Above, Baltimore, Maryland–The Ratha-yatra Chariot arrives at Waterfront Park where the Festival Of India was set up.About 5,500 people received sumptuous Krishna Prasadam, saw the stage program, heard the Hare Krishna Kirtan, then went home with at least one of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Above-Photo of the 2016 crew taken in front of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Candra’s temple in New Vrindavan @ the KuliMela festival–left to right top row: in the Green shirt Ramananda Raya from Alachua; Nrsimha-Dallas; Dhanvantari-Alachua; Shyam-Vancouver; Krishna Prema Palavan-Baltimore; Nrsimha-New Talavan; Govinda-Alachua has worked with FOI since he was 11 years old, and also one of the key organizers of the KuliMela; bottom row in the blue kirta Sankarsana-Potomac; Ishan-Australia; Nimai-Prabhupada Village; Kapila-Hillsborough; Madhava-UK and Krishna Balaram Mandir Vrindavan; Madhuha-Prabhupada Village; Premanjana-New Talavan; Krishna Shakti-Alachua and the editor and producer of the 2011 Festival of India Documentary; Nrsimha-Dallas.
Some of the other crew members who didn’t make it into the above group photo are: Gosh Thakur Prabhu-Saranagati; Isvara Prabhu-New York, Vrindavan & Mumbai; Jaya Krsna Prabhu, the Managing Director of the Bhaktivedanta Players in the UK; Panca Tattva Prabhu started with us again this year and continued through the New York Ratha-yatra–we expect him back for the September and October part of the tour; and Cory Prabhu from Halifax. In the next newsletter we’ll have more photos.
Above–Agnidev Prabhu, leading kirtan. For several days there was Hare Krishna kirtan in front of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra’s temple. Festival of India’s crew was always there, chanting Hare Krisha.
Above–Stage @ the KuliMela New Vrindavan, This was the most elaborate stage FOI’s crew has ever set up. the towers at the sides were more than 18′ tall, aluminum trusses for lights and sound. Thanks to Govinda and Ramacandra (two longtime Festival of India veterans-they started on FOI when they were 12 years old), and the whole KuliMela team.
Hearing from the right source….
In Srila Prabhuada’s puport to Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 16.19 he writes: “Following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Krsna consciousness movement is distributing the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and inducing people all over the world to chant. We are giving people an immense treasury of transcendental literature, translated into all the important languages of the world, and by the grace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu this literature is selling profusely and people are chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra with great delight. This is the preaching process of the Caitanya cult. Since the Lord wanted this cult preached all over the world, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is acting in a humble way so that the vision of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may be fulfilled all over the world, especially in the Western countries.”
Above, Several devotees carrying Srila Prabhupada from the Ratha-yatra Chariot to the Altar.
In a Talk at the Radha-Govinda Mandir in Calcutta on March 24, 1976
Srila Prabhupada said: And that is the inspiration of my devotional life. Then I asked my father that “Give me Radha-Govinda Deity; I shall worship.” So my father was also Vaisnava. He gave me small Radha-Govinda Deity. I was worshiping in my house. Whatever I was eating, I was offering, and I was following the ceremonies of this Radha-Govinda with my small Deity. That Deity is still existing. I have given to my sister. So then I introduced Ratha-yatra. So I… My Ratha-yatra was being performed very gloriously. My father used to spend money. In those days ten rupees, twenty rupees was sufficient. I hired one kirtana party, and a small friends, they…, I think the brother of the present generation, and there was another De family here, so we performed this Ratha-yatra ceremony. According to our children’s imagination, it was very gorgeous. So I think our present Manmohan… His name is? Gabhur Bhavana? [Bengali] Gopishvara Mullik. That Gopishvara Mullik was my father’s friend. So he was criticizing my father that “You are performing Ratha-yatra ceremony and you are not inviting us.” [laughter] So my father said, “That is children’s play. What shall I invite you? You are very big man.” So, “Oh, so you are avoiding. In the name of children you are avoiding us.” On the whole, this Ratha-yatra festival was very gorgeously… Then imitating me, the other, my brother like, Kangalu[?], he also introduced Ratha-yatra. And… Kangalu. [Bengali] So all of them introduced Ratha-yatra, and the destination was this Thakurbari, from there. So practically what I am doing now, the same thing, Radha-Krsna worship and introduction of Ratha-yatra. I am not doing anything else. You know very well. We are now performing Ratha-yatra ceremony practically in all big cities of the world: in San Francisco, in…
Bhakta Cory, assembling the new Bhagavad-Gita exhibit. 3/4 of the frame complete. Above, Madhuha dasa inspecting the first panel of the new Gita exhibit. Panca Tattva started designing this exhibit more than 2 years ago.
Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.
PURPORT
Since one has to work even for the simple maintenance of the body, the prescribed duties for a particular social position and quality are so made that that purpose can be fulfilled. Yajna means Lord Visnu, or sacrificial performances. All sacrificial performances also are meant for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu. The Vedas enjoin: yajno vai visnuh. In other words, the same purpose is served whether one performs prescribed yajnas or directly serves Lord Visnu. Krsna consciousness is therefore performance of yajna as it is prescribed in this verse. The varnasrama institution also aims at this for satisfying Lord Visnu. “Varnasramacara-vata purusena parah puman/visnur aradhyate…” (Visnu Purana 3.8.8) Therefore one has to work for the satisfaction of Visnu. Any other work done in this material world wilI be a cause of bondage, for both good and evil work have their reactions, and any reaction binds the performer. Therefore, one has to work in Krsna consciousness to satisfy Krsna (or Visnu); and while performing such activities one is in a liberated stage. This is the great art of doing work, and in the beginning this process requires very expert guidance. One should therefore act very diligently, under the expert guidance of a devotee of Lord Krsna, or under the direct instruction of Lord Krsna Himself (under whom Arjuna had the opportunity to work). Nothing should be performed for sense gratification, but everything should be done for the satisfaction of Krsna. This practice will not only save one from the reaction of work, but will also gradually elevate one to transcendental loving service of the Lord, which alone can raise one to the kingdom of God.
Above, and below–Heavy Storm during the set up on Toronto Island…
NEWS FLASH, While setting up the festival site in Toronto on Wednesday July 13th, there was a heavy storm–rain, thunder, and lots of wind. We sustained some damage, and most of the decorations in the tents were blown down. Rest assured that Festival of India’s crew will get everything up and running in time for the festival Saturday.
In the next newsletter, and on Facebook, we’ll have more details about this storm.
The need of the day…
* Please help us purchase the Ford Transit van to transport Festival of India’s crew to the festivals. This is a most practical way to support the distribution of Krishna conciousness in North America. You can either mail your contribution to: Festival of India / Harinam Festivals Inc.
P.O. Box 100
Sandy Ridge, NC 27046 USA
or click here to send your gift to Festival of India through PAYPAL
Transporting the men, who setup, maintain and take down the festivals, is of utmost importance. The durability, relaiblity, and especially the safety of the vehicles are our main concerns, so the young men can arrive promptly, to do their service at all the festivals. FOI’s 1998, 15 passenger Ford Van, was up to 389,500 miles on it. During the last 4 years we’ve had to do several epensive repairs. Since 1998, when Ambarisa Prabhu sponsored this vehicle, it has taken our crew, of 10 to 15 young men, to about 435 festivals! That’s about 25 festivals every year. Hare Krishna! For a few years we’ve been looking, but the only vans that were available, with excellent economy and Diesel engines, were the Sprinters, now made by Mercedes. Ford recently came out with a Transit Van, “European Style” van (above) with a ‘Diesel Power’ option. It looks like the Sprinter, however, it is a little more economical. Over the last two years, you, Festival Of India’s Friends and Supporters, have contributed just over $1,000 specifically for replacing the van. Since sending out our letter, dated June 7, 2016, to Festival of India’s Friends and Supporters, one of FOI’s long term Friends has offered to match any gift towards the van up to $15,000! Just two days ago I received an email from another one of FOI’s long-time Friends, he just sent $20,000 to help us purchase a new Van. That means we just need $10,000 more in order to purchase this vehicle! We surely can do this before the end of the year. With your help it will happen: Please click here to send your tax-deductible gift today to Festival of India. Help Festival of India’s crew get to all the festivals. Hare Krishna.
Above, Saranagati–Ashcroft, B.C. Ratha-yatra Since this Ratha-yatra was scheduled for July 2nd, a weekend that FOI was not engaged, I decided to go. Saranagati is a community of sincere devotees dedicated to serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission by chanting the Maha-mantra–Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare–and cultivating healthy Krishna conscious families; organic farming; cow protection; simple living & high thinking etc. We are hoping to bring Festival of India to Saranagati for the Ratha-yatra, as well as to the surrounding villages and cities including Ashcroft and Kamloops. Preaching in every town and village ki jaya! Hare Krishna. Feel free to forward this newsletter to as many of your friends as you like.
Hare Krishna!
In the Teachings of Queen Kunti chapter 13 Srila Prabhupada wrote:
Our Krsna consciousness movement is simply requesting people, “Chant Hare Krsna.” There was a cartoon in some newspaper that depicted an old lady and her husband sitting face to face. The lady is requesting her husband, “Chant, chant, chant.” And the husband is answering, “Can’t, can’t, can’t.” So in this same way, we are requesting everyone, “Please chant, chant, chant.” But they are replying, “Can’t, can’t, can’t.” This is their misfortune.
Still, it is our duty to make all such unfortunate creatures fortunate. That is our mission. Therefore we go into the street and chant. Although they say “Can’t,” we go on chanting. That is our duty. And if somehow or other we place some literature in someone’s hand, he becomes fortunate. He would have squandered his hard-earned money in so many nasty, sinful ways, but if he purchases even one book, regardless of the price, his money is properly utilized. This is the beginning of his Krsna consciousness. Because he gives some of his hard-earned money for the Krsna consciousness movement, he gets some spiritual profit. He is not losing; rather, he is gaining some spiritual profit. Therefore our business is somehow or other to bring everyone to this Krsna consciousness movement so that everyone may spiritually profit.
Above, Three of Festival of India’s crew members at the April 19, 2016 HoliDC festival.
From left to right: Bhakta Cory from Halifax; Nimai from Prabhupada Village in Sandy Ridge, NC; and Krishna Prema Palavan Prabhu from Baltimore. Four solid hours of Dancing, Hare Krishna Kirtan, colors, and Krishna Prasadam.
Above, Premanjana Prabhu taking the crew out on Harinam in Montreal. Whenever’s there’s time, we go to chant, chant, chant–Hare Krishna.
