Dear Friends
Sri Rama Naumi Festival Guide
Appearance Anniversary of Lord Ramachandra
Sunday 6 April
Fast until noon.
In Temple
4:30am Mangal Arati & Kirtan
5:15am Japa
7:15am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
7:30am Greeting Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit
7:45am Special Class: The Glories of Lord Ramachandra Part 2
by His Grace Smita Krishna Das
9:00am Fruit, Flower & Lamp Offerings
12:30pm Arati & Kirtan by His Grace Isvara Puri Das
Lotus Market 9am-3pm
Browse through the array of stalls offering vegan & vegetarian snacks, Eastern and Western clothing, skincare, perfumes, crystal and gemstone items, jewellery, crafts, gopi dots & face painting, bakery, fresh fruit, veg & nuts, and more. There will also be a kids' activity area.
Free Vegetarian Meals will be served from 10am
Sri Rama Naumi Cultural Festival
(Marquee next to the free meals tent.)
10:15am Venkateswara Raam Bhajan Society from car park to marquee
11:30am Rama Katha by His Grace Jagadananda Pundit Das
12:15pm Traditional Hindi Rama Bhajans by Kanhaiya Das Singh
12.50pm Solo Dance by Rivati Laldeo from Nidhivan Dance Academy
1:00pm Ram Bhajans by Rossburgh Shree Raam Bhajan Group
2:05pm Dance by Nidhivan Dance Academy
2:10pm Bhojpuri Rama Bhajans by His Grace Krishnastami Das
3:15pm Dance by Radhe Shyam Dance Academy
3:30pm San Productions till close
2025 Durban Festival of Chariots News
Snana Yatra at New Jagannath Puri Temple
Sunday 13 April @9am
Snana Yatra is celebrated as the day when Krishna first assumed His Lord Jagannath form. In this form, Krishna becomes ecstatic from hearing His own glories told by Mother Rohini to the Queens of Dwarka. Due to His ecstatic emotions, Krishna’s hands and legs became short and withdrew into his body. His eyes grew wide and He had a huge smile. His brother, Balaram and sister, Subhadra were also hearing these pastimes and their limbs also withdrew into their bodies.
The Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.16 states: “In worshiping the temple Deity, my dear Uddhava, bathing and decoration are the most pleasing offerings.” Devotees get special mercy by bathing Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi. Generally, only brahmanas are allowed to bathe the Deities but on Snana Yatra, everyone is allowed to bathe the Deities. Jagannath showers His mercy on everyone!
Bus Service to Attend Snana Yatra
A bus will leave Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple at 8:30am and return from New Jagannath Puri Temple at 2pm. Note: there is no reserved seating and it is subject to a first come first served basis.
Week Ahead
Saturday 5 April
Special Class @7:30am
The Glories of Lord Ramachandra Part 1
by His Grace Raghava Caitanya Das
North Beach Harinama @5:30pm
Starting point: Mini Town Carpark
Sunday 6 April
Sri Rama Naumi
The Appearance Anniversary of Lord Ramachandra
Fast until noon.
Please see festival details at the beginning of this email.
Monday 7 April
Krishna Prema Nama-hatta (Unit 6/7) @7pm
Shantik Foundation – corner of road 729/741, Montford, Chatsworth
Tuesday 8 April
Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans & legumes.
Gaura Hari Prema Nama-hatta (Clare Estate) @6:30pm
Looking for Pieces of Broken Glass
with His Grace Madhumangal Das
Venue: Kampara Conference Centre
Kampara Business Park, 490 Clare Road, Clare Estate
Queries: Paramatma Das on +27765495474 via WhatsApp
Wednesday 9 April
Ekadasi Break Fast 06:11 – 10:01
Nitai Gaura Prema Nama-hatta (Saptah Mandir) @6:30pm
Sri Rama’s Exile
with His Grace Anantadeva Das
Venue: Saptah Mandir
5 Whittaker Avenue, Reservoir Hills
Queries: Paramatma Das on +27765495474 via WhatsApp
Saturday 12 April
Appearance Anniversary of Radha Kund
Hanuman Jayanti
Save the Date
Sunday 13 April @4:30pm
Maha Harinama in honour of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami
with His Grace Savyasaci Das, His Grace Harinamananda Das and His Grace Nitai Pada Kamala Das
Starting at Mini Town Carpark
114 Snell Parade
Saturday 26 April @2:30pm
Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami
New Jagannatha Puri Temple
Reminders
ISKCON Durban Guesthouse
Call/WhatsApp +27 (0)65 678 9654
guesthouse@iskcondurban.net
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
