Suraiya Ali: I grew up going to many types of religious houses, but I had never been to a temple sanctioned by ISKCON. I had met the cowherd Lord in books and in my relationships, but now I was going to His house, for the very first time. So we dressed up, as my best friend said that evening, “there is no such thing as being overdressed to the temple, as you’re dressing for the pleasure of Krishna.”
In blue and pink hues and traditional Indian earrings, we ran into aarti about five minutes late
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There is only one religion - to love God.
Different denominations like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, etc. and even denominations within these denominations present this one religion in different ways and to different degrees. Since people of this world are more or less selfishly (materially) inclined, every denomination presents its teachings considering the material conditioning of the people it is talking to. What's more, new denominations arise when new ways of materialism get mixed with ex
Sri Haridas Thakur is an eternally liberated associate of the Lord. The associates of the Lord are worship-able wherever they make their appearance.
Just as Garuda appeared as a bird, and Hanuman as a monkey, Haridas Thakur appeared in a family of Yavanas. From his very birth he was very deeply devoted to the Holy Names of Sri Krsna and later became known as “Nama Acarya.”
When Lord Caitanya went to Jagannatha Puri, Haridas also went and took up residence there. Everyday, after attending Lord
Spiritual life can be received in any state of mind. If the seed of bhakti is received when we are in ignorance, when there are unwanted activities, actions, etc. then these other “creepers” choke the “devotional creeper”. Even in the mode of passion, there are disturbances. We will become insensitive because of our selfishness; we exploit the world, other living beings and so on…
That is what is going on in the world today!
Madness is a result of uncontrolled senses and we get entangled in thi
Living in a temple is nice – it is simultaneously the material world and the spiritual world. I compare temple life to a blanket. I travel a lot and have different blankets all the time and sometimes, the blanket is too long, too short, too thick or too warm. So in the same way, the external feature of the temple may also look like that. There may be many things about it which we do not like – people, facilities, food and so on… But that is all insignificant, all temporary and will change. BUT
Discipline methods should be in harmony with our educational goals. And what is the goal of gurukula education? Many devotees have proposed their own objectives. Here are a few: to produce moral citizens, to produce “not hippies,” to produce productive members of the outside society who can maintain devotional principles, to produce book distributors, to produce temple devotees, or to produce varnasrama members.
To help us decide the proper goal of gurukula, let’s look at the often quoted desc
ISKCON New Vrindaban is warmly inviting everyone to attend its Srila Prabhupada Festival this September 30th to October 2nd. As an offering of love and appreciation for their service and sacrifices, current and previous New Vrindaban residents, as well as all Prabhupada disciples, will have their lodging and prasadam completely covered for the weekend.
The festival is a revival of the historical Prabhupada Festivals that began in the West Virginia rural community with the opening of Srila Prabh
Today marks Srila Prabhupada’s acceptance of Sannyasa. Thanks to Prabhupada Connect for so nicely putting together this list list of quotes by Srila Prabhupada on Sannyasa, which we have re-posted here.
Srila Prabhupada’s Sannyasa Initiation
Srila Prabhupada accepted the order of sannyasa from Sri Srimad Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Maharaja on September 17, 1959 at the Kesavaji Math in Mathura. Included below are some relevant quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s lectures and letters.
“When I was househol
Many international religious and political leaders honored ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s achievements and contributions at a special ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gala Event in Washington D.C. on Tuesday September 13th.
The event took place in the Presidential Ballroom at the Capital Hilton Hotel on 16th Street. Three blocks from the White House, the Ballroom has hosted every president since Harry S. Truman and features a permanent eight-foot presidential seal on its wall.
Over 300 people atten
On 10th september a workshop on “Building a humane and peaceful society” was organized at Gaya college campus. The organizer of the program had invited a leader from each religion to present the teachings of their religion about peace. They invited ISKCON Gaya to represent sanatan religion though there are numerous hindu organizations and leaders in Gaya. ISKCON Gaya’s presentation was appreciated by all the leaders of different religions as it was the only PPT presentation with so much interac
ISKCON Leicester will host Kirtan Fest, 24 hours of Kirtan on 17-18 September, 2016…continuing the 50 year celebrations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Hundreds of devotees from around the UK and further afield will participate in the two-day festival at the Centre at 31 Granby Street, Leicester, 9am-11pm on Saturday, and 9am-7pm on Sunday, which coincides with the 51st anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the US.
The cream of kirtan leaders from around the world
As you walk towards the twin-towered Complexe Desjardins, in the heart of downtown Montreal’s popular festival district, just opposite the prestigious Place-des-Arts, you are beckoned by the elegant Bharatnatyam dancer on the 15 x18 ft. banner at the main entrance to come inside to explore the exotic cultural event of Sept. 2-3 : Journey to the Heart of India. Upon entering the impressive central foyer with its 80 ft. ceiling adorned with skylights and saffron/yellow flower umbrellas, you can g
Appearance of an acharya in this world is by no means an ordinary thing. Such acharyas are some of the most confidential servants of the supreme personality of Godhead. They come for accomplishing certain missions. As oppose to worldly missions by many others based on personal likes and dislikes, missions carried out by acharyas are directly under the instructions and direction of God. Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur was one such acharya who appeared on this planet in 18th century. His contribution t
Looks can be deceiving, and often far from the full story. It is said that one who laughs too much, even at small and insignificant things, may well be harboring dissatisfaction and sorrow within. A person who feels impelled to keep talking and communicating, could be experiencing loneliness and lack of meaningful camaraderie. The insensitivity and harshness that individuals exhibit, is likely connected to an internal weakness and existential insecurity. Some people seem to be compulsive critic
The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is excited to welcome Gaura Nataraj Dasa to our community. An exceptional dancer, Gaura Nataraj will be presenting a special series of classical Bharatnatyam dances during this upcoming Sunday Feast on Setember 18, 2016.
Gaura Nataraj das (Aleksey Furdak) was born in 1989 to Russian parents in Riga, Latvia and started learning Bharata Natyam at the age of 15.
His first teacher was Pille Roosi (Estonia) who was his guide in the world of Indian dance for over 10
Hare Krishna!
I have developed an app called LetsDraw, its by Parul Rahul Agrawal.
It simplifies drawings & adds the spiritual knowledge in kids.
Its totally free, you may download it from google play store.. the link is
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mehul.pararules.letsdraw
icon of the app is white square including Dadhi's face!!
Please download it & help increasing KC in kids & everyone!!
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, Chapter 11.
Haridasa Thakura said, “I have had one desire for a very long time. I think that quite soon, my Lord, You will bring to a close Your pastimes within this material world. I wish that You not show me this closing chapter of Your pastimes. Before that time comes, kindly let my body fall down in Your presence. I wish to catch Your lotuslike feet upon my heart and see Your moonlike face. With my tongue I shall chant Y
All guests and devotees gathered into the temple room for the midnight Maha Arati. With great anticipation, the curtains opened and Krsna’s appearance was Whats Happening in New Vrindaban Dham! celebrated while everyone chanted His holy names. Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha
Vrindaban Chandra were dressed in a beautiful pink gown made of flowers.
Srila Rupa Goswami said that one must associate with devotees to cultivate faith. So how does that faith happen in association? In devotee association, one hears about Krishna. When one hears about Krishna constantly, his or her desire or taste to Krishna and His devotees (Krishna katha) goes on increasing. What is the result of one whose taste to hear about Krishna increases? His faith on Krishna increases. What is the symptom of such a faith on Krishna?
The symptom of faith on Krishna (bhakt
Atheists write volumes of books explaining how or why God does not exist. But they cannot even explain why or how things that they believe exist exist; unless of course you consider chance as a logical, reasonable, and convincing explanation.
Due to some reason the atheists have got estranged from God. So much so that they are willing to be dogmatic about their chance explanation rather than allowing even a possibility of God.
Science was initially hailed as the search for truth but now it has
