Week Ahead 31 March – 1 April 2023

Dear Friends

We promise to share the Durban Festival of Chariots (Friday 7 April, Durban Amphitheatre, North Beach) Event Guide and the Sadhu Sanga (8-10 April, New Jagannath Puri Temple, Phoenix) Festival Guide early next week. For now, here is a list of the special guests: His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami, His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami, His Grace Ramanujacharya Das, His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami, His Holiness Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, His Grace Mahaprabhu Das, His Grace Savyasaci Das, and His Grace Narottam Das.

Durban Festival of Chariots Seva
We invite you to please come forward to offer your assistance by either volunteering your time, sponsoring ingredients/festival utilities, and direct donations. Kindly contact Balaram 082 881 4521.
For direct donations:
Bank: Nedbank
Account name: ISKCON
Chatsworth branch code: 132226
Account number: 1322113971
Reference: 
You can email a POP to temple@iskcondurban.net

Week Ahead

Friday 31 March
Kendra Nama-hatta @7pm
The Origins of Ratha Yatra
By Rama Govinda Swami
Venue: Kendra Hall
RSVP via WhatsApp on 083 453 3026 (Shravan)

Saturday 1 April
Transcendental Diaries Class @7:30am
By Rama Govinda Swami

Westville Nama-hatta @6pm
The Advent of Lord Jagannath
By Rama Govinda Swami
Venue: UKZN Westville Hindu Centre
RSVP via WhatsApp on 076 549 5474 (Paramatma Das)

Sunday 2 April
Nectar of Devotion Class @7:30pm
By Rama Govinda Swami

Love Feast @11am
Sharing the Love
By Bhaktimarga Swami

Wednesday 5 April
Lotus Park Nama-hatta @7pm
Appreciating Srila Prabhupada
By Bhakti Caitanya Swami
Lotus Park Community Hall

Save the Date

Forever Present – Celebrating the Life of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami
2-Day Festival
29-30 April
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple
Inquiries about service and donations: WhatsApp 079 872 3656 

Reminders

Govinda’s Restaurant & Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm
Note: Govinda’s is now open on Wednesdays. The Temple Receptionist will assist you at Radhanath’s Gifts on Wednesdays.

How to Connect to the Temple?
031 403 3328 • temple@iskcondurban.net • iskcondurban.net

Week Ahead 24-30 March 2023: Sri Rama Naumi Festival Guide

Dear Friends

“When Lord Rāmacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was the King of this world, all bodily and mental suffering, disease, old age, bereavement, lamentation, distress, fear, and fatigue were completely absent. There was even no death for those who did not want it.” Srimad Bhagavatam 9.10.53

Sri Rama Naumi
Thursday 30 March
Fast until sunset

Fruit & Flower Offerings 10:30am-5:00pm
Free Vegetarian Meals 10:30am-5:00pm

4:30am Mangal Arati & Japa
7:15am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
7:30am Greeting of the Deities in Their new outfit
7:45am Special Class on Lord Rama by His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami

12:00pm The Glories of Lord Rama – Class
12:30pm Arati & Kirtan

6:00pm Break Fast Feast
7:00pm Arati & Kirtan
7:30pm Class by His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

Note: Ramayana Week continues every evening at 6:30pm except for Sunday. 

Nectar of Instruction Overview
Saturday 25 March
3-6pm
Srila Prabhupada’s Room
The course facilitator is Raghunath Bhatta Das (082 614 0335)
There are no prerequisites for this 3-hour course. You require the book, Nectar of Instruction. The course fee is R20-00, payable on the day.

Week Ahead

Saturday 25 March
Transcendental Diaries Class @7:30am
by Her Grace Gangamata Goswamini Dasi

Monthly Sankirtan Festival @9:30am
Join us this Saturday for the Monthly Sankirtan Festival. Bring your instruments, book bags, and comfy shoes as we share the Holy Name and Srila Prabhupada’s books in different areas around Durban. You can either join a book distribution team or a Harinam party. If you have never been on Book Distribution before and wish to try it out, we can partner you with an experienced book distributor, who will guide and encourage you through the experience.

Sri Vyasa-Puja of His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami @3pm
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple
RSVP by 24 March Radhika Raman Das via WhatsApp 072 240 1220

Westville Nama-hatta @6pm
Lord Rama’s Exile to the Forest
By His Grace Anantadeva Das
Venue: UKZN Westville Hindu Centre
RSVP via WhatsApp on 076 549 5474 (Paramatma Das)

Sunday 26 March
Nectar of Devotion Class @7:30pm
by His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami

Love Feast @11am
Living the Ramayana
with Her Grace Rukmini Devi Dasi

Wednesday 29 March
Lotus Park Nama-hatta @6:30pm
The Advent of Lord Rama
Guest speaker His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami
Lotus Park Community Hall
Supper will be served. 

Durban Festival of Chariots News
Friday 7 April 2023
Durban Amphitheatre, North Beach

What can we expect at the festival? Prepare to spend the day singing, dancing, laughing, feasting, and making heart connections! The festival will begin at 1pm with conscious entertainment, a vegan & veg food fair, a kids carnival, arts & crafts, a cultural boutique, and free vegan meals. The Chariot Parade will begin at 3pm. The colourful parade starts in front of Tropicana Hotel and will be accompanied by musicians, traditional African dancers, other performers, and thousands of dancing and singing festival goers, the traditional fifteen-meter-high chariot will roll down the prestigious Golden Mile and stop at the festival site at the Amphitheatre, North Beach. Evening entertainment includes the drama “The Divine Song” by international director Bhaktimarga Swami, a fireworks display, and a sacred sound party, which will end at 9pm.

Durban Festival of Chariots Seva
We invite you to please come forward to offer your assistance by either volunteering your time, sponsoring ingredients/festival utilities, and/or direct donations. Kindly contact Balaram 082 881 4521.
For direct donations:
Bank: Nedbank
Account name: ISKCON
Chatsworth branch code: 132226
Account number: 1322113971
Reference: 
You can email a POP to temple@iskcondurban.net

Reminders

Govinda’s Restaurant & Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm
Note: Govinda’s is now open on Wednesdays. The Temple Receptionist will assist you at Radhanath’s Gifts on Wednesdays.

How to Connect to the Temple?
031 403 3328 • temple@iskcondurban.net • iskcondurban.net

Week Ahead 17-23 March 2023

Dear Friends

The 2023 Durban Festival of Chariots is a ONE-DAY festival, which will take place on Friday 7 April 2023 at the Amphitheatre on North Beach. What can we expect at the festival? Prepare to spend the day singing, dancing, laughing, feasting, and making heart connections! The festival will begin at 11am with conscious entertainment, a vegan & veg food fair, a kids carnival, arts & crafts, a cultural boutique, and free vegan meals. The Chariot Parade will begin at 3pm. Evening entertainment includes the drama “The Divine Song” by international director Bhaktimarga Swami, a fireworks display, and a sacred sound party, which will end at 9pm. 

Durban Festival of Chariots Seva
Staging a festival of this magnitude requires various resources. We invite you to please come forward to offer your assistance by either volunteering your time, sponsoring ingredients/festival utilities, and/or direct donations. Kindly contact Balaram at 082 881 4521.

For direct donations:
Bank: Nedbank
Account name: ISKCON
Chatsworth branch code: 132226
Account number: 1322113971
Reference: 
You can email a POP to temple@iskcondurban.net

Sri Rama Naumi
Thursday 30 March
Fast until sunset
Save the date. This will be an all-day festival with fruit & flower offerings and free vegetarian meals served from 10:30am. There will be a midday festival (12pm) and an evening festival (6pm) with Rama-katha, arati & kirtan, and feasting. 

Sri Rama Naumi Festival Sponsorships
You may select your sponsorship via the link at the end of this email or alternatively in person, with Ishara at the book counter on Sundays from 11:00am-1:00pm. You can also WhatsApp 063 297 4398. Note: All 2023 deity festival sponsorships are open and available here.

Appreciations for His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami
You are invited to submit written and/or art appreciations for Maharaja via email: temple@iskcondurban.net. Offerings will be uploaded to our website. Note: all offerings are subject to approval. You can view offerings already submitted here.

Week Ahead

Friday 17 March
Westville Nama-hatta @6pm
Appreciating Srila Prabhupada’s Position
By His Grace Swarup Damodar Das
Venue: UKZN Westville Hindu Centre
RSVP via WhatsApp on 076 549 5474 (Paramatma Das)

Saturday 18 March
Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans & legumes.
Transcendental Diaries Class @7:30am
By His Grace Virabhadra Das

Sunday 19 March
Ekadasi Break Fast 05:58 – 10:01
Nectar of Devotion Class @7:30pm
By Her Grace Ranga Devi Dasi

Love Feast @11am
Questions & Answers
With His Grace Raghunath Bhatta Das

Tuesday 21 March
Forever Present – Celebrating the Life of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami @8am
You are warmly invited to come and celebrate the life of Maharaja. Devotees led by His Grace Vibhu Caitanya Das will present the various aspects of Maharaja’s contribution to the world. This gathering will also soothe the aching hearts of the devotees. 

Wednesday 22 March
Ramayana Week begins
Rama Katha
6:30pm–7pm

Reminders

Govinda’s Restaurant & Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm
Note: Govinda’s is now open on Wednesdays. The Temple Receptionist will assist you at Radhanath’s Gifts on Wednesdays.

How to Connect to the Temple?
031 403 3328 • temple@iskcondurban.net • iskcondurban.net

Week Ahead 10-16 March 2023

Dear Friends

On Thursday, 9th March at 12:06pm (IST), under the gaze of Śrī Giriraja, in the holy land of Śrī Vṛndāvana dhāma, in the loving company of his spiritual master and the vaisnavas, with a resounding kirtan party, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami departed from this material realm.

Here is an excerpt from a letter by the GBC to the Vaisnava Community:
Kadamba Kanana Swami was an indomitable force, overcoming inconceivable challenges to further the mission of Srila Prabhupada. No matter what the obstacle, Maharaja forged ahead with his deep conviction, his uplifting classes, and his world famous kirtans. At the same time, Maharaja possessed a sharp intelligence with which he served Srila Prabhupada’s mission as a manager and advisor on ISKCON’s most important projects, from Vrindavan to Mayapur to New York City, helping hundreds of devotees to optimize their own offering of service. It is rare indeed to find such a multifaceted personality who is simultaneously deeply thoughtful, managerially astute, fixed in sadhana and sastric study, exemplary in every anga of bhakti, and loved by so many. The GBC shall be eternally indebted to Maharaja for his innumerable services to ISKCON.

Watch the recording of the Samadhi Ceremony here

Memorial Ceremony
Saturday • 11 March • 4:30am CAT
Hosted at ISKCON Krishna Balaram Temple
Watch live here

Here at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, the Love Feast on Sunday will be served in honour of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami. Details of our main program in celebration of Kadamba Kanana Maharaja’s life and service will be shared in the coming days.

Week Ahead

Friday 10 March
Westville Nama-hatta @6pm
Devotional Service & Devotee Association
By His Grace Doyal Caitanya Das
Venue: UKZN Westville Hindu Centre
RSVP via WhatsApp on 076 549 5474 (Paramatma Das)

Kendra Nama-hatta @7pm
An Evening with Srila Prabhupada
Please join us in hearing from our beloved Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Devotees are invited to prepare a maximum two-minute appreciation/glorification of Srila Prabhupada that you can read.
Venue: Kendra Hall
RSVP via WhatsApp on 083 453 3026 (Bhakta Shravan)

Saturday 11 March
Transcendental Diaries @7:30am
By His Grace Raghunath Bhatta Das

Sunday 12 March
Nectar of Devotion @7:30pm
By Her Grace Gangamata Goswamini Dasi

Love Feast @11am
Fulfilling Lord Caitanya’s Desire
With His Grace Jaisacinandana Das

Tuesday 14 March
Unit 9/11 Nama-hatta @6:45pm
Ekadasi – The Science & Benefits
By His Grace Doyal Caitanya Das
Venue: Crossmoor Secondary School
56 Golden Poppy Crescent, Chatsworth

Wednesday 15 March
Sri Srivas Pandit’s Appearance Anniversary

Reminders

ISKCON Disciple Course (IDC)
Facilitated by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
This course is designed for all devotees who want to better understand the relationship between guru and disciple, especially those seeking first and second initiations. There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Course Dates: 18-21 March
March 18th (Sat): 10h00 to 13h00 SAST
March 19th (Sun): 10h00 to 13h00 SAST
March 20th (Mon): 18h30 to 19h30 SAST
March 21st (Tues public holiday): 10h00 to 13h00 SAST
Register here
Course fee: R225 (SA) For any enquiries, please email education.bcais@gmail.com

Sri Rama Naumi Festival Sponsorships
You may select your sponsorship via the link at the end of this email or alternatively in person, with Ishara at the book counter on Sundays from 11:00am-1:00pm. You can also WhatsApp 063 297 4398. Note: All 2023 deity festival sponsorships are open and available here.

Govinda’s Restaurant & Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm
Note: Govinda’s is now open on Wednesdays. The Temple Receptionist will assist you at Radhanath’s Gifts on Wednesdays.

How to Connect to the Temple?

031 403 3328 • temple@iskcondurban.net • iskcondurban.net 

Week Ahead 3-9 March 2023

Dear Friends

We celebrate the appearance anniversary of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, from Saturday 4 March until Wednesday 8 March. “May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Ādi-līlā 1.4. Here are a few ways you can render personal service to the Lord:

Gifts for Lord Caitanya
You are invited to bring gifts, birthday cards, flowers, and bhoga for Lord Caitanya.

Sri Gaura Purnima Maha Abhishek
You can also contribute towards Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Maha Abhishek.
The cost is R1008. Book via the link here or contact Bhakti Katha via WhatsApp 061 464 5327

Week Ahead

Friday 3 March
Sri Madhavendra Puri’s Disappearance Anniversary
He was the spiritual master of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s spiritual master, Sri Ishvara Puri. Due to his spotless devotion, Sri Gopinath stole a pot of condensed milk for him.

Ekadasi
Fast from all grains, beans & legumes

Westville Nama-hatta @6pm
Sweetness of Sanga – Remaining Inspired
By Her Grace Gangamata Goswamini Dasi
Venue: UKZN Westville Hindu Centre
RSVP via WhatsApp on 076 549 5474 (Paramatma Das)

Kendra Nama-hatta @7pm
Sri Gaura Purnima Festival – Sri Siksastakam of Lord Caitanya
By His Grace Jaisacinandana Das
Venue: Kendra Hall
RSVP via WhatsApp on 083 453 3026 (Bhakta Shravan)

Saturday 4 March
Ekadasi Break Fast 05:48 – 08:16
Sri Siksatakam Class @7:30am
By His Grace Radhika Jivana Das

Sri Gaura Purnima Maha Harinam @10:30am
Starts at the Snake Park on the Beachfront
In honour of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

Food For Life South Africa invites you to
An Evening with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami @6:30pm
2 Centre Road, Newlands

Sunday 5 March
Sri Siksatakam Class @7:30pm
By Her Grace Gangamata Goswamini Dasi

Love Feast @11am
Lord Caitanya – The Personification of Compassion
With His Grace Ramvijay Prabhu

Monday 6 March
Sri Siksatakam Class @6:30pm
By His Grace Raghunath Bhatta Das

Tuesday 7 March
Sri Gaura Purnima
Appearance Anniversary of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Fast until moonrise (6:38pm)
4:30am Mangal Arati
5:00am Japa
7:00am Srila Prabhupada guru-puja
7:15am Class by His Grace Swarup Damodar Das
8:00am Greet the Deities in Their new outfit
5:30pm Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Maha Abhisek
6:00pm Prasad serve out begins. Note: break fast is at 6:38pm.
7:00pm Gaura arati & kirtan
7:30pm Class by His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

Wednesday 8 March
Jagannath Misra Utvasa @7am

Reminders

ISKCON Disciple Course (IDC)
Facilitated by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
This course is designed for all devotees who want to better understand the relationship between guru and disciple, especially those seeking first and second initiations. There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Course Dates: 18-21 March
March 18th (Sat): 10h00 to 13h00 SAST
March 19th (Sun): 10h00 to 13h00 SAST
March 20th (Mon): 18h30 to 19h30 SAST
March 21st (Tues public holiday): 10h00 to 13h00 SAST
Register here
Course fee: R225 (SA) For any enquiries, please email education.bcais@gmail.com

Govinda’s Restaurant & Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm
Note: Govinda’s is now open on Wednesdays. The Temple Receptionist will assist you at Radhanath’s Gifts on Wednesdays.

How to Connect to the Temple?
031 403 3328 • temple@iskcondurban.net • iskcondurban.net