ISKCON UK
October newsletter

Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda at Bhaktivedanta Manor on Radhashtami

News and highlights

GALLERY: UK Temples celebrate Janmashtami

Temples from across the UK celebrated Janmashtami on 5th September – the biggest celebration in the Vaishnava calendar. Photos below from Bhaktivedanta Manor, ISKCON-London, ISKCON Coventry and ISKCON Leicester.

Celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA

Darshan of Srila Prabhupada at Bhaktivedanta Manor

Devotees gathered at Temples across the UK to offer deep thanks and gratitude to the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, marking 50 years since he arrived in the USA.

Fifty years ago on 17th September 1965, Srila Prabhupada arrived at Boston Harbour with his message of devotion to Krishna. He was alone and unannounced, and from very simple beginnings he established an international movement of tens of thousands of devotees and palatial temples all over the world. His message was simple, chant and be happy.

Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in New York on 19th September was celebrated with great joy and devotion – Bhaktivedanta Manor held a special morning of celebration with a drama by the Bhaktivedanta Players, a viewing of the Acarya film trailer and an inspiring talk by HH Prahladananda Mahraj, whilst ISKCON-London hosted a spectacular harinaam on three open top buses through central London.

At ISKCON Coventry, Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day was honoured with a special guest HG Gaura Hari Das who shared his experience of being present in the room as Srila Prabhupada departed from this world. HG Gaura Hari Prabhu blessed the devotees present with the a piece of a chaddar worn by Srila Prabhupada and flowers from His Divine Grace’s Lotus Feet.

24hr Kirtan Fest at ISKCON Leicester

A part of Holy Name Week, ISKCON Leicester hosted it’s annual Kirtan Fest: 24 hours of Kirtan, which took place on 26th – 27th September. Hundreds of devotees from all over the UK participated in the two-day festival, which hosted a fantastic late night harinaam on the Saturday night.

The cream of kirtan leaders from around Europe attended this year’s Kirtan Fest, including Ananda Monet, Caitanya Cintamani Devi Dasi, Nitai Kirtan Das, Hari Kirtan Das, Nimai Gadhvi, Jay Krishna, Birju and Kishori Jani, Ravi Pattni, and many others.

There was also a special visit from the Canadian Rugby team, who are in the UK for the World Cup tournament – the team were walking through Leicester’s City Centre, when they heard the sound of kirtan coming from the magnificent temple. Ananda Monet was leading a beautiful kirtan, and they were warmly welcomed by Leicester’s Bhakta Ash.

To see photos from the event, visit ISKCON Leicester’s Flickr album

GALLERY: Radhastami celebrations across the UK

On 21st September, Radhastami was celebrated beautifully in ISKCON Temples with stunning darshans of Shri Radha Rani. Both Bhaktivedanta Manor and ISKCON-London adorned the deities in special flower outfits (below) and there were many other beautiful darshans including deities at ISKCON Coventry and ISKCON Birmingham.

HG Kripamoya Das publishes The Guru and Disciple Book

HG Kripamoya Das has written a new book called The Guru & Disciple Book.

The dynamic between a wise and compassionate preceptor and a committed student is the human foundation for many of the world’s great spiritual traditions. The Guru & Disciple Book examines the traditional identity, character, roles and methods of the spiritual teacher and student in the classical and contemporary world. In forty-five accessible chapters, Prabhuji describes the nature of spiritual relationships and the spiritual community created by them, together with the occasional struggles that can occur, through history and in modern times.

There are detailed sections on the definition of guru, a word first found in India’s ancient Sanskrit scriptures, the Vedas and subsequent chapters explore the traditional guidance, pastoral care and counselling techniques of these spiritual masters.

To purchase a copy, please visit Manor reception or Amazon.com

News and media update

Documentary on CNN-IBN about Bhaktivedanta Manor

The CNN-IBN news team approached Bhaktivedanta Manor to work on a 30-minute documentary about the history of the Hare Krishna movement in the UK, the popularity of the Manor with the Indian diaspora, the Beatles connection and preparations for Janmashtami. The documentary was aired six times over the Janmashtami weekend – you can watch it online here.

Upcoming events – October 2015

Modes of the Mind hosted by Birmingham Pandava Sena
Saturday 10th October

The mind can be in the 3 different modes of nature: goodness, passion and ignorance. Join us for this event where we will learn how to improve the quality of the mind so it is well situated within these modes and beyond.
For more details visit here

Kirtan London Matra Lounge
Friday 16th October

Join the Kirtan London team with matra meditation with Abhishek.
For more details visit here

Sharad Purnima at ISKCON London
Tuesday 27th October 2015
Sharad Purnima is celebrated on the full moon night of Sarad-ritu (October). This is the night when Lord Krishna performed the Rasa dance. This dance represents the most perfect intimacy between the infinitesimal soul and the Supreme soul, free of any material tinge of selfish desire, but charged with intense bliss. In reciprocation with the love of the Gopis, Krishna expanded Himself to dance with each Gopi in their eternal spiritual bodies. Devotees celebrate this full-moon night of love and affection by dressing Their Lordships with magnificent dresses and glittering ornaments. The entire altar is decorated with flowers. An ambience of the starlit, full moon night of Vrindavan, filled with fragrant flower bushes and tender green creepers is created. The enchanting atmosphere surcharged with melodious kirtans is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! More information here

Kirtan London present Greatfall 6hr Kirtan
2pm – 9pm, Saturday 31 October
The six hour kirtan will take place at the Swiss Church in Covent Garden, London. For tickets click here

Upcoming dates for your diary

Thursday 8th October – Indira Ekadasi

Monday 12th October – Shraddh ends

Wednesday 14th October – Navratri starts

Thursday 22nd October – Dusshera

Friday 23rd October – Pasankusa Ekadasi

Wednesday 28th October – Month of Kartik begins