Birthday:

January 18

Name / Initiated name

Legal Name: Vivek Bhalotia

Daily number of rounds of Hare Krishna mahamantra.

16

When, where and how did you come into contact with the Hare Krishna Movement?

At the age of 8yrs in 1986 1st time visited Sri Dham Mayapur from Kolkata. My parents and relatives forgot me inside the Iskcon Campus and left for Kolkata. Then after 2 hours they came searching me. One nice prabhuji stood with me on the gate in anticipation that my parents will come searching me. The place where I used to stay, 3-4days in a week one old prabhuji used to come singing Hare Krishna, he used to sing on a boul instrument. My grand mother used give me some Laxmi and always asked me to go and give that devotee. I have studied my high school in Kolkata. It was exactly opposite Iskcon Kolkata. I have gone to that school for 7 years. Shifted to Hyderabad in 1996 and came in contact with HG Mahashringa Prabhuji in 2004. My younger sister who is a senior to me in devotional service invited prabhuji for a house programme in 2004, followed by another house programme in 2005 by HH Bhakti Vikas Maharaj who came on request of HG Mahashringa prabhuji. In 2006 September I started attending Sunday Evening Programme organised by HG Mahashringa prabhuji. Till then I had somewhat appreciated the philosophy and used to respect the devotees. December 2006 starting chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra on beads. I always used to see the Atma Serial for many years prior to that - Lectures by HG Gauranga Prabhuji, HG Sarvabhauma Prabhuji, HG Devaki Nandan Prabhuji, HH Bhakti Vikas Maharaj and HH Loknath Maharaj (few times).

Name the nearest or most frequently Visited ISKCON temple/ centre and name few of the devotees whom you know.

Iskcon Hyderabad (near office), Iskcon Secunderabad (near home), Bhakti Nivas - Iskcon Namahatta Centre, Kukatpally - frequently visiting. HG Mahashringa Prabhuji (My Siksha Guru), HG Jagadeeshwar prabhuji, HG Prem Kirtan Prabhuji and many.

Please describe yourself so that other like minded devotees can find you.

I like the fighting spirit of Srila Prabhupada, His unrelenting nature, to do anything to go to any extent to preach Krishna Conciousness. I want to imbibe this quality.

What are your expectations from this community?

Help us remain Krishna Conciousness

Describe any specific service you would love to offer to Lord Krishna & His devotees?

I heard from a Vaishnava that if you are not able to preach then as per your capacity help those who are preaching Krishna Conciousness.