Happy Holidays from Vibhu Caitanya & Final Week Ahead for 2015

Happy Holidays

Hare Krishna Friends,

This is our last Week Ahead for 2015. We at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple would like to thank you for joining us in celebrating our 30 years of service to the community. Our year was filled with loads of action, from renovating and restoring the temple, the opening of Radhanath’s Gifts, winning yet another award (TripExpert), making the CNN list of top 10 places to visit in Durban, making major “green moves”, to unveiling the Master Plan. We want to accomplish so much more next year and hope that you will be a part of it. In 2016 we will focus more on devotional education and training, devotee care and begin construction based on the Master Plan. I would like this to be an offering of love to our beloved Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as we celebrate 50 years of ISKCON. 

Please remember my invitation to spend your holiday or take a gap year at the temple, is still open. During the holidays take advantage of absorbing yourself in the holy name, coming to the temple for an arati, bringing visitors to Govinda’s Restaurant or enter our family colouring in competition in the November/December Hare Krishna News. Whatever you choose to do, dedicate some time to the Temple and devotional service. And as we enter the last week of the Prabhupada Marathon please help distribute books. 

I wish you safe travels. May all roads lead you to your real home, Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple.

Your servant

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Your Week Ahead

Sunday, 20 December

Gita Jayanti Celebration
11:00am Gita Jayanti Festival
with His Grace Smita Krishna Das

Gita Tula Daan  

Give your child’s weight in Gitas

For the first time Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple will be hosting the Tula Daan (charity by weight). In celebration of Gita Jayanti (the anniversary of when Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna) we invite you to sponsor the equivalent of your child’s weight on Gitas. You can distribute the Gitas to friends or family or  we can place them in schools, libraries, hospitals, etc. 

An Afternoon In Vrindavan
with Vrindavana Das and Mathura Jivan Das (24 Hour Kirtan Vrindavan)
2:00pm Moods Of Vrindavan Kirtan
3:30pm Guru-Puja and Kirtan
4:00pm Class by His Grace Vrindavan Das 
4:45pm Kirtan followed by prasada

Monday, 21 December

Gita Jayanti (actual day - celebration is on Sunday, 20 December)

Ekadasi - Fast from all grains, beans and legumes

Tuesday, 22 December

Break Fast 04:52 - 09:33

Tuesday, 29 December 

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s Disappearance Anniversary

Fast until midday

Festival will begin at 11am

Friday, 1 January 2016

New Year Festival with His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami at 11am

Important Dates to Note

Disciples Course

Details and schedule in attached poster. We are sharing this information early so you can mark your diary. 

You Weekend Ahead 11 - 14 December

Support for ISKCON Chennai

Chennai has been declared as a national disaster zone and is witnessing it’s worst crisis in more than 100 years. ISKCON Chennai has suffered immensely. Devotees have been shifted out of the temple with three devotees left in the temple campus to serve the presiding Radha Krishna deities. Temple vehicles, the Sankirtan shop, Govinda’s have incurred huge loses. Prayer is the need of the hour for the devotees and other people living at Chennai. His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, the GBC for Chennai has requested people to pray for Chennai. 

ISKCON Chennai is engaged in supplying daily meals to more 1500 flood displaced families sheltered in government schools. We want to expand that to more areas in Chennai and items like water, bedsheets etc. (For more details see the bottom of this message).

ISKCON Chennai TEMPLE has also suffered heavy damages.

If you would like to assist, kindly contact Krishangi Radha Dasi at communications@iskcondurban.net or 083 254 8339 

For more info go to: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=22263

Week Ahead 4-8 December

Dear Friends

The men’s book distribution team returned on Tuesday from the South Coast and were off again on Thursday to the North Coast. Rukmini is heading up the ladies sankirtan party and has arranged book distribution spots all over Durban's shopping areas. Her team is the Jahnava Dasis (in honour of  Lord Nityananda’s eternal consort). Even though the girls are having a slow start, they have ordered R111 723 worth of books! Will you help them flood Durban? You may call her on 071 2032 930 or WhatsApp 084 5791 080. 

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s Book Marathon Special is the brand new title from BBT, Vanity Karma for just R75. 

Thus far we have distributed almost 10 000 books kindly help us read our goal of 40 000.

Sunday, 6 December

3:00pm Love Feast with His Grace Nanda Kumar Das

Monday, 7 December

Ekadasi - Fast from all grains, beans and legumes

Tuesday, 8 December

Break Fast 04:47 - 09:33

Dates to Note

Saturday, 12 December 

Final Bhakti Theatre for 2015 at 4pm

Line up includes: Nandakishore from India singing classical ragas, live bamboo flute, live song & guitar, two dramas: Liquid Beauty and the brand new dance drama “ capturing the Heart", hip hop by MC Pralamz and fire dancers (tentative). The show has a minimal entry donation of R10 per person, under 5s enter free and snacks are available at the BYS cafe. Proceeds go to the temple’s university initiatives and the theatre itself. 

Sravanam Kirtanam Retreat with His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

Mount aux Source, Drakensburg

Monday 3 - 6 January 2016

Call Ranchor 084 544 9164 / ranchor@cellc.blackberry.com

Navin 082 444 6339 / navin@vodamail.co.za

Whatsapp Subscription

If you would like to receive updates please subscribe to +27817590191. When saving the number include the plus sign to receive news from ISKCON Durban. Save the number as SSRRT News.

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  | WhatsApp +27 81 759 0191(no reply service - subscriptions only) |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net   

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One Last Festival

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 

I had the pleasure of chatting about book distribution to all the ISKCON South Africa Temple Presidents over the last few days. This year 10 temples committed to increase book distribution by 40% or 50 000 books. Temples have interesting ideas such as the Weekend Warrior Programs and book gift packs, which will be distributed to the congregation during the Sunday programs. Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple has organised a travelling program and book tables at various venues including leading shopping malls. If you would like to join the ladies book distribution party, please contact Rukmini (084 579 1080).

As we say goodbye to 2015, a year in which we experienced load shedding, drought, global terror and our own shortcomings; we look forward to one last major festival in the year (no, it is not the last day of Kartik) - the 2015 Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon (25 November - 25 December). The more the world faces misery and fear, the more I

realise that the world can find solutions, peace and real happiness in Srila Prabhupadas books.

This is a special year as we celebrated Srila Prabhupadas 40th Anniversary of his visit to South Africa and one way we can show our gratitude to His Divine Grace is by distributing his books. Srila Prabhupada mentioned several times that book distribution brings him life. Please view this video:

https://youtu.be/BCAW3LDKIvc

Listed below are the pledges from all the temples, which I think is realistic and achievable. I humbly encourage you to distribute books.
Happy Sankirtan. Hare Krishna.

On behalf of the ISKCON SA Book Distribution Ministry, your servant

Vibhu Caitanya Das

Your Week Ahead

Wednesday, 25 November

Last Night of Kartik

Last Day of Bhisma Pancaka

Festival Schedule

7:00pm Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in a special purnima outfit

Arati & Kirtan

7:30pm Class by His Grace Govardhan Das (co-national secretary) 

8:15pm 2015 Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon Launch

8:30pm Damodarastaka and offering of lamps followed by feast

November/December 2015 Hare Krishna News: http://iskcondurban.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HKN-Nov-Dec-2015-small.pdf

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

Week Ahead 19-25 November

Dear Devotees,

It may be hard to imagine anything more auspicious or spiritually beneficial than the month of Kartik, but there is — the Srila Prabhupada 2015 Book Marathon. Srila Prabhupada has changed the course of history with his books. This is the call to be a spiritual warrior, to distribute books and thus fulfil his mission.  

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is the recipient of yet more accolades: Trip Expert “Best of Durban” and “Expert’s Choice” awards. 

http://www.tripexpert.com/durban/attractions/hare-krishna-temple-of-understanding

Thursday, 19 November

Gopastami

Saturday, 21 November

Srila Prabhupada Festival at 2:30pm

Craigieburn Temple Hall

Temple Road

Umkomaas

Sunday, 22 November

Ekadasi

1st Day of Bhisma Pancaka

100th Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji

Fast until noon

Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji was Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur’s spiritual master. He is famous for his renunciation and deep attachment to the holy name. Babaji Maharaja spent thirty years in Vrindavan chanting 128 rounds of japa everyday. 

Programme begins at 2:30pm. 

All bhoga offerings to be in by 3:00pm. Offerings can be handed in at the book table. You may also bring flower offerings. 

12:0pm  Bhoga offering to Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji
3.00pm  Srila prabhupada’s Guru-puja

3:15pm Class by His Grace Jagadananda Pundit Das
4:00pm  Puspanjali & Guru-puja to Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji

4:15pm Arati & Kirtan 
5:00pm  Feast
6:00pm Japa
7:00pm Arati & Kirtan 
7:15pm Damodarastakam & Offering of Lamps

Monday, 23 November

Break fast: 04:49 - 09:24

Wednesday, 25 November

Last Day of Kartik

Last Day of Bhisma Pancaka

1st Day of the Srila Prabhupada 2015 Book Marathon

7:00pm Special Evening Festival

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If you would like to receive updates please subscribe to +27817590191. When saving the number include the plus sign to receive news from ISKCON Durban. Save the number as SSRRT News.

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  | WhatsApp +27 81 759 0191(no reply service - subscriptions only) |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net   

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Festivals this Week

Don't miss the Halava Hill Festival at Sri Krishna Goshala

Thursday, 12 November from 4pm until 5pm.

Whatsapp Subscription

If you would like to receive updates please subscribe to +27817590191. When saving the number include the plus sign to receive news from ISKCON Durban. Save the number as SSRRT News.

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  | WhatsApp +27 81 759 0191(no reply service – subscriptions only) |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net   

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A Weekend with His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami

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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  | WhatsApp +27 81 759 0191(no reply service - subscriptions only) |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net   

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Kartik & Message from Vibhu Caitanya

Dear Friends and Well Wishers,

Hare Krishna.

I trust you all feel inspired by the 30th Anniversary Festival. 

One of the highlights was Sri Sri Radha Radhanath’s flower bathing ceremony. As I watch the petals showering down on Sri Sri Radha Radhanath, I thought that this represents all the devotees’ loving service over the last thirty years. 

Those devotees who were here thirty years ago have pleased the Deities by selfless sacrifice thus making this project a success. Now, we have that same opportunity to offer service to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath, in this life and the next — by making our Deities beneficiaries in our wills and policies. We can contribute to the history of the temple by becoming more involved in this aspect of the Master Plan as the Deity Trust is part of it. 

Spiritually we understand there is no end therefore we can dive deeper into the bottomless ocean of devotional service. The moth of Damodar, is the ideal time for us to dive deeper in our devotion to Krishna. I look forward to offering a lamp with you in the coming days and serving with you in the years to come.

Your servant

Vibhu Caitanya Das 

Your Week Ahead 

Kartik Evening Festival begins every night at 7pm

Tuesday, 27 October

1st Night of Kartik

4th Month of Chaturmasya - Fast from urad dhal.

7:45am Class by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

6:30pm Kirtan by His Grace Agnidev Das

7:00pm Greeting of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit 

Arati & kirtan by Agnidev Prabhu

8:00pm Class by His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami (This is Maharaja’s last class in Durban this year.)

7:30pm Class by Bhakti Caitanya Swami in New Jagannath Puri Temple (Phoenix)

8:30pm Damodarastaka by Agnidev Prabhu & offering of lamps followed by simple prasad

Dates to Note

Saturday, 31 October 

Srila Narottama Das Thakura’s Disappearance Anniversary

Tuesday, 3 November

Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda

Keep an eye out for an 8 page souvenir supplement in POST newspaper. 

Lastly, please find Prince Buthelezi’s message to our Temple on our 30th Anniversary. 

30^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF

THE SRI SRI RADHA RADHANATH TEMPLE OF UNDERSTANDING

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT 

FROM

PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP

PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY 

AND TRADITIONAL PRIME MINISTER TO THE ZULU MONARCH AND NATION

DELIVERED ON HIS BEHALF 

BY

THE HON. MR NAREND SINGH MP

TREASURER GENERAL OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY

Chatsworth, Durban: 24 October 2015

President of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, Vibhu Caitanya dasa, and the Temple Management Board; Members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness; esteemed guests and friends.

Let me immediately apologise for not being present this afternoon to celebrate with you the opening of the 30^th anniversary festival of this Temple. Unfortunately, the date coincided with the elective conference of the IFP Women’s Brigade in KwaZulu Natal, where I was scheduled to speak. This is a tremendous pity, for I would have enjoyed sharing this moment as you look down memory lane, and celebrate all that lies ahead.

In my absence, however, I feel it appropriate that my support be conveyed by the Honourable Mr Narend Singh MP, for he was with me thirty years ago, on the 18^th of October 1985, as we witnessed the opening of this Temple. He will know how profoundly affected I was by the beauty of this place, and how privileged I felt to speak as the guest of honour. 

I was serving at that time as Chief Minister of the KwaZulu Government, President of Inkatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe, and traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation. Already I had travelled extensively throughout the world and had enjoyed the privilege of visiting many temples, cathedrals and places of worship. But nothing had prepared me for the extravagant beauty of this, the largest Radha-Krishna temple in the southern hemisphere. I understood then why it had taken ten years for the devotees of Śrīla Prabhupāda to fulfil his request in building this Temple.

As beautiful as it is, however, this Temple was never intended to be a purely aesthetic expression of Krishna Consciousness. It was intended to be a place that drew people together, a place from which practical helps sprang from spiritual focus. In my experience, that has always been the character of the Hare Krishna Movement. Spirituality is expressed in educating, feeding and assisting those in need. 

Our province benefitted from this tremendously during the most trying times of apartheid. Through a close collaboration between the Divine Life Society and my administration, for instance, we built many classrooms and educated South Africa’s most vulnerable children. I enjoyed a close friendship with Sri Swami Sahajananda, who was commended by Śrīla Prabhupāda for working conjointly to propagate Krishna Consciousness. Thus I have seen how spirituality is linked to practical service.  

This same passion for serving is evident at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, where the Food For Life programme has provided sustenance for millions of impoverished people over the course of thirty years. In addition, the temple outreach programme has supported many individuals, and this has become a place of sanctuary, hope and learning.

I thank you for all that has been achieved and all that you are still doing for South Africa.

As we celebrate thirty years of this Temple, it is good to know that the focus of the Management Board is on spirituality as a catalyst for social cohesion. I fear that in the present political and economic climate, people are increasingly being divided by ideologies and separated by the lack of resources and opportunities. 

Even when one looks at the intractable issue of fee increases at institutions of higher education, social division is clearly being exacerbated. All too easily the debate moves from the substance of the issue to become an ‘us-versus-them’ confrontation. We may not even choose sides, but are allocated a side by default depending on the colour of our skin or the size of our bank balance.

This is a tragedy in a democratic country that fought so fiercely to create a unified nation. As the challenges mount, we must take heed of the threat of social division and seek by all means a way towards cohesion. Spirituality may indeed be one of those ways, for when we refocus our minds away from our own rights and needs to consider something outside of ourselves, something greater than our own minds, we open the space to consider others. The basic human need for relationship will naturally lead us to harmony. 

With these few thoughts, I wish you a wonderful celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. 

I thank you. 

-----------------oo0oo-----------------

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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  | WhatsApp +27 81 759 0191(no reply service - subscriptions only) |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net   

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30th Anniversary Event Guide

30th Anniversary Event Guide

Friday, 23 October

Cato Ridge Reunion

Hosted by His Grace Nanda Kumar Das, His Grace Tribanga Sundara Das and His Grace Sri Hari Das

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple @ 6pm

6:00pm Kirtan 

7:00pm Arati & Kirtan

7:30pm Cato Ridge Remembrances with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami & His Grace Tulsi Das via Skype, and various devotees from the Cato Ridge era

9:00pm Prasad

Saturday, 24 October

8:00am Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their 1st New Outfit.

30th Anniversary Opening Ceremony

12:00pm Kirtan by His Grace Agnidev Das

2:00pm Official Opening Ceremony

Talks & Entertainment

4:30pm Prasad

Break

6:00pm Past Temple Presidents' Remembrances (Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Nanda Kumar Prabhu, Govardhan Prabhu, Swarup Damodar Prabhu)

 

7:00pm Arati & Kirtan by 

Agnidev Prabhu

7:30pm Pushpa Abhishek Prep

You can sponsor and pick up your flowers at the book table and then take it into the temple to make petals and hand over to the pujaris. 

Roses - R20 a bunch (white roses R25 a bunch)

Carnations - R25 a bunch 

Chrysanthemums - R20 a bunch 

For more information or if you wish to pre-order, kindly contact Deva Deva Das on 076 178 6850 

Ekadasi - Fast from all grains, beans and legumes

Srila Raghunatha Das Gosvami’s Disappearance Anniversary

Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami’s Disappearance Anniversary

Srila Krsandas Kaviraj Gosvami’s Disappearance Anniversary

Sunday, 25 October

Break Fast 05:08 - 09:29

4:30am Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their 2nd New Outfit

8:00am Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their 3rd New Outfit. (A special offering to Radha Radhanath only at 8am. Not to be missed.)

30th Anniversary Flower Festival from 12pm

12:00pm Kirtan by Agnidev Prabhu

1:00pm Glories of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple - Recollections and Realisations by devotees and the children who grew up in the Temple.

3:00pm Srila Prabhupada’s 

Guru-puja

3:30pm The Next 30 Years & Beyond - unveiling of the Master Plan

4:30pm Pushpa Abhishek with kirtan by Agnidev Prabhu

6:00pm Prasad feast

Tuesday, 27 October 

First Night of Kartik

Evening Festival at 7pm with Partha Sarathi Das Goswami and kirtan with Agnidev Prabhu

4th Month of Chaturmasya - Fast from urad dhal.

Whatsapp Subscription

If you would like to receive updates please subscribe to +27817590191. When saving the number include the plus sign to receive news from ISKCON Durban. Save the number as SSRRT News.

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  | WhatsApp +27 81 759 0191(no reply service - subscriptions only) |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net   

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DurbanKrishna  |  Twitter: http://twitter.com/DurbanKrishna  | SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/durbankrishna  | Instagram: DurbanKrishna (@durbankrishna) https://instagram/durbankrishna/