Week Ahead 29 September – 2 October 2023

Dear Friends

ISKCON Durban WhatsApp Channel
You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp ISKCON DurbanChannel for darshan, news and event updates. Please join here

ISKCON Durban Youth Group
We are happy to announce the formation of the ISKCON Durban Youth Group. The membership age is from 10 years to 25 years. 

Your ticket back to Godhead!
Bhadra Purnima ends tonight. Reserve your ticket back to Godhead by either purchasing, gifting, or contributing towards a set of Srimad Bhagavatam. “If on the full moon day of the month of Bhadra, one places Srimad-Bhagavatam on a golden throne and gives it as a gift, he will attain the supreme transcendental destination.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.13.13
A Srimad Bhagavatam set costs R3800. We also offer payment plans: R1267 over three months or R634 over six months.
Queries: 082 806 1646 • 076 587 9558 • sankirtanoffice@iskcondurban.net
You may also purchase your set online here

Week Ahead

Friday 29 September
Bhadra Purnima
3rd Month of Chaturmasya begins.
Fast from milk for one month.
Acceptance of sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada. 

Saturday 30 September
Transcendental Diaries Class @7:30am
By His Grace Tamal Krishna Das

Monthly Sankirtan Festival @9:30am
Meet at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Prasad Marquee to collect your book pack and join a team on book distribution. We will meet at the temple at 1pm for realisations and a prasad feast.

Westville Nama-hatta @3pm
Japa Workshop
With His Grace Raghunath Bhatta Das
Venue: University Hindu Centre, UKZN Westville Campus
Queries: Paramatma Das 0765495474 (WhatsApp)

Sunday 1 October
Krishna Book Class @7:30am
By His Grace Jaisacinandana Das

Love Feast @11am
Serve With Purpose
with His Holiness Indradyumna Swami

Monday 2 October
Unit 6/7, Chatsworth Nama-hatta @7pm
Venue: Shantik Foundation, corner of roads 741 & 742
Inquiries: Alanath Das 083 775 2760

Thursday 5 October
Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA.

Saturday 7 October
Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami @5pm
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Reminders

Govinda’s Restaurant & Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm

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

Sri Radhastami 2023 Festival Guide

 Dear Friends

 

We are looking forward to celebrating Srimati Radharani, the divine goddess of bhakti, with you this weekend. Please take advantage of the various services available. Remember you can also bring birthday cards, gifts, and cooking ingredients for Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.

 

Serve Sri Radha on Sri Radhastami

 

Birthday Cards for Srimati Radharani
You are invited to offer a birthday card to Srimati Radharani on Sri Radhastami. Cards will be offered on Sri Radhastami from 10am-10:30am and then again from 4:30pm-5pm.

 

Flowers, Gifts & Bhoga Offerings
You can also bring flowers, gifts, and cooking ingredients for Sri Sri Radha Radhanath. Offerings will be accepted throughout the day and may be placed in front of the altar.

 

Cake Offering
Would you like to bake a cake as a personal offering to Srimati Radharani? The cake darshan will be on Saturday at 10:30am. Booking essential.
Contact Nitya Manjari 073 023 3761 via WhatsApp.
Note: No offerings will be accepted without a confirmed booking. Bookings close today at midday.

Maha Abhishek

“Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī takes Her first bath in the shower of the nectar of compassion, and She takes Her second bath in the nectar of youth. After Her midday bath, Rādhārāṇī takes another bath in the nectar of bodily luster.” Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 8.167-168
You are invited to assist with Srimati Radharani's abhishek ceremony. Sponsorship is R1008.
Contact Bhakti Katha 061 464 5327 or psdgbhakti@gmail.com. Bookings close today at midday. 

 

Radhanath's Gifts Sri Radhastami Sale

10% off EVERYTHING!

Valid on Radhastami only, Saturday 23 September 2023. 

  

Week Ahead

 

Saturday 23 September

Sri Radhastami

Fast until Midday

 

Morning Festival

4:30am Mangal Arati

7:00am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

7:15am Greeting of the Deities in Their 1st new outfit

7:30am Class & Initiation Ceremony by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

 

Midday Festival

9:30am Offering of Birthday Cards to Srimati Radharani

10:00am Special Cake Offering

10:30am Maha Abhishek

11:30am Class by His Grace Medhavi Prabhu

12:30pm Arati & Kirtan

1:30pm Prasad Feast

 

Evening Festival

4:15pm Darshan of Deities in Their 2nd new outfit • Arati & Kirtan

4:30pm Kirtan Festival & Offering of Birthday Cards to Srimati Radharani

5:30pm Classes by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami & His Grace Medhavi Das

7:00pm Gaura Arati & Kirtan

7:30pm Prasad

 

Sunday 24 September

The Glories of Srimati Radharani @7:30am
By Her Grace Priya Kishori Devi Dasi

 

Sri Radhastami Boat Festival

11:00am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja

11:15am Sri Sri Radha Radhanath’s Boat Festival

12:00pm Class

12:30pm Arati & Kirtan

1:30pm Prasad Feast

Note: The Boat Festival is weather-dependent. 

 

Tuesday, 26 September 

Ekadasi – Fast from grains, beans & legumes. 

Appearance Anniversary of Lord Vamana

Fast until noon for Lord Vamana and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

 

Wednesday 27 September

Ekadasi break fast 05:39 - 09:44

Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Festival begins at 11:30am

 

Friday 29 September 

3rd Month of Chaturmasya begins
Fast from milk for one month.

Bhadra Purnima

“If on the full moon day of the month of Bhadra one places Srimad-Bhagavatam on a golden throne and gives it as a gift, he will attain the supreme transcendental destination.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.13.13

A Srimad Bhagavatam set costs R3800.

If you already have a set of Bhagavatam, you can gift them. We also offer payment plans: R1267 over three months or R634 over six months. 

Queries: 082 806 1646 • 076 587 9558 • sankirtanoffice@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.

 

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

Week Ahead 17-21 September 2023

 

Dear Friends

Sri Radhastami Festival is almost upon us. Srila Prabhupada explains: “Srimati Radharani is a tenderhearted feminine counterpart of the supreme whole, resembling the perfectional stage of the worldly feminine nature. Therefore, the mercy of Radharani is available very readily by the sincere devotees, and once She recommends such a devotee to Lord Krishna, the Lord at once accepts the devotee’s admittance in His association.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.23, purport) 

Clear you calendar next weekend as we planned a two-day celebration for Srimati Radharani. Festival details will be shared in the next Week Ahead.

Serve Sri Radha on Sri Radhastami

Cake Offering
Would you like to bake a cake as a personal offering to Srimati Radharani? The cake darshan will be on Saturday @10:30am. Booking essential.
Contact Nitya Manjari 073 023 3761 via WhatsApp.
Note: No offerings will be accepted without a confirmed booking.

Maha Abhishek
Your opportunity to assist the pujaris of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath to bathe the Deities on the holy occasion of Sri Radhastami. Book here or contact Bhakti Katha 061 464 5327 (WhatsApp only) or psdgbhakti@gmail.com for queries. Sponsorship is R1008. 

Birthday Cards for Srimati Radharani
Sunday 17 September @11am
The Bhaktivedanta College invite all 5-year-olds and up for a card-making workshop. Grown-ups are also welcome as everyone can offer a card to Srimati Radharani. This is a bring-and-share event. The college will provide cards and devotional pictures. You may bring fancy pens/pencils, glitter, stickers, glue sticks, scissors, etc. You will be able to personally hand your card to the pujari to offer to Srimati Radharani. Cards will be offered on Sri Radhastami from 10am-10:30am and then again from 4:30pm-5pm.

Week Ahead

Friday 15 September
Kendra Nama-hatta @7pm
Celebrating Srimati Radharani
With His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
Venue: Kendra Hall, 5 John Zikhali Rd, Greyville
Queries: Shravan Bhana 083 453 3026

Saturday 16 September
Transcendental Diaries Class @7:30am
By His Grace Raghunath Bhatta Das

Darshan will be Closed
8:30am – 11:30am
Kindly note the there will be no darshan as the altar will be closed for maha cleaning. 

Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Giriraj Swami @4pm
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Sunday 17 September
Krishna Book Class @7:30am
By His Grace Raghava Caitanya Das

Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami @9am
New Jagannath Puri Temple

Love Feast @11am
Who is that Girl with Krishna
with Her Grace Vaishnavi Priya Dasi
Jhulana Yatra @1pm

Monday 18 September
Unit 6/7, Chatsworth Nama-hatta @7pm
Venue: Shantik Foundation, corner of roads 741 & 742
Queries: 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.

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

Week Ahead 1-8 September: 2023 Janmashtami Festival Guide

Dear Friends

Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival Guide

Saturday 2 September
Bangladesh Janmashtami Festival • 9am-12pm

Monthly Sankirtan Festival • 9:30pm-1pm
Make this MSF an offering for Janmashtami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja. Meet at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Prasada Marquee to collect your book pack and Janmashtami flyers and join a team on book distribution or harinam. We will meet back at the temple at 1pm for realisations and lunch prasada.

Gita Week Day 2 • 2pm-5pm

Lotus Park Janmashtami Festival @5pm
Lotus Park Community Hall, 4 Araucaria Place
Contact Dayal Caitanya 083 557 1062

Sunday 3 September
Gifts & Offerings • 10am-5pm
You may offer gifts, jewellery, fruit & flowers, cooking ingredients, & birthday cards to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
Free Vegetarian Meals • 10am-5pm
Lotus Market • 10am-4pm
Krishna Kids Birthday Party • 2pm-5pm
(There will be a jumping castle and kids activity station from 10am)
Gita Week Day 3 • 2pm-5pm

Wednesday 6 September
Gifts & Offerings • 10am-6pm
Free Vegetarian Meals • 10am-6pm
Senior Citizens’ Wellness Festival • 9am-12pm

Thursday 7 September
Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Fast until midnight.
4:30am – Midnight

Arts & Culture Youth Fest • 9:30am-11:30am
Contact Rupa Vilas 072 613 2197

Gifts & Offerings • 9am-9pm
You may offer gifts, jewellery, fruit & flowers, cooking ingredients, & birthday cards to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
Free Vegetarian Meals • 10am-Midnight
Cultural Festival • 6pm-Midnight

Sri Krishna Janmashtami Maha Abhishek • 7:30pm-8:15pm
You can assist the pujaris of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath to bathe the Deities. Contact Bhakti Katha 061 464 5327 (WhatsApp only) or psdgbhakti@gmail.com for queries. Sponsorship is R1500.

Janmashtami Market • 6pm-11pm
Govinda’s Snack Bar • Gift Store • Face Painting • Wisdom Books • Deity Seva
Bhakti Theatre’s Campfire Kirtan 7pm-11pm

My Janmashtami Challenge • 6pm-10:30pm
Complete four challenges:
1. Krishna Lila Adventure
2. 108 Mantras
3. Floating Candle Prayers
4. Krishna’s 360 Photo Booth
On completion of each challenge, you will be awarded a colour-coded sticker to add to your scorecard. Use your completed scorecard to claim your prize. This challenge is open to everyone. You can enter as an individual, couple, family, or as a team. It will take approximately 45 minutes to complete the challenge.

We appreciate that safety and parking are issues and have therefore taken the following measures:
Park & Ride
Please see the parking map below. Note the order of parking options (when each area is filled the next site will be opened for parking):
1. eThekwini Customer Service Centre
2. Mosque
3. Chatsworth Centre Roof Parking
The blue route on the map marks the park-and-ride facility.

Safety & Security
Visible private security, SAPS and Metro will be on hand, monitoring and surveillance. Over 30 car guards will be on duty and individual car security checks on exit.

Friday 9 September
Sri Vyasa-puja of
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The festival begins at 10am.
You are encouraged to prepare food and flower offerings for Srila Prabhupada.

Save the Date

ISKCON Disciples Course
with His Grace Swarup Damodar Das
Rose Heights Primary School
Sunday 10 September 10am–4pm
Saturday 16 September 11am–4pm
Monday 25 September 10am–4pm
Saturday 30 September 11am-4pm
Sunday 1 October 10am–4pm
Queries Alanath Das 083 775 2760
Register here