Temple is CLOSED Indefinitely!

Hare Krishna!
In response to the rapidly developing COVID-19 crisis in South Africa, for everyone’s safety and as directed by the co-GBCs and national leadership for ISKCON in South Africa, with heavy hearts we announce that from 9:15pm tonight (Sunday 22 March), the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple will be CLOSED to the public and broader community of devotees. This closure period is indefinite and includes Govinda’s Restaurant and Radhanath’s Gifts.

For today, a maximum of 25 visitors will be permitted into the temple room only for 15 minutes before the next group will be allowed.

We have increased our live streaming service and encourage all of you to stay connected with Sri Sri Radha Radhanath’s mercy by connecting to the various daily live streaming programs. All broadcasts will be either on MayapurTV (Durban South Africa) or on Facebook (DurbanKrishna).

Service to the Deities will be adjusted to continue with just the resident pujaris and selected congregation-based pujaris. Please maintain your contributions for the service to the Deities; we are dependent on the Lord’s grace and your support. Deity viewing will be streamed throughout the day.

Please try to use this opportunity to go deeper in your spiritual practices. Much facility has been arranged for us by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in the form of his books, the holy names, online association, etc.

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Official Announcement – 16/03/2020

*Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Official Announcement* 

COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Hare Krishna Dear Friends & Devotees,

We are serious about doing our part to prevent and minimize the spread of COVID-19. Please carefully read the protocols we have put in place to ensure the safety of the community. Thank you for your cooperation.

The following measures will be implemented from Wednesday 18 March 2020 at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple at its affiliated programs.

1. All programs (including the Sunday Love Feast and upcoming Lotus Market, Vyasa-puja celebration of His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami) are suspended until further notice.

2. Limited Access (Public & Non-resident Devotees)
a) Access is to the Main Temple Campus only (i.e. Temple Room, Govinda’s Restaurant, Radhanath’s Gifts & Public Toilets only)
b) Limited access via the Home Affairs parking only. (i.e. the grass parking, entrance from the post office side, is CLOSED except for permit holders & deliveries)
c) The guest house facilities are closed. All bookings are cancelled.

3. Tours
a) No foreigner tour groups
b) Local tours not exceeding 20 people will be allowed

4. Govinda’s & Radhanath’s Gifts
a) Radhanath Gifts will be open as per usual.
b) Govinda’s Dining will be closed but take aways will be open as per usual
Note: Govinda’s have taken measures to ensure sanitization of staff, surfaces, utensils, etc.
c) Entry into the takeaway will be restricted to small groups of a maximum of six persons.
c) Govinda’s Pizzeria (no public access area) will be closed but patrons will be able to purchase frozen pizzas from Govinda’s Restaurant.

5. Precautionary Measures
a) Compulsory hand sanitization at main entrance
b) Hand sanitization is also available throughout the temple room and in various areas of the temple campus.
c) Compulsory hand sanitization on ground level entry, with limited number of people entering the building at one time.
d) Arati maha-prasada (flowers, water) as well as caranamrita will not be distributed
e) Visitors for darshan are expected to maintain a 2m distance from each other.
f) Visitors are advised not to exchange close greetings with each other (hugging, kissing, etc.)
g) Any visitors who have flu-like symptoms or who have recently returned from one of the medium to high risk countries are requested not to visit the temple, and refer themselves for appropriate medical checks.
h) For further info go to http://www.nicd.ac.za or The Department of Health has launched a WhatsApp service where news, info, questions, and updates regarding the #coronavirus is available. Simply add this number 060 012 3456 as a WhatsApp contact and type “Hi” in the message block. 

It’s simple from there!

6. SSRRT Online
a) All temple classes will be broadcast live
b) The morning Srimad Bhagavatam class will move to the temple room and attendees are requested to leave a 2m distance between each other
b) Daily Darshan will be available online as per usual

7. External Programs:
a) All university programs (Bhakti Yoga Society) are suspended.
b) All Nama-hattas (weekly satellite gatherings) are suspended.
c) All Bhaktivedanta College classes are suspended.
d) Food for Life programs operating from the temple will be suspended.

PLEASE Note: These protocols are in line with the strategy outlined by the ISKCON South African National Council.

Whilst the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Management will take all necessary precautions, each individual needs to ultimately exercise their own judgement to ensure their personal safety.

Week Ahead 13-18 March 2020

Dear Friends

Durban Festival of Chariots – Postponed NOT Cancelled

With the uncertainty around the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizing team for the Durban Festival of Chariots 2020, in consultation with our internal and external role players, has made a carefully considered decision to postpone the festival to a more appropriate time later this year. The health and safety of our devotees and visitors is top priority. We sincerely thank you for your commitment and assistance with the festival thus far, and ask that you kindly continue enthusiastically with planning and preparation. We look forward to sharing the new dates for the festival soon. We pray for the welfare of all during this challenging period and encourage everyone to take care and abide by the protocols and guidelines recommended by the health authorities.

Visiting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Temple events will continue as scheduled and Govinda's & Radhanath's Gifts are open as usual. You will find alcohol-based hand sanitizer at every entry point (temple room entrance, Govinda's level entrance, and public toilets entrance). Govinda's are using alcohol based detergents. We request that you do not visit the temple if:
1. You have any symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus — fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
2. You have been around anyone else with the above symptoms.
3. You have a compromised immune system and are therefore at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
4. You are worried about catching the coronavirus disease.
5. You have traveled to high-risk countries listed at https://www.cdc.gov/ or been in close contact with someone who has traveled to one of these countries.
6. In any of the above cases, please refrain from participating in temple activities for at least 14 days after your return or after you are symptom-free.

Kirtanuity is Cooking!

The Kirtanuity youth group invites anyone aged 16-30, to join in the first service for the youth for 2020 — cooking the Love Feast! 

Saturday 14 March (2pm-6pm) – veggie cleaning 

Sunday 15 March (8am onwards) – cooking the feast

For more info: WhatsApp 071 973 3013

  

Week Ahead – All programs are subject to cancellation depending on evolving information on COVID-19

Friday 13 March

Stanger Nama-hatta @7pm

with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Sabha Hall

7 Blaine Street, KwaDukuza

Saturday 14 March

Sadhana - Seva - Sadhya Workshop is cancelled due to some course facilitators not being available.

Sunday 15 March 

Sunday Love Feast @11am 

with His Grace Vidya-pati Das

Save the Date

Thursday 19 March

Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans & legumes. 

Saturday 21 March

The Lotus Market 

9am-2:30pm

The Lotus Market has gained momentum with visitors enjoying a true culinary experience. You can look forward to homemade spices, continental Indian cuisine, superfoods, vegan cakes, local crafts, beauty products, face painting, clothing, perfumes, crystals, and more. It will be a great family outing with a children's play zone, music and live entertainment. Come along and support local. Ample safe free parking.

Saturday 28 March

BYS Morning Yoga @7:30am

The Kidney Meridian

WhatsApp #yoga<yourname> to 074 629 1122

Bookings close 25 March

Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami @4pm

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Newcastle Ratha Yatra @10:30am

Newcastle Town Hall

Scott Street

Enquiries: 034 312 3369 or iskconsa.newcastle@gmail.com

Week Ahead 6-11 March 2020

Dear Friends

Sri Gaura Purnima Festival Details below!
Sri Gaura Purnima Deity Utsava Seva
You are invited to render personal service to the Deities by sponsoring an arati, food offering, morning puja, or garlands. Sponsorships begin at R508. Please call Bhakti Devi: 031 403 3328 or email tck@iskcondurban.net.

Kirtanuity is Cooking!
The Kirtanuity youth group invites anyone aged 16-30, to join in the first service for the youth for 2020 — cooking the Love Feast!
Saturday 14 March (2pm-6pm)– veggie cleaning
Sunday 15 March (8am onwards) – cooking the feast
For more info: WhatsApp 071 973 3013

Durban Festival of Chariots News!
Call for Volunteers!
Preparations are in full swing and there are a variety of wonderful opportunities for devotional service.
Savoury Snack Pre-prep!
Help fill samosas and kachoris at the New Jagannath Puri Temple in Phoenix. Contact the temple on 071 672 8417 for more information.
Carpentry Skills?
Help construct a dynamic exhibition tent, based on the teachings of Bhagavad Gita.
Service @ the Festival
Help the operations team with set up and maintainence of the festival site. Join a restaurant team: help make pizzas, roll puris, fry savouries, blend milkshakes and serve as front line assistants during the festival. Artistic by nature? Help out in the body art tents, in the children’s arena or in site décor. Serve in the gift shop or the book shop if you love retail. Help put up posters, distribute pamphlets, and spread the word.

Student community service endorsements are available on request.
Get involved. Volunteer your time and skill. Bring others and experience the joy of devotion. Please contact Ramvijay on 084 550 4101.

Week Ahead

Friday 6 March
Ekadasi – Fast from all grains beans and legumes.

Home Program @4pm
with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
hosted by Desmond & Varsha
59 Playglen Road, Silverglen
RSVP Desmond 084 207 7784

Saturday 7 March
Ekadasi Break Fast 05:51-6:00
The Caitanya Sankirtan Festival @9am
This Sankirtan Festival is to honour the appearance of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahprabhu! It is a great way to experience the joy of living and sharing bhakti-yoga and enter into a deeper relationship with Lord Caitanya. The festival finishes at 1:30pm with a feast.

Sunday 8 March
Sunday Love Feast @11am
Entering into the Sri Gaura Purnima Mood
with His Grace Jaisacinandana Das

ISKCON PMB Love Feast @11am
with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Monday 9 March
Sri Gaura Purnima
Fast until moonrise (6:38pm)
Break fast with Ekadasi prasad
4:30am Mangal Arati
5:15am Japa
7:00am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
7:10am Class by His Grace Medhavi Das (ACBSP)
8:00am Greeting Their Lorships in Their new outfits

5:00pm Abhishek & Kirtan
6:00pm serving of Ekadasi prasad
7:00pm Gaura-arati & Kirtan
7:30pm Bhakti Theatre presents The Karuna Files
7:45pm Class by Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Tuesday 10 March
Festival of Jagannath Misra
Breakfast feast @8:30am
Booking essential: temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328 or WhatsApp 062 526 3606

New Jagannath Puri Temple
Jagannath Misra Festival @5:30pm
with Bhakti Caitanya Swami

New Workshop!
Sadhana – Seva – Sadhya
Explore Core Principles of Devotion
with His Grace Vibhu Caitanya Das, Her Grace Roshnee Chandanram & His Grace Ramavijay Das
Saturday 14 March 9am-5pm
Limited space. Booking is essential. Workshop fee R50, payable at the Book Table. Lunch included. Enquiries: 079 934 4401

Save the Date

Saturday 21 March
The Lotus Market
9am-2:30pm
The Lotus Market has gained momentum with visitors enjoying a true culinary experience. You can look forward to homemade spices, continental Indian cuisine, superfoods, vegan cakes, local crafts, beauty products, face painting, clothing, perfumes, crystals, and more. It will be a great family outing with a children’s play zone, music and live entertainment. Come along and support local. Ample safe free parking.

Saturday 28 March
Newcastle Ratha Yatra @10:30am
Newcastle Town Hall
Scott Street
Enquiries: 034 312 3369 or iskconsa.newcastle@gmail.com