Nrsimha Caturdasi Festival
by Iskcon Murari Sevaka
Posted May 4, 2008
You are cordially invited to ISKCON Murari Sevaka Farm To Celebrate the
appearance day of Lord Nrsimhadeva
Nrsimha Caturdasi
Sunday May 18th 2008
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva, the source of all
power. O my Lord, who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts,
kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this
material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so
that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existance in
this material world." -Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18
Schedule
- 3:00 pm Bhajans
- 4:00 pm Fire Yajna -
A fire yajna is a fire sacrifice, and ancient ceremony prescribed in the
Vedas to please the Divine, thus restoring peace and balance in nature.
- 5:00 pm Talk on the Glories of Lord Nrsimha
- 5:30 Sundara Aratik and Kirtan
- 6:00 Free Vegetarian Feast
Sponsors Needed
- Prasadam Feast $251
- Flowers $108
- Deity Jewelry for New Outfits $108
- Fire Sacrifice- Donors who contribute at least $51 will recieve a Nrsmiha
Kavaca from the powerful Ugra Nrsimha deity in Mayapur, India. The Kavaca is
enclosed in a silver casing and can be worn on a chain around the neck or
arm. Our brahmana will invoke a mantra into the kavaca for each recipient
which establishes a circle of protection around him or her. It is not
necessary to attend the festival to obtain a kavaca.
Iskcon Murari Sevaka
931-759-6888
www.IskconMurari.com
Murari_Sevaka@yahoo.com
Send Donations to:
P.O Box 108 Lynchburg, TN 37352
Or to donate online:
iskconmurari.com/donate.html
Festival of Inspiration 2008: Children's Workshops
by Mudakari dasi
Posted April 18, 2008
These workshops are FREE to FOI-registered children of FOI-registered adults.
This is a tentative schedule. This is an idea so that you can begin registering your children at the Festival of Inspiration website.
Children will be signed in and out and have adult supervision for the entire time that they are signed in to the workshop(s). The Nature Journal Workshop is dependent upon good weather. If Friday is going to be clear and rain is forecast for Saturday, this workshop may be switched to Friday. I will update online before the festival.
Friday, May 9 (supervised by Mudakari dasi)
10 a.m. --11:30 a.m.: Illuminated Initials
11:30 a.m.-12 noon: (supervised) Break for Snack/Bouncing House
12 noon---1:15 p.m.: Pop-Up Cards
1:15 p.m.: Parental pick-up/Lunch Prasad
3:00 p.m.---4:30 p.m. : Introduction to Design
4:30 p.m.: Parental Pick-up for Boys
4:30 p.m.---5:30 p.m. Stuffed Elephant Toy (Girls Only)
Saturday, May 10 (supervised by Mudakari dasi & Ramlila dasi)
9:30 a.m.---11 a.m.: Nature Journal Workshop
11:00 a.m.---11:30 a.m.: (supervised) Break for Snack/Bouncing House
11:30 a.m.---1:15 p.m. Altar Cards
We will learn simple ORIGAMI after the cards are finished, in order to keep everyone supervised until lunch.
1:15p.m.---3:00 p.m. Parental pick-up/Lunch Prasad
3:00---4:30 (If needed, we will divide the group and do both at the same time):
A repeat of "Illuminated Initials" from the day before, if there are a lot children who did not arrive in NV in time for the Friday workshop
AND
Into. To Design II: Learning About Color in Design
4:30 p.m. Parental Pick-Up for Boys
4:30---5:30 p.m.: Cross Stitch (Girls Only)
Descriptions of the Workshops:
Workshop #1: Keeping A Nature Journal (limited to 10)
Coed, for age 8 and up Time: 90 min.
Participants will learn observation skills, discuss the use of descriptive language, and take a short walk on NV grounds (Cabin Row and lake area) to write and draw from nature.
Workshop #2: Making An Illuminated Initial (limited to 10)
Coed, age 8 and up Time: 90 min.
Participants will choose one letter of the alphabet to transform into an illuminated initial that will incorporate Vedic motifs. Children may choose between using colored pencils or special non-toxic paints.
Workshop #3: Making Pop-Up Cards (limited to 10)
Coed, age 8 and up Time: 60 min.
Participants will learn to make pop-up cards. There will be time to make several cards of different designs, plus learn how to make an envelope.
Workshop #4: Introduction to Design (limited to 10)
Coed, age 8 and up Time: 60-90 min.
Participants will learn how to trace, transfer, and create designs. They will learn principles of design such as symmetry, repetition, borders, balance, and more. They will create their own drawings of deity crowns and jewelry.
Workshop #5: Making Altar Cards (limited to 10)
Coed, age 8 and up Time: 60 min.
Participants will make special altar-shaped cards with deity pictures (cut-out or hand-drawn), plus the opportunity to make an envelope.
Workshop #6: Cross Stitch (limited to 8)
Girls only, age 8 and up Time: 60 min.
Participants will learn to cross-stitch a floral or devotional design with tapestry needles (not sharp) on special "Aida" cloth.
Workshop #7: Embroidered Stuffed Elephant (limited to 8)
Girls only, age 8 and up Time: 60 min.
Using tapestry needles (not sharp), participants will learn simple embroidery stitches to decorate a pre-cut elephant shape. I will machine-sew them together, and they will stuff them so that they can take them home completed.
Workshop #8: Introduction to Design II (limited to 10)
Coed, ages 8 and up Time: 60-90 min.
We will study the use of color in designs, using drawings of deity jewelry and clothes as patterns.
"Love of Krishna: Volunteer Week-End's" a New Vrindaban Celebration
by ISKCON New Vrindaban
Posted April 6, 2008
New Vrindaban offers a magnificent opportunity for unlimited Bhakti and Radha Vrindaban Chandra are the ever present with Their unlimited mercy. NV is situated off the grid in a serene atmosphere, surrounded by forests and streams, lakes, and wild life.
Peacocks and swans greet guests with their own charm and beauty. Krishna's cows give love-milk and gently "moo" their satisfaction at being protected for life from a slaughter-house death. Children frolic in the playground, free of all cares. It's incredible here!
In preparation for Festival of Inspiration '08 and the 2008 Pilgrimage Season, New Vrindaban Community needs to "Get Ready Now" and we "Need Help" to do it!
What can you or your group do to help and become part of NV's family?
Beginning on the second week end in April through the first week end in May, there will be a series of Volunteer Devotional Service Week End Projects that will lift up your spirits and help New Vrindaban get ready for the season at hand.
We need enthusiastic lay persons with hands, legs, arms who are "ready to go" as well as those with any professional abilities in areas such as plumbing, electrical, landscaping, carpentry, general handyman/woman, painting, gardening, etc.
You can dance, chant, and feast your way through an array of services for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra. What you will get is a whole lot of Krishna's mercy vas well as a complimentary week end in New Vrindaban, located in the scenic Appalachian Foothills of West Virginia.
The dates include the week end of Lord Ramachandra's Appearance Day, April 12th & 13th as well as April 19th & 20th, and May 1st & 2cd. Call Now for further information and sign up for a week end of volunteer ecstatic soul releasing bliss! (All volunteers will receive a complimentary T-shirt in appreciation.)
Sign Up Now or get further information by contacting:
servingkrishna@aol.com
304-845-9591
*Please note: This is strictly a Voluntary Devotional Service effort only. There will be no monetary exchange for services rendered. It is for the pleasure of guru and Krsna.
Badger 2008 Festival Accommodations
by Rifka Several
Posted April 4, 2008
There are several rooms and a separate cabin available for the 2008 Festival
in Badger at Seven Circles Retreat.
One room has four twin beds.
The cabin has two twin beds, a queen bed futon, and furnished kitchenette.
All rooms have full bathrooms, and all linens are provided.
Devotees may also reserve a floor futon in our round yurt, with the shower
and bathroom facilities in a separate building.
There is a pool and kitchen available for guest use.
Call Rifka for information and reservations: 559-337-0211 or
rifka@hughes.net
SEVEN CIRCLES RETREAT CENTER
559-337-0211
PO Box 65 - Badger, CA 93603
www.sevencirclesretreat.org
Mayapur-Ganga-Sagara Jal Yatra
by Ila devi dasi
Posted March 30, 2008
After successful completion of a "Jal Yatra" (Water Pilgrimage) from
Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh to Mayapur in West Bengal - a full 1800 kilometres
on the sacred rivers Yamuna and Ganga - the team of devotees are now
attempting to complete the journey all the way down to the sea.
On the morning of Tuesday, 25 March, the team leader, Parasuram Prabhu,
guided the re-assembly of the "Jaladuta" (a wooden raft on inflatable
balloons with one sail, approximately 3m x 6m long). Pieces of the raft had
been left in Mayapur last year September, after the first journey. By two
o'clock in the afternoon all was ready - the raft, a few pots, clothing, a
box of small books for distribution, and last but not the least, the
Presiding Traveling Deities, SriSri Nitai-Gaurasundara and Nrsimhadeva. These
lotus-eyed Deities have been all over the world, from the highest places in
the Himalayas to the Dead Sea which is below sea-level.
What is the Krishna Conscious reason for their journey? According to
Parasuram Prabhu, it is a great preaching experience to travel along the
Ganga, one meets so many sadhus and favourable Bengali people who are eager
to chant, and the austere and dangerous journey allows one to experience
full surrender and dependence on Krishna.
His Holiness Mahavishnu Swami who also accompanied the first journey, once
again agreed to go on board with his accordion and non-stop preaching and
harinam, continuing his bold preaching from the battlefields of DR Congo in
central Africa.
"I then passed alone through many forests of rushes, bamboo, reeds, sharp
grass, weeds and caves, which were very difficult to go through alone. I
visited deep, dark and dangerously fearful forests, which were the play
yards of snakes, owls and jackals."
PURPORT BY SRILA PRABHUPADA:
It is the duty of a mendicant (parivrajakacarya) to experience all varieties
of God's creation by traveling alone through all forests, hills, towns,
villages, etc., to gain faith in God and strength of mind as well as to
enlighten the inhabitants with the message of God. A sannyasi is duty-bound
to take all these risks without fear, and the most typical sannyasi of the
present age is Lord Caitanya, who traveled in the same manner through the
central Indian jungles, enlightening even the tigers, bears, snakes, deer,
elephants and many other jungle animals.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1:6:13)
The Mayapur Nagar Sankirtan Department accompanied the crew to the banks of
the Ganga to bid farewell. Mahavishnu Swami lead the kirtana and briefly
addressed the crowd in a light-hearted and adventurous mood:
"We are continuing our journey, and will end at Ganga Sagara Mela, later we
may go on by sea on to Jagannath Puri, and from there to Rameshvaram in the
south, then across the Arabian Sea and finally all the way to New York, in
the footsteps of our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, who kindly taught us to be free from material miseries by
full surrender to Krishna......" he said.
"Right now we will visit many Holy places along the way, such as Panihati,
Isvara Puri's Appearance Place and others, and then do many programs in
Calcutta before continuing to Ganga Sagara, where the Ganges flows into the
Bay of Bengal" he continued.
Devotees looked on with mixed feelings of encouragement, joy, skepticism and
feelings of separation as the five crew members boarded the small raft and
floated off in the hot sun with Maharaja playing sweetly on his accordion. It
will not be an easy journey - closer to the sea side the river becomes
really wild and difficult to navigate as the tide rises, parts of the
journey will be along forest areas where tigers still live, and the last
part of the journey also includes the famous and vicious flesh-eating Bay of
Bengal piranhas in the river!
We all pray that Mother Ganga will safely carry these devotees along on
their journey, which is also a journey in glorification of this great and
sacred river.
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One Nation Under Love "In Love We Trust"
by Sudevi Sundari
Posted April 23, 2008
One Nation Under Love Festival
Free One Day Festival on Saturday, April 26th, 2008 1pm - 9pm
Location: Gainesville Downtown Plaza, next to the Main Public Library on
University Avenue & NE 1st Avenue.
Love is the most powerful force in all existence! Love rests at the root
of every movement, culture and religious tradition that aims to nourish
humanity. Love is the common thread that weaves together our world's
nations. Love is a global language we've all been intrinsically designed to
speak fluently in.
Like the language of love, no other language is as widely understood as
the universal language of music. Both love and music aim to affect the human
heart in mystical ways unlike anything ever has or ever will. They serve as
bridges between nations and peoples. They unite humankind under a singular
flag that boldly declares: The forces that bring us together are greater
than the forces that divide us!
In this spirit, we eagerly invite all of you and your family to
participate, on Saturday April 26, for a colorful festival of talented
artists, musicians and healers exclusively devoted to the celebrating the
forces that unite us:
One Nation Under Love Festivals is proud to announce it's first
production of an exotic celebration of Love through musical, literary,
artistic and culinary offerings to the community.
Please join us for an enriching afternoon of dancing, yoga, interactive
workshops, meditations, children's activities, poetic recitation, sacred
story narrations, dramas, delicious international cuisine and much more! May
we all live together joyously in one nation under love!
Featuring Performances by:
Sarva Bhauma & Mangala Sakhi
Dragon Fly Rhythms
Radha Mohan Bhajans
Rasika devi dasi
Sri Thakur & Friends
AZitiZ & K Tone
Krishna Rose & Radhaji
Rashik Priya dasi
Mukunda Prabhu
Manjari devi dasi
Naveen Krishna
Rupa Kishore
Visit us at www.onenationunderlove.com
For more information email us at onenationunderlove@gmail.com.
Vaisnava Qualities Retreat
by Govinda Gopal das
Posted April 15, 2008
Please join us at the Northwest Vaisnava Qualities Retreat Aug 27th - Aug
30th, 2008. Our special guest is HH Bir Krsna Goswami. He will be
presenting a series of interactive workshops on "Compassionate
Communication". This is a wonderful opportunity to further develop our
Vaisnava quality of compassion. Maharaja has presented these workshops in
Europe and the US with great response. Attendees find the workshops have an
immediate impact on their devotional lives by improving the quality of their
exchanges with devotees and their understanding of themselves.
The workshops will cover:
- Tranforming judgements into observations, needs and feelings
- Identifying and removing blocks to communication
- Avoiding and responding to negativity and criticism
- Analyzing problems so we can help others and ourselves
- Reframing our ideas of "I have to..." into "I want to... because..."
- Making requests, not demands
- Appreciating other devotees and their service
Maharaja will relate all these ideas to Prabhupada's teachings. Through
practical examples and participation, everyone will learn how to apply them
in their own lives to improve their devotional practices. Devotees are
profoundly moved by the depth of the realizations they experience at these
workshops.
Each day will begin with a devotional morning program, followed by the
workshop. In the afternoons there will be plenty to do, including, hiking,
devotional-themed games, and other activities for adults and children, all
in the association of devotees. Each evening will end with another program.
There will be plenty of activities for the children, so parents can fully
participate in the workshops. This will be a great Krsna conscious vacation
for everyone.
The retreat is located in beautiful Brooks Memorial State Park, about 2
hours outside of Portland, Oregon. The park is situated along the Klickitat
River among the pine forests of the Simcoe Mountains.
Our facilities are seven cabins, sleeping up to 10, and a lodge with a large
meeting room, dining area and full kitchen. Bathroom and shower facilities
are conveniently located near the cabins and lodge.
Key Dates:
Early Registration - Special Price!
Now - April 30th
$85 per adult
$10 per child under 16
Regular Registration
April 30th - June 1st
$95 per adult
$30 per child under 16
Late Registration
June 2nd July 31st
$115 per adult
$45 per child under 16
Costs include lodging and prasadam.
To register or for more information contact:
Govinda Gopal das (govinda_gopal@hotmail.com)
Visnujana das (visnujana@hotmail.com)
Festival of Inspiration Update
by Malati Dasi
Posted April 5, 2008
Sri Web site is now working with a slightly different address (www.festivalofinspiration.org) but here is a glimpse of what you can expect to happen during North America's most popular Krishna family get-together during the Appalachian Spring in New Vrindaban, 2008 and you can be sure that more is on the way!
Dates: May 9, 10, 11, 2008
Venue: New Vrindaban, (Moundsville, WV)
Current list of confirmed Presenters include:
- Radhanath Swami
- Sachinandana Swami
- Romapada Swami
- Bhakti Marg Swami
- Varsana Swami
- Candramauli Swami
- B V Madhava Swami
- Anuttama das
- Sri Nandanandana das
- Vaisesika das
- Kamalini dd & Apurva das
- Brahma Tirtha & Bhakti devi
- Krishnanandini dd & Tariq
- Archana Siddhi & Karnamrita das
- Vraja Lila dd & Sukavaha dasi
- Divyambara dd
- Jaya Govinda das
- Laksmi Nrsimha das
- Nrshimananda das
- Balabhadra das
- Sankirtan das
- T. Punja das
- Damodar das
- Vyenkata Bhatta das
- Atmarama das
- Yadunath & Beth
- Mystery Guest TBA
- All of you!
In addition to scholarly realized presentations and practically oriented topics, there will be our normal range of inspired entertainment along with this year's special offering to Srila Prabhupada:
"An Evening of Devotion" three hours of Kirtan Yajna guided by H H Sachinanda Swami and others in an intimate atmosphere that will engage your mind and senses in the realm of Krishna Bhakti.
Festival Fee (includes all events and Prasad 3 X's a day/ does not include accommodation)
$151 for adults 18 & older
$76 for youth 13 to 17
$50 for children 7 to 12
(no fee) ages 1 day to 6 years
***Members who live and serve full time in an ISKCON temple pays $75 Festival Fee plus accommodation fee (according to their choice). Status requires verification from TP.
***Accommodations must be booked separately. See list of Hotels/ Motels on Website.
Hardship requests will be assisted. Please contact Organizer at Servingkrishna@aol.com.
www.wheelingcvb.com/lodging.cfm
Local Hotels & Motels Information Contact: Servingkrishna@aol.com at anytime Call 304-845-9591
Nearest Airport: Pittsburgh Intl. PA (1 1/2 hrs drive)
Pick-up's by prior request only/ no pick ups after 10:30 pm $75 per trip shared / $60 per trip single passenger
Nearest Bus: Wheeling, WV (25 minutes drive) Pick up by prior request only $35 round trip
Another option: Local Car Service 800-326-2907
We have plenty of space for people to register for the Festival, although we have ran out of all onsite accommodations. Please visit the website for a list of nearby accommodations and related information: festivalofinspiration.org
As a special offering to Srila Prabhupada this year, there will be a full night of Nama Kirtan Yajna on Saturday: "An Evenining of Devotion" with HH Sacinandana Swami and friends, dedicated to the chanting of the Holy Names:
"Always remember: Spiritual enthusiasm can go over all obstacles - but we
need to nourish it with sravanam and kirtanam"
"The Holy Name is an unlimited mine of transcendental nectar, which will one
day show us the greatest secret: That the Name is not different from the
person, whose Name we chant"
Sacinandana Swami
There will be a "Transcendental Swap-Meet" on Saturday and Sunday for Devotional Items ONLY. If interested, you are welcome to bring devotional items including books, clothing, deities and deity paraphernalia, pictures/paintings, musical instruments, etc.
For information call: 304.845.9591
Additionally, vendor space is still available. If you got a product, craft, information, clothing, jewelry, etc., please contact us. There has always been a big crowd at the Festival, so we invite anyone who is interested to contact us for booth space- you'll do well!
Contact: servingkrishna@aol.com call: 304.845.9591
2008 North America Youth Bus Tour
by Manu dasa
Posted April 2, 2008
From June 21 till August 25, youth from around the world will travel
across the USA and Canada for nine weeks on the ultimate road trip
adventure, the Krishna Culture Festival Tour 2008. We'll perform
dance, drama, and kirtana, distribute books and prasadam, in
theaters, at university auditoriums, and at Ratha-yatras, plus we'll
camp, hike, swim, climb, raft whitewater, see many of the most scenic
places of North America, visit many temples and beautiful Deities, and
make new friends. The purpose of the tour is to inspire, train, engage
and empower each other in Krishna consciousness. The festival tour
is organized jointly by volunteers of ISKCON Youth Ministry and
Festival of India.
Take a look at an online video of last year's tour:
www.krishna.com/en/node/1375
And another video, to get an idea of what the tour is like:
Click Here
Browse hundreds of photos:
flickr.com/photos/88027243@N00/sets/
You'll find our detailed tour schedule and costs posted in the News
section at Gurukuli.com gurukuli.com/.
There are several options, including the whole tour, or the first or
second half -- for those who wish to attend Kulimela Radhadesh as
well... Kulimela info is at Kulimela.com kulimela.com/.
If you are (or someone you know is) interested to come on the tour this
year, or sometime in the future, we'd like to hear from you. Send us a quick
email to bustour2008@krishna.com so we can send you more information.
(We have both a summer and a winter tour. From mid December until the
first week in January, we travel throughout Mexico performing Kirtan Yoga
festivals.)
On behalf of the youth festival tour volunteers,
Manu dasa & Jaya Radhe devi dasi
PS: Here are more links to:
Map of our tour destinations for 2008:
Click Here
Sample of our performance poster:
Click Here
Photo of last year's bus tour family :-)
Click Here
We'd love to hear from you. Be shure to watch our online videos
via the links above, and browse the photos of previous
tours. Tell us about your travel plans. Email us.
That's bustour2008@krishna.com :-)
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