farm - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-28T15:31:12Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/farmOur Farms, Now More Necessary than Ever by Jiva Tattva dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/our-farms-now-more-necessary-than-ever-by-jiva-tattva-das2023-12-31T09:30:00.000Z2023-12-31T09:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/P19EJsA.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/P19EJsA.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" alt="P19EJsA.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" /></a></p>
<p>This is an article of appreciation and support to all our devotees who are working and maintaining our rural communities, producing food and taking care of the cows. Right now when we are living in a situation where, all the modern civilization is paralyzed and threatened for a very contagious disease and an impending economical chaos, all your services take a very special relevance. Srila Prabhupada already visualized this scenario and he spoke many times about it and bought many farms around the world so the devotees can live in. We can think that to buy farms and cows, was not a direct order of his Guru Maharaj, or from the Goswamis, however because of his immense goodness and mercy he was convinced, that it was a completely relevant aspect for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu Sankirtan Movement. He bought these farms to create a simple and natural way of life, self-sufficient and aimed toward self realization.</p>
<p>Like an expert doctor who seeing a patient with metastases know that he will soon die, Srila Prabhupada by seeing how the modern society have created so many slaughterhouses, so many cars and industries spoiling the atmosphere, paper money as an economic base, drugs, abortion… he knew the consequences of these activities, that by laws of nature there will be war, pestilence, famine and many other unwanted calamities. He also knew… that the devotees always have problems to live a rural life, far from the commodities of the cities, the jobs, the supermarkets… we are used to it. But he insisted and made his motto “simple living high thinking”. He said that finally many, many people would come to our farms. We appreciate so much the broad vision of these projects boost by Srila Prabhupada. So, many of his words were predictions of the future. Prabhu Gokularajana count:</p>
<p>Gokularanajana: With his cane Prabhupada pointed to the skyline and said, “You see this city? This city and all cities will collapse very soon. Do you know why?” Everyone hesitated, wondering, but Tamal Krishna quickly said, “Because the people here don’t know how to grow food.”… Prabhupada said, “Yes.” Growing food is the whole purpose of our farm communities and we still are trying to grasp their importance. (Gokularanajana Ch, 44)</p>
<p>So this artificial way of banking, that will be also collapsed. [Conversation, January 1977]</p>
<p>The social body of the modern civilization has shown its illness in the form of this pandemic which has stopped all of humanity. Devotees are also affected because all our preaching activities like Harinams, restaurants, Sankirtan, etc have had to stop. Literally, at least in relation with the public, the Sankirtan Movement is forced to stop. But Prabhupada assured us that nothing will stop this Movement. Then? Why does it happens? For the materialistic people it is a big disaster and danger, but for the Lord´s devotee, although it´s the same danger, he knows that it is also a situation to improve his service. First personally, to look inside and think which lesson we have to learn from this and examine our services. And also as a community, cooperate and be closer together than ever to improve our Krishna conscious management. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, He is Acyuta, Infallible. His Sankirtan Movement is always victorious, param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. Lord Caitanya is the most magnanimous form of the Lord, namo maha-vadanyaya… In this age His only weapons are His devotees, confidential companions and the Holy Name, säìgopäìgästra-pärñadam yajïaiù saìkértana So we can be sure that all Sankirtan Movement´s activities will recover very soon. Prabhupada says:</p>
<p>But we must learn to tolerate all the difficulties and push on regardless of whatever obstacles we may be presented with. No one can stop this Krishna Consciousness Movement because Lord Caitanya wants that His Holy Names will be spread to every village and town.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada always gives a lot of importance, to the cows and food production in our farms. Curiously we see in the actual world crisis that in all big cities like New York, London, or Paris, the fashion shop, jewelleries, car companies like Mercedes, Audi, everything is close.The big and famous airports and train station practically also close. But which only shops are open all around? Only food stores.</p>
<p>There are many professions, according to the different qualities and karma of the people like teachers, administrators, lawyers, engineers, but all profession depend on food. What profession Srila Prabhupada call a gift from God?:</p>
<p>Therefore God’s gifted professions for mankind are agriculture and cow protection. Agriculture is the noblest profession. It makes society happy, wealthy, healthy, honest, and spiritually advanced for a better life after death. (Ligth of the Bhagavata. Vs. 9)</p>
<p>Even in ancient time, in Rome, the great philosopher Cicerone said: “The Agriculture is the proper profession of the sage, the most suitable for the simple person, and the most worthy occupation for all free man”.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada did not agree with the approach of what the humanity called “progress” When he saw the great industrial development and the false banking economy, he say: “Factory means destruction. And agriculture means construction” sohe insisted on applying a natural and ecological life in his Movement:</p>
<p>Prabhupada: Actually if you possess land and cows, the Government can fail or not, but your real value is there. That is real property. The basic principle of economy is centered around the land and cows.</p>
<p>We hear that the main problem for the devotees to stay in the farms are that they don´t have a job that would produce a basic economy to pay their bills. However there are many works in relation with the land, food production and cows, which can be develop and you can make profit. One way is to organize a producer’s team that in addition to planting organic products, also have local mills, eco manufactures and cow products. Secondly to have another group who can sell the products, open shops, restaurants, supply to eco stores, etc These are all sustainable jobs and in harmony with nature. Soon there will be many devotees would like to join the farm communities, therefore all possible arrangements must be made.</p>
<p>Mainly after the departure of Prabhupada the devotees were taught to do Sankirtana and to those with more tendency to vaisya to also sell paintings and others products from India and eastern countries. In the beginning to buy and maintain the Temples, but later it became the only profession to maintain their families, practically to this day. Now in this crisis we have the opportunity, for the new generation of devotees with Vaisya´s nature, are trained as true Vaisyas, just as the Bhagavad-gita teaches:</p>
<p>Prabhupada: Therefore our, as recommended in the Bhagavad-gétä; kåñi-go-rakñya-väëijyam [Bg. 18.44] People… A class of men should be trained up for agriculture, producing food grain, and cow protection.</p>
<p>Actually, this machine civilization is shocked and wobbles because it has no real scientific basis for harmony with the earth, neither with human beings, nor with the Divine laws of nature.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada was clear, about the true life system for his devotees and humanity in general, so they can get the maximum benefit of this human form of life. Now in this forced confinement, is a good opportunity to meditate, pray, and surrender more our life to Krishna, so we can get better understanding of Srila Prabhupäda instruction for all of us and his Movement.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84915">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84915</a></p></div>New Mayapur Works to Build a Sustainable Vedic Villagehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/new-mayapur-works-to-build-a-sustainable-vedic-village2023-04-18T11:57:50.000Z2023-04-18T11:57:50.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11029651501,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="11029651501?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Chandni Raj</strong></p>
<p>New Mayapur in Central France is working to implement Srila Prabhupada’s vision for rural farm communities where devotees can live in harmony with nature, while addressing the climate crisis. The aim is to build a Vedic village as outlined by Srila Prabhupada, where earth and her natural resources are protected, which is in perfect harmony with the modern day need for sustainability. Implementing his ideas for community living, based on Vedic wisdom, gives a lasting solution to withstand the ill-effects of soaring temperatures. </p>
<p>The village aims to achieve food self-sufficiency by cultivating its own food, as advocated by Srila Prabhupada. “This helps achieve food security in the face of natural disasters induced by climate change and reduces the carbon footprint of food occurring in transport, distribution and packaging,” said Locanananda Das, President, New Mayapur. Cows and bulls are protected as per his advice, which enhances food sovereignty, preserves biodiversity and their responsible grazing practices enhance soil quality. The vegetarian diet prescribed in scriptures reduces the community’s role in global deforestation to grow feed for the hundreds of millions of animals slaughtered annually.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/new-mayapur-works-to-build-a-sustainable-vedic-village/">https://iskconnews.org/new-mayapur-works-to-build-a-sustainable-vedic-village/</a></p></div>Gita Nagari Farm Launches Bhakti Immersion Experiencehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/gita-nagari-farm-launches-bhakti-immersion-experience2021-08-24T08:29:48.000Z2021-08-24T08:29:48.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9464859301,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="9464859301?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Madhava Smullen</strong></p>
<p>The Gita Nagari farm in Port Royal, Pennsylvania has launched the Bhakti Immersion Experience, a Krishna conscious residency for new and experienced bhakti practitioners aged 18 to 28 with three, six or nine-month options.</p>
<p>The program is tailored towards both second generation devotees looking to get some formalized ashram training and experience in full-time temple/farm service, and young people who are relatively new to bhakti and would like to learn more.</p>
<p>“It’s a finite amount of time, so it’s not so intimidating, yet it's a very full and complete experience,” says Champakalata-sakhi Devi Dasi, co-facilitor of outreach and education with Vinoda Kovida Das. </p>
<p>Alongside the several-month-long Bhakti Immersion Experience, there are also Bhakti Yoga Weekends for those who already have some foundation in bhakti practice, and would like to learn about the lifestyle of a bhakti yoga practitioner, but have a busy schedule and can only get away for a weekend or a week at a time.</p>
<p>Finally, there are Weekend Yoga and Meditation Retreats for complete newcomers to bhakti.</p>
<p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/gita-nagari-farm-launches-bhakti-immersion-experience,7965/">https://iskconnews.org/gita-nagari-farm-launches-bhakti-immersion-experience,7965/</a></p></div>ECO-Vrindaban Prepares For Another Plentiful Growing Seasonhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/eco-vrindaban-prepares-for-another-plentiful-growing-season2021-03-15T11:03:05.000Z2021-03-15T11:03:05.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8667682083,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8667682083?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Madhava Smullen </strong></p>
<p>Non-profity entity ECO-Vrindaban, which works closely with ISKCON New Vrindaban in West Virginia on ISKCON’s first farm, is preparing for another growing season. Its mission statement? To “promote cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada.”</p>
<p>Typically, the season for outdoor gardening in the area begins around mid-May, after the last frost, and runs until October-November. However ECO-V’s high tunnel greenhouses, installed in Summer 2019, allow devotees to offer locally grown flowers and vegetables to Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra and the temple kitchens all year round. </p>
<p>Two of the high tunnels, measuring 96 x 30 feet each, sit near the Valley Barn. The third, measuring 60’ x 30’, is in the personal garden of Vidya Dasi, a village resident who has served in the community for fifty years.</p>
<p>“One of the high tunnels at the Valley Barn was completely full all winter,” says ECO-V Garden Manager Analaksita Dasi. “In just a few weeks we’re going to be harvesting spinach, purple kale, green kale, red cabbages, Chinese cabbages, carrots, beets, Swiss chard, and radishes.”</p>
<p>While tomatoes are usually not planted until about May 20th, around 67 tomato plants are already growing in the high tunnel at Vidya Dasi’s property.</p>
<p>Plenty of preparation had to be done over the fall to ensure such success, including fixing irrigation and ventilation problems in the high tunnels, putting in exhaust fans, disinfecting, and prepping the soil. “We also have to cover and uncover all of the plants every day, when the temperature goes below 32 degrees,” says Analaksita.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/eco-vrindaban-prepares-for-another-plentiful-growing-season,7722/">https://iskconnews.org/eco-vrindaban-prepares-for-another-plentiful-growing-season,7722/</a></p></div>The Corona Virus – an Incentive to Self-sufficiency by Lalitanatha dasahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/the-corona-virus-an-incentive-to-self-sufficiency-by-lalitanatha-2020-04-04T12:44:00.000Z2020-04-04T12:44:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_image" style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/04-Apr/kv1_slideshow.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/04-Apr/kv1_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" alt="kv1_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div>
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<p>On Saturday, March 28, ISKCON’s Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture had a Zoom conference with its European representatives. Everything is online in these corona times, even farming!</p>
<p>The members shared reports among themselves. Considering the present crisis, everyone still seemed to be faring somewhat okay. For instance, at New Vraja Dhama, ISKCON’s farm community in Hungary, devotees have a stock of food for seven months plus land and cows constantly yielding more grains, vegetables and milk products. The rest of the world maight be doomed, but they will still be doing fine. Similar reports were there from New Mayapur in the Ukraine and other farm communities and individual devotees around in Europe including even the Copenhagen city temple having a steady supply of fresh produce from its urban farming garden. </p>
<p>Thus it was once again practically demonstrated that those who are practicing self-sufficiency either to the full extent or at least to some degree are definitely less vulnerable in times of upheavals. Unfortunately, most of ISKCON’s devotees are not connected with or themselves practicing any kind of self-sufficiency. Their situations are not much different from the vast majority of modern men who, just to cover their basic needs such as food and shelter, are dependent on a complex system of economics and forced to offer their labour whereever they can sell it. </p>
<p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/the-corona-virus-an-incentive-to-self-sufficiency,7311/">https://iskconnews.org/the-corona-virus-an-incentive-to-self-sufficiency,7311/</a></p>
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<p> </p></div>High Tunnels Grow Vegetables and Flowers for New Vrindaban Deities into Winter Monthshttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/high-tunnels-grow-vegetables-and-flowers-for-new-vrindaban-deitie2019-12-18T11:26:15.000Z2019-12-18T11:26:15.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_image" style="text-align:left;"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2019/12-Dec/ht1_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="ht1_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" /> <strong>By Madhava Smullen <br /><br /></strong></div>
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<p>In West Virginia, the first frost can hit in Fall and the last in late Spring, halting the growing season all the way from October to May.</p>
<p>But devotees in New Vrindaban, ISKCON’s first farm community (est 1968) have just introduced three high tunnel greenhouses, allowing them to offer locally grown flowers and vegetables to Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra and the temple kitchens all year round. </p>
<p>The high tunnels were installed this summer by Amish company Yoder’s Produce from Fredericksburg, Ohio. Two of them, measuring 96 x 30 feet, sit in the Valley Barn area, a sixty-acre plot run by New Vrindaban’s simple living arm ECO-V, which owns about 910 total acres.</p>
<p>A third, measuring 60’ x 30’, is in the personal garden of Vidya Dasi, a village resident who has served in the community for forty-eight years. All three give their full yield to the deity and temple kitchens.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/12-Dec/ht2.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="ht2.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" /></p>
<p>The high tunnels are made with a structure of metal poles, covered by two layers of plastic with air pumped in between them. The temperature is set by a thermostat, and the sides of the tunnel roll up and down to adjust it accordingly. The tunnels are also fitted with bug netting.</p>
<p>“What’s exciting to me is that we actually have control over the situation now,” says ECO-V General Manager Ranaka Das. “The plants are not subject to the weather, or insects, which all cut into your production – they thrive because they’re in a totally protected environment.”</p>
<p>The high tunnels are said to extend the growing season for at least six weeks at both the beginning and the end, with hardy greens growing through the winter. However Analaksita Dasi, who works with Vidya, says “you’re always harvesting and planting” year round. </p>
<p>“Right now, it’s December, and everybody else’s gardens are finished,” says Analaskita Dasi, who works with Vidya. “But we are still harvesting beets, kale, carrots, lettuce, radishes, and I’ve just replanted spinach. We also just planted many new fragrant flowers for the deities, like daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. And I was picking tuber roses until a month ago.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/12-Dec/ht3.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="ht3.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" /></p>
<p>This despite the fact that temperatures have already dropped as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) this winter. </p>
<p>Although growing will slow down during January and February, devotees expect to plant the spring crop as early as the beginning of March, including green beans, peas, carrots, beets and even tomatoes. </p>
<p>“We’ll be a few months ahead of everybody else, as far as the growing season goes,” Analaksita says. “We’ll have the first harvest.” </p>
<p>The high tunnels will allow the temple to buy less and less produce from the store during the off-season, providing more high quality, locally grown food and saving money on expensive flowers. </p>
<p>“My goal is to eventually provide as much as possible all the produce for the deities and the temple resident devotees,” says Ranaka. </p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/12-Dec/ht4.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" alt="ht4.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" /></p>
<p>While there’s something of a learning curve, more high tunnels will be added as an efficient system is established, both on ECO-V land and that of individual devotees. Already, a fourth high tunnel has just been constructed on New Vrindaban cowherds Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi’s property.</p>
<p>Vidya encourages more devotees to try it out. “There’s a program in West Virginia that anyone who has land can apply for, and they give you a grant to help with the cost of high tunnels,” she says.</p>
<p>Ranaka is similarly enthusiastic, saying, “For me, this is the biggest step we’ve taken since my involvement with the gardens.”</p>
<p>Analaksita is also excited about expanding the program. “I feel it’s better that the temple can buy produce that is locally grown by devotees,” she says. “A lot more love goes into it when you actually grow something from seed, to plant, to bringing it to the deities to be offered. It’s a really satisfying feeling.”</p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/high-tunnels-grow-vegetables-and-flowers-for-new-vrindaban-deities-into-winter-months,7193/">https://iskconnews.org/high-tunnels-grow-vegetables-and-flowers-for-new-vrindaban-deities-into-winter-months,7193/</a></p>
</div></div>8,000 Learn About Simple Living, High Thinking at Krishna Valley Fairhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/8-000-learn-about-simple-living-high-thinking-at-krishna-valley-f2019-08-03T13:43:13.000Z2019-08-03T13:43:13.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_image" style="text-align:center;"><img style="border-width:0px;border-style:solid;height:338px;width:600px;" title="Events" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2019/08-Aug/ox1_slideshow.jpg" alt="Events" /></div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-align:justify;">By </span><span style="text-align:justify;">Madhava Smullen</span></strong></div>
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<p style="text-align:justify;">An incredible eight thousand people attended the Krishna Valley Fair in Hungary over the weekend of July 19th to 21st, many of them tourists vacationing at the nearby holiday hotspot of Lake Balaton.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">These numbers have been consistent over the past few years for the Fair, which draws nearly a third of the 30,000 people that visit Krishna Valley throughout the whole year. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">A big percentage of the Fair crowd are return visitors to Krishna Valley, one of the largest and oldest eco-villages in Europe. Established in 1993, the 700-acre sustainable farm is home to 150 devotees who care for sixty cows and oxen, and produce their own vegetables, fruits, grains and milk.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Communications director Gandharvika Prema Dasi explains why residents open up their normally quiet, peaceful community to so many people: “Krishna Valley is not just for us to realize Srila Prabhupada’s vision of simple living, high thinking, but to show others that it’s accessible, and teach them how they can also live naturally while keeping God in the center.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:338px;width:600px;" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/08-Aug/ox2.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Of course, devotees do this in a fun way. There were so many activities at this year’s Krishna Valley Fair, that visitors could participate in all three days without getting bored. Some families didn’t even go further than the schoolhouse, where children could learn how to make simple toys from materials around the house; do origami and other crafts; watch shows by a magician and a pantomime artist; and sample a variety of sandwiches and snacks.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Meanwhile at the vegetable garden, devotee tour guides showed people how to maintain a garden without chemicals, and shared different techniques and secrets. And at the cottage industry household, visitors learned how to weave using flax grass grown on the farm.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“We taught them how to card wool, how the flax stamps get broken and how the fibers are separated from the refuse, how to hackle the fibers, how to spin them into thread, and how to weave them,” says Gandharvika Prema. “We also demonstrated how to use vegetable derived colors to dye the thread, and make bracelets, bags, and rugs from them. These are all traditional Hungarian techniques of making clothes and materials, so people were amazed that we Krishna devotees were protecting such ancient local traditions.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:400px;width:600px;" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/08-Aug/ox6.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Nearby at the goshala or cow protection center, visitors could pet two young calves and take photos with them. They could also watch the cowherd men use flour produced on the farm to make chapatis and rotis, and yoghurt from the cows to make lassi. Then they got to sample these offerings, as well as sandwiches made with vegetables grown on the farm. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“While they were eating, they could chat to the cowherd men and ask for recipes,” says Gandharvika Prema. “It was very personal.” </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Visitors could then follow “The Milky Way,” a long road from the goshala to the temple, lined with shops selling Indian jewelry and clothes. They could sample Indian fare like subji, pakoras and sweets at a huge 800 square meter Govinda’s restaurant. And at yet another dining option, the tandoori restaurant in front of the temple, they could have dishes cooked by pujaris (priests) using an outdoor mud oven. </p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:338px;width:600px;" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/08-Aug/ox4.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Inside the temple itself, every fifteen minutes tour guides brought new groups of 30 to 40 people to visit Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara, the presiding Deities and center of all the activities in Krishna Valley. There, guides introduced them to Srila Prabhupada, described how he established ISKCON and wrote his books, and explained the importance of Deity worship. At the end of the tour, many bought Prabhupada’s books.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Coming out of the temple, tourists could see a firsthand example of everyday Krishna conscious simple living, as husband and wife Lila Sukha Das and Brijabasi Dasi opened up their home.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“The couple stood in front of the house, inviting people in,” says Gandharvika Prema. “Everyone was amazed to see that it looked just like anyone else’s house – with nice furniture, a kitchen, bathroom, hall etc. But the electricity comes from solar panels; there’s a wood stove instead of a gas one; and they draw their water by hand from a well outside. The couple also lives a very simple life, with few posessions or technological toys, lots of books, an altar, and a small vegetable garden outside.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:400px;width:600px;" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/08-Aug/ox3.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">To go deeper into the philosophy that inspires this lifestyle, visitors could meet Sivarama Swami, Krishna Valley’s spiritual leader, who has become very popular all over Hungary through his Facebook videos on “Modern Morality from Ancient Wisdom.” Many came to the Fair just to listen to his teachings – he gave talks every two hours – as well as to shake hands with him and take selfies with him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Other attractions at the Fair included trying on saris and gopi dots, ox cart rides, a Holi celebration, dramas, dances and musicals about Lord Krishna’s pastimes, and even live traditional Vedic weddings.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“People always think it’s some kind of artificial theater – but when they realize the weddings are real, they are amazed,” says Gandharvika Prema. “They feel like part of our family.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:400px;width:600px;" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/images/2019/08-Aug/ox5.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">After the fair, visitors often comment that while in Krishna Valley, they feel like they are in a “wonderland.” Many come year after year to get an emotional and spiritual pick-me-up. They say that they love the devotees, especially how they are always kind and smiling.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“The long term purpose of the event is to give people an impression of Krishna and the Krishna conscious lifestyle that will last for their whole lives,” Gandharvika Prema says. “They let us look into our hearts during this event, and we hope that our guests feel part of Krishna’s huge family, and take small or big steps towards Him by starting to read about Him, follow His instructions, change their lifestyle, and take up some spiritual practices. Eventually, maybe they will feel ready to join our community and live with us a happy life.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Source: <a href="https://iskconnews.org/8000-learn-about-simple-living-high-thinking-at-krishna-valley-fair,7038/">https://iskconnews.org/8000-learn-about-simple-living-high-thinking-at-krishna-valley-fair,7038/</a></p>
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