Celebrating 50th anniversary of Prabhupada’s arrival in New York in your local temple

By Romapada Das, International Coordinator, ISKCON 50^th Anniversary

The success of the Boston celebrations to mark the 50^th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America has been reported widely in various devotee websites and American media.

If any temple has not yet observed a celebration to mark the 50^th anniversary of Prabhupada’s arrival in the US, there is still time.

Temples that have missed out can celebrate the 50^th anniversary of  Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in New York on 19^th September with a special programme in his honour.

Temples could do the following on the 19^th (or in the weekend):

1.      Announce the 50^th anniversary of Prabhupada’s arrival in America during Mangala Arati

2.      Devotees can get together and sing the two songs Prabhupada wrote on the Jaladuta (Prayers to the Lotus Feet of Krishna and Markine Bhagavata Dharma). If devotees cannot sing the song, they can recite the Bengali words with translations into English or their local languages. Alternatively, the songs have also been sung by ISKCON leaders recordings could be played for the devotees during or before the Bhagavatam Class on the 19^th. Both recordings are available on Youtube here:

a.      Krishna tava punya habe bhai

b.      Markine bhagavata dharma

3.      The morning class should be based around Srila Prabhupada’s historic arrival in New York, and how it changed the world.

4.      Congregation members and others should be encouraged to attend a special class in  the evening to appreciate Srila Prabhupada and the historic milestone of his arriving in New York

5.      There could be readings from Prabhupada Lilamrita and devotees could speak about their realizations. Prabhupada disciples could share stories about their personal association with Srila Prabhupada.

6.      Devotees should be encouraged to play an active role in the 50^th anniversary celebrations.

7.      If you have not already formed a 50^th anniversary Committee for your temple, this could be the occasion to achieve this. The Committee should be comprised of congregation leaders and temple devotees and be empowered to organize events and festivals for the 50^th anniversary in 2016.

8.      Devotees can also download posters and banners from the ISKCON 50 website (www.iskcon50.org) and display them prominently around the temple premises.

For more information, please contact:

Romapada Das, International Coordinator, 50^th Anniversary: romapada@iskcon50.org