By the GBC Executive Committee ChairmanIn order to increase our collective awareness of the historic event of ISKCON's founding in 1966, and to help our world wide society better remember the wonderful achievements of our Founder-Acarya, Srila Prabhupada, and his society, and upon the request of the ISKCON 50th Anniversary Committee... The GBC Executive Committee hereby recommends that at all ISKCON temples, festivals, pujas, home programs, and other community events and functions throughout the world shall incl...
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- 16 Jun 2016
By New Govardhana CommunityThe Sikh Brothers Surrender. When brothers Naginder and Maninder Singh came to Australia from the Punjab eight years ago to study and work, they had not counted on pursuing a spiritually surcharged lifestyle. First settling in Melbourne, with older brother Naginder employed as a milkman and Maninder as a trainee chef, the self-proclaimed ‘naughty boys’ embraced a frivolous existence of material enjoyment. Their escapades took them to all major cities on the continent, but it was in ...
- 14 Jun 2016
By David CrickBritish Prime Minister David Cameron returned to Bhaktivedanta Manor ten years after his first visit to take part in the Bhumi Puja for the Manor's new Shree Krishna Haveli. After seeing the George Harrison garden he proceeded to the temple room where he took darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda, Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman and Hanuman and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. He also garlanded Srila Prabhupada and met some of the residents. The Prime Minster then joined some 300 guests in the main marquee. Present ...
- 12 Jun 2016
By Praghosa dasaPusta Krsna Maharaja spent a long time on the phone in the evening, informing all the temples in Madhudvisa's zone on the East Coast that he has fallen and he is no longer the GBC. However, when he came in to report his actions to Srila Prabhupada, Prabhupada was angry. Prabhupada was made aware of the initial suspicions in Australia, but his idea had been to keep the affair quiet until he reached New York, where he could see Madhudvisa personally and attempt to clear everything up without a scan...
- 11 Jun 2016
By Mina SharmaA historic day celebrating ISKCON's 50th anniversary with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who performed the ground breaking ceremony for Bhaktivedanta Manor's new Shree Krishna Haveli.
...- 11 Jun 2016
By Roh SinghRecently, I was given the honour of spending some time with His Holiness, Bhakti Charu Swami. Bhakti Charu is a spiritual master having dedicated over 40 years of his life to selfless duties within the ISKON organisation. During our time together, we explore Hindu beliefs and understandings, how their applications can greatly help reduce one’s stresses, anxieties in our modern world. Let’s explore these truths together, and discover some answers to happiness. Bhakti Charu Swami Everybody needs ...
- 11 Jun 2016
By Vrsabha dasThe first attempt to spread the sankirtana mission in Albania was in the late '80s when HH. Bhakti-Vaibhava Swami (then HG. Avinas-Candra prabhu), together with three devotees from the former Yugoslavia, spent several days in Tirana. Then, in 2010. and 2011; a handful of devotees from the Karlovac temple (Croatia), led by Mohan prabhu, had a Harinam tour of Albania. Both times they stayed for five days and were holding Harinams in Tirana, Shkoder and Durres. In addition to singing the holy names, th...
- 10 Jun 2016
By Mina SharmaThe Bhaktivedanta Manor marked the start of a new chapter in its history on Friday 10th June, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the long awaited Haveli building was led by UK Prime Minister David Cameron. The ceremony formed part of the Manor’s offerings to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, upon which Mr Cameron heartily congratulated ISKCON on by praising Srila Prabhupada on his creation of a "global mission". A reception of over 300 people, including Parliamentary Secretary Under State...
- 10 Jun 2016
By Kesava Krsna DasaBut this is where the real test of authenticity should be applied. We should ask, “So, you are loyal to Srila Prabhupada…do you value his teachings, his aggregate teachings?” The obvious answer will be yes. Then probe further. “Do you value his followers who are members of ISKCON, who are cooperating together in spite of many challenges and difficulties?” At this point, though the representative appears to be meek and humble, he or she will probably engage in anti ISKCON rhetoric and aim p...
- 9 Jun 2016
By Raga Devi dasiMuch of what Ali revealed to Bhaktitirtha Swami were his woes and complaints about how some bad choices of his led to a lot of pain and frustration. There was even a brief period that Ali complained to BT about all the burdens of fame. Ali point blank told him that his own boyhood desires of wanting great wealth, fame and popularity were still sometimes haunting and sabotaging him. The many wives & properties he wanted in youth seemed to be the most complicating of his desires. For sure, Ali ...
- 7 Jun 2016
By Tasneem ZaveryA four-wheel wooden chariot, nearly two storeys in height, it made its way slowly through the streets of Brisbane CBD on a Saturday morning in early May. Built to resemble a temple, with a colourful red and yellow pillar made of cloth topped by a golden coloured dome, it carried the idols of Lord Krishna and Sri Prabhupada, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. It was hand-pulled by over three hundred ISKCON devotees, who used thick strong ropes with much fanfare. The c...
- 7 Jun 2016
By Sthita-dhi-muni dasaPrabhupada references his use of the “life comes from life” argument to Brahma-samhita 5.1. This verse proclaims that “Krishna who is known as Govinda . . . is the prime cause of all causes.” As Prabhupada explains it, Krishna is life, and life comes from life. Prabhupada boldly asserts that this “is not theory; it is fact.” Interestingly, Prabhupada also mentions, “Now we have to prove it.” Even though professional science falls short in facilitating the conclusive p...
- 7 Jun 2016
By Ananda Maya DasiThe title read, “Now Irish Eyes are Smiling”, an article in the Back to Godhead magazine by Mathuresa Dasa covered the installation ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, the presiding deities at ISKCON Northern Ireland’s Govindadvipa temple. The year was 1986, Ireland was still in the midst of a guerrilla warfare conflict, and it was a cover feature and multiple page spread in the publication that was the mainstay of ISKCON media coverage in the pre-internet and social media era. The install...
- 7 Jun 2016
By Gaurav MasandAfter receiving a grant of $500,000 from the Victorian government, and planning permissions from the local council, the ISKCON Temple recently held a ‘Ground breaking Ceremony’ and has begun construction of new kitchen facilities along with a redevelopment of the dining area. The ground breaking ceremony was attended by the likes of Martin Foley MP, Margaret Fitzherbert MLC and other eminent supporters. All speakers congratulated ISKCON and pledged their support for this noble cause. Ted Baill...
- 6 Jun 2016
By Sri Krishna Purusottama DasSmall temples are where the big action is! ISKCON Nellore is famous as a fired-up preaching center in Andhra Pradesh. Under the leadership of His Holiness Sukadeva Swami Maharaj, the temple is doing exceedingly well on all grounds. Preaching is on full steam, with their large congregation now actively preparing for the upcoming “Gudur Rath Yatra,” set to happen in another one month. Devotees also distribute books regularly. During a recent program, they distributed 300 copies of ...
- 6 Jun 2016
By ISKCON-London CommunicationsIn celebration of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, and to increase the public's awareness and appreciation of the movement, the theme for this year’s Open Days is "50 Years of Contribution to the Global Community". Attendees start a journey of self-discovery and gain insight into topics including the science of the soul, attaining inner and world peace, mantra meditation, yoga and vegetarianism - many of these being new concepts for the attendees. Whilst we welcome new guests to ...
- 4 Jun 2016
By Govinda caran dasThe inspiration for the design came from His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja who had come up with the title "The Seven Petals of ISKCON" for his Gita Nagari retreat last weekend to discuss the seven purposes for which Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON. The pun here is the fact that there are seven petals in the ISKCON logo, which can be taken to mean the seven purposes of ISKCON.
...- 4 Jun 2016
By Yudhistir Govinda DasOn May 28, 2016, ISKCON celebrated the 500th anniversary of Lord Chaitanya’s visit to Vrindavan at the famous Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The Festival of Inspiration, which was attended by nearly 8,000 people from Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and other parts of India, saw the presence of several senior vaishnavas including: HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja HH Bhanu Maharaja HH Lokanath Maharaja HH Navayogendra Maharaja HG Basu Ghosh Prabhu HG Sridhama Prabhu HH Bhakti Anugra...
- 3 Jun 2016
By Damodara Pandit dasThe special global event to celebrate ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary at the Sydney Opera House has sold out in record time. The show entitled ‘Transcendental Journey: Hare Krishna Celebrate 50 Years’ was quite an ambitious and optimistic project but with overwhelming support from devotees and Australian public the show sold out in just 3 days. Transcendental Journey is a theatrical, musical and multimedia spectacular showcasing how Srila Prabhupada’s extraordinary journey transformed the ...
- 3 Jun 2016
By Bhakti Vijnana GoswamiOn May 15, 2016 the festival of Vedic culture Goloka Fest in one of Moscow's biggest clubs sent everybody for an "Easy Journey to Other Planets". The program was improved by 108% than previous years and left an unforgettable experience and a great joy to all those who participated. It was designed for a wide audience and was interesting therefore for all, newcomers to this spiritual tradition and for those who practice for many years. All were exposed to teachings of invaluable knowledge...
- 2 Jun 2016
By Arcana-Siddhi devi dasiKrishna, the Supreme Lord, met with both Maharaja Yudhisthira, a pure devotee of the Lord, and Duryodhana, an extremely envious king who had acquired his position through cheating and deceit. Krishna asked Maharaja Yudhisthira to go out into the kingdom and return after finding someone less qualified than himself. And He asked Duryodhana to search the kingdom for someone better than himself. When wicked Duryodhana returned, he told Lord Krishna that he couldn’t find anyone better than...
- 2 Jun 2016
By Nrsimha Krsna dasWe had busy days in Istanbul last week. HH Niranjana Swami visited us in Istanbul for the 5th time. Maharaja arrived on 26 May and left Istanbul on 31 May. We organized 4 programs including Sunday Feast in our Goranga Yoga Center. Programs were advertised as Vedic Philosophy & Bhakti Yoga Seminars and Niranjana Maharaj gave classes on well-known Bhagavad Gita Catur Sloki verses. There was a great interest in Niranjana Maharaja's programs by Turkish audience. Couple of disciples of Maharaja cam...
- 2 Jun 2016
By Radhanath SwamiIt was a fifty-seat commuter jet. The good news was that the plane flew. The bad news was that the toilets were boarded shut, the lighting did not work, and the air conditioner, after all that time, still didn’t work. It was a ninety-five-degree day. The plane was hot, muggy, dark, and Timmy decided he really did need to pee-pee and cried the whole trip. By the time we landed, every passenger was miserable. Except one. As we trudged down the steps of the plane and onto the tarmac, there was Dorothy sitting in ...
- 1 Jun 2016
By Keshav Murari DasYes we are talking about Sunder hall of Hotel City Park Pitampura, where about 150 businessmen with family, who are contributing for ISKCON Rohini project gathered on Sunday, 29 May. Subject was to present progress report of ISKCON Rohini construction. In the this program HG Varah P ( CO-President Punjabi Bagh) perform kirtan. Then the Deep was ignited by HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj. Rukmini Krishna P (Co-President Punjabi Bagh) briefed the audience about the contribution of ISKCON around ...
- 30 May 2016