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

Week Ahead 7 - 13 October

Dear Friends,

Kartik, the month long divine bhakti sale starts tomorrow, Wednesday 8th October. Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple will be hosting numerous festivals over Kartik notably: Radha-kund Appearance Anniversary (16 October), Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s 29th Anniversary (18-19 October), Govardhan-puja (24 October),  and Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Anniversary (27 October). 

You are invited to offer a lamp to Lord Damodar every evening at the temple. Each evening the programme will commence at 7pm. Please note that after singing the  Damodarastaka prayers, a milk drink will be served. You can serve all the devotees by sponsoring the milk drink. Bookings can be done via the Book Table.

You can host a “Festival of Lamps” in your home. This requires no preparation from your side. A group of devotees will come and hold kirtan and “Kartik Packs” will be available. Devotees will also show you how to offer a lamp to Lord Damodar. 

Booking is essential. Please contact Krsangi Radhe on 083 254 8339.

Krishna’s Kids Kartik Craft Morning

Give your child a spiritual boost this holiday with our wonderful craft morning on Wednesday (the first day of Kartik) from 10am. Young ones will get to decorate their own Kartik altar and lamp, hear the story of how Mother Yashoda bound Krishna, and offer a lamp to Lord Damodar. For bookings please contact Krsangi Radhe on 083 254 8339.

Your Week Ahead

Wednesday, 8 October

Kartik Begins

4th Month of Chaturmasya (urad dhal fast)

7:00pm Festival with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami 

Sunday, 12 October

3:00pm Love Feast with Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

6:00pm Japa

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

Monday, 13 October

Sri Narottama Das Thakur’s Disappearance Anniversary

We wish you a wonderful Kartik and blessings from Lord Damodar, 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 1 - 8 October

Dear Friends,

Renovation News 

If you visited the temple over the last week you would have noticed the scaffolding construction going up around the two smaller towers. Once the scaffolding is up, the painting will begin. We do have one tower painting sponsored only. We invite you to sponsor a litre of paint. Here is the breakdown:

R40 per litre of primer, total required: 160 litres

R40 per litre of waterproofing seal, total required 240 litres

R60 per litre of exterior paint, total required 280 litres

R200 per litre of automotive fibre glass paint (gold), total required 25 litres.

Please contact Kamala Sundari at 031 403 3328 from 9.30am-1pm (tuesday - Friday) or kamala-sundari@iskcondurban.net to make your pledge and ask your friends and family to help as well. Vibhu Caitanya Prabhu is determined to see all the renovations completed in time to celebrate Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s 30th anniversary in 2015. You can read his heartfelt message:

Kartik News

Kartik begins next Wednesday, 8 October.  

"O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Kesava during Kartik.”

Offer a Lamp

You are invited to come every evening at 7pm to offer a lamp to Lord Damodar on the altar. A full Kartik schedule will be sent out in the next Week Ahead. 

Kartik Packs

Kartik packs (Kartik altar, booklet, a lamp, CD and sticker) are available at the temple book table. They are not for sale but we welcome a donation to cover the costs. The book table will issue one pack per family. This is for families who do not have an altar set up in their homes. We invite you to distribute Kartik packs to family and friends and you can contact Vrajanath Prabhu 082 578 9943 or at the temple on Wednesdays and Sundays for this. 

Festival of Lamps in Your Home. 

During the month of Kartik, you are invited to book an evening of kirtan in your home which will culminate in offering a lamp to Lord Damodar accompanied by the singing of the Damodarstakam prayers (prayers to Lord Damodar). And abundance of blessings and mercy will be permeate the home that conducts a lamp offering programme. This is a new initiative by the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple and we look forward to you passing the word to family and friends to attend your programme, or to have their own programme. For bookings contact Krsangi Radhe Dasi on 083 254 8339.

2015 Calendars 

The 2015 Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple calendars will be launched on Saturday, 4 October. On the overwhelming request of many customers, we have included various Hindu calendar dates too. We have two types of calendars available for now:

One page (495mm by 700mm) calendar: R12 each 

Six page (A2) calendar: R25

Your Week Ahead

Saturday, 4 October 

Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

You are warmly invited to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple to honour and celebrate the life of the great stalwart devotee, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami. Maharaja is famous for pioneering Krishna consciousness in South Africa from 1974. He has rendered forty consecutive years of service in South Africa. The celebration will also be broadcast live on www.mayapur.tv.on the Durban channel from 5:45pm. 

Sunday, 5 October 

Ekadasi

3:00pm Love Feast with His Grace Rathim Krishna Prabhu (ISKCON Vrindavan, Sri Sri Krishna-Balaram pujari).

Monday, 6 October 

Break fast 05.28 - 09.39

Wednesday, 8 October

Kartik Begins

"A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during Kartik attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.”

7:00pm Festival with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

Finally, parents keep your eye out for activities at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple for your children next 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