Blog

These evenings, when not shooting footage for “Rolling the Dice” I’m enwrapped in compiling either one of two books. The Saffron Road is a publication that I’m hoping to have materialized soon. It’s an account of my walking ventures and I’m currently in the proofreading stage. Krishna in the Maple Leaf is also a work in progress, capturing the early pioneer years of the Hare Krishna’s in Canada.

In both books I’m running into a thematic parallel—gratitude. I’m very passionate about expressing th

By Shyama Sakhi Devi Dasi 

Diagnosed Covid-19 cases and deaths as of October 30th, 2020.

Shyama Sakhi Devi Dasi (Shivani Agarwal, PhD Biotechnology, MSc Biochemistry) She is a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois (UIC), Chicago, Illinois.

277 days ago, none of us had heard of coronavirus and everything we did was not shrouded with the specter of COVID-19. We welcomed the new decade, filled calendars, planned events and t

I hadn’t met Juhi’s parents before and I was honoured to participate in her pre-engagement program. Nice folks she has, from Punjab originally.

Her fiancé is Rishab, whom I’ve known since he was a kid. His parents, Rajasuya and Surabhi, of South Indian descent, are sishyas, or students of mine. At their home two families came together, and I, for an impromptu engagement. There were no engagement rings, but two pieces of ladhoo, sweet-balls made of chickpea flour, were exchanged lovingly between

In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Moti-kunda in Nandagaon, where Krsna performed his pastime of planting pearls in the ground and watering them with cow milk to sprout vines of pearls. Check out Maharaja’s full lecture below, along with a few photos, at Moti-kunda during Parikrama 2018.

In Moti-kunda, there is mercy. Without mercy, how can we chant? We have to look for mercy so that we can chant. It is the only way. We have to beg for mercy wherever we can! We have this metap

Appearing as the son of a king, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Shri Thakura Mahasaya) showed all the bodily symptoms of a mahapurusha (an exalted divine person). He had long arms, a deep navel, golden-complexioh, beautiful eyes shaped like the lotus petals. In school, he was a sruti dhara (able to memorize whatever he hears) Although he quickly mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas, he hankered to serve Krishna. He was a lifelong brahmachari. By the mercy of the Holy Name Gaura-Nitai, Narottama became

By Madana Gopala Dasa

ISKCON is in the process of constructing a grand Hare Krishna Temple in the city of Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. On October 24th, they celebrated an important milestone in this project - the commencement of the construction of the first walls marking a visible rise in the soon-to-be temple structure.

As part of this celebration, covered by a number of media outlets, a special kirtan was conducted followed by a presentation outlining the project as well as a series of media

By Kadamba Kanana Swami

In 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Madhuvana, specifically at Dhruva-tila, where a young Dhruva Maharaja endured great austerities in his quest to find the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Dhruva-tila in Madhuvana during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2018.

When Dhruva Maharaja desired to sit on his father’s lap, where his step-brother Uttama was already seated, his s

The Brickworks is a big draw, especially with today’s temperatures at 22°C, or within the region of 71°F. Being a Friday afternoon, you could feel the joy for all the browsers in their haven of ponds, multiple goldfish, trees of fall colours and even an amicable beaver working at constructing its lodge.

The plan for me and other members of our drama troupe was to have our first take with filming our drama for virtual presentation. Like in all projects, hurdles do exist. One of our key actors has

By Rishi Kumara Das

October 31st, 2020

This is an emergency health update of HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami Maharaja. Maharaja was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, New Delhi for a critical surgery recently. Dr. HG Krishna Priya Pr who has been constantly coordinating with the Doctors has sent in this update.

The nerve blockage near the spine has now extended to the upper region of the spine. Maharaja continues to be unable to move both his arms and legs and the situation is critical.

By Madhava Smullen

ISKCON sannyasi Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami Maharaja had recovered after being hospitalized some years ago; more recently, however, his spinal cord condition worsened. He is now once again in hospital and in a serious condition, with devotees around the world requested to pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for his recovery.

“The doctors had warned us that there was a high probability of Maharaja being paralyzed in the event of a surgery, even if successful,” says Rishi Kumara Das o

The ISKCON Connecticut Temple has been open in East Hartford for over 40 years. The temple has a small close-knit community, with about 50-60 regular congregation members visiting the center every Sunday. In 2017, they bought a new building in Glastonbury, a suburb near Hartford, CT, and renovation is underway. When the Deity altar and new commercial kitchen are complete, relocation to Glastonbury will take place.

When COVID struck, the temple community at ISKCON Connecticut, USA, was worried as

By Kadamba Kanana Swami

In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Radha-kunda, which is described as the topmost place in the universe! We begin our eParikrama this year by revisiting this significant place and casting our mind to the meditations instilled in us by Maharaja. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Radha-kunda during Parikrama 2018.

We can remember that this is the place where Aristasura was killed. We recall that Radharani and t

“All my desires to work as an engineer seem to have dwindled by seeing your lotus face in New Vrindaban. I am enjoying the nectar of devotion more and more every day. I have been going on sankirtana every day for an average of six to eight hours, sometimes even fifteen, ever since I have been in this temple. I love to go out on sankirtana and distribute your books, and Krishna is rewarding me with unexpected pleasure.” (Letter from Jasomatinandan Das to Srila Prabhupada, 1973)

Remembering Jasoma

By Mathura Lilesvari Devi Dasi

The most auspicious month of Kartika month starts on Nov 1st. For years, devotees in ISKCON Malaysia have been bringing the opportunity of offering ghee lamps to Lord Damodara during Kartika to masses of people. This year, due to the pandemic, the Malaysian devotees are initiating a project like never before —  a virtual lamp offering aimed to set a record in the Malaysia Book of Records.  

The task is simple - they need at least 3,000 devotees and well-wishers fr

“To the supreme controller, who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda but was ultimately caught – to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances. “- Damodarastakam

Day 2, Damodar month, Darshan Gallery

Source: https://www.mayapur.co

As you are aware, Damodar masa is here, and it is around this time of the year that His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj leads his annual Kartik Parikrama in and around Braj. This year, however, due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parikrama will not proceed in person. And as you are likely aware, Maharaj has recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently resting in Simhachalam, Germany. But this will not take away from the spirit of Kartik at all, as Maharaj has previous

Since past few years ISKCON has had a small temple in the heart of Varanasi, in Bhelupur and now the temple is expanding and evolving into the impressive ‘Sri Sri Radha Gopal Mandir Vedic Indian Cultural Center’ (VICC). The talented young devotees’ ensemble of the Temple envisions making ISKCON VICC the most attractive place in Varanasi succeeding the popular Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ghats of River Ganga.

VICC aspires to become a source of enlightenment for spiritual seekers and a cultura

It was a typical October day, I mean to say, perfect for walking. The wind, a cloud and the sun were above and around, not only me but everyone. I was walking west on Dupont and at one crossroad, at Davenport, also known as the Ancient Trail used by the Huron for centuries, I met one road worker. His name is Jordan, he left his tools and came down.

“Hare Krishna!” said Jordan. “We’ve met. I know Phil, who is in Hungary now at the farm community… I do chant and follow some of your classes on Zoom