. “Last year, this was just a dream of mine, but I was confident that Krishna would help me find a way to do something relevant for this historical anniversary,” says Villa Vrindavana President Parabhakti Das. “Sure enough, my dear friend Narada Muni Prabhu, a famous musician who is well acquainted with many influential people...
- 29 Jul 2016
By Indradyumna Swami“I have been immersed for many lives in this ocean of birth and death. Oh Lord Gauracandra! Oh golden moon-like master! If You bestow upon me continuous service to Your brilliant lotus feet, I shall chant and describe to others the glories of Sri Hari forever.” [Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Susloka-Satakam, text 99]
...- 29 Jul 2016
By Krsangi Radhe dasiThe Sri Sri Radha Radhanath temple in Durban, South Africa embarked on a rather sweet campaign to celebrate ISKCON 50. On Thursday, 28 July over 150 devotees distributed 5000 cup cakes all around Durban. The campaign began two weeks prior to the main distribution date, when temple president Vibhu Caitanya dasa, who personally steered and organised all aspects of the campaign, invited devotees and well-wishers to place orders for cupcakes to distribute at their places of employment, school...
- 29 Jul 2016
By Nima SuchakFour years after acquisition, ISKCON Leicester will finally reveal major renovation to the City Centre building, allowing it to be finally used as a temple, this Saturday 30th July 2016. A perfect offering to Srila Prabhupada on the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, the renovations include a first floor temple room, kitchen, classrooms, and offices. On the second floor, a team of brahmacaris, led by HG Sutapa Das, will join HH Bhakti Prabhava Swami to take residency on the upper floors of the temple. Tog...
- 28 Jul 2016
By Venudhari Kanhaiya dasISKCON Namahatta Aruppukottai Celebrated ISKCON 50th Year Anniversary & and 2nd Annual Rath Yatra at Aruppukottai on 23rd July 2016. HH Bhakti Ashraya Vaishnava Swami Maharaj inaugurated new Rath for Lordship, HG Sumitra Krishna das Prabhu Temple president Iskcon Chennai, HG Rukmeiya das Prabhu ,HG vanamali Gopal das Prabhu , HG Jai gopinath das Prabhu, HG SriGridhari Prabhu & Iskcon leaders from various part of tamilnadu took part and Sri Ramalinga mills chairmen Dr.T.R.Denekaran partic...
- 28 Jul 2016
By Iskcon MedchalMajority of the devotees who attended were surprised at the spontaneous response of the public and the participation and remarked that in future they would ensure people from all nearby villages will participate in greater numbers. Throughout the Rath route, there was accompaniment of Vedic Chanting by Vedic Panditas, Nadaswaram and Prasadam packets containing Halwa and Pulihara was distributed to nearly 50000 participants and onlookers. The people really enjoyed the gaiety, fun and the wonderful...
- 28 Jul 2016
By Niranjana SwamiIn the "Prabhupada Lilamrita" there is a wonderful description of the first harinama the devotees went on without Prabhupada. The devotees were just so ecstatic because they were so eager to go back and tell Prabhupada what they did. They couldn't wait. They burst into his room, "Prabhupada. We went out and we chanted today!" And Prabhupada was so pleased. Oh yes. Now you are understanding. Now you understand what pleases me. This makes me very happy. You have understood my message. Thank you so...
- 27 Jul 2016
By Patita Pavana das The soulful sankirtan of Shri Vishnujana Maharaja illuminated the streets of San Francisco and Los Angeles , and then across the States, from the earliest days of Krishna consciousness. Today his uplifting bhajans and melodious kirtans still echo in the halls of ISKCON centers around the world. There was never a more faithful servant of Shrila Prabhupada, and the fortunate Vaishnavas who served under his loving care always keep his memories in their hearts. Shrila Prabhupada, who by his my...
- 27 Jul 2016