Dear Friends
A Janmashtami Meditation
“What gives Janmashtami its enduring beauty is that beneath all its splendour
lies profound intimacy. Krishna does not ask for extravagance. He asks for love. In Bhagavad-gita 9.26, He says, “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” This is the true elegance of Janmashtami: not a display, but sincerity. A prayer offered with attention. A song sung with feeling. A lamp turned with devotion. A single day shaped around remembrance. In a world of speed, distraction, and excess, Janmashtami offers something rare — sacred depth. It invites us to pause, to return, and to remember that the soul is nourished not by possession, but by devotion.” Devadeva Das
Thursday 3 September
Sri Krishna Janmashtami (Smarta)
Fruit, Flowers, Ghee Lamp Offerings & Gifts • 11am-7:30pm
Free Vegetarian Meals • 11am – 7:30pm
Gita Week Conclusion with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami • 6pm-7:30pm
Janmashtami Market • 11:30am -7:30pm
Wisdom Books • SSRRT Maha Shop • Govinda’s Snack Bar • Events & SSRRT Connect
Friday 4 September
Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Fast until midnight.
4:30am – Midnight
Temple Schedule
4:30am Mangal Arati & Darshan of the Deities in Their 1st new outfit
5:15am Japa
7:15am Guru-puja to Srila Prabhupada
7:30am Greeting the Deities in Their 2nd new outfit
7:40am Class by His Grace Vraja Renu Das
9am-9pm • Public Offerings
You may offer gifts, jewellery, fruit & flowers, ghee lamps, cooking ingredients, & birthday cards to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
9:30pm Sri Krishna Janmashtami Maha Abhishek
Bookings are still open. Book here.
10:30pm Class by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
Midnight Darshan of the Deities in Their 3rd New Outfit
Arati Times: 8:00am • 12:30pm • 4:15pm • 7:00pm • 9:00pm Arati & Kirtan
Free Vegetarian Meals • 10am-11:30pm
Maha Yagna • 3pm
Bookings are still open. Book here.
Janmashtami Concert
Venue: Main Marquee
6:00pm Bhajans by Kamani Moodley
7:05pm Bhaktivedanta College Children’s Sloka Recital
7:25pm Bhajans by Sanjeeth Teeluck
8:25pm Krishna Katha by His Grace Vraja Renu Das
9:20pm Natkhat Nandal – A Dance Drama by the Radhe Shyam Dance Academy
9:40pm Bhajans by Preven Moodley
10:30pm Bhajans by Aap Ka Suraj
11:20pm Bhajans by Krishnastami Das
Midnight Vaishnava Bhajans by Ravindra Swarup Das
*Programme subject to change
Krishna Kids Birthday Party & Children’s Activities • 6pm-10:30pm
Janmashtami Market • 6pm-10:30pm
Wisdom Books • SSRRT Maha Shop • Govinda’s Snack Bar • Events & SSRRT Connect
Janmashtami Challenge • 6pm-10:30pm
This 45-minute challenge is for everyone! Enter as an individual, couple, team, or family. On completion of each task, you will be awarded a colour-coded sticker to apply to your score card.
Challenge #1
Krishna Lila Adventure: Journey through the pastimes of Krishna with
interactive storytelling.
Challenge #2
Mantra Walk: Chant 108 Hare Krishna maha-mantras.
Challenge #3
Floating Prayer Lamps: Offer a lamp to Krishna with intention, and then we
will assist you in floating it in the moat.
Challenge #4
Prayers to Lord Krishna: Write a heartfelt prayer that can be offered to the Deities or added to the Community Lotus.
Use your completed score card to claim your prize.
Other Highlights • 6pm-10:30pm
• Campfire Kirtan
• Mantra Park
Radhanath’s Gifts
OPEN until 10:30pm
You one stop shop for all your devotional apparel and memorabilia.
Parking & Security
Your safety is vital. Metro Police, SAPS, and two private security companies, as well as ample car guards, will be visible during the festival. Guest parking on the Temple property grass will be available first come, first-served basis. Once the Temple Parking is full, traffic will be diverted accordingly. Note the shuttle service will run on Friday, 4 September, from 6pm until Saturday, 5 September 1:30am.
Additional Secure Parking
Secure parking has been arranged at the following venues with a shuttle service to and from the festival drop-off zone:
• City Treasury
• Chatsworth Centre Rooftop
• Mosque
• Manpower Department
Sunday 5 September
Sri Vyasa-puja of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fast until midday.
10:00am Kirtan
10:30am Srila Prabhupada Abhishek
11:00am Offering of the Vyasa-puja book & the Meaning of Vyasa Puja
11:15am Senior Devotee talks
12:00pm Bhoga Offering in Srila Prabhupada’s Room
1:00pm Srila Prabhuapda Pushpanjali & Guru-puja
Offerings of Love for His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone following the principles of Krishna consciousness and chanting Hare Krishna is invited to prepare bhoga offerings for Srila Prabhupada. Please hand in your offerings by 11am in the amphitheatre. Kindly note that no offerings will be accepted in polystyrene containers. You may purchase eco-packaging from Radhanath’s Gifts. You may also bring flowers, flower garlands, and cards.
Sunday 6 September
Caitanya Caritamrta Class @7:30am
By His Grace Navin Krishna Das
Love Feast @11am
ISKCON’s 60th Anniversary: An Offering of Gratitude to Srila Prabhupada
With His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami & His Grace Vraja Renu Das
As we commemorate this extraordinary milestone, we invite devotees to express their appreciation, gratitude, and heartfelt reflections.
• What has Srila Prabhupada’s contribution meant to you?
• How has Krishna consciousness touched your life?
• What would you like to offer at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada on this special occasion?
Your words may be a message of gratitude, a personal reflection or a prayer from the heart. Due to the program concluding at 12:30pm, everyone may not get the opportunity to read their offering. Please book your reading spot here.
Monday 7 September
Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans & legumes.
Tuesday 8 September
Break Fast 06:02 – 09:56
Reminders
Book Your Deity Festival Sponsorship Now!
You are invited to sponsor the Deity worship on the following festival days: Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Srila Prabhupada’s Sri Vyasa-puja, and Sri Radhashtami. Offerings can be made in the names of loved ones. Book here. Queries: 063 297 4398
ISKCON Durban Guesthouse
To book:
Call/WhatsApp +27 (0)65 678 9654
guesthouse@iskcondurban.net
Govinda’s Restaurant & Takeaway
Monday – Saturday & Public Holidays 9:30am – 6pm
Sundays 9:30am-3pm
Govinda’s NEW WhatsApp Ordering & Queries Number: 073 009 3897
Radhanath’s Gifts
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Sundays & Public Holidays 9:30am-3pm
Queries: WhatsApp 083 893 1736
How to Connect to the Temple?
031 403 3328 • temple@iskcondurban.net • iskcondurban.net
