By: ISKCON-London Communications (With contributions from Bhaktivedanta Manor Communications)
It was on 13th July 1966 that ISKCON was incorporated. Exactly 50 years on, on Wednesday 13th July ISKCON-London celebrated this historic day in the most glorious way.
An all-day festival was held at the Temple. As the curtains opened for Deity Greetings, devotees witnessed Their Lordships adorned in illuminous new golden outfits offered to Them in honour of the occasion. The altar was decorated with white and gold flower garlands and decor. Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana was decorated with flower arrangements and artwork depicting the seven purposes of ISKCON. Guru Puja was followed by a class on ‘50 Years of ISKCON’ outlining ISKCON’s achievements to date.
As part of the morning celebrations, ISKCON-London and Bhaktivedanta Manor came together in a special outreach initiative. In an act of gratitude to the City of London, 5,000 cupcakes were distributed in key locations in central London during morning rush hour to say, “Thank You London!”.
Here is what some of the volunteers had to share about their experience:
“The distribution of cupcakes put so many smiles to the busy people of London. It was so nice to see how a simple act of kindness can do so much. I’m sure many who took a cupcake will have noticed that it was in celebration of such an historic date for ISKCON. It was a pleasure to be a small part of something big, on this memorable day, as an act of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada.” – Krishna Dattani
“Wonderful to see those commuters on a hectic schedule stop and smile at the sight of a free treat. Even better to witness them take some time to ask questions! I can only conclude it was all due to Prabhupada’s mercy!” – Meelan Panth
Temple President, Jai Nitai dasa and Temple Secretary Bhava Bhakti devi dasi also had an opportunity to present the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan with a box of cupcakes and copies of the 50th magazine. The Mayor congratulated ISKCON on turning 50 and also tweeted this kind gesture to followers.
Meanwhile the festivities continued at the Temple with an afternoon class based on the ‘Seven Purposes of ISKCON’. A sumptuous prasadam feast was served which included a special 50th birthday cake. Devotees then set out on London’s bustling Oxford Street for a maha harinam, chanting and dancing along the way distributing delicious mango burfis.
In the evening, the special themed classes continued with a class on ‘The Next 50 Years of ISKCON’. Gaura Arati was followed by bhajans including Markine Bhagavata-Dharma written by Srila Prabhupada while on board the Jaladuta and Yadi Prabhupada Na Hoite composed by HH Jayapataka Swami. The kirtan continued late into the night until the final Sayana arati.
The capital’s biggest news channel, BBC London also covered the day’s activities. The coverage was broadcasted to over a million people on air and millions more online, allowing them to take darshan of the arati ceremony too.
Watch the broadcast here: https://youtu.be/wgaM7_Vmbgw
In appreciation of the efforts for the festival and the media and outreach activities, ISKCON50 Coordinator for London, Devaki devi dasi, said:
“It was a truly glorious day. You could really see that Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara – the Lords of London – and the first installed Deities in ISKCON, personally installed by Srila Prabhupada himself – wanted to spread the glories of Their dear devotee, Srila Prabhupada, to the wider London community.
Not only did we have excellent attendance from the community and a full day programme at the Temple to celebrate ISKCON’s 50th, but we had the BBC interviewing devotees and filming footage at various points throughout the day. We also worked with Bhaktivedanta Manor to hold a Gratitude Day where we distributed 5000 cupcakes to the public in key locations around London to raise awareness of the Hare Krishna movement and to thank Londoners for accepting us as part of the community.
At a personal level, it was definitely the most enlivening day of the year yet and shows what can be achieved when we serve together as a team to glorify and appreciate Srila Prabhupada for everything he has given us.”
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