Thursday, 28 March 2013

A Weekend with Lord Jagannath


Dear Friends,

Hare Krishna. We can meet and greet Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Subhadra Devi tomorrow, 29 March, at the beach opposite Mini Town. The procession will begin at 11am sharp. Everyone is invited to come at 10.30 to welcome Lord Jagannath and His brother and sister like never before: there will be bag pipers, drum majorettes, traditional Zulu dancers, gumboot dancers, a brass band, Chinese dragons and the chanting of the holy name. The procession will proceed on the promenade from Mini Town down to South Beach and return to the site. Please note there is only one Chariot Parade.

There will be major media coverage at that festival and we request that any official queries be directed to Aunuradha BCS and Sri Hari who can be found behind the cultural entertainment marquee. Please view the map attached.

On Sunday, 31 March, we are holding an initiation ceremony at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple at 7am. His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami and His Holiness Bhaktimarg Swami will be awarding initiation.

It is Bhaktimarg Swami's 14th year staging his extraordinary dramas. This year he presents a revamped, Dhruva, The Prince of Anger and Peace. You can be entertained by Maya Man tempting young Dhruva, Lord Vishnu protecting him from wild dogs and his family celebrate bangra style. Gita Concise is just that-a 25 minute drama bringing Krishna's words to life and prepare to be marvelled by the Universal Form. You can view the attached programme for the show times.

Remember there is ample parking at the old Durban Drive In and Hoy Park with a park and ride facility.

SAA is an official sponsor of the Durban Festival of Chariots and are currently running a special which is being extended to all members of ISKCON. Devotees travelling between 15 March-16 April 2013 can receive a discount ranging from 5- 18% per point of sale off its lowest published airfares (subject to the relevant class availability for international and regional market related airfares by utilizing the promotional code. To take full advantage of this offer or for more information, kindly e-mail Melissa Govender:govender.melissa@gmail.com

Finally, you can view the Durban Festival of Chariots Souvenir Book on our website later today.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend.

We hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net





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Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Sri Gaura Punrima


Dear Friends,

Hare Krishna.

Tomorrow we celebrate the appearance anniversary of the most munificent incarnation of the Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 

"May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcendentally situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has descended in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most elevated mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love." Cc. Adi 1.132

You are warmly invited to come and spend some time at the temple as we have arranged a spectacular festival. In the mood of Lord Caitanya you are encouraged to bring as many friends and family too. 

4.30am Mangal Arati and Nrsimhadev Prayers with Bhaktimarg Maharaj
5.05am Tulsi Puja with Bada Hari Prabhu
7.00am Guru Puja with Bada Hari Prabhu
7.15am Class by Bada Hari Prabhu
8.30am Greetings followed by Kirtan with Bada Hari Prabhu
10.00am Kirtan in Temple Room with ISKCON Youth
10.30am Abhisek with Kirtan by Bada Hari Prabhu
11.15am 108 names of Lord Caitanya with Jayadev Prabhu
11.30am Class by HH Bhakti Caru Maharaj
12.30pm Arati with kirtan by Bhakti Caru Maharaj
4.00pm Kirtan in Temple Room with Krishna Caitanya Prabhu
5.00pm Kirtan in Temple Room with Krishna Presthaya Dasi and Parijata Dasi
6.00pm Kirtan in Temple Room with HH BB Govinda Swami and Madhava Das
7.00pm Gaura Arati with Kirtan by Jayadeva Prabhu and a special darshan of Lord Jagannath
7.40pm Class by HH Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
8.40pm Kirtan with HH BB Govinda Swami and Madhava Das

We will post Durban Festival of Chariots news and updates, including the festival route, on Thursday.

We hope this finds you in the best spirits,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net
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Friday, 22 March 2013

Festival News and Views


Dearest Friends,

Hare Krishna. The Durban Festival of Chariots is 6 days away. In case you don't know the dates: Friday, 29 March to Monday, 1 April. The festival times are 10am to 11pm.

We have received mixed reactions to the "new" Durban Festival of Chariots. Our hope is that the additions will achieve the desired result-that people's hearts will open to God, to Krishna. We have heard that our acaryas, our long gone spiritual teachers, were innovative and bold in presenting Krishna consciousness. One of the qualities of a madhyam devotee (a devotee who spreads Krishna consciousness) is that they present the path of devotion in a way that is relatable. Successful communication is in how what is said is heard and perceived. Bhakti or love is an affair of the heart. Our aspiration is that the 25th anniversary of the Durban Festival of Chariots will enter people's hearts and water the seed of bhakti that is in each and everyone's heart--even if we sometimes forget that everybody has this seed. Let us not forget that Lord Jagannath Himself, overwhelmed by love, steps down from His altar and comes out to meet the people, this is Lord Jagannath's mood, our acaryas' mood, the jagat guru, Srila Prabhupada's, mood and the essence of devotion to Krishna.

Durban Festival of Chariots News

We will be posting updates during the course of next week. You can go to www.iskcondurban.net or Facebook DurbanKrishna or www.festivalofchariots.net or Facebook festivalofchariotsdurban.

We welcome His Holiness Bhaktimarg Swami on Monday, 25 March. Maharaja will be presenting 2 new theatrical productions at the festival: 1. Gita Concise, a rousing cross-genre take on Krishna's immortal wisdom.  2. Dhurva, The Prince of Anger and Peace, inspired by the true story from Srimad Bhagavatam of a five-year old prince in search of God for the wrong reason--revenge. Maharaja's innovative renditions combine dance, martial arts and music to dazzle you. 

Show Times:

Friday, 29 March
Dhruva, The Prince of Anger and Peace, at 8.15pm followed by the Prayer Lanterns.

Saturday, 30 March
Gita Concise at 8.30pm 

Monday, 1 April
Gita Concise at 2.30

His Grace Bada Hari Prabhu arrived earlier this week and His Holiness Bhakti Brnga Govinda Swami arrived on Thursday and is already rehearsing with the KZN philharmonic orchestra.

Witness the Vivaha Samskara (Vedic wedding) of Ramashna and Mayapura Candra Das on Sunday 31 March at 10.30am.

We also welcome His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami and His Grace Mahatma Prabhu on Monday.

During the festival you can take a break and enjoy a wholesome meal in a beautiful setting.
Govinda's Restaurant in the Sunken Garden

For a tranquil dining experience, visit us at the sunken garden where you can enjoy authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine in our fully air-conditioned restaurant. Let the culinary skills of our expert Hare Krishna cooks satisfy you with a variety of sumptuous meals that include rice, dhal, flat breads, homemade cheese tossed in with fresh vegetables, savouries and sauces to delectable desserts.

Lunch is between 12-4pm
Dinner is between 4.30-8.30pm

To find out what's on the menu each day call 084 345 7471

Your Week Ahead

Saturday, 23 March
Ekadasi

Sunday, 24 March
Special Love Feast programmes at NJP at 11am and SSRRT at 4pm
With His Holiness Indradyumna Swami and Anuradha Dasi (GRS) answering your questions about the Durban Festival of Chariots. You can also look forward to the devotees from Soweto performing the Jagannathastakam and Krishna Prestaya will do a prayer with three Odissi dancers.


Wednesday, 27 March
Sri Gaura Purnima-The Appearance Anniversary of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

There is an exciting all-day programme, so, take some time off work or school and spend some time at the temple.

4.30am:  Mangal-arati with Bhaktimarga Swami
5.20am:  Japa
7:00am: Guru-puja with Mahatma Das
7.15am: Class with Bada Hari Das and Mahatma Das
8.30am: Greetings followed by kirtan with Mahatma Das
10:00am: Kirtan in temple
10.30am: Abhishek and kirtan with Bada Hari Das
11.15am: Class with Bhakti Caru Swami
12.30pm: Arati and kirtan with Mahatma Das
4-6pm: Kirtan
6.00pm: Kirtan with BB Govinda Swami
7.00pm: Gaura-arati and kirtan with Indradyumna Swami
7.40pm: Class with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami and Mahatma Das
8.40pm: Kirtan with BB Govinda Swami followed by arati

We hope this finds you in the best spirits, until next week,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net

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Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Dragons, Drums and Dance


Dear Friends,

Hare Krishna. We are under four weeks away from the largest cultural festival in Durban.  In each of the coming weeks we will feature two Durban Festival of Chariots events.

The chariots parade is on Friday, 29 March from 10.30am, on the lower Marine Parade, close to the shore. The route is not confirmed as yet, so look out for updates. Devotees are already re-furbishing the three chariots. The parade will be enhanced by the auspicious Chinese symbol, the Chinese dragon, which ushers good luck and prosperity. Zulu dancers will show their prowess by stamping the ground and clearing the way for Lord Jagannath, and a brass band will theatrically announce the Lord’s visit to the beach. There will be a kirtan party led by one of the many visiting senior devotees in front of each chariot. Put on your best and your dancing shoes and follow in Lord Caitanya's footsteps, who was famed as a great dancer and chanter.   

Something new and great fun, is the Rainbow Splash. This festival of colour, traditionally known as Holi, will be on the sands of the Bay of Plenty with a "jumping" kirtan DJ-ed by famous Durban DJ, Deon Govender. Coloured powders will be on sale at the venue. For what to expect go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HltruTVcTYE. This 3 minute video covers the Holi festival at the ISKCON temple in Utah, America. Please note we are not covering any laundry bills. 

Your week ahead

Friday, 8 March
Ekadasi

Saturday, 9 March
Padayatra in Chatsworth
Accompany Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and Srila Prabhupada on  3km downhill walk. Route: Starting at Moorton (cnr. Highland Ridge and View Ridge Roads) around Moorton traffic circle, down Moorton Drive, around Arena Park traffic circle, down Trisula Avenue, past the City Treasurer Building to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. There will be a shuttle service to transport everyone from the temple to the starting point at 9am. The padayatra will begin at 9.30am. We encourage devotees to come in their best Vaisnava attire and on completion of the padayatra, prasada will be served.

Sunday, 10 March
Shivaratri 
"Lord Shiva's role in the material world is many: as the destroyer of the material universe, he presides over the mode of ignorance although completely aloof from it. He is the shelter of ghosts and hobgoblins and is easily pleased, granting material benedictions to his devotees. He is famous for his incredible powers, for swallowing poison from the ocean of nectar without being harmed and for accepting the Ganga on his head thus making him most auspicious. Certainly, Lord Shiva is not any ordinary demigod – he is Mahadeva, the greatest of all demigods...Lord Shiva’s divine qualities, attributes and pastimes are unlimited and his relationship with Lord Vishnu or Krishna is deep and sublime. He loves those who surrender to the Lord in humility and devotion and if we honour him as an exalted servant of the Lord, the Lord is pleased as He always is when we glorify his dear devotees." Excerpt from Mahadeva Shiva, The topmost Devotee, Hare Krishna News May/June 2011.
To read full article go to http://iskcondurban.net/?page_id=239.

Join the Shivaratri Celebration with His Grace Jaisacinandana Das at 11am. 
You can look forward to lunch and a gift pack.

Special Sunday Love Feast with His Holiness Indradyumna Swami at 4pm.
Do not miss this special Durban Festival of Chariots update.
Look out for the Craft Market featuring gopi dot/face painting, crafts for children and fresh sugar cane juice at this Sunday’s special program.

We hope this finds you in the best spirits, until next week,

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

T: 031 4033328  |  F: 031 4034429  |  www.iskcondurban.net  |  temple@iskcondurban.net
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