Sri Radhastami Festival News

Dear Friends,

We all eagerly anticipate the annual exciting all day festival to celebrate Sri Radhastami, the appearance anniversary of Srimati Radharani, the supreme Goddess of Fortune and Devotion on Tuesday, 2 September. Everybody — from our babies to our respected elders, serious practitioners to first time visitors — can be part of the festival and use the opportunity to render direct service to Srimati Radharani on this day. We have organized to following activities for you:

Flowering Orchid Plants

We are doing a special orchid flower display for Srimati Radharani on the altar. You are invited to bring a flowering orchid on either the Monday (the day before) or on Tuesday (not later than 10am). These plants will then make up Sri Sri Radha Radhanath’s own orchid garden. 

Cake Offerings

You can bake and decorate a cake for Srimati Radharani.  Minimum requirement is that you must be first initiated. If you are not initiated then you can assist your initiated friends by helping with the decorating of the cakes. All cakes must be presented on a cake board. Please note cake offerings will be accepted only until 10am.

Flower Offerings

Srimati Radharani loves flowers. You can get a bouquet or posy from our Sri Radhe Flower Shop situated at the entrance to the temple. Prices of the posies and bouquets range from R5 (for the young ones), to R20 and R30. If you want to order something special, you can write to us. We will also have greeting cards on sale.

Letters to Radharani

Everyone is encouraged to write a a poem, prayer, or letter to Srimati Radharani. Birthday cards/letters/messages will be offered to Her lotus feet. You can send Her your birthday card to the temple in the following ways: snail mail, by hand, on Facebook (on the "Letters to Radharani" post, which will be pinned to the top), on Twitter, or email. Please encourage and help your young ones in this direct devotion to Sri Radha. If need be, you can also get a card from the Sri Radha Flower Shop. All these messages will be directly presented to Srimati Radharan on the temple altar.

Gift Offerings

Just as we take a gift when attending a birthday celebration, you can also bring gift for Srimati Radharani. You may consult the deity department heads for a gift register. (Pralambari Das: 072 800 8329, and Deva Deva Das: 076 178 6850

Sri Radhastami

The Appearance Anniversary of Srimati Radharani

2 September 2014

Noon Fast

Program Schedule

4.30am Mangal arati (darshan of the Deities in Their 1^st new outfit), Tulasi Puja, Japa

7.00am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Puja

7.15am  Srimad Bhagavatam class with His Grace Lalitanath Prabhu (author of Rethinking Darwin)

8.00am Greeting of the Deities in Their 2^nd new outfit

10.00am Abhisek ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath

11.30am Class with His Grace Ganganarayan Prabhu (Prabhu is the co-president of ISKCON Ujjain and on the sannyasa [renounced order] list)

12.30pm Cake darshan, Arati & kirtan

1.30pm Prasada feast

7.00pm Arati and kirtan

7.30pm Radharani bhajan and drama

8.00pm Class by His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

9.00pm Darshan of the Deities in Their 3^rd new outfit, arati and kirtan

9.00pm Prasada

In preparation of Radhastami, Partha Sarathi Maharaj will be giving the talk at the Sunday Love Feast (31 August at 3pm) and you can read Caitanya Caritamrita Adi-lila, Chapter 4, Krishna Book, and Nectar of Devotion. 

You can hear/download His Grace Subha Vilas Prabhu’s talks at www.soundcloud.com/DurbanKrishna

And a friendly reminder for your attendance and participation at the ISKCON KZN istaghosti set for this Saturday, 30 August at 3pm.

We look forward to celebrating Sri Radhastami with 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

SANC Maha Ista Gosti on Saturday 30/08 at 3pm

Dear KZN Devotees (Newcastle, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Phoenix, Chatsworth and the greater Durban area)

Hare Krishna.

We look foward to your participation and presence at the KZN Ista Gosti on Saturday, 30 August at 3pm at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. It is an opportunity to express your views on how ISKCON in KZN can improve so that we can have more devotees and happier devotees. The South African National Council will present a country view and the work done by the different ministries. 

Most importantly, we want to hear from you. Devotees are invited to send questions for the SANC executive ahead of the meeting to info@iskconza.com At the Ista Gosti there will also be opportunities for live questions and if you want to raise an issue without disclosing your name, use the email address provided or the suggestions box at the temple entrance. Please find attached the programme for the afternoon.

We look forward to your association and an ecstatic afternoon of kirtan, a Srila Prabhupada video, open dialogue and prasad. Together we can make a difference.

Your servant
Govardhana Das

Co-national Secretary of SANC
Obo South African National Council

Week Ahead 20 - 24 August

Dear Friends,

Thank you to the many devotees who helped in making the Janmashtami festival possible. It was our great pleasure to see so many at our festival. The community really took advantage of Janmashtami falling on a Sunday and we had a steady stream of visitors throughout the day with many worshippers spending the entire day at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. Srila Prabhupada wrote in the Nectar of Devotion that days such as Janmashtami are the mothers of devotion — they nourish our devotional creeper. 

On Srila Prabhuapda’s Vyasa-puja His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami reminded us of Srila Prabhupada’s pre-eminent position: all Vaishnavas are gurus as they teach Krishna consciousness; among the Vaishnavas there will be gurus;  among the gurus there will be acharyas, and among the acharyas there is the Acharya — Srila Prabhupada. This level of devotee can make necessary adjustments in the bhakti tradition according to the prevailing circumstances as Srila Prabhupada has done; most notably giving women equal opportunity to serve Krishna. 

We welcome His Grace Charudesna Prabhu today. He is a disciple of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami and will be taking sannyasa (renounced order) soon. Charudesna Prabhu is from Cote d’Ivoire and following in Maharaja’s foot steps, has spent time in Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Ghana. He will be giving talks at nama-hattas and BYS (Bhakti Yoga Society) on university campuses. 

We want to connect more and more with you and want build a strong and healthy community. On Saturday we offer you, for the first time, “The Secrets of A Lasting Relationship”. His Subha Vilas Prabhu presents this two-hour seminar that will be useful in personal and professional relationships. He will reveal the six concepts that lead to having a lasting relationship, which includes actions and understanding:

1. Relationships never die a natural death - they are murdered by ego, bad attitude and ignorance. 

2. Acceptance, Acknowledgement, Appreciation, and it these three are not practiced then Alienation.

3. Only Attitude counts.

4. When we analyse others, those analysis are actually expressions or our own needs and values.

5. Focus on Strengths, Neglect the Weakness and Cultivate Appreciation

6. We prepare for everything in life: education, career, etc. but we do not prepare for our relationships. Introspection we prepare ourselves for a exceptional relationship.

Your Week Ahead

Wednesday, 20 August

6:30pm Chatsworth, Unit 9/11 Nama-hatta with Charudesna Prabhu

Thursday, 21 August

Ekadasi

Fast from all grains, beans and legumes

7:00pm Lotus Park Nama-hatta with Charudesna Prabhu 

Rama-katha— Decode the Labyrinth of Life with Subha Vilas Prabhu at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Hear the pastimes of Lord Rama and how it applies to our lives based on his book, “Rise of the Sun Prince” 

Friday, 22 August

Break Fast 06:22 - 08:57

7:00pm Newlands Nama-hatta with Charudesna Prabhu

Saturday, 23 August

3:00pm The Secrets of A Lasting Relationship Seminar with Subha Vilas Prabhu at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Sunday, 24 August

3:00pm Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Love feast with Subha Vilas Prabhu

Diarise this date: 

Saturday, 30 August, 1pm

Maha Istaghosti 

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

What is a “istaghosti”? This is a wonderful platform for devotees to come together to share and discuss ideas to carry Srila Prabhupada’s desires forward. At this programme, leaders of ISKCON SA and KZN will present their ideas for the development of ISKCON here. Your contribution is most necessary and will be deeply valued. 

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

Janmashtami Festival News & Updates

Dear Friends,

We cannot wait to celebrate Krishna’s birth anniversary with you this weekend (16 - 18 August). On Monday, 18 August, we worship our beloved Srila Prabhupada, the founder and acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. His devotion, conviction and determination has paved the way for vibrant festivals like our Janmashtami celebration. You can join us in veneration to Srila Prabhupada the real hero, who has changed the course of history by his pure love. 

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s Janmashtami festival official kick off is on Saturday at 2pm on the main stage with the exciting new feature: The Janmastami Talent Contest. We have over 100 contestants eager to offer their talent for Krishna's pleasure and we warmly invite you to come and cheer them on. You can look forward to drama, dance, music, scripture recitation and poetry.  

Other Activities on Saturday, 16 August:

Krishna’s Birthday Party for Children

3pm | Tent on the Lawn

The Kids' Tent opens at 2pm. 

Janmashtami Journey

6pm  | Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Amphitheatre

This is a new addition to this year’s line-up. Young ones will go on a magical adventure with a Gopi. 

Please note that children MUST be accompanied by an adult for ALL kids activities. 

Festival Market

In the mood of festivities, we have also arranged a spiritual market where you can find devotional literature; prasada snacks and treats; focus on Temple projects like Take Care of Krishna, Temple Restoration, Food For Life and how to join our Divine Network (social media); devotional apparel and paraphernalia and the exciting maha (jewellery that once belonged to the Deities) jewellery sale. We encourage you walk through our market at your leisure. Keep your eye out for the Srimad Bhagavatam special at the book store. You can get a full set (18 volumes) of this “spotless purana” for only R2108.

Saturday from 2pm

Sunday from 11am

Deity Offerings

Thousands of worshippers will take great pleasure in making a personal offering directly to the Deities. We will facilitate you to offer incense, ghee lamps, fruit, flowers & abhishek (bathing)

16 and 17 August  | 9:30am - 8:30pm

Sunday, 17 August

Sri Krishna Janmastami

Temple Room Schedule

4.30am Mangal Arati (Deities will be dressed in a new outfit) followed by japa meditation 

7:30am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

8:00am Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their second new outfit.

8:15am Class with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

9:30am Deity offerings

9:00pm Kirtan & Krishna Book reading

12:00am Arati & Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their third new outfit.

Main Stage Cultural Entertainment  

11:00am Vaishnava Bhajans by ISKCON Youth

1:05pm Classical Dance 

1:20pm Tamil Bhajans by Tirupurasundari

2:10pm Dance by Newlands Nama-hatta Girls

2:25pm VIPs & Janmashtami Talent Contest Winners

3:25pm Tamil Bhajans & Bharatanatyam Dances by Yogambal Singaram’s Group

4:15pm Hindi Bhajans by Keeran Eshwarlall

5:20pm Bhajans & Talk by His Grace Subha Vilas Prabhu

6:55pm Bharatanatyam Dances by Kumari Pinola Pillay

7:05pm Tamil & Telegu Bhajans by Vijaylaksmi Balakrishnan

7:45pm Talk by His Grace Swarup Damodar Prabhu

8:15pm Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Abhishek (bathing ceremony) 

8:50pm Kathak Dance by Hariksha Maharaj

9:05pm Bhajans by Krishnastami Das

10:05pm Drama

10:50pm Kirtan & Lecture by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

11:50pm Midnight Arati projected in the main marquee and final kirtan

* Please note that the programme is subject to change.

Monday, 18 August

Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja

4.30am Mangal Arati followed by japa meditation

7:30am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

8:00am Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit.

9:30am Vyasa-puja program commences with glorifications, followed by abhisek of Srila Prabhupada

11:30am Bhoga (food) offering to Srila Prabhupada

We will miss His Grace Shyamlal Prabhu, who for many years took great joy and pride in artistically arranging the many offerings to Srila Prabhupada. He trained a few fortunate devotees how to arrange the bhoga in the four categories as described in the Gurvastaka, a song that glorifies the spiritual master. 

12:30pm Midday Arati and Kirtan

1:00pm Srila Prabhupada’s guru-puja & pushpanjali (offering of flowers)

1:30pm Prasada — Please note that we will serve prasada in the Vaishnava tradition. People will be invited to take their seats and servers will come to you. If you would like to be part of the serve out team, please call Sudhir 079 144 0003

A Personal Offering to Srila Prabhupada

One of the most exciting parts of the celebration is the bhoga (food) offering. Anyone and everyone can make something for Srila Prabhupada. Our target is 4000 food offerings. You can prepare sweets, biscuits, snacks, exotic rice dishes, subjis, savouries, cuisine from Italy, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Oriental, Continental, Mauritian, authentic Bengali and South Indian dishes, fresh fruit arrangements, ice cream, fresh fruit, vegetable juices, smoothies and milkshakes — all for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. For ideas and submission of your offerings please contact Sukumari Dasi 031 403 3328

Janmashtami Seva

Would you like to render service to Krishna on His birthday? You can help in cash or kind. Please call Balaram 082 881 4521 or Jaisacinandan 083 777 3328.

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 12 - 17 August

Dear Friends,

Here is our exciting line up to celebrate Krishna’s appearance anniversary at the Radha Radhanath Temple. Be sure to invite as many friends and family as you can. Please note events will be posted daily on our social media, so please like and share. 

Janmashtami Hall Festivals

12 August  |  7.00pm Lotus Park Community Hall 

14 August  |  7.00pm Shree Ram Mandhir, Windy Heights, Stanger

15 August  |  6:30pm Scottsburgh Town Hall

15 August  |  7:00pm Hillgrove Hall, Newlands

15 August  |  6:30pm Day Care Centre, Verulam

16 August  |  7:00pm Sanathan Mandhir Hall, Stanger

17 August  | 12:30pm Northdene Primary School 

Gita Week 

11 - 16 August  | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Join Subha Vilas Prabhu on a journey to self discovery. Subha Vilas is the author of “The Rise of the Sun Prince” and is a reputable spiritual motivational speaker. 

Deity Offerings

Offer incense, ghee lamps, fruit, flowers & abhishek (bathing)

11 - 15 August  | 6:00pm - 8:30pm

16 - 17 August  | 9:30am - 8:30pm

Saturday, 16 August

Feed the Cows at Thornville Goshala 

With Subha Vilas Prabhu

10:00am 

Janmashtami Talent Contest

2:30pm  |  Main Stage 

If you have a talent that you would like to offer to the Supreme Lord on His birthday, then this is for you. There are group and solo categories in music, dance, skits, songs, and poetry recitals. Please note that there is NO entry form on our website but you can call 083 254 8339 to enter. Entries close on Thursday, 14 August. 

Children’s Activities

Krishna’s Birthday Party for Children

5pm | Tent on the Lawn

Janmashtami Journey

6pm  | Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Amphitheatre 

Sunday, 17 August

Sri Krishna Janmastami

4.30am Mangal Arati followed by japa meditation

7:30am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

8:00am Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit.

8:15am Class with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Enthralling Cultural Entertainment

11:00am - 12:30am  | Main Stage

Under the Stars

Bring a cushion or blanket for spiritual movies & talks

7pm  | Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Amphitheatre 

Midnight Arati & Darshan

Temple Room & projected on screen in the main marquee

Janmashtami Seva

Would you like to render service to Krishna on His birthday? You can help in cash or kind. Please call Balaram 082 881 4521 or Jaisacinandan 083 777 3328.

We will send a second message on Friday with details of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja (Monday, 18 August) celebration. One of the most exciting parts of the celebration is the bhoga (food) offering. Every year we try to offer more and more preparations. This year our leaders have set the goal of 4000 food offerings. And everyone can be a part of it. You can prepare sweets, biscuits, snacks, exotic rice dishes, subjis, savouries, cuisine from Italy, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Oriental, Continental, Mauritian, authentic Bengali and South Indian dishes, fresh fruit arrangements, ice cream, fresh fruit, vegetable juices, smoothies and milkshakes — all for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. For ideas and submission of your offerings please contact Sukumari Dasi 031 403 3328

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

Week Ahead 5 - 11 August

Dear Friends,

This week marks the beginning of numerous festivals. You will see that the week ahead is jam-packed with loads of celebrations — all for you. So, share with your friends and family, and we hope to see you at the events.

We welcome His Grace Subha Vilas Prabhu today. Subha Vilas heads the ISKCON project in Goa, India. He is a spiritual mentor, a motivational speaker, and holds degrees in engineering and law. His leadership seminars are popular with top-level management in corporate houses in India. Subha Vilas believes that a good teacher, no matter how knowledgeable, always sees the process of learning and teaching simultaneously as an inherent aspect of personal and spiritual growth. He authoured a series of books published by Jaico, the largest publishing house in India. His book “Ramayana, The Game of Life,” uses the stories to distill lessons for contemporary life. Subha Vilas Prabhu will be our key speaker at our Gita Week festival from 11 to 16 August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm nightly at the Radha Radhanath Temple.

Your Week Ahead

Wednesday, 6 August

12:00pm BYS at Westville campus with Subha Vilas Prabhu

4:00pm Park Rynie Nama Hatta with Subha Vilas Prabhu

Thursday, 7 August

Ekadasi  | Jhulana Yatra begins

Fast from all beans, grains and legumes

7:15am Morning Class with Subha Vilas Prabhu

6:00pm Lotus Park Nama Hatta with Subha Vilas Prabhu

7pm - 8pm Jhulana Yatra of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath commences

Friday, 8 August

Ekadasi Break Fast: 06:35 - 07:21

7:15am Morning Class with Subha Vilas Prabhu

12:00pm BYS at Howard campus with Subha Vilas Prabhu

7:00pm Youth Programme at New Jagannath Puri with Subha Vilas Prabhu

7pm - 8pm Jhulana Yatra

Janmashtami Hall Programme

6.00pm Howick Janmastami Festival

6:30pm Arena Park Temple Hall, 158 Lemuria Grove, Unit 6

Saturday, 9 August

His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami’s Vyasa-puja

Srila Bhakti Caitanya Swami is a beloved leader who has spent many years serving and nurturing our Vaishnava community. We are honoured to host his Vyasa-puja celebration at the temple.  The two part programme will commence at 8.15am with Jhulana-yatra followed by receiving Bhakti Caitanya Maharaj. The lunch feast will be served at 2:00pm. The second session will commence with Jhulana yatra at 4:30pm, followed by events honouring Maharaj.

Women’s Day Tea Party

Ladies, you are invited to spend a wonderful morning of laughter, love and enlightenment at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple.

From 9:30am to 1:00pm. Seats are limited and booking is essential: 083 9505 111

Janmashtami Hall Programmes

2:00pm 5 Sastri Road, Glencoe

2:30pm Swami Sahajananda Community Hall, Estcourt

6:00pm Shaligram Hall, Clare Estate

Sunday, 10 August

Sri Balaram Purnima - Appearance Anniversary of Lord Balaram

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balaram is His second body. These two are one and the same identity. They differ only in form. Lord Balaram is the first bodily expansion of Krishna, and He assists in Lord Krishna’s transcendental pastimes. Lord Balaram is the original Sankarsan. He assumes five other forms to serve Lord Krishna. He Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Krishna, and He does the work of creation in four other forms. He executes the orders of Lord Krishna in the work of creation, and in the form of Lord Sesa He serves Krishna in various ways. In all the forms He tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Krishna…” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 5.4-5 & 8-11)

7:00am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

7:15am Greeting the Deities

7:30am Class with Bhakti Caitanya Swami — Lord Balaram, The Original Guru & Initiation

10:30am Class with His Grace Subha Vilas Das

12:30pm Arati and kirtan

1:00pm Jhulana Yatra followed by lunch feast

4:00pm Programme with Partha Sarathi Das Goswami followed by Jhulana Yatra and light prasad

Ladysmith:

3:30pm Netrotsava (Festival of the Eyes - Feasting on Lord Jagannath’s beauty) programme for Jagannath, Baladev & Subhadra Devi at ISKCON Ladysmith with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Monday, 11 August

12:00pm BYS at DUT campus with Subha Vilas Prabhu

Janmashtami Talent Contest

If you have a talent that you would like to offer to the Supreme Lord on His birthday, then this is for you. There are group and solo categories in music, dance, skits, songs, and poetry recitals. Please note that there is NO entry form on our website but you can call 083 254 8339 to enter. Entries close on Thursday, 14 August. The contest will be held on Saturday, 16 August from 2:30pm. 

Janmashtami Seva

Would you like to render service to Krishna on His birthday? You can help in cash or kind. Please call Balaram 082 881 4521 or Jaisacinandan 083 777 3328.

Finally, if you subscribe to Back to Godhead magazine, then you can expect it in the post this week.

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