Last Week Ahead for 2014

Dear Friends,

Today begins the last ten days of the Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon. This is your final chance to join a book distribution team. Please contact Pyari Mohan 083 602 6008 or Rukmini 084 579 1080. 

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple's 2015 calendars make fantastic stocking fillers and New Year gifts. You can get them at the temple. 

This is our last email for 2014. We wish you a happy and safe holiday. Sri Sri Radha Radhanath would love for you to visit Them over the festive period. Start the holidays with the sound of Krishna name, on

Tuesday, 16 December

10:00am Maha Harinam with Vraja Krishna Das

Starting at Malvern Library, Coronation Road, Queensburgh 

Dress in your finest Vaishnava attire and carry books.

Thursday, 18 December

Ekadasi (Fast from all grains, beans and legumes)

Friday, 19 December

Break fast 04:50 - 08:18

Wednesday, 24 December

Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Disappearance Anniversary

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Ekadasi (Fast from all grains, beans and legumes)

Friday, 2 January 2015

Break fast 04:59 - 05:04

We look forward to seeing more of you in 2015 and trust this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 9 -15 December

Dear Friends,

With school closing and people taking their annual leave, you now have the freedom to decide how to spend your time. We encourage you to come to the temple, join the harinam, or distribute books. To join a book distribution team please contact Pyari Mohan 083 602 6008 or Rukmini 084 579 1080.

If you already have plans and do not have the time for the above, then you can still render devotion by sponsoring books: 

IsiZulu books are on special for only R5 each over the marathon. Please contact Pyari Mohan 083 602 6008 or ypbeesham@gmail.com Pyari Mohan is shooting for the rhino by aiming to get at least ten thousand books sponsored.

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple has joined the Nelson Mandela Day Literacy Project Book Drive. Please see attached poster for details.

Another option would be to place a Smart Box in your local shopping area. This is an effortless way to facilitate book distribution. Contact Ananta Gauranga Das 082 783 3599

Your Week Ahead

Wednesday, 10 December

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s Disappearance Day

Fast until noon

11:30am Special programme with kirtan, pushanjali, bhoga (food) offering, arati, and kirtan

You are invited to bring food offerings by 11am. Please note that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta does not eat mangoes. 

Saturday, 13 December

10:00am Maha Harinam on the Durban Beachfront starting at Mini Town 

Dress in your finest Vaishnava attire and carry books

Sunday, 14 December

7:45am Class with His Grace Vraja Krishna Das

3:00pm Love Feast with Vraja Krishna Das

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 5 - 8 December

Dear Friends,

The Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon is underway with the boys team doing exceptionally well. If you still have cold feet about going out on book distribution: "I do not want money or buildings or anything else, I simply want to see that my books are being distributed and because you are doing that I am quite happy.” (SPL August, 1973) Contact Pyari Mohan 083 602 6008 or Rukmini 084 579 1080 to join their teams.

We welcome His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami tomorrow. Maharaja will be spending just a few days with us. 

Vaishnavi Sanga - Women for Women

We value our mothers, daughters, sisters, and girlfriends. 

For the first time Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple will be hosting a women’s forum. 

We warmly invite our ladies for a relaxing afternoon of spiritual connection in a loving environment

Saturday, 6 December at 3pm

Booking essentail: 082 824 2203 

Prasad will be served.

Please share the attached invite with the women in your lives.

Your Week Ahead

Friday, 5 December

7:45am Morning class with Jayadvaita Swami 

5:00pm Boys Youth Retreat with Jayadvaita Swami

Saturday, 6 December

7:45am Morning class with Jayadvaita Swami 

12:00pm Writers Class with Jayadvaita Swami

Hare Krishna News is always looking for interesting stories and experiences. If you enjoy writing or would like to try your hand at writing then this is for you. 

5:00pm Boys Youth Retreat with Jayadvaita Swami

Sunday, 7 December

11:00am Love Feast at New Jagannath Puri Temple with Jayadvaita Swami

3:00pm Love Feast at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple with Jayadvaita Swami

Lastly, please note that the altar will be closed from Monday, 8 December until Friday, 12 December, due to restoration of the altar gate. We will have darshan of the small Deities only on a special altar in front of the main altar.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 29 November - 3 December

Dear Friends,

The Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon started on Tuesday, 25 November. Srila Prabhupada affectionately encouraged his boys and girls: "I extend all blessings to those boys and girls who are trying to distribute our books even under difficult conditions.”  (SPL January 1974)

Over the last two weeks the boys team travelled to Ulundi, Richards Bay, Empangeni, Mandini, Darnall, Stanger, Shakaskraal and Tinely Manor. They distributed 1800 books. On Fridat they travel to Escort and Ladysmith. The girls team will begin this weekend with book tables at the Chatsworth, Unit 2 shopping area, Bangladesh Market and Veg Express. Remember you are invited to join these teams even if just for an hour or two. Contact Pyari Mohan 083 602 6008 or Rukmini (from Saturday morning) 084 579 1080.

We welcomed His Holiness Krishna Das Swami, who arrived in Durban on Monday, 24 November.

Your Week Ahead

Saturday, 29 November

10:00am Harinam and book distribution on the beach. 

Starting at Mini Town. Dress in your Vaishnava best and carry a book bag - everybody deserves to experience real love.

Sunday, 30 November

3:00pm Love Feast with Champakalat Dasi

Champakalata is ISKCON’s International Director of the Child Protection Office. She will be presenting the Vedic perspective on Child Protection.

Tuesday, 2 December

Ekadasi (fast from all grains, beans and legumes)

Gita Jayanti

7:00pm Bhagavad-gita recitation. Everyone is invited to join in the chanting of  Krishna’s song. Bhagavad-gitas will be on sale at R50 each.

Wednesday, 3 December

Break fast 04:47 - 09:26

Please note that the altar will be closed from Monday, 1 December until Friday, 5 December, due to restoration of the altar gate. We will have darshan of the small Deities only on a special altar in front of the main altar.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Kartik Round Up & Marathon News

Dear Friends,

We want to congratulate everyone who took part in the bhakti sale during the month of Damodar. We are pleased to announce:

We have hosted the Festival of Lamps programme in forty homes,  

6100 Kartik packs were distributed, and

49 400 Lamps were offered to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath over Kartik.

Now that devotees have had their fill on the extra mercy flow during Kartik, it is time to share and distribute it far and wide. As we near the 2015 Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon let us remember Srila Prabhupada’s words: “...distributing books is our most important engagement, all other engagements culminate in this one end — distribution of books.”  (Letter dated July ’73) By going out on book distribution we facilitate others to have those same devotional experiences we love so much. Every week we will highlight exciting events, book deals, and hints on how to get into the spirit of book distribution, first of which are our book deals:

Krishna Book Set (Krishna Book and three small books) R100

Bhagavad-gita Book Set (Bhagavad-gita and eight small books) R150

Finally, you are warmly invited you to join us this Sunday, 16 November, for the Love Feast at 3pm with His Grace Paramananda Prabhu.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 4 - 11 November

Dear Friends,

We soon approach the 2015 Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon. Now that devotees have had their fill on the extra mercy flow during Kartik, it is time to share and distribute it far and wide. Do not miss the book marathon launch on the last night of Kartik.

Your Week Ahead

Thursday, 6 November

Last Night of Kartik

7:00pm Special Evening Programme and Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon Launch

Take advantage of the last opportunity to sing the Damodarastaka and offer a lamp to Lord Damodar

Sunday, 9 November

3:00pm Unveiling the Srila Prabhupada Disciples Memorial Wall and Love Feast

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 28 October - 4 November

Dear Friends,

We welcome His Grace Vijaya Prabhu, ISKCON World Book Distribution Minister, today.  Srila Prabhupada, “Regarding sankirtana [street chanting] and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting. Anyone who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtana. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected.”  Vijaya Prabhu will be spending just five days with us. With Srila Prabhupada’s Book Marathon just around the corner, we have arranged for Vijaya Prabhu to become inspired and improve our skills in book distribution. 

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is offering, for the first time: 

A Howling Adventure

With Krishna and the Demons of Vrindavan

Fun for the whole family

Saturday 1 November & Sunday 2 November

6 - 9 pm

Cost is R20 per person. 

See poster for more details.

Your Week Ahead

Thursday, 30 October

7:45am Srimad Bhagavatam Class with Vijaya Prabhu

Friday, 31 October

Gopastami

Sri Srinivasa Acharya’s Disappearance Anniversary

7:45am Srimad Bhagavatam Class with Vijaya Prabhu

Saturday, 1 November

4:00pm Book Distribution Seminar with Vijaya Prabhu

Sunday, 2 November

3:00pm Love Feast with Vijaya Prabhu

Monday, 3 November

Ekadasi (fast from all grains, beans and legumes)

First Day of Bhishma Pancaka

The last five days of Kartika month are known as Bhisma-Pancaka. Grandfather Bhisma fasted for these five days, preparing to give up his life. However one observes Kartika-vrata, he should intensify it for the last five days. In the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, it is said that if one is capable, one should observe fasting from certain foodstuffs on the Bhishma-panchaka for the pleasure of the Lord. This is optional. The Padma Purana say that one pleases the Lord and makes spiritual advancement by such austerities. 

Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji’s Disappearance Anniversary (Fast until midday)

11:30am Food offering

12:00pm Puspanjali and Guru-puja

12:30pm Raj Bhoja Arati

1:00pm Prasad

Tuesday, 4 November

Break fast 04:59 - 06:25

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 21 - 27 October

Dear Friends,

We celebrate three important festivals in the coming week: Diwali (Thursday, 23 October), commemorating Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya; Govardhan-puja and Go-puja (Friday, 24 October), re-enacting the occasion when Lord Krishna engaged the inhabitants of Vrindavan in worshipping the sacred Govardhan Hill and the Lord's beloved cows; and the most sacred and blessed occasion of our Founder Acharya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s disappearance anniversary, (Monday, 27 October).

On the occasions of Govardhan Puja and Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance anniversary, everyone chanting Hare Krishna maha-mantra and following the regulative principles may bring sweets and savouries before 11am to offer. If one is not able to prepare any items, offerings of ghee, butter, and fruits will be most pleasing to the deity.

Your Week Ahead

Thursday, 23 October

Diwali

7:00pm Sandhya Arati

7:30pm Damodarastaka and offering of lamps

8:00pm Class with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Friday, 24 October

Govardhan-puja and Go-puja

7:00am Srila Prabhupada Guru-puja

7.15am Srimad Bhagavatam Class with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

8:00am Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit

10:00am Go-puja 

10:30am Sri Giriraj Govardhan Abhishek (bathing ceremony)

11:00am Class and dramatic presentations with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

12:30pm Raj Bhoga Arati and Govardhan Parikrama (circumambulation) 

1:30pm Feast

7:00pm Sandhya Arati followed by Damodarastaka and offering of lamps

8:00pm Light Prasad

(Note that Bhakti Caitanya Swami will participate in the Govardhan Puja celebrations at New Jagannath Puri Temple starting 6.30pm.)

Sunday, 26 October

3:00pm Sunday Programme 

5:15pm Feast

6:00pm Japa

7:00pm Sandhya Arati followed by Damodarastaka and offering of lamps

Monday, 27 October

Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Anniversary

Fast until midday

4.30am Mangal Arati with His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

5:05am Tulasi Puja and Japa

7.00am Greeting of the Deities

7:05am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

7.30am Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Srila Prabhupada

10.00am  Kirtan

10.30am  Srila Prabhupada Abhisek (Bathing Ceremony) 

11.00am  Talks by Senior Devotees led by Bhakti Caitanya Swami

12.30pm  Raj Bhoga Arati and kirtan

1.00pm  Puspa-puja and Guru-puja to Srila Prabhupada

1.30pm  Feast

6.00pm  Damodarastaka and offering of lamps

7.00pm  Sandhya Arati and Kirtan

7.15pm  Guru-puja to Srila Prabhuapda

7.30pm  Remembering Srila Prabhupada

8.30pm  Light prasadam

Govinda’s Restaurant is offering a wide selection of traditional sweets made with the finest ingredients. Trading hours 7am-7pm. Please note that Govinda’s will close at 3pm on Thursday, Diwali.

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna

Week Ahead 14 - 21 October 2014

Dear Friends,

We celebrate Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s 29th Anniversary on Sunday, 19 October. Our prayer is that you all join in our celebration and show gratitude to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. We invite you to make a pledge of service and gratitude to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath on our Pledge Wall. Whether you promise to visit Them once a month over the next year or distribute Srila Prabhupada's books, anything …They would love to hear and read your pledges. We are fortunate that His Grace Nanda Kumar Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and one of the main devotees behind the establishment of the temple will join us.

Your Week Ahead

Thursday, 16 October

Appearance Anniversary of Sri Radha-kunda

7:00pm Sandhya Arati

7:30pm Damodarastaka and offering of lamps

8:00pm Class on the glories of Sri Radha-kunda

Saturday, 18 October

Friends and family can offer lamps to Lord Damodar at our stall at the FNB Diwali Festival at the Old Durban Drive-in. Kartik packs will also be available to anyone wishing to continue to offer lamps to Lord Damodar in their homes.

10:00am ISKCON Maha Harinam joins the FNB Diwali Festival Parade

Starting on the corner of Grey and Prince Edward Street and finishing at the Old Durban Drive In.

Please dress in your smartest Vaishnava attire, wear garlands, gopi dots and carry flags and banners. Let the holy name enter the hearts of all passersby. 

Contact Umesh 082 897 1382

9:00am Maha Harinam at the Port Shepstone Diwali Festival (starting at the Shoprite Centre on Wooley Street)

Transport from Temple leaves at 8:00am. Contact Pyari Mohan 083 602 6008

Sunday, 19 October

Ekadasi 

(fast from all beans, grains and legumes)

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple 29th Anniversary Celebration

7:00am Srila Prabhupada Guru-puja

7.15am Caitanya Caritamrita Class with His Grace Nanda Kumar Prabhu

8:00am Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit

8:30am Breakfast 

3:00pm Srila Prabhupada Guru-puja

3:45pm Recollections by various senior devotees      

5:15pm Ekadasi prasadam

6:00pm Japa

7:00pm Sandhya Arati followed by Damodarastaka and offering of lamps

Monday, 20 October

Break fast 05:21 - 09:31

As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna