ISKCON Durban: Chandan, Chariots and Children

Dear Friends,

Hare Krishna.

We are eight weeks away from the Durban Festival of Chariots. The official website, www.festivalofchariots.net, with festival updates will be up and running early next week.

Look out for the Hare Krishna News also available early next week with the Durban Festival of Chariots highlights at www.iskcondurban.net. Swarup Damodar Das quotes Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur in his message in the Hare Krishna News, something worthy to meditate on: "Gradually, when the offensive portions of the established religions are destroyed, there will be no more differences in the bhajan performed by the various sampradayas nor any quarrel between them. Then as brothers, the people of all castes and countries will spontaneously chant the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord together. At that time, no one will hate anyone or consider others dogeaters; nor will anyone be overwhelmed by the pride of high birth. The living entities will not forget the principle of natural brotherhood." His article and other news will posted individually on the website and you are invited to comment and ask questions.

The Caitanya-caritamrta describes that Gopala, the Deity that was rescued from a bush, appeared to Madhavendra Puri in a dream saying that even though Madhavendra Puri had performed a bathing ceremony for Him with thousands of pots of water, Gopala was still feeling hot. So, even though it has been overcast and rainy in Durban over the past week, Sri Sri Radha Radhanath are still feeling hot. To cool the Lord's body we are having another sandalwood festival. You are invited again, to the come and help grind sandalwood into paste until Saturday, 2 February. On Sunday, 3 February we will have darshan of the Lord covered in chandan.

We are hosting Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada from 31 January to 12 February. Urmila Dasi is a leading educator in ISKCON and has made giving children a healthy Krishna conscious foundation her purpose in life. Many will be familiar with her as she has written for the Back to Godhead magazine for many years specifically discussing raising children. We encourage parents and future parents to take full advantage of her association. She will be hosting seminars, morning classes, and discussions. This is Urmila Dasi's first visit to South Africa.

Urmila Devi Dasi's schedule for this week:

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

2 Day Parenting Seminar

Day 1 Friday, 1 Feb, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Day 2 Saturday, 2 Feb, 4pm-6pm

See poster for more details.

New Jagannath Puri Temple

3 Day Seminar (Topic to be announced)

Tuesday, 5 Feb-Thursday, 7 Feb

Sunday, 3 Feb

Morning Class with Urmila Devi Dasi at 7.45am

Ista Gosthi with Swarup Damodar and Vibhu Caitanya and their team at 2pm in Srila Prabhupada's room.

Sunday Love Feast Programme

Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC) 2012 Graduation. Graduating students are requested to mark themselves present no later than 3pm.

Other happenings:

Saturday, 2 Feb

Harinama at 10am

Starts at Nicol Square Parkade

Monday, 4 Feb

Morning Class with Srila Prabhupada

BYS (Bhakti Yoga Society) Orientation Week

4-9 February

Meet and greet BYS students at all UKZN campuses (Howard, Westville and Edgewood)

You can view or download the 2013 BCEC prospectus at our website www.iskcondurban.net

Until next week,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple