Thank you from His Grace Swarup Damodar Das
Dear Devotees, Friends and Well-wishers of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple,
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Reflecting on the numerous congratulatory messages from guests and devotees over the last few days, I am left with heartfelt appreciation for the immense service offered by our community. Volunteering your time and energy contributed to a successful Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Srila Prabhupada Sri Vyasa-puja Festival at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. The festival touched the hearts of thousands of worshippers. This is the essential purpose of the festival—to touch the hearts of people with the grace of Lord Krishna and the organisers earnestly endeavoured to accomplish this.
The Festival Committee, the Deity Department, Temple Maintenance, various other departments, and the Temple Management Committee collaborated to conceive and execute elaborate plans to facilitate the worship of thousands of guests and devotees. I clearly noticed improvements in creativity, innovation, and efficiency compared to previous years.
As every endeavour is covered with flaws, surely there are areas we can improve. The organisers and I are eager to receive your feedback so we may continue to develop the quality of offerings to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath, Srila Prabhupada, and the public. Please contribute your thoughts here.
I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated by attending, serving, and contributing. Your efforts are surely blessed with the Lord’s mercy. Thank you so very much. May Sri Sri Radha Radhanath and Srila Prabhupada bless all of you with increasing service in Lord Caitanya’s mission, and growing attachment to their lotus feet. To inspire you further, I share some statistics (estimates) from the festival alongside.
Thank you. Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Swarup Damodar Das
Temple President
Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival Stats
• 28,000 plates of prasad were distributed
• 22 hours of kirtan in the Temple
• 127 Books were distributed
• 2 Srimad Bhagavatam sets were distributed
• 7 Monthly Debit Orders sign-ups
• 531 people completed the Janmashtami Challenge
• 350 people wrote prayers that were later offered on the altar
• 75 Children attended the Krishna Birthday Party
• 100 Children were entertained in the Children’s Activity Tent
• 600 Learners from Chatsworth, Merebank, and Rossburgh attended the Youth Fest
• 122 Sponsorships towards the Deity worship
• 68 Sponsorships for the Maha Abhishek
• 750 Seniors for the Senior Janmashtami Fest
• 271 Guest showed interest in attending the Guest Appreciation Dinner
• 329 Volunteers
• 9000 Fruit & Incense offerings to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple cooked for the entire free prasad distribution done at the ISKCON New Jagannath Puri Temple in Phoenix.
The festivities continue with loads of events in September. Sri Radhastami Festival is almost upon us.
Serve Sri Radha on Sri Radhashtami
Cake Offering
Would you like to bake a cake as a personal offering to Srimati Radharani? The cake darshan will be on Wednesday 11 September @10:30am. Booking is essential. Contact Nitya Manjari 073 023 3761 via WhatsApp only.
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 Radhashtami. Book here or contact Bhakti Katha 061 464 5327 (WhatsApp only) or psdgbhakti@gmail.com for queries. Sponsorship is R508.
Birthday Cards for Srimati Radharani
Cards will be offered on Wednesday 11 September @9:30am
His Grace Madhava Das Visits
Saturday • 7th September
Youth Event @Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple
Sunday • 8th September • 11am
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Love Feast
Tuesday • 10th September
Kirtan Evening @ New Jagannath Puri Temple Phoenix
Wednesday • 11th September
Sri Radhashtami Festival
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple
The Bhaktivedanta College of Education & Culture
A Kirtan Seminar
Saturday • 14 September • 1pm-4pm
Facilitators: Swarup Damodar Das and Smita Krishna Das
Based on research by His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami on Srila Prabhupada’s kirtan standards. This course will benefit kirtaneers, nama-hatta leaders, and congregation members – anyone who loves kirtan. This seminar is free however registration is essential. Register here.
Bhadra Purnima
18 September
The Gift of Srimad Bhagavatam
Be a part of the Go to Goloka campaign this Bhadra Purnima by purchasing or gifting a set of Srimad Bhagavatam. A Srimad Bhagavatam set costs R3400, with payment plans if required. For more information, contact Radha Raman on 076 587 9558 or Ujjvala Rasa on 072 158 0918.
2025 Calendar Out Now!
The A2 four-page wall calendar is out now. You may purchase your copy from the Book Table or Sankirtan Office. Cost: R60 each.
Week Ahead
Saturday 31 August
Transcendental Diaries @7:30am
with His Grace Raghava Caitanya Das
Sunday 1 September
Krishna Book Class @7:30am
with Her Grace Ranga Devi Dasi
Love Feast @11am
Aligning Actions with Beliefs
with His Grace Ramvijay Das
Monday 2 September
Unit 6/7 Nama-hatta @7pm
Shantik Foundation – corner of road 729/741, Montford, Chatsworth
Reminders
ISKCON Durban Guesthouse
To book:
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
