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Vol. 7 Fall Issue
Krishna Janmastamiin Sri Mayapur dham
• Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja• Gaura Purnima 2014• Krishna’s Swing Festival• Radhastami Festivities• GuruKula Anniversary
ContentsPage 2
Krishna JanmastamiPage 3
Srila Prabhupad’s Vyasapuja
EventsPage 4
Gaura Purnima 2014Bhaja Hu Re Mana
Prabhupada SpeaksKid Corner
Page 5Krishna’s Swing
GurukulaAnniversary
Mayapur SankirtanPage 6
Cooking with SrilaPrabhupada
Radhastami FestivalPage 7
GurukulaAnniversary
Page 8 & 9Festivals at a Glance
Donor Appeal
Produced and Published by:Mayapur Tourism Department
ISKCON Chandrodaya MandirSri Dham Mayapur
Nadia, West Bengal 741313Ph: +91(3472)245-219
www.mayapur.comwww.visitmayapur.com
“To wander through the nine islands of Sri Navadwipa-dhama is the essence of all opulence, the essence of all religious principles,
the essence of all bhajana, the essence of all perfections, the essence of all glories and the
essence of all kinds of oceans of sweetness”
Krishna Janamastami“It was a real moment of pure spiritual bliss”
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 2
“Oh my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of Love…”
This year, I think I saw a completely different side of Lord Sri Krsna, a side I knew before but I seem to forget all the time.
The most amazing celebration of the Beautiful Lord appearance day, reminded me of how we should see Lord Krsna not only in his most merciful vigraha form, but how we can see and understand him in the sweet and pure love his devotees have for him.
On Janmastami day, nothing touches the
heart and soul like seeing the Love and devotion all the thousands of devotees crowded in the temple room, have for the Lord of their heart.
At least 5000 people from all over the world came to Sri Dham Mayapur, by bus, car, train…so many austerity…to drown in the spiritual atmosphere filling the Holy Dham.
Devotees smiles and tears could not compare to any book knowledge, this was the real thing.
While Sri Krsna was being literally covered by the huge amount of sweet honey and yogurt delicately poured on him, time stood still as the soft flow of flower petals came down and covered our Lord’s body.
It was a real moment of pure spiritual bliss…Nothing else in this world mattered, no one
in the temple room had anymore care for this world, all attention was on our Lord Sri Krsna sweetly smiling at all his devotees and showing us his real identity.
In the morning, while the temple was being flooded by a crowd of devotees, everyone was thankful to have even the smallest spot to stand inside. Hundreds and hundreds had to stay outside in the courtyard as after a very short
while, there was no possible way to get inside the temple.
The smell of the burning offering of grains and ghee in the hot flames of the fire yajna done by Gurukula boys under the guidance of Bhakti Vidya Purna maharaja, only added to the mystic
ambiance of the sweet kirtan that was going on as the devotees awaited patiently the opening of the curtains to take darshan of their beloved Lord.
When the conch was heard, everyone stopped breathing for a couple of seconds and when the curtain finally opened, the cheering crowd joyfully together praised their Lord.
The altar beautifully decorated with love and devotion, was the perfect setting for the Lord to reveal himself to his devotees.
Everyone on the altar was smiling, everyone in the crowd was in bliss, nothing compared to that moment. It had to be felt and only in Sri Dham Mayapur can one feel it in this way.
In a celebration like this one, devotees have many realizations.
The time we are spending in this world is so small and insignificant; it is just a very tiny part of our eternal life. The Lord allowing us to celebrate his “Birthday“ is giving us an opportunity to realize His Beauty and Love threw his devotees.
In a celebration like the Lord’s Birthday, everyone becomes equal; one no longer sees
14.10.2013 - MondayRamacandra Vijayotsava
Sri Madhvacarya’s Appearance
15.10.2013 - TuesdayFasting for Pasankusa Ekadasi
16.10.2013 - WednesdayBreak fast 05:34 - 07:51
Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami’s &Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami’s &Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami’s
Disappearance
27.10.2013 - SundayBahulastami
30.10.2013 - WednesdayFasting for Rama Ekadasi
31.10.2013 - ThursdayBreak fast 05:42 - 09:27
3.11.2013 - SundayDipavali
4.11.2013 - MondayGovardhana Puja & Go Puja
7.11.2013 - ThursdaySrila Prabhupada’s Disappearance
(Fasting till noon)
10.11.2013 - SundayGopastami
13.11.2013 - WednesdayFasting for Utthana Ekadasi
Srila Gaura Kisora Babaji’s Disapp.(Fasting till noon)Bhisma Pancaka
14.11.2013 - ThursdayBreak fast 05:50 - 09:31
17.11.2013 - SundaySri Krsna Rasayatra
Tulasi-Saligrama Vivaha (marriage)
29.11.2013 - FridayNarahari Sarakara Thakur’s Dissap.
Fasting for Utpanna Ekadasi
30.11.2013 - SaturdayBreak fast 06:01 - 09:37
Sri Kaliya Krsnadasa’s Disappearance
1.12.2013 - SundaySri Saranga Thakura’s Disappearance
8.12.2013 - SundayOdana sasthi
13.12.2013 - FridayFasting for Moksada Ekadasi
Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita
14.12.2013 - SaturdayBreak fast 06:10 - 09:33
21.12.2013 - SaturdaySrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura’s Disappearance(Fasting till noon)
29.12.2013 - SundayFasting for Saphala Ekadasi
30.12.2013 - MondayBreak fast 06:18 - 09:52
Sri Mahesa Pandita’ Disappearance
EventsSrila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja Day
or feel the difference between races, caste, age, gender. Our hearts open and an exchange of Love flows between the devotees no matter who they are.
If we could keep those feeling permanently, the material world cease to exist and everyone floats in bliss and Love, at least for a while.
And of course the best way to end this most auspicious day is the midnight Darshan of the Lord followed by his causeless mercy in the form of a delicious prasadam feast.
This most amazing day puts all the devotees in a perfect mood to celebrate our most beloved Spiritual Master AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day the next morning… Sweet Sri Krsna Janmastami Ki Jay!
This day commemorates the birthday day of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, who was born exactly a day after Janmastami in the year 1896.
Usually there is a fast till 12 mid-day to observe this day and most devotees see it as an opportunity to show some appreciation to the love and mercy Srila Prabhupad has shown us all by distributing this Bhakti knowledge all over the world. After darshan arati, bhajans were been sung while various offerings were made to Srila Prabhupad. His Grace Jananivas and HG Pankajangri Prabhu presided over the Abhisek ceremony amidst a lot of Srila Prabhupad disciples here in Mayapur. This went on for quite some time as many devotees had the chance to bathe Srila Prabhupad too.
After the offerings were made disciples of Srila Prabhupad, devotees, grand disciples amongst others came forward to read their vyasa puj offerings to Srila Prabhupad. The Guru astaka prayers was then sung followed by puspanjali offering, where everyone had an opportunity to offer Srila Prabhupad some flower of love.
The Day was rounded off with a sumptuous feast at the Gada kitchen. We all look forward to another beautiful Vyasa Puja next year. Haribol!
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 3
Krishna Janamstami Continued
Childrens Club
“Only those who have passed their lives in practicing the regulative principles of religion, who have acted piously and who have conquered sinful reactions can accept devotional service and gradually rise to the pure knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
-Bg 7.28 Purport
Srila Prabhupada Speaks
(1)bhajahu re mana sri-nanda-nandana
abhaya-caranaravinda redurlabha manava-janama sat-sange
taroho e bhava-sindhu re (2)
sita atapa bata barisanae dina jamini jagi re
biphale sevinu kripana durajanacapala sukha-laba lagi’ re
(3)
e dhana, yaubana, putra, parijanaithe ki ache paratiti re
kamala-dala-jala, jivana talamalabhajahu hari-pada niti re
(4)
sravana, kirtana, smarana, vandana,pada-sevana, dasya re
pujana, sakhi-jana, atma-nivedanagovinda-dasa-abhilasa re
(1)O mind just worship the lotus feet of the son of Nanda, which make one fearless. Having obtained this rare human birth, cross over this ocean
of worldly existence through the association of saintly persons.
(2)
Both in the day and at night I remain sleepless, suffering the pains of the heat and cold, the wind and the rain. For a fraction of flickering happiness I have uselessly served wicked and
miserly men.
(3) What assurance of real happiness
is there in all of one’s wealth, youthfulness, sons, and family
members? This life is tottering like a drop of water on a lotus petal;
therefore you should always serve and worship the divine feet of Lord Hari.
(4)
It is the desire and great longing of Govinda Dasa to engage himself in
the nine processes of bhakti, namely hearing the glories of Lord Hari and chanting those glories, constantly
remembering Him and offering prayers to Him, serving the Lord’s lotus
feet, serving the Supreme Lord as a servant, worshiping Him with flowers and incense and so forth, serving Him as a friend, and completely offering
the Lord one’s very self.
Govinda Das KavirajaBhaja Hu Re Mana
“O Ocean of Mercy, Shri Chaitanya! Let that which easily drives away whatever pain we have been experiencing in this material world; that which is all-purifying, that which manifests the greatest transcendental bliss; that which by its sunrise casts away all the doubtful conclusions of the shastra; that which rains rasa on our hearts and minds, rules our consciousness and thus causes jubilation; that all-liberating, all-auspiciousness-giving, the limit of madhurya-rasa mercy of yours—let it arise within our hearts. “
Sri Mayapur is getting ready for the grand Gaura Purnima festival 2014. Packed with plenty of festivities and events, Gaura Purnima 2014 promises to be a great spriritual retreat. Join us in Mayapur dhama to drown in the mercy of Lord Gauranga. Highlights of the festival will be:
• Kirtan Mela – non stop Harinam for 3 days• Sravan Utsav – Festival of Hearing
• International Leadership Sanga• Panca Tattva Maha Abhisheka• Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama
• Gaura PurnimaPlease visit www.mayapur.com for Gaura Purnima
Gaura Purnima 2014Festival Schedule.
If you are planning to visit Mayapur for Gaura Purnima 2014, send your guest house request to [email protected] before 15th of October.
Make your journey comfortable. Book your taxi with Gauranga Travels at [email protected].
For the whole festival, we charge NO FESTIVAL FEES and FREE PRASADAM to all the registered devotees.
To book your day to serve prasada to the devotees, write to [email protected].
Regular updates will be posted in mayapur.com. Keep visiting our website to follow up on the festival info.
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 4
Search the puzzle for the names of
the eight Manjari’s
MayapurSankirtan
OFFERING TO SRILA PRABHUPADA January - August of 2013
Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir has reported distributing the following
number of books:
97,272 Maha-big books9,635 Big books
23,769 Medium books39,929 Small books1,316 Full sets
45,000 Magazines314,703 Total literatures
A combined total of 277 temples reported distributing the following
number of books:
730,155 Maha-big books271,189 Big books352,080 Medium books
1,537,407 Small books385,612 Magazines31,123 BTG subscriptions4,541 Full sets
3,463,181 Total literatures
498,765,138 literatures since 1965
All glories to the san-kirtan devotees!All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
“This is the sum and substance of Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement. There is no distinction made between those who are fit and those who are not fit to hear or take part in the sankirtana
movement. It should therefore be preached without discrimination. The only purpose of the preachers of the
sankirtana movement must be to go on preaching without restriction. That is the way in which Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced this sankirtana movement to
the world.”Cc. Adi 9.29
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 5
Krishna’s SwingOne of the most popular events in the holy
town of Vrindavan, India - where Lord Krishna appeared 5,000 years ago - is the celebration of Jhulan Yatra, the Radha-Krishna swing festival. Similarly in Mayapur among the local villagers and inhabitants this festival lasts for a week, literally hundreds of people from surrounding towns and villages visit Mayapur during this period in the auspicious sacred month of Shravana (July-Aug).
After receiving the traditional arati worship, the Deities are pushed on their swing. Members of the congregation are invited to participate. Each person offers flower petals and personal prayers, and then pushes the swing several times as the other members chant Hare Krishna, Jaya Radhe Jaya Krishna jaya Vrindavan, in kirtan. The atmosphere of this festival is especially sweet as everyone has the chance to intimately serve Radha and Krishna.
The same festival is observed in other parts of India too in this sacred month of Shravana. For example in Jagannath Puri, Lord Jagannath’s utsav vigraha (Madan-mohan ji, as well as Laxmi and Vishwadhatri are placed on a decorative wooden swing on Muktimandap
(Jhulanmandap). There, worshippers have a chance
to swing the Lord, thus entering into
His pastimes. On the day of the full moon (Gamha Purnima or
Jhulan Purnima), Lord Balabhadra’s
appearance day is celebrated.
These festivals are not in any way mere rituals, as they all have practical service functionality to invoke loving servitude of the devotees for the Lord, thus devotees are encouraged to fully participate in order to derive the full benefits of such loving pastimes.
Gurukula AnniversaryLast week sept 19th 2013 was the first day
of the third Caturmasya month which is called Viswarup Maotsav, Srila Prabhupada years ago, took Sanyasa on that very auspicious day and vedically it is the first day of school. So Mayapur Bhaktivedanta Academy ,affectionately called “Maharaja Gurukula” by the locals of Sri Dham Mayapur celebrated not only their first day of the new school year, but the 30th anniversary of their Academy.
In the early morning, after Mangal Arti, hundreds of students, teachers, parents and special guests including Jananivas and Pankajangari prabhus, slowly walked across the field ,down the brick path leading to the boys Gurukula where the celebration for the 30th anniversary was to be held.
From far, one could only see the roof of the temple building, but slowly approaching the school, we could see all the beautiful structures well established around the temple.
Gurukula boys were lined up waiting to politely receive guests and guide them to the main building for the celebration. Crossing the small bamboo bridge and climbing the steep stairs leading to the temple, immediately carried everyone to another world… every
students, boys on one side and girls on another side, all were engaged in last minute preparations for the special festival of their school.
Entering in the specially built temple room , had the most amazing effect on me and most guests i am sure… Time was no longer relevant, it seemed like we were back in our original home, where we belong…
The bamboo and brick structure of the temple holding a humongous straw...
Continued on page 7
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 6
This year on Radhastami day, I was a little late and as I approached the temple, I started to be a little anxious seeing the huge crowd of devotees standing outside filling each and every corner of the temple courtyard… It was such a beautiful day, and the sun was burning hot…
“How am I ever going to get in there, how will I ever see Radha Madhava on this most auspicious day”
So many thousands of people came to see my Lord…my Radharani…
I was disappointed and almost turned away, but as tears started to slowly fill my eyes, I decided to not be foolish and to humbly and slowly make my way thru the crowd. Slowly, slowly, inch by inch, i managed to get to the temple stairs and although I could not see them, because of the crowd, I could feel the stairs with my bear feet.
So I began praying to the Lord to keep me alive and keep me breathing in this crowd and help me to somehow get inside the temple and have Darshan.
Oh dear Lord Krsna, what a beautiful sight… it was unbelievable. The Altar was completely red…and a huge amount of gorgeous flowers were used to make it all the more splendid. Sastric quotes beautifully hand written by young devotee girls described the good qualities of Srimati Radharani…
Lord Krsna and His consort sweet Radharani being served by their most intimate gopis, were looked upon by thousands of devotees enjoying this loving exchange. Everyone looking at the Altar could see the pastimes going on. Radharani so mercifully glancing at everyone present was bringing all of us closer to her beloved Lord Sri Krsna, allowing us to somehow participate in their lila… How small we are, how humble and thank full we should feel…
Sri Krsna, Radharani and all the gopis beautifully dressed in their new gorgeous red outfit looked amazingly ravishing.
Then came time for abishek, probably everyone’s favorite moment of the day, it was so very sweet, putting everyone in a blissful mood. Seeing how our most dear Radharani mercifully stands there and accepts the loving offering of sweet honey, ghee, juice…so colorful…so many millions of flower petals falling over Radha Madhava as if coming from another world…
“Oh, but, where is Radha Madhava now? All we could see for a while was the bliss in the pujari smiles… Radha Madhava disappeared under millions of flower petals completely covering our Lordships…
While everyone was in Bliss looking at the most colorful sight, enchanting Kirtan lead by H
Radhastami Festivities
G Naru Gopal prabhu was carrying everyone in Vraja.
This Kirtan actually went on for the whole 2 days festival, keeping the temple filled up with devotees and guests from every corner of the world.
Although Srila Prabhupada said “Even Krsna cannot understand Radharani’s qualities. He fails to understand Her because She is so great. In order to understand Radharani, Krsna actually accepted Her position” in the form of Lord Caitanya.
By the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda prabhu, as soon as one enters Mayapur even for a moment, one’s life is changed permanently, eternally. In Sri Dham Mayapur one has all opportunity to try and vunderstand Krsna and Radharani…
There is a magical spell caste over Sri Dham Mayapur and no one can escape the Lord once He grabs them… Radha Madhava are very tricky, with their beauty, they attract the mind of everyone who is fortunate enough to see them even once, and then, one’s material life is finished…
I sincerely beg all of you to come to Sri Dham Mayapur at least once in your life and join us in Sri Dham Mayapur for this very auspicious and sweet day of Radhastami.
Tomatoe ChutneySrila Prabhupada gave the instructions and ingredients for this classic variation of cooked tomato chutney in the spring of 1977, in Hrishikesh. Adjust the sweetener, chili, and salt to taste.
1/2 tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil2 dried whole red chili pods, broken into small bits1/3-inch to 1-inch square piece of peeled fresh ginger root, finely minced or sliced julienne style1 teaspoon Black mustard seeds1 1/2 lbs firm ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks1/2 teaspoon salt3 tablespoon brown sugar or equivalent sweetener1/3 cup water
1. Heat the ghee or vegetable oil in a 2 ½- to 3-quart saucepan (nonstick cookware is ideal) over a medium flame until it is hot. Toss in the chili pod bits, ginger root, and black mustard seeds, and fry until the seeds crackle, sputter, and pop.2. Immediately drop in the tomatoes and stir-fry for 4 or 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, reduce the flame to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the chutney has thickened to the desired texture.3. Remove the saucepan from the flame and allow the chutney to cool to room temperature before offering to Krsna.
Cooking withSrila Prabhupada
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 7
Bhakti Vidya Purna Maharaja, leading the procession, was gracefully dancing and chanting , inspiring all his students ,their parents and so many other devotees following the Harinam. Hare Krsna Maha mantra could be heard all the way to the heavenly planets, so much so that the demigods sent a very beautiful and auspicious Rainbow to decorate the sky of Mayapur…
After changing into dry clothes, everyone returned to gurukula building for the last part of the day festivities. Very funny slide show was showing previous years of gurukula, very funny stories were told by a few teachers and students all so grateful for their life at gurukula…
All agreed that 30 years was just the beginning of an eternal gurukula in Sri Dham Mayapur. After a very inspiring kirtan, the day ended of course with again very delicious prasadam feast.
Hare Krsna!This whole day made me realize that
actually, we can all live in the spiritual world right now. Spiritual world is right here, right now, all around us, we just have to always keep ourselves at the right place with the right association and we will always be in the spiritual world, protected by devotees. No need to be anywhere else then here, just need to see the spiritual world and realize it and Lord Krsna will never leave us…
Thank you Gurukula… only one day there changed my life, so I can only imagine what it does for the fortunate students and teachers who are there every day…
Continued from Page 5...roof was so impressive and made me want
to stay there forever. 5 fire yajna were burning simultaneously blessing all the guests with amazing smell of ghee and grains being offered to Laxmi Nrshimha, the 1st original Deity installed 30 years ago in the school and filling the whole place with smoke that was creating a very incredible atmosphere. Echoes of mantra being recited in unison by the students and teachers resounded in every corner. So many devotees sitting in perfect straight rows, it was amazingly beautiful and peaceful.
I felt so fortunate to be able to be there, so blessed to have this opportunity to be around such great souls…it was like being in the real living Srimad Bhagavatam, the real thing… like a dream…
Looking at the Deity beautifully dressed in their special new outfit done by the Gurukula gilrs, made the whole morning program complete. With yajna, ghee lamp offering, abishek, arati and guru puja followed by beautiful sweet kirtan. All was done with so much love and devotion. Teachers then one by one offered their courses to the Lord. Sanskrit, Bengali, 64 arts, Jyotish, Yakarna karnica etc… All was done perfectly according to the Vedic ways. And of course the morning ended with sumptuous, delicious prasadam feast cooked and served by the gurukula students.
Afternoon was just as intense with huge Harinam all around Mayapur ISKCON campus, where Lord Sri Krsna showered his devotees with cool rain for the whole 2 hours of the Harinam to keep them refreshed and ready for the evening celebration that was yet to come…
Gurukula Anniversary
påthak satreëa vä mahyaàparva-yäträ-mahotsavänkärayed géta-nåtyädyairmahäräja-vibhütibhiù
Either alone or in public gatherings, with singing, dancing and other exhibitions of royal opulence, one should arrange to celebrate those holy days, ceremonies and festivals set aside specially for My worship. - SB 11.29.11
ISKCON GBC body has invited all Iskcon leaders like Gurus, Sannyasis, Temple presidents , Regional secretaries, congregation preaching leaders to gather at Mayapur for eight days for the celebration of “ISKCON Leadership Sanga”. Around 500 leaders are expected to take part from all parts of the world. There will be a variety of workshops, seminars, plenary sessions and enlivening Krsna katha and kirtan.
This event (ILS 2014) is by invitation only. It is not part of the regular Mayapur festival and only devotees with an official invite will be able to attend.
ILS festival will be unique in its kind in that it will facilitate the loving exchanges of the ISKCON leaders to serve better the mission of Srila Prabhupada and younger generation devotees receive an opportunity to associate, hear and serve these senior vaishnavas in ISKCON.
Please visit Mayapur.com and view the “Donate” menu item to donate.
Donor Appeal
• Car • Bus• Flight • Train
E-mail : [email protected]: (3472)245728
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Mayapur Tourism CenterOpp. Gada Bhavan
A service of ISKCON Mayapur
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 8
Festivals at a Glance
Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Janmastami Dress
Vamanadeva’s AppearanceSrila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja Offering Book
Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja Radhastami Abhishek
Gaura Purnima - Boat festivalRadhastami Drama
Nrisimha Chaturdasi - Adivas
Mayapur Sanga - Fall Issue Page 9
Snana Yatra
Ratha Yatra
Balaram Jayanti
Nrisimha Chaturdasi - Abhishek
Jhulan Yatra - Honey pot breaking
Gaura Purnima - Abhishek
Please contact us with any advice on what you would like to see in the next issue.Also If you would like to contribute any content, you can please send us an email.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
