By Gaura Sakti das AllinThe Fifth Annual Clearwater Beach Rathayatra took place on Saturday, May 3, 2014 and by the mercy of Lord Jagannatha and his faithful devotees, it turned out to be a festival that truly celebrated the Lord’s appearance in Clearwater Beach and the preaching of His glories. The forecast was for cloudy skies and rain until 12 noon, but when the bus full of devotees arrived at that time, the rain continued to drizzle and dishearten the devotees. Would th...
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- 31 May 2014
By Purushottam KumarDuring the churning of the ocean also in spite of facing all the hardships, demigods and demons continued working tirelessly for the nectar. And finally Dhanvantari appeared with the pot of nectar. Upon seeing the pot, the crooked demons snatched it immediately as they did not want the demigods to have even a drop of the nectar. But the demigods were under the protection of Lord Vishnu and those who take shelter of the Lord never ever get deprived of anything auspic...
- 31 May 2014
By Sadbhuja DasExciting news lands in Mayapur. A service whereby helicopters transport pilgrims and devotees from Kolkata to Mayapur is moving forward. Today marked the first time the journey was made and several people greeted the arrival with enthusiasm. The next step is negotiating the fee which will be charged to interested parties using this quick transportation.
...- 30 May 2014
By the Chairman for the GBComHe was a true vaisnava and gentleman who was respected by all and while we will miss him tremendously, we would like to place on record all the wonderful things that he carried out during his brief but very effective tenure as the CFO. He joined the temple at a most crucial juncture when we were concerned about the lack of controls in several management areas and we can say with definite emphasis that he was instrumental in setting up several systems...
- 29 May 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessAll ISKCON entities are encouraged to ensure that all essential medical and dental expenses of its resident and fully supported devotees are supplied. The authorities of those ISKCON entities are recommended to investigate options for local insurance plans, government plans, or other reliable options to ensure as far as possible that quality health care is provided. A person choosing to becom...
- 29 May 2014
By Basu Ghosh DasYesterday, Jasomatinandan Prabhu, myself, ISKCON Ahmedabad Vice President Vishnunam Prabhu, and ISKCON Baroda Vice President Nityananda Ram Das, paid a congratulatory visit to new Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, to wish her well on assuming the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat. Over the past 13 or so years, Anandiben has visited ISKCON Ahmedabad (she is from North Gujarat, as is India's new Prime Minister, our former Chief Minister, Narendra Modi) at l...
- 28 May 2014
By Radhanath SwamiThe mystery of Radha, the female energy of God, had both fascinated and eluded me. After all I had experienced, after all I had read, after all the sadhus I had met, nothing had prepared me for the hidden truth of yoga’s greatest mystery: the mystery of bhakti, or devotion. And now I was learning that the keeper of this mystery was Radha. For the first time it began to dawn on me that these saints of Vrindavan had penetrated into the deepest, most confidential aspec...
- 26 May 2014
By Niranjana SwamiOver the course of the last week, having found myself confined to a lying position much more than standing, walking, and especially sitting, I decided to take up a reading project. I decided to dedicate all of my reading time to readings about Srila Prabhupada.
...- 25 May 2014
By Vijaya DasaIn Durban, South Africa, a country permeated by crime, the devotees scored a huge increase. They had the highest percentage increase in the Large temple category, a 408% increase over their monthly average, with 1,637 book points. The last time I visited the Durban temple the devotees told me how dangerous this crime-ridden country is. I was shocked hearing the stories. All glories to these devotees, who regularly take risks to spread Krsna consciousness!
...- 25 May 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessThe Compliance Division is authorized to request and receive legal and financial documentation from all over the world and all managers must make every effort to provide any information the Division may request in regard to the National Councils, projects, centers, etc. under their management—subject to the discretion of the GBC Zonal Secretary/ies. Within their zones, the GBC Zonal Secretaries are...
- 24 May 2014
By Chaitanya Charan DasThe endearing thing about Krishna’s offer of participation is that it can begin right now. ...
- 23 May 2014
By Jawahar MalhotraIt was hard to imagine that this was the once the site of the one-story wooden Baptist Church and two adjoining wooden buildings on 1.2 acres when the leader of the then small group of devotees, T...
- 23 May 2014
By Mrtyuhara DasThe route approved for the festival, Via del Corso, right in the prestigious center of the city, has never been assigned to any event , even famous mundane events! Lord Krishna surely used His powerful yoga-maya energy to all those who were to grant the various permissions, and finally it's done!
...- 21 May 2014
By Sri Vallabha dasIt is very sad news and a great loss to the Vaisnava community in Mayapur. He was a Deputy Director and was rendering tirelessly many very valuable services to ISKCON as a chartered accountant. Advaita Hari Prabhu was a good preacher. He had been serving in Middle east prior to his arrival to Mayapur. By his preaching, he has made many devotees in Middle east. He was also currently involved in Corporate preaching in nearby regions of Mayapur and Kolkata. He was the C...
- 21 May 2014
By AnupamaBrarooAccompanied by various dignitaries, senior devotees and guests, during the whole processions Lord Jagannath's Chariot was pulled by ropes of devotional love and sweeping tracks whisk before it is considered a very confidential service to God. Simultaneously, the Chariot procession distributed simply wonderful sweets, fruit and flower garlands - whoever caught that is lucky in life. Also the procession proceeded by the sin...
- 21 May 2014
By Kumari Kunti The ISKCON Youth Ministry is expanding its wings and flying away this summer back to the European shores of the warm, friendly Mediterranean countries of Spain, Italy, and Croatia for the second annual European Bus Tour. The tour starts in Villa Vrndavan’s Sravanam Kirtanam festival on July 10th, and finishes on Aug 11th after spending time at spiritual retreats, doing adventure activities, harinams, meeting senior devotees, having sports days, and service at ...
- 20 May 2014
By Samba dasThe Sri Mayapur Masterplan Committee’s sub division, dealing with Exhibits and Museums is seeking help to envision and develop a series of Exhibits and Museums to be included in the development of the City of Mayapur. It is important to understand that we are not speaking of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Rather these facilities will be featured in the town that surrounds the ToVP.
...- 20 May 2014
By Chaitanya Charan dasWhen we practice bhakti-yoga sincerely, we express to Krishna our desire to love him, to install him on our heart’s altar, displacing the many things that the mind and senses have impelled us to place there in the past. Being pleased by our devotional intention, he reciprocates by manifesting his presence in our heart, thereby releasing within it electrifying currents of oceanic happiness – currents that increase in intensity and ecstasy as our devotion increa...
- 20 May 2014
By Mina Sharma DasiPraghosa Dasa, GBC Head of UK and Ireland, who was attending the event said: "we are operating in a world where communication is king, and where anyone with a mobile phone can generate a news story - this is unprecedented in our history, which is why it has never been more important to know how to work with the media. Given the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations, we want 2016 to be a standout year for ISKCON and one of the ways we can have the most impact...
- 19 May 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessWhereas in ISKCON men had generally been taught to see all women other than their wives as mother; Whereas in more recent times a practice has gained momentum that women should not be called "Mataji," but "Prabhu;" Whereas the word "Prabhu" is traditionally used to address men; Whereas one section of ISKCON considers addressing women as "Prabhu" to have no cultural or linguistic backing, or any evide...
- 18 May 2014
By Gunacuda DasiAs part of the schools Krishna conscious curriculum , SMIS students regularly get the opportunity to hear from senior ISKCON leaders who reciprocate with the children's enthusiasm. Upon hearing the students' kirtan when he arrived at the school, Jayapataka Maharaja immediately stood up and began dancing as he entered the school gate and saw the children.
...- 17 May 2014
By Sri Jagannath Mandir staffSri Jagannatha Mandir celebrated Sri Narsimha Caturdasi with great devotion and grandeur. Since it was wesak day it was a public holiday for the country. It facilitated devotees to come early and to be part of the various services. Decoration of the temple and altar went on till 1am early in the morning. Needless to say Nrsimha altar was gorgeous with the red roses.
...- 17 May 2014
By Allan TurnerTen years in the making, the temple will open this weekend amid public festivities featuring chanting, dancing, music, educational displays and a vegetarian repast. At midweek, carpenters, painters and groundskeepers busily worked to prepare the temple and its four-acre grounds for the grand opening. More than 10,000 visitors are expected during the three-day event.
...- 16 May 2014
By Bart BlasengameThe much-maligned Hindu sect has shed its freak-show status and, behind its yuppie-friendly pillars of yoga, meditation, and clean living, is transforming America into a postmodern ashram. Robes not required.
...- 16 May 2014