Letter from His Grace Swarup Damodar Das
Dear Friends,
Please accept my best wishes and respectful greetings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Earlier this year, the backing boards and overhead features of Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasana (sacred sitting place) in the temple room were extensively water damaged. While the damage is not visibly apparent, in due course, the structure is expected to fall apart. A detailed professional inspection revealed that much of the vyasasana has to be replaced.
On Monday 3 July, the renovations to the vyasasana will commence and are expected to continue for about two weeks. During this time, the deity of Srila Prabhupada will be worshipped on the Tulasidevi altar. Thereafter, the Tulasidevi altar will be refreshed to match the renovated Prabhupada vyasasana.
During the vyasasana renovation, a functional audio-visual control room will be installed in the tower room located immediately behind Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasana. This will include a new sound system that will provide a significantly improved hearing experience in the temple room and online.
After these three projects are concluded, then either before or after Janmashtami, the much-needed renovations to the entire book table and foyer area will begin. This area has also been extensively water damaged. All the wooden doors, backing boards, wainscotting, and genuine oak veneer sheets will be replaced. The damaged parts of the decorative ceiling and the many lighting features will be replaced. Simultaneously, waterproofing work above the foyer will be done. This is a substantial and expensive project and is expected to take about four to six weeks to complete.
We earnestly appeal to you all to generously assist with contributions to cover the costs of these renovations. The service contribution of Their loving devotees greatly please Sri Sri Radha Radhanath and Sri Gaura-hari, and the reciprocal reward of grace and mercy for any service rendered to the Deities’ lotus feet is exponentially more than the devotee can imagine.
The list of projects and estimated expenses are:
Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana: R40,000
Tulasidevi Altar: R20,000
Audio Visual Room: R30,000
New Sound System: R120,000
Book Table and Entrance Foyer: R250,000
Waterproofing: R40,000
You may donate here:
Account Holder: ISKCONKZN
Bank: Nedbank
Branch: Chatsworth
Branch Code: 198 765
Account number: 1322059578
Reference: RENOVATE23
You may send a POP to temple@iskcondurban.net.
Thank you for your continuing service to Srila Prabhupada.
Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Swarup Damodar Das
(Temple Co-President: Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple)
Volunteer with Purpose @Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s Janmashtami Festival is a community-run event. We invite you to feel more a part of our spiritual home by taking ownership and responsibility at the festival. Service is an integral part of our spiritual practice, and we have various service opportunities according to your availability and interest. Sign up using this link or WhatsApp 065 549 5690.
Homages to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just three days left to submit your offering. The deadline is Sunday 2 July. All offerings should be submitted here. Once submitted, a confirmation will display on the webpage.
Interruption of Live Streaming Service
We will be offline from Sunday 2 July until Friday 14 July due to renovations to Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasana as well as the audio visual control room. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Week Ahead
Friday 30 June
Kendra Nama-hatta @7pm
Bhagavad-gita Study Class
with Bhakta Nrsingha
Venue: Kendra Hall
RSVP via WhatsApp on 083 453 3026 (Shravan)
Saturday 1 July
Transcendental Diaries Class @7:30am
By His Grace Raghunath Bhatta Das
Westville Nama-hatta @3pm
Enjoy an indoor picnic, by sharing your story of how you came to Krishna consciousness while enjoying delicious prasada in association of like-minded devotees.
Please RSVP for catering purposes via WhatsApp on 076 549 5474 (Paramatma Das)
Park Rynie Beach Festival @5:30pm
With His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
Venue: Park Rynie Campsite
Sunday 2 July
Nectar of Devotion Class @7:30am
By Bhakta Nischay
Love Feast @11am
Mantra Mechanics: Part 1 – Japa
with His Grace Krishna Caitanya Das
Monday 3 July
Guru Purnima
1st Month of Chaturmasya begins.
Fast from green leafy vegetables.
Sri Srimad Bhakti Charu Swami Tirobhava Ceremony @9am
Venue: New Jagannath Puri Temple
Unit 7, Chatsworth Nama-hatta @7pm
Bhagavad Gita Class
Venue: Shantik Foundation, corner of roads 741 & 742
Inquiries: Alanath Das 083 775 2760
Wednesday 5 July
Hillary Nama-hatta @7pm
Venue: 38 4th Street, Hillary
Inquiries: Alanath Das 083 775 2760
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
