Up north, I go to Muskoka and more particularly to Huntsville, population 10,000. Nityananda and Arpan are my companions. We arrived at 7 am and in this quaint and touristic town you see the well known Muskoka or Adirondack chair just everywhere. Moreover the downtown you can spot dozens of murals of the famous Group of Seven artists (my favourites). On Main Street something special is happening. A new Krishna Culture Centre is opening, which includes a restaurant, temple and living facilities.
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The sanksrit word for gratitude is krtajna – which translates literally as “knowing what has been done.”
Krishna’s gratefulness
Krishna is aware of any service done for Him – whether it is recognized as important like constructing a big temple, which is visited by millions, or whether it goes unnoticed like the chanting of His Names in the secrecy of the early morning hours. He knows it all and He feels obliged to those who are mindful of Him.
For example, Krishna was grateful to Draupadi becau
By Bhaktimala Devi Dasi
In March, New Gokula Farm held its first Holi festival, and it was a huge success, with around 2,000 people attending. The 550-acre farm, with its lavish organic vegetable gardens and orchards, is located in Australia’s picturesque Hunter Valley, just two hours north of Sydney. It is home to the beautiful full-sized Deities Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda and over 60 cows and bulls.
The Global Party People, a mantra duo, enthused the crowds and had them both dancing and partic
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
The Brahmacharis from the Monastery of the Holy Name in Lithuania are gearing up for their renowned and life-altering summer Harinama Sankirtana Tour. This transformative journey will traverse numerous Baltic and European cities, offering a unique spiritual experience to all who join.
The Sankirtan Tour starts today with the Holy Name Retreat at the Harinam Mandir in Lithuania from May 3-5, followed by a life-changing journey across Europe visiting Poland, the
We had scheduled a morning track through Algonquin Park. It was an idea conjured up by our Bhakti Academy group from Toronto. but it was irresistible for some to stay up late last night. It was a great opportunity to see the aurora borealis, the northern lights, so plan changes. while still in Huntsville before the trip to Sudbury, further north, I ventured on along the main street, called Main, and simultaneously chant softly, the maha mantra. Next I participated in the first mangal arati, a s
There comes a time, sometimes regularly, where we may feel, Oh, Krishna. I can’t do this anymore. This ‘this’ will be different for everyone. It happened to Arjuna in the Gita – he wanted to give up, not to fight, and go off to the forest to be alone. He did not want to deal with people and life’s problems. He told Krishna: I’m not fighting, I can’t do it, I can’t see the point, better if I don’t act and move to the side.
If it can happen to Arjuna, who had everything going for him, including t
From Back to Godhead
“My father and the coach at UCLA were pleased with my volleyball successes, and my mother was satisfied with my academic work. But I wondered if Krishna was pleased.”
I was born in Los Angeles in 1949. My parents were avid volleyball players. My father had been one of America’s best, and my mother had been a third-team All-American. I started playing volleyball when I was four. I passed through school easily. Sports dominated my free hours, and generally my childhood was a
May 6, 2024 – As condolences and appreciations pour in from political and religious leaders around the world and ISKCON temples host events in remembrance of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami, details have been released of his final Darshan and Samadhi Ceremony in Vrindavan.
The darshan of Gopal Krishna Goswami at ISKCON Delhi’s Auditorium will conclude at 4am today (May 6th) and his body will then depart for Vrindavan, arriving later in the morning.
SCHEDULE (all times are IST)
09:00 AM – Arrival of H
The Governing Body Commission’s Executive Committee released the following announcement regarding the departure of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami:
“Dear Friends, Well-wishers, and Devotees of ISKCON,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This morning, at 9:20 am IST, amidst loving devotees sincerely chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami, one of the senior most disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A true Vaishnava’s influence transcends even the boundaries of this material realm, their examples serving as enduring pillars to carry forward their legacy. Rare indeed is the individual endowed with a combination of remarkable qualities and a unique character, embodying dedication, humility, joviality, and kindness. As Srila Prabhupada himself remarked in 1976, “The two brothers Pankajanghri and Jananivasa – there is no comparison.”
Today, in Iskcon Mayapur, we joyously commemorate the 3rd T
I woke up at 2 am needing to visit the washroom. My cell phone’s message revealed that H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami (friend and spiritual guide) had passed away. I couldn't go back to sleep. I pulled out my pen, hilroy notebook and began writing.
He signed his name
He signed his name to that temple guest book
Which triggered events leading to a hook
For that signature meant a follow-up call
In ’68 the invite came from the Montreal Hall
He was energetic, young and thoughtful
And began to s
On the all-auspicious disappearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati we should all try to remember His divine instructions and make them our life and soul – guru mukha parma vakhya cittete koriya aikhya ara na koriho mane asa. This philosophy that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati epitomises and that he expounded is well worth remembering on this day when the prediction of Padma Purana –
sri-brahma-rudra-sanaka vaisnavah ksiti savannah
catvaras te kalau bhavya hy utkale purusottamat
“In Kal
Amburish cooking Sweet Rice in Pitts at Bahulaban in New Vrindaban 1982
Few prasadam stories from New Vrindaban’s history are as legendary as those of the late Amburish Dasa’s sweet rice and Pitambar Dasi’s ice cream.
Straight from the cow barn and prepared by the cowherd couple with deep love and devotion, they were much-craved treats in the austere lives of New Vrindaban’s early devotees.
Neither Amburish nor Pitambar had any cooking or cow-care experience before becoming devotees. Amburis
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
A silver replica murti of the Mayapur Ugra Narasimha Deity manifested from a couple’s shared love of Lord Narasimha, His mercy, and the prayerful dovetailing of a devotee’s artistic skills. The stunning two-inch replica of Lord Narasimha is the creation of Mantra4u founder Sonia Chopra and the fulfillment of her late husband Harinam Anand Das’s devotional desire.
Born and raised in New Delhi, Sonia Chopra married Harinam Anand Das (Hari Ram Chopra) and moved t
By Radhapriya
On Saturday, April 20th, temple leaders from across Southern Ontario gathered at ISKCON Brampton for a day of collaboration and camaraderie. About 30 representatives from 11 centres came together to exchange ideas, strategies, and experiences.
Bhaktimarga Swami was in attendance and was so inspired by the unity that he called the gathering “honey and harmony” and penned a poem entitled “The Meeting.” (see below). The program kicked off with kirtan, followed by a tour of the temple
One of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received is this gorgeous 3D crystal model of our guru, Prabhupada, now positioned on an narrow wooden stool, and they're likely to stay for a long time. It is that perfect night light and does more than just dissipate evening darkness. I feel his spirit in its presence. After all the room I call home is the very room where he slept for a half of week in 1976. It was his bedroom, hence it is so sacred. I am indeed fortunate to be in that space. And as
February 29, 2024, marked the 150th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja’s appearance. This was an important celebration for ISKCON, recognizing his pre-eminent position as the Guru of our Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
We cannot imagine our eternal good fortune for having come in touch with the movement that was created by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur over one century ago. We are eternally indebted to
February 29, 2024, marked the 150th anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja’s appearance. This was an important celebration for ISKCON, recognizing his pre-eminent position as the Guru of our Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
We cannot imagine our eternal good fortune for having come in touch with the movement that was created by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur over one century ago. We are eternally indebted to
As the scorching summer returns, it’s time to smear the Deities with the soothing effect of Chandan paste. Devotees are blissfully grinding sandalwood for the upcoming festival season in Mayapur, where myriad enchanting pastimes of the Lord unfold. For 21 days, the Altar of Sri Radha Madhava will showcase divine activities alongside the resplendent forms of the Lord adorned in Chandan paste.
Each year, the Mayapur Candana-yatra team meticulously crafts new attire for the small Radha Madhava, co
Sunny is a homegrown Ottawa born, quite in tune with the out-of-doors through hiking, snowboarding, and many more recreational outlets. He was our personal guide for taking us through the south entrance of the trails through Gatineau. With us were a host of bhakti yoga aspirants, all quite young and eager for feeling blissfully small amidst the oak, maple, beach and pine trees. One tree (which species no one knows) was pecked to death by the Downy Woodpecker.
The walk was a robust one in a chun
