Srila Prabhupada's House Expands

Dear Friends 

 

Over the last four decades, the devotees in Pietermaritzburg have been instrumental in serving and being part of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. ISKCON Pietermaritzburg started off as one of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath's main nama-hatta groups. They hosted wonderful festivals, which attracted thousands of people from all around Pietermaritzburg, they were dedicated in their weekly service gatherings, and are enthusiastic to study the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Pietermaritzburg became known as a place of warm hospitality and mountains of prasada. These devotees were actively involved in festivals at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, from helping to cook for the Love Feast, to cleaning vegetables and serving prasad at the Durban Festival of Chariots. They even went out of their way to collect funds for the Durban Festival of Chariots.

In a few days time, the ISKCON Pietermaritzburg will officially open. For me, it feels like a child leaving its comfortable nest and going on out on its own. The Pietermaritzburg devotees will now shoulder new responsibilities now. They will have to ensure that the deity standards are maintained. They will have to think of ways to keep the devotees inspired and engaged, and that the Temple becomes a beacon of Krishna consciousness in Pietermaritzburg. These are exciting times!

The day after Srila Prabhupada installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in Vrindavan in April 1975, His Divine Grace commented, "Now I have installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, one may stand in front of Them and one may say, 'My Dear Sirs, I have such and such problem,' and They will help you."

In this way, I pray to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai that They unlimitedly bless the residents of Pietermaritzburg (and Durban!) and engage us in Their sankirtan movement.

Please find below the celebration details. Kindly note the program is subject to change and I look forward to seeing you at there.

Your servant
Vibhu Caitanya Das

 

ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening
28 September – 1 October
584 Bombay Road (corner of Bombay Road & Olympia Way), Northdale
  

Special Guests

His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Swami

His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

His Holiness Bhakti Narasimha Swami

His Holiness Ram Govinda Swami

His Grace Medhavi Prabhu
His Grace Nandakumar Prabhu

 

Thursday 28 September

Purification and Auspiciousness Festival @6:30pm

Svasti-vacana

Vasudeva Punyaha

Vastu Santi Yajna & Vaisnava Yajna

 

Friday 29 September

Preliminary Installation of Deities of Gaura Nitai @6:30pm

Netronmilana – Opening the Eyes of the Deities

Vanda Paana – Presenting auspicious articles to the Deities

Sayanotsavam – Deities to rest

 

Saturday 30 September

Installation of Deities @ 2:00pm

Kalash Maha Abhishek

Fire yagna

First Darshan of Gaura Nitai in Their new outfit

Gaura-arati

Festival of Lord Rama’s victory and burning of Ravana effigy

Prasada will be served from 2:00pm onwards. Feast at 8:00pm

 

Sunday 1 October

Official inauguration of the Temple @2:00pm

Cultural Festival @12:00pm

You may bring offerings of fruit, flowers, and other gifts to the Deities of Gaura Nitai from 9:00am onwards. Public can also offer an arati to the Deities.

Note: A bus service will be available from Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. The bus departs at 12:00pm.

Kindly note that it is Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans, and legumes. Ekadasi prasad will be served from 12:00pm. Feast at 5:30pm.

 

Parking

Heather Secondary School – A free shuttle service will be available.

 

Festival Queries

Nalika Rajaram  084 891 7070 | nalika.rajaram26@gmail.com

 

If you would like to assist this wonderful project in Srila Prabhupada’s movement by way of sponsoring towards the deities and building, please contact Nalika Rajaram.

 

Your Week Ahead 

 

Sunday, 24 September

Love Feast with His Holiness Ram Govinda Swami @3pm

 

Dates to Note

 

Monthly Sankirtan Festival in Pietermaritzburg

Saturday, 30 September

9:00am   Bus leaves for Pietermaritzburg

10:00am Book Distribution throughout Pietermaritzburg

1:00pm   Realizations & Lunch

2:00pm   Temple Opening Festival begins

7:00pm   Bus to Sri Sri Radha Radhananth Temple

Kindly note: to book your seat on the bus, registration is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328

 

Thursday, 5 October

Kartik Begins

Kartik Milk Drink Sponsorship

R591 per night

Booking may be done via the Book Table.

 

Friday, 6 October

Bhakti Theatre @8pm

8:00pm   Ragas with Nanda Kishore

8:20pm   Bhaktimarga Swami's The Gita

8:40pm   MC Pralamz

The show begins at 8pm sharp, so come in early, grab a seat, order your meal and get comfortable for a fun evening of spiritual entertainment.
You may want to bring blankets and cushions. BYS (Bhakti Yoga Society) Cafe will be providing our light meals, snacks, and drinks. Note: Govinda's Pizzeria will be open. Entry is by donation. All proceeds go to the theatre and the university cultivation programme.

 

Saturday, 7 October 

Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami @5pm

 

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple