We hope this newsletter finds you, your family and friends in good health and spirits.
With this month being packed with festivals it will be an eventful time at the farm. Starting with Jhulan Yatra on the 30th of July which continues through to Balarama Purnima on the 3rd
of August, Sri Krishna Janmastami on the 12th August, Srila Prabhupadas appearance day on the 13th of August and ending with Sri Radhastami on the 26th August. It will be an exciting
time. Unfortunately it is very necessary to accurately monitor and control the amount of visitors that we can accommodate with social distancing during the Janmastami and other festivals.
Therefore it is absolutely required that anyone wishing to attend any of the festivals registers their interest on the New Gokula website. Please click here to register or to see our website for more details on any of the festivals.
Best regards,
The New Gokula Team
What’s been happening at the farm?
Krishna has blessed us with rain!
A recent downpour of rain at the farm has seen the dams fill up and at last our wetlands have returned. The wetlands are the home of many bird species including pelicans, black swans, ducks,
ibis and grebe.
International Day of Yoga
Neeti Pandya from Arpan for Charity organised the International Day of Yoga at the Farm on the 18th of July. Arpan raises money and awareness for different charities whilst focusing on Indian
culture. Everyone had a wonderful experience at the farm. They started the day with herbal tea and bliss balls, followed by 2 hours of different styles of yoga. After yoga, they headed
to the pasture for some weeding service and ended with a nice lunch prasadam. For more information on Arpan and their upcoming events at the farm click here to access their facebook page.
Jhulan Yatra
Devotee’s and guests have been enjoying the wonderful festivities of Jhulan Yatra, the famous swing festival. Jhulan Yatra is a festival to celebrate Radha and Krishna’s pastime of swinging
on a golden swing and we observe it each day until Balarama Purnima. This festival honours Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani’s eternal love.
Live streaming on facebook
Citrupa, a devotee from the farm, has been live streaming the Jhulan Yatra festival on our facebook page and any other special events we have had at the farm including Kirtan, drama, dance
and lectures. He will be live streaming all of the festivals this month so if you can’t make it to the temple make sure to check out our facebook page here
Cow of the Month
Meet Khamadhenu!
Kamadhenu is a very sweet natured bovine, whom we purchased from neighbour, Trevor, when he decided to go out of the dairy business in 2010. She was appropriately named as she always outcompeted
her colleagues in giving plentiful milk. As you can see from her expression Kamadhenu has a really jolly nature.
IN MEMORIUM
It is sad news that our bullock, Navneet, passed on from his mortal frame this past week. Navneet had incurred an injury in his hind leg. Although recovery seemed initially possible his condition
declined and now the Lord has now given him a chance to serve in a new capacity, perhaps in the original Gokula dham. He passed away hearing the chanting of the Mahamantra ,and received
a maha flower garland and Tulasi leaves from Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda.
The Bhakti Tree
The Bhakti Tree is now able to accommodate 20 guests in the restaurant so come on in and enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal!
They are open 6 days, TUESDAY to SUNDAY 11.30-2pm and 6-8pm
Scruptious South Indian Specials are also on the menu SATURDAY and SUNDAY.
The Bhakti Tree is located at 410 Maitland Road, Mayfield. Call Brett on 0448 908 612 to make a booking.
Devotee Spotlight
Mahesh Uthappa
Mahesh Uthappa was born in 1945 in Karnataka, South India. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Delhi before he moved to Australia in 1965, opening a business importing handicrafts and
spices. Mahesh first met the Hare Krishna’s in 1979 at Colo River, Sydney when he visited the temple selling his imported goods. He was instantly attracted to the temple and the devotees.
That year he moved into the ashram and started full-time service in the temple at Darlinghurst. Mahesh had many varied services at the temple including cooking for up to 25 devotees each
day but his favourite service was Food for Life which operated from out of the back of the temple. He loved the fact that this service was helping so many disadvantaged people everyday
through the distribution of delicious prasadam. In 2001 Mahesh moved to Cessnock to be close to the New Gokula Farm and since then he has become a vital part of the community here. Although
Mahesh has Deities at home and performs daily Deity worship, he is at the farm without fail, everyday at 12.30pm to lead the midday Arati. He also looks after the guests and the Temple
shop. He says leading the Kirtan everyday is his favourite service at the farm. Thank you for your service Mahesh.
