The observance of Gundica-marjana, the washing and cleansing of the Gundica temple, takes place on the day before Ratha-yatra, in preparation for the arrival of the Lord.
The history of Ratha-yatra goes back thousands of years, to a previous age, but for us the specific significance of the Ratha-yatra and the cleaning of the Gundica temple was shown by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when He was residing in Jagannatha Puri five hundred years ago. In the transcendental mind of Sri Chaitanya, the temple
“The Ratha-yatra festival observed by Lord Caitanya is the emotional process of taking Krishna back to Vrindavana. Sramati Radharaṇi refused to go with Krishna to Dvaraka to enjoy His company in the atmosphere of royal opulence, for She wanted to enjoy His company in the original Vrindavana atmosphere. Lord Krishna, being profoundly attached to the gopis, never goes away from Vrindavana, and the gopis and other residents of Vrindavana remain fully satisfied in Krishna consciousness.”
– KRSNA,
Every year one of the biggest Rathyatras of Kolkata is organised by ISKCON, with three towering colourful chariots pulled by thousands of devotees along city streets. What we see through the glimpse of this festival on Kolkata streets is not just a religious display of tradition, but a consciousness at a higher level, of harmony and peace. Incidentally, the making of these colourful chariots that are at the centre of this fervour need months to be hauled and decorated. Traditionally, the work b
Purushottam Nitai Das: When Lord Jagannath with his elder brother Balarama and little sister Subhadra enthrone the beautifully decorated majestic chariots on the Rath Yatra day then the hearts of lakhs of people dance in joy. After snana yatra, Lord Jagannath remains confined in a secluded place for 15 days. During these period he performs his pastime with goddess of fortune. He then takes permission from her and come to ride on the chariot to give pleasure to the devotees. And the devotees wit
Chandan Bhatia: 1. The main altar has a murti of Bhaktivinoda Thakura and his personal Deities, Sri Sri Gauraraga Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Gadadhara Pandita.
2. On the left side of the main altar is a small place honoring Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s dedicated servant, Krsna dasa.
3. Bhajana Kutira of Gaura-kisora dasa Babaji: the right of the main altar is the place where Gaura-kisora dasa Babajl had a bhajana kutira. He spent many hours chanting here while visiting Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
House: It is
People in general, especially in this Age of Kali, are enamored by the external energy of Kṛṣṇa, and they wrongly think that by advancement of material comforts every man will be happy. They have no knowledge that the material or external nature is very strong, for everyone is strongly bound by the stringent laws of material nature. - Bhagavad Gita As it is, Preface
Radhanath Swami recently was a keynote speaker at the event ‘Take Pride 2018’ at the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) International Convention Hall in Mumbai. The event was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the most visible business association in India. ‘Take Pride’ is a platform offered to eminent leaders of India to share inspiring thoughts with Young Indians (Yi), which is the youth arm of the CII. The event was attended by over 600 young professionals.
Radhanath Swami was
By Hari Narayana Das
Two Jagannatha Ratha Yatra took place at the same time (July 8, 2018) and in two different places. one far in the west, Jakarta, and the other one far in the east, Kediri, East Java.
As Srila Prabhupada mentions in his lecture that “Just like the other day we held the festival, Ratha-yatra. Chant and take prasadam. That’s all. Organize this all over the world. They will be saved. They will understand Krishna.” (SP lecture on Bhagavad-gita 1.10-London, July 12, 1973)
Being s
By Radha Sundari devi dasi
We have all heard the story of the house that Srila Prabhupada built in which the whole world can live. And how in his great mercy he lovingly created, in the body of ISKCON, a spiritual family to take up residence in that house. A family imbued with the qualities of love and trust, to stand at the door and welcome inside the rest of the world.
Although we have repeated these words many times over the past 38 years, it is only in the last few days, after Hari-sauri Pr
By Mahatma das
What is falldown? Breaking the four regulative principles or giving up devotional service is generally referred to as falldown. Although this is the main focus of this article, the principles I discuss relate to positively dealing with any kind of setback in spiritual life.
Falldown happens to many devotees and it can be discouraging. It can even cause one to give up.
“Women and wealth are very difficult problems for the devotee making progress on the path back to Godhead. Ma
Disappearance Day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura -(fasting til noon)
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who was named Kedarnath Datta by his father (some say by his Godfather), was born in opulent circumstances on the 2nd September 1838., on a Sunday in Biranagara (Ulagrama) in the district of Nadia. He was the seventh son of Raja Krsnananda Datta, a great devotee of Lord Nityananda.
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Disappearance Day of Sri Gadadhara Pandita
Sri Gadadhar was the consant compa
The chariot festival in which Lord Krsna in the form of Lord Jagannatha rides with Lord Balarama and Subhadra Devi in Jagannatha Puri, India.
At the height of Indian summer, right at the beginning of the Monsoon, the Lord of Puri goes to his garden palace for the annual summer vacation. Originally the festival has its foundation in the residents of Vrindavan bringing back their Lords, Krishna, Balaram and Lady Subhadra from Kurukshetra.
Today in Puri He, the Lord of the Universe travels in some
The previous day of Ratha Yatra (today) marks the performance of the festival of Netrotsava. This great festival is the life and soul of the devotees. On this occasion, greatly happy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took all the devotees with Him and visited the Lord in the temple. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very thirsty to see the Lord, and His eyes became like two bumblebees drinking the honey from the lotuslike eyes of Lord Jagannātha, who is Kṛṣṇa Himself. The eyes of Lord Jagannātha conquered the
"Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's eyes have been compared to thirsty bumblebees, and Sri Jagannatha's eyes have been compared to blossoming lotus flowers. The author has made these comparisons in order to describe Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while the Lord was deeply absorbed in ecstatic love for Lord Jagannatha."
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madyam lila 12:212
"Now please hear about Lord Jagannatha's going to the Gundica temple while Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu danced before theRatha car. The Lord perf
MY MOST PRECIOUS KARMIC BAG
I have a very huge karmic bag bond on my back,
Rusted, dark dust coated and grime filled.
Yet I can see its contents for the bag is full and spilling,
Numerous humiliations, allegations baseless,
Hurt, despair, pain and sadness,
Failures galore, an uncontrolled mind swaying everywhere,
Few beautiful silken threads of success and happiness,
Beyond this , am unable to fathom its other contents,
My dearest vithu amma , you have on many occasions,
Gently reminded me of unloading t
