Week Ahead 28 September – 4 October

Dear Friends

The celebrated month of Kartik begins on Thursday 5 October and ends on Saturday 4 November. You are invited to come to the Temple every evening at 7pm to sing the Damodarastakam and offer a lamp to Lord Damodar and Mother Yashoda. A milk drink will be served thereafter. Kartik packs are available at the temple for a minimum donation of R15. Details of the Kartik Purnima festival is in the Week Ahead.

Deity Utsava Seva
You are invited to render personal service to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath by sponsoring towards the Deity worship on Kartik Purnima. Kindly contact Bhakti Devi at Radhanath's Gifts or tck@iskcondurban.net.

Kartik Milk Drink Sponsorship
R591 per night
Booking may be done via the Book Table.

Your Week Ahead

Thursday 28 September
ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening Festival Day 1
Purification and Auspiciousness Festival @6:30pm
Svasti-vacana
Vasudeva Punyaha
Vastu Santi Yajna & Vaisnava Yajna

Friday 29 September
Kirtanuity Youth Night with His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

Register via https://goo.gl/forms/tbsD2gXtNKjEr5GC2 or
WhatsApp: Sudhir 079 144 0003 or Rishan 073 401 6547

ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening Festival Day 2
Preliminary Installation of Deities of Gaura Nitai @6:30pm
Netronmilana – Opening the Eyes of the Deities
Vanda Paana – Presenting auspicious articles to the Deities
Sayanotsavam – Deities to rest

Saturday 30 September
Monthly Sankirtan Festival in Pietermaritzburg
9:00am Bus leaves for Pietermaritzburg
10:00am Book Distribution throughout Pietermaritzburg
1:00pm Realizations & Lunch
2:00pm Temple Opening Festival begins
7:00pm Bus to Sri Sri Radha Radhananth Temple
Kindly note: to book your seat on the bus, registration is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328

ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening Festival Day 3
Installation of Deities @ 2:00pm
Kalash Maha Abhishek
Fire yagna
First Darshan of Gaura Nitai in Their new outfit
Gaura-arati
Festival of Lord Rama’s victory and burning of Ravana effigy
Prasada will be served from 2:00pm onwards. Feast at 8:00pm

Note: Govinda's Pizzeria will be closed.

Sunday 1 October
Ekadasi – Fast from grains, beans & legumes.
Govinda's Pizzeria will be serving a full Ekadasi menu.
NOTE: There will be NO Love Feast at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening Festival Day 4
Official inauguration of the Temple @2:00pm
Cultural Festival @12:00pm
You may bring offerings of fruit, flowers, and other gifts to the Deities of Gaura Nitai from 9:00am onwards. The public can also offer an arati to the Deities.
Ekadasi prasad will be served from 12:00pm. Feast at 5:30pm.

Note: A bus service will be available from Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. Seats are limited therefore bookings are essential. You may book your seat at the Book Table.

Parking
Heather Secondary School – A free shuttle service will be available.

Festival Queries
Nalika Rajaram 084 891 7070 | nalika.rajaram26@gmail.com

If you would like to assist this wonderful project in Srila Prabhupada’s movement by way of sponsoring towards the deities and building, please contact Nalika Rajaram.

Monday 2 October
Ekadasi Break Fast 05:33 - 09:41

Thursday 5 October
Kartik Purnima
4th Month of Chaturmasya – Fast from urad dhal.
7:00pm Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit
Gaura-arati & Kirtan
7:30pm Class by His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
8:30pm Offering of lamps to Lord Damodara
Light Prasad will be served thereafter.

Friday 6 October
Bhakti Theatre @8pm
8:00pm Ragas with Nanda Kishore
8:20pm Bhaktimarga Swami's The Gita
8:40pm MC Pralamz
The show begins at 8pm sharp, so come in early, grab a seat, order your meal and get comfortable for a fun evening of spiritual entertainment.
You may want to bring blankets and cushions. BYS (Bhakti Yoga Society) Cafe will be providing our light meals, snacks, and drinks. Note: Govinda's Pizzeria will be open. Entry is by donation. All proceeds go to the theatre and the university cultivation programme.

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

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Srila Prabhupada's House Expands

Dear Friends 

 

Over the last four decades, the devotees in Pietermaritzburg have been instrumental in serving and being part of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. ISKCON Pietermaritzburg started off as one of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath's main nama-hatta groups. They hosted wonderful festivals, which attracted thousands of people from all around Pietermaritzburg, they were dedicated in their weekly service gatherings, and are enthusiastic to study the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Pietermaritzburg became known as a place of warm hospitality and mountains of prasada. These devotees were actively involved in festivals at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, from helping to cook for the Love Feast, to cleaning vegetables and serving prasad at the Durban Festival of Chariots. They even went out of their way to collect funds for the Durban Festival of Chariots.

In a few days time, the ISKCON Pietermaritzburg will officially open. For me, it feels like a child leaving its comfortable nest and going on out on its own. The Pietermaritzburg devotees will now shoulder new responsibilities now. They will have to ensure that the deity standards are maintained. They will have to think of ways to keep the devotees inspired and engaged, and that the Temple becomes a beacon of Krishna consciousness in Pietermaritzburg. These are exciting times!

The day after Srila Prabhupada installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in Vrindavan in April 1975, His Divine Grace commented, "Now I have installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, one may stand in front of Them and one may say, 'My Dear Sirs, I have such and such problem,' and They will help you."

In this way, I pray to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai that They unlimitedly bless the residents of Pietermaritzburg (and Durban!) and engage us in Their sankirtan movement.

Please find below the celebration details. Kindly note the program is subject to change and I look forward to seeing you at there.

Your servant
Vibhu Caitanya Das

 

ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening
28 September – 1 October
584 Bombay Road (corner of Bombay Road & Olympia Way), Northdale
  

Special Guests

His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Swami

His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami

His Holiness Bhakti Narasimha Swami

His Holiness Ram Govinda Swami

His Grace Medhavi Prabhu
His Grace Nandakumar Prabhu

 

Thursday 28 September

Purification and Auspiciousness Festival @6:30pm

Svasti-vacana

Vasudeva Punyaha

Vastu Santi Yajna & Vaisnava Yajna

 

Friday 29 September

Preliminary Installation of Deities of Gaura Nitai @6:30pm

Netronmilana – Opening the Eyes of the Deities

Vanda Paana – Presenting auspicious articles to the Deities

Sayanotsavam – Deities to rest

 

Saturday 30 September

Installation of Deities @ 2:00pm

Kalash Maha Abhishek

Fire yagna

First Darshan of Gaura Nitai in Their new outfit

Gaura-arati

Festival of Lord Rama’s victory and burning of Ravana effigy

Prasada will be served from 2:00pm onwards. Feast at 8:00pm

 

Sunday 1 October

Official inauguration of the Temple @2:00pm

Cultural Festival @12:00pm

You may bring offerings of fruit, flowers, and other gifts to the Deities of Gaura Nitai from 9:00am onwards. Public can also offer an arati to the Deities.

Note: A bus service will be available from Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. The bus departs at 12:00pm.

Kindly note that it is Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans, and legumes. Ekadasi prasad will be served from 12:00pm. Feast at 5:30pm.

 

Parking

Heather Secondary School – A free shuttle service will be available.

 

Festival Queries

Nalika Rajaram  084 891 7070 | nalika.rajaram26@gmail.com

 

If you would like to assist this wonderful project in Srila Prabhupada’s movement by way of sponsoring towards the deities and building, please contact Nalika Rajaram.

 

Your Week Ahead 

 

Sunday, 24 September

Love Feast with His Holiness Ram Govinda Swami @3pm

 

Dates to Note

 

Monthly Sankirtan Festival in Pietermaritzburg

Saturday, 30 September

9:00am   Bus leaves for Pietermaritzburg

10:00am Book Distribution throughout Pietermaritzburg

1:00pm   Realizations & Lunch

2:00pm   Temple Opening Festival begins

7:00pm   Bus to Sri Sri Radha Radhananth Temple

Kindly note: to book your seat on the bus, registration is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328

 

Thursday, 5 October

Kartik Begins

Kartik Milk Drink Sponsorship

R591 per night

Booking may be done via the Book Table.

 

Friday, 6 October

Bhakti Theatre @8pm

8:00pm   Ragas with Nanda Kishore

8:20pm   Bhaktimarga Swami's The Gita

8:40pm   MC Pralamz

The show begins at 8pm sharp, so come in early, grab a seat, order your meal and get comfortable for a fun evening of spiritual entertainment.
You may want to bring blankets and cushions. BYS (Bhakti Yoga Society) Cafe will be providing our light meals, snacks, and drinks. Note: Govinda's Pizzeria will be open. Entry is by donation. All proceeds go to the theatre and the university cultivation programme.

 

Saturday, 7 October 

Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami @5pm

 

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Week Ahead 14 – 20 September

Dear  Friends 

On Friday 15 September, His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami will complete his 4828km-walk from New York to San Francisco. This trek is Maharaja's offering in celebration of ISKCON's 50th anniversary.  

Your Week Ahead 

Saturday, 16 September 

Ekadasi – fast from all grains, beans, and legumes.

Maha Harinam – Celebrating World Holy Name Week

North Beach Skate Park

1:30pm - 3:00pm

Sunday, 17 September

Ekadasi Break Fast 05:51 - 09:50 

Love Feast with His Grace Ramanujacharya Das @3pm

Srila Prabhupada Memorial Festival & Sri Vyasa-puja of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami @ New Jagannath Puri Temple

11:00am Srila Prabhupada Festival

1:00pm   Feast

2:00pm   Sri Vyasa-puja

Dates to Note

Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening
28 September – 1 October

Monthly Sankirtan Festival in Pietermaritzburg

Saturday, 30 September

9:00am   Bus leaves for Pietermaritzburg

10:00am Book Distribution throughout Pietermaritzburg

1:00pm   Realizations & Lunch

2:00pm   Temple Opening Festival begins

7:00pm   Bus to Sri Sri Radha Radhananth Temple

Kindly note: to book your seat on the bus, registration is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328

Thursday, 4 October

Kartik Begins

Kartik Milk Drink Sponsorship

R591 per night

Booking may be done via the Book Table.

Finally, Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is offering four full-time job opportunities. Please see the attached PDF for details. 

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Week Ahead 7 – 13 September

Dear  Friends 

 

Your Week Ahead 

 

Saturday, 9 September 

Pada-yatra in Lotus Park @9:30am

Starts at Stork Place and ends on Lotus Drive. This a 2,5km walk.

Prasad will be served.

 

Sunday, 10 September

Love Feast with His Grace Rathim Krishna Das @3pm

Soweto's Spiritual Heritage Festival (see poster for details)

 

Wednesday, 13 September

Be A Sage Book Club

Join our book club and share thoughts & realisations with fellow readers. Discussion on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 7 with His Grace Vibhu Caitanya Das.
This event begins at 6:30pm sharp and ends at 7:30pm with a feast.
Reservation is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net / 031 403 3328

 

Dates to Note

 

Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening 

28 September – 1 October

See poster for details.

 

Monthly Sankirtan Festival in Pietermaritzburg

Saturday, 30 September

Keep an eye out for details in the coming weeks.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Week Ahead 31 August – 6 September

Dear  Friends

 

Your Week Ahead 

 

Saturday, 2 September 

Lord Vamana's Appearance Day – Fast until midday.

Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans, and legumes.

 

Sunday, 3 September

Ekadasi Break Fast: 06:08 – 07:44

Love Feast with His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami @3pm

 

Monday, 4 September

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur's Appearance Anniversary

Fast until midday.

Festival will begin at 11am

 

Wednesday, 6 September

3rd Month of Chaturmasya begins – Fast from milk.

  

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Week Ahead 24 – 30 August & Sri Radhashtami Festival

Dear Friends 

On Tuesday 29 August, we celebrate the "...the tender hearted feminine counterpart of the Supreme Whole." Srimati Radharani is the supreme goddess of devotion and can award love for Krishna. We have planned an all-day festival in Her honour. A wonderful way to connect with Srimati Radharani is by giving her a birthday card or letter. Your cards and letters will be placed on the altar. You may also offer Srimati Radharani gifts or flowers. We especially welcome His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, who will be joining us for the festival, as well as His Grace Madhava Prabhu. You are invited to sponsor the Deity Utsava Seva on Radhashtami. Kindly contact Bhakti Devi on 031 403 3328 or tck@iskcondurban.net. 

You can relive the 2017 Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival by viewing our short video: https://youtu.be/GJMODI_hpgI

Thursday, 24 August

Be A Sage Book Club
Join our book club and share thoughts & realisations with fellow readers. Discussion on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 7 with His Grace Vibhu Caitanya Das.
This event begins at 6:30 pm sharp and ends at 7:30 pm with a feast.
Reservation is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net / 031 403 3328

Friday, 25 August

Madhava Prabhu @ New Jagannath Puri Temple @6:30 pm

  

Saturday, 26 August 

Monthly Sankirtan Festival & Maha Harinam with Madhava Prabhu
Kindly register via temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328
Festival Lineup:
4:30 am Morning Programme Begins
8:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Orientation
9:30 am Book Distribution at pre-arranged spots (Devotees will be going out in groups)
10:00 am Harinam begins at North Beach (between Milky Lane and the Skate Park)
12:30 pm Pack up and return to Temple
1:30 pm Sharing of experiences followed by a feast
Note: The book distributors can join the Harinam Party.

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

Sunday, 27 August

Kirtanuity Youth Group's 6 Hour Kirtan with Madhava 

The Festival begins at 10:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm with Srila Prabhupada's Guru-puja followed by a feast.

Sri Radhashtami Festival Guide

Tuesday, 29 August
Fast until noon.

4:30 am Deity Darshan in Their 1st new outfit and Mangal Arati & Kirtan
5:00am Tulasi-puja & Japa
7:00 am Srila Prabhupada's Guru-puja
7:10 am Class by His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami
8:15 am Greeting of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their 2nd new outfit
10:30 am Kirtan by His Grace Madhava Prabhu

11:00 am Sri Sri Radha Radhanath's Abhishek & Kirtan by Kadamba Kanana Swami
11:30 am Class by Kadamba Kanana Swami
12:30pm Arati & Kirtan
1:15pm Feast
BREAK
4:00 pm Kirtan with Madhava
5:30 - 6:45 pm Feast (Prasad will not be served after the programme.)
7:00 pm Deity Darshan in Their 3rd new outfit and Arati & Kirtan
7:30 pm Class by Kadamba Kanana Swami
8:30 pm Bhakti Theatre present Golokera Prema Dhana

NOTE: The festival will be broadcast live on MayapurTV on the Durban channel. Programme is subject to change.

Sri Radhashtami Festival celebrations also held at the following venues:
New Jagannath Puri Temple (ISKCON Phoenix) from 6:00 pm
ISKCON Pietermaritzburg from 6:30 pm
ISKCON Estcourt from 6:30 pm
ISKCON Ladysmith from 6:30 pm
ISKCON Newcastle from 6:30 pm

We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple

Week Ahead 10 – 16 August - Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival Guide

Dear  Friends 

 

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja Challenge

28 July – 13 August

We invite you to take on the 21 book challenge to commemorate the 121st Appearance Anniversary of the Founder Acarya of ISKCON. Simply distribute 21 books by Sunday, 13 August. All participants will get to bathe Srila Prabhupada on Vyasa-puja. 

 

Read the latest Hare Krishna News with the Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival highlights and other news: http://iskcondurban.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/HKN-Jul-Aug-2017-S.pdf

 

Your Week Ahead

 

Thursday, 10 August

Lotus Park Nama-hatta's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival
with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
Lotus Park Community Hall @6:30pm

 

Friday, 11 August

Merebank Nama-hatta's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival
with Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
Merebank Regional Hall @6pm 
Sea Cow Lake Nama-hatta's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival
with His Holiness Bhakti Narasimha Swami
Sri Vishnu Temple @6:30pm

 

Saturday, 12 August

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations Day 1

Bangladesh Market Festival

Kirtan & Prasad Distribution 

9am – 1pm

Kirtanuity Youth Group's Youth Day

Cultural Entertainment Marquee
4pm-7pm
Topics include:
Find Your Balance
Is Money Better than Learning?
Invite Krishna into Your Heart

Clare Estate Nama-hatta's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival

with Partha Sarathi Das Goswami

Saligram Hall @6:30pm

Umkomaas Nama-hatta's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival

with Bhakti Narasimha Swami

Craigieburn Temple Hall @3pm

ISKCON Estcourt's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival

with His Grace Rathim Krishna Das

Swami Sahajananda Community Centre @3pm

 

Sunday, 13 August

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations Day 2 
Vedic Cultural Entertainment
Cultural Entertainment Marquee
Gifts & Offerings in the Temple
2pm – 7pm

With His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Krishna’s Birthday Party for Children

2pm – 5pm

  

Welbedacht Nama-hatta's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival

Sarva Dharma Ashram @10am

Monday, 14 August

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple's Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations Day 3

Learner’s Vedic Culture Fest
Cultural Entertainment Marquee
9am – 12pm 

Sri Sri Radha Radhanath's Adivas Ceremony @7pm

This ceremony invokes auspiciousness for the festival.  

 

Tuesday, 15 August

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

 

Gifts & Offerings
In the Temple
All Day
You may offer gifts, jewellery, flowers, cooking ingredients, & birthday cards to Sri Sri Radha Radhanath.
 

Seniors Culture Fest
Cultural Entertainment Marquee
10am – 1pm

 

Vedic Cultural Entertainment
Cultural Entertainment Marquee
4pm until midnight
 

Bhakti Theatre’s
Krishna Book @ the Campfire
6pm – 11pm
Temple Gardens
A casual and warm gathering around the fireplace for a dramatic telling of Krishna’s pastimes

Gods & Demons Face Painting
6pm – 9pm
Temple Gardens
 

Mantra Park
Sri Krishna says, “Of sacrifices, I am the chanting of the holy names [japa].” (Bg10.25)
6pm – 11pm
Temple Gardens
Chant 108 Hare Krishna maha-mantras with Srila Prabhupada.
 

Movies Under the Stars
6pm – 11pm
Temple Amphitheater
 

Srila Prabhupada Exhibit
Near Cultural Entertainment Marquee
All Day 

 

Free sumptuous karma-free vegetarian meals will be served.
 

Wednesday, 16 August

Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja

Fast until midday.

Festival begins at 9am

Food and flower offerings to be in by 11am

We are happy to report that no vehicles were stolen, no vehicle break-ins, and no visitors were harmed at the 2016 Sri Krishna Janmashtami Festival. Parking available in and around the temple with park and ride facilities. We will have visible security, police patrol, and volunteer security.