Vol. 6 Winter Issue a Mayapur’s winter festival in full swing

Radha-Madhava’s ocean of flowers Advent of Darshan of Radharani’s Lotus feet Lord gets new cloth Glories of Navadwipa Dham Winter Festivities In Sri Mayapur you have no time to stop… Everyday is amazing and sweet and intense all at the same time. There is so much to see and “The loud drums played by the learn in Sri Dhama Mayapur. One thing that makes my heart feel like it will come out of my Gurukula students will carry chest, is the loud and transcendental beat of the drums at the elephant procession . The sound you to another time and place” pierces your whole body and goes right through

Contents Page 2 Winter Festival Page 3 Pushpa Abhishek Events Page 4 Glories of Navadwipa Prathana Lalasamayi Prabhupada Speaks Kid Corner Page 5 Gita Jayanti Mayapur Sankirtan your heart, you feel small and humble hearing continues onto the next rangoli design. Page 6 those special drums and . Serving as a backdrop to the procession Cooking with Every Saturday afternoon during the winter is the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. The SrilaPrabhupada months a few boys walk, from their school in temple is in its third year of construction, and GoPuja / Gopastami the woods behind the ISKCON complex, to the is on the way to becoming one of India’s largest Page 7 Elephant Care Center. After the boys dress up religious monuments. Though on a tight Festivals at a Glance our two young elephants in bright colors, they schedule to get the temple ready for 2016, the Donor Appeal head on over to the temple. Once they reach workers can’t resist to break for a moment and the temple the priests place tiny brass Deities of watch the weekly parade. As the procession Madhava in the care of the boys on top ventures around the new temple the hearts of Produced and Published by: of the larger elephant, Laksmipriya. Hundreds Their devotees are filled with optimism about Mayapur Tourism Department of devotees gather along the path where the the many centuries that lay ahead in Sridham two beautifully decorated elephants lead a slow Mayapur. ISKCON Chandrodaya Mandir procession all around the campus. The loud drums played by the Gurukula Sri Dham Mayapur Heading the parade are the deities of Sri students will carry you to another time and Nadia, 741313 Sri Gaura , the two divine incarnations, place, you will realize that Sri Mayapur is the Ph: +91(3472)245-219 whose revival of the culture in the 16th spiritual world, and feel the drum beats are www.mayapur.com Century started in West Bengal, and swept actually the elephant footsteps… One can www.visitmayapur.com around India. Surrounding Sri Sri Gaura Nitai’s easily remember Lord Krsna and sincerely [email protected] cart is a boisterous where everyone is feel He is sitting on top of Laksmipriya giving blissfully chanting and dancing. The procession His blessings to all the devotees. This is really is an amazing experience that everyone should a special time in Mayapur and I wish to thank take part in. everyone who is involved in making every Devotees carefully make beautiful designs Saturday night such a wonderful and heart of colored rice powder and flower pedals, called touching experience. rangoli’s, on the path where the elephants will I feel blessed to be able to participate walk. At each rangoli, the Lord is greeted by every Saturday night. I go to bed with the “To wander through the nine islands of Sri Navadwipa-dhama devotees, and offered nice preparations that drums still echoing in my mind, dreaming all is the essence of all opulence, the various well-wishers have prepared for them. night about the Lord is sitting on top of His essence of all religious principles, the essence of all bhajana, the Prasadam is then distributed amongst a few elephant waving at all His devotees… Until essence of all perfections, the very fortunate people. The procession then next Saturday… essence of all glories and the essence of all kinds of oceans of sweetness” Mayapur Sanga - Winter Issue Page 2 Pushpha Abhishek Events Jananivasa Prabhu said that he was in flower petals. Much to the satisfaction of instructed by Srila Prabhupada to celebrate soul, Puspa Abhiseka continues on for almost 6.2.2013 - Wednesday festivals related to the pastimes of the Sri Sri two hours. First small Sri Radha-Madhava Fasting for Sat-tila Ekadasi Radha- in a grand way in Sri Mayapur. deities have Their flower shower, and after 7.2.2013 - Thursday These pastimes are going on eternally in that flower petals are showered on big Radha- Break fast 06:14 - 09:59 the spiritual world. By celebrating these Madhava and the Asta Sakhis. 10.2.2013 - Sunday festivals, we can engage ourselves directly in The Supreme Lord performs all these Ganga Sagara Mela the service of the Lord. Especially the Pusya wonderful pastimes, which go on eternally Abhiseka festival, where the Lord is bathed in dhama. Celebrating these festivals 15.2.2013 - Friday Vasanta Pancami & Sarasvati in soft, cooling petals of fragrant flowers. in the association of devotees gives us a Srimati Visnupriya Devi’s App. These festivities bring us closer to the mood glimpse of that unlimited happiness and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur’s Disapp. Pundarika Vidyanidhi’s App. of Vrindavana. an opportunity to serve the Lord in many Raghunandana Thakur’s App. Devotees at Mayapur eagerly look ways. Many senior devotees such as HH Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami’s App. forward to celebrating Pusya abhisheka Jayapataka , HH Subhag swami, HH 17.2.2013 - Sunday Purnima. This is a festival of joy, as we get Bhakti Purusottama swami, HH Bhakti Vigna Sri Advaita Acarya’s Appearance a chance to offer some personal service to vinasana Swami, HH Bhakti (Fasting till noon) our dearest Sri Radha-Madhava. On this Vishramba Madhava Swami also bless us with 18.2.2013 - Monday day Sri Radha-Madhava and Asta Sakhis are their presence. Bhismastami offered flower outfits lovingly prepared by the Srila Prabhupada once explained the 19.2.2013 - Tuesday devotees. The planning for the festival begins festival this way: “Krishna was just a toy in Madhvacarya’s Disappearance a few weeks before by our deity decoration the hands of the Gopis, so one day the Gopis 20.2.2013 - Wednesday team. On the day before Pusya abhisheka, decided that we shall decorate Him. Pusya Ramanujacarya’s Disappearance devotees start making the flower outfits from abhisheka means a ceremony to decorate 21.2.2013 - Thursday 11 am onwards up until dawn. The blissful the deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, Fasting for Bhaimi Ekadasi service of stitching multi colored flowers and cloths. After there should be lavish feasting (Total fasting till noon.) beads onto the outfit leave devotees spiritually and a procession through the streets, so that 22.2.2013 - Friday enlivened. all the citizens should Break fast 06:05 - 09:55 On the evening of Krsna Pusya Abhisheka see how beautiful Appearance of Lord Varahadeva (Feasting is done today.) Purnima, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava are bathed Krishna appears.” 23.2.2013 - Saturday Appearance of Sri Nityananda (Fasting till noon) 25.2.2013 - Monday Sri Krsna Madhura Utsava Thakur’s App. 2.3.2013 - Saturday Purusottama Das Thakur’s Disapp. ’s Disapp. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s App. (Fasting till noon) 8.3.2013 - Friday Fasting for Vijaya Ekadasi 9.3.2013 - Saturday Break fast 05:52 - 06:04 Sri ’s Disappearance 10.3.2013 - Sunday Siva Ratri 12.3.2013 - Tuesday Jagannatha Dasa Babaji’s Disapp. Rasikananda’s Disappearance 15.3.2013 - Friday Purusottama Dasa Thakur’s App. 23.3.2013 - Saturday Fasting for Amalaki vrata Ekadasi 24.3.2013 - Sunday Break fast 05:37 - 09:41 ’s Disapp. 27.3.2013 - Wednesday *** Gaura Purnima *** (Fasting till moonrise)

Mayapur Sanga - Winter Issue Page 3 Glories of Navadwipa Dham Mother Parvati said to Lord Siva, “O Lord, please describe exactly how and when Srimati “Just for Me You have created this Radhika created Navadvipa.” wonderful place. I will transform this place, Lord Siva explained: filling it with new sakhis and groves. The Absorbed in thoughts of Krishna, Radha devotees will glorify this place as Nava began to think. She then gathered Her sakhis .As this place is like an island, Prarthana (friends) together between the Ganges and or dvip the wise will call it Navavipa.By my Lalasamayi Yamuna Rivers. She created there a beautiful order, all the holy places will reside here. Srila place, decorated with creepers and filled Because you have created this place for my bumblebees. Deer and buck were happily pleasure, I will live here eternally. O dear kabe mor subha-dina hoibe udoy vrndabana-dhama mama hoibe asroy enjoying as they wondered about, and the whole Radha, like Vrindavan, this place is extremely area was filled with the fragrance of jasmine, pure. If anyone comes here just once, he will ghucibe samsara-jvala, bisaya-basana vaisnave-samsarge mor puribe kamana mallika and malati flowers. That transcendental obtain the results of going to all the sacred dhulaya dhusara ho’ye -samkirtane abode was adorned with tulasi forests. places.” matta ho’ye pa’de ro’ba vaisnava-carane On Radha’s order, the Ganges and Yamuna Lord Siva continued, ”O most fortunate kabe sri jamuna-tire kadamba-kanane with their pleasant water and banks acted as a Parvati, saying this, Krishna, the Lord of heribo jugala-rupa hrdoya-nayane moat to protect the garden. Radha dressed in Radha, merged with Radha’s body and began kabe sakhi krpa kori’ jugala-sevay a colorful cloth, then began to play a beautiful to reside there eternally. Seeing this form all niyukta koribe more rakhi’ nija pa’y melody on a flute in order to attract Krishna. the sakhis took on a male form to serve the kabe ba jugala-lila ko’ri darasana premananda-bhare ami ha’bo acetana Attracted by that melody, Krishna appeared in Lord.” At that time the tumultuous vibration that enchanting place. Radha, the attractor of of “Jaya Gaurahari!” filled the four directions: kataksana acetana padiya rahibo apan sarir ami kabe pasaribo? Krishna’s mind, seeing that Krishna had come, From that time the devotees call this form of Krishna, Gaurahari.As Radha is Gauri(fair) uthiya smaribo punah acetana-kale held his hand and experienced ecstatic delight. ja’ dekhinu krsna-lila bhasi’ anhki-jale Then Krishna understanding Radha’s mood and Krishna is Hari, when they combine in kakuti minati kori’ vaisnava-sadane spoke in a voice choked with love. one form they are Gaurahari. bolibo bhakati-bindu deha’ e durjane Srila Prabhupada Speaks sri ananga manjarir carana sarana e bhakativinoda asa kore’ anuksana “If the whole society performs its When will that auspicious day dawn respective duties and remains in when I will achieve full shelter in the Krishna consciousness, there is no transcendental abode of Vrndavana? doubt that all of its members will The burning fire of this material world live very peacefully and happily. will cease, as well as all desires for sense gratification, for by being with the Without wanting the necessities of devotees of the Lord all my longings will life, the whole world will be turned be fulfilled. into , a spiritual abode. Becoming maddened by their chanting Even without being transferred to of the holy name of the Lord, I will fall down and roll in the dust at the the kingdom of , by following devotees’ feet, completely covering the injunctions of Srimad- myself with that sacred powder. Bhagavatam and prosecuting the When, in a kadamba grove on the bank duties of Krishna consciousness all of the Yamuna river, will I behold the beauty of the Divine Couple within the human society will be happy in all eyes of my heart? respects.” When will a sakhi show her gracious mercy to me by engaging me in conjugal service, keeping me at her own lotus feet? Childrens Club Previous Answers:

And when will I catch a glimpse of Their 1. SAMBA 5. SWAMI divine conjugal pastimes? Becoming 2. PRAHLAD 6. PRASADAM filled with the ecstasy of pure spiritual 3. SIMHA 7. HARIBOL love I will lose consciousness. 4. 8. HARE Falling down, I will remain unconscious for a long time, and will completely forget about my own body. Regaining consciousness, I will again remember that sight which I saw while in trance—darsana of the ecstatic pastimes of Krsna that caused me to swim in an ocean of tears. Making repeated requests in the presence of the devotees, I will ask them to give just one drop of the ocean of devotion to this wicked person. Bhaktivinoda’s incessant longing is for the shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Ananga Manjari. Mayapur Sanga - Winter Issue Page 4 Gita Jayanti Gita Jayanti is the anniversary commemorating the day that Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Sri Krishna to His dearest devotee , at the place now Mayapur known as Jyotisar Tirtha, amid the waring families of the Kurus and the Pandavas at Sankirtan Kurukshetra. If one wishes you can still go to OFFERING TO SRILA PRABHUPADA visit that place, and see the monument erected During the year of 2012 there with Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir has driver) and Arjuna the warrior on their reported distributing the following chariot. The ashram resident who maintain the number of books: shrine claim the tree that is next to Them is a 295,801 Maha-big books growth of the original tree that witnessed the 32,798 Big books actual day the Bhagavad Gita was spoke. 77,431 Medium books Traditionally devotees come to 328,710 Small books 3,611 Full sets Kurukshetra (Dharmakshetra) to recite 316,520 Magazines Bhagavad Gita from early morning until the 1,051,260 Total literatures next morning, perform arati to Bhagavad Gita A combined total of 277 temples and Krishna & Arjuna upon the chariot, and reported distributing the following offer lamps ‘deep daan’ at Sarovar. Gita chanting or reciting of 700 number of books: The devotees also conduct shobha yatras and verses of Bhagavad Gita started at 8.30 seminars on the significance of the Gita in the a.m. Each chapter was recited in various 2,651,796 Maha-big books 427,367 Big books modern age. meters, culminating in a Gita Yajna being 683,138 Medium books Devotees who cannot get to Jyotisar performed with oblations after each sloka of 2,472,298 Small books Tirtha remember the blessed event by reciting 18th chapter. Devotees then did harinama 882,390 Magazines 44,645 BTG subscriptions Bhagavad Gita, and performing Bhagavad circumambulating the temple. To hear 8,309 Full sets Gita ahuti of each verse or selected chapters worldwide devotees with different cultural 7,384,859 Total literatures into the sacred fire. Discussion of the subject backgrounds absorbed in chanting the matter of Bhagavad Gita in the association of shlock’s with such an intense prayerful mood 494,771,141 literatures since 1965 devotees takes place in all corners of the globe. was an out of world experience. I offer my All glories to the san-kirtan devotees! Distribution of Bhagavad Gita’s on this day is millions of obeisances to Srila Prabhupada All glories to Srila Prabhupada! also a very auspicious activity to perform. who delivered this message as it is. In Mayapur, over 1000 students of Gita To show our gratefulness to Srila “This is the sum and substance of Lord Study Course, a distance education course Prabhupada, enthusiastic devotees including Caitanya’s sankirtana movement. There conducted by Mayapur preaching department children and students were moving around is no distinction made between those who are fit and those who are not fit convened for three day seminar culminating the campus distributing Bhagavad Gita’s to to hear or take part in the sankirtana on Gita Jayanti. Bhagavad Gita’s adorned the the visitors to Mayapur. movement. It should therefore be altars of Sri Radha-Madhava, Sri Panca tattva, Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon Ki Jai! preached without discrimination. The only purpose of the preachers of the Sri Narasimhadeva and Srila Prabhupada. Srimad Bhagavad Gita Ki Jai! sankirtana movement must be to go on preaching without restriction. That is the way in which Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced this sankirtana movement to the world.” Cc. Adi 9.29

Mayapur Sanga - Winter Issue Page 5 GoPuja & Gopastami On the day of Gopastami the devotees here Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Lord in Mayapur, glorified mother cow with utmost Rāma and Lord Krishna attained the age respect, and devotion. There was a procession of of pauganda (six to ten) while living in cows, yajna, feeding the cows, and much more. Vrindāvana, the cowherd men allowed Them “The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of to take up the task of tending the cows. the month of Kārttika is known by authorities Engaging thus in the company of Their as Gopāstamī. From that day, Lord Vāsudeva friends, the two boys rendered the land of served as a cowherd, whereas previously He had Vrindāvana most auspicious by imprinting tended the calves.” upon it the marks of Their lotus feet. The morning started with an amazing Lord Krishna wanted to encourage Cooking with darshan of SS Radha-Madhava and the ashta- His cowherd boyfriends, who had been Srila Prabhupada sakhi’s all giving us a view of their lotus feet. swallowed by Aghāsura and then stolen by The sub-altar was also beautifully Lord Brahmā. Therefore the Guava Jam decorated with many cows Lord decided to bring 1 ¼ pounds just-ripe guavas and gopas, waterfalls, them into the palm- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and bright green tree forest called ½ teaspoon cardamom seeds foliage. Tālavana, where ¼ teaspoon kalanji Many of our there were many 2-3 dried red chilies, or as desired goshala’s cows delicious ripe 8 whole cloves were then led in a fruits. Out of one cinnamon stick procession around great affection, 2 cups sugar ½ tablespoon lime juice the campus invoking Nanda Mahārāja an auspicious mood. had previously Cut the guavas into eighths and steam them in a steamer basket Once they returned to the considered Krishna too for about 45 minutes. Over low goshala many senior devotees began small and immature to take care of heat, dry-roast the coriander, glorifying mother cow. While some devotees sat full-grown cows and bulls, but considering cumin, cardamom, kalanji, chilies, for the lecture, others were busy feeding, petting, Lord Krishna’s spiritual body had apparently and cinnamon stick until the cumin and bathing the cows. grown slightly in age and strength, the darkens a few shades. Crush the The goshala was offering plates of prasadam senior men of Vrindāvana, headed by Nanda cinnamon stick with a mallet, then coarsely grind all the spices, either for offering to the cows. Each plate had many Mahārāja, decided to promote Krishna from in a spice mill or with a mortar and items such as chapatti, sprouts, gur, and a the task of herding calves to the status of a pestle. special cake. Then came the time for all of the regular cowherd boy. He would now take Transfer the softened guavas to a participants to honor prasadam. The mood was care of the full-grown cows, bulls and oxen. saucepan and mash them to a puree very loving as everybody’s hearts were being (or pass them through a food mill). touch through their service to mother cow. Place the saucepan over low heat and add the sugar and lime juice. Stirring, cook until the jam is thick, about 218-221 degrees F (103-105 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the powdered spices, and cool. Offer to Krsna. Store the jam in well-sealed containers. Once opened, keep refrigerated. It will last for up to two weeks.

Mayapur Sanga - Winter Issue Page 6 Festivals at a Glance

Donor Appeal We are inviting you to be a part of the Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival 2013, which is very dear to Srila Prabhupada, who had inaugurated this grand festival by inviting devotees all over the world. Any service performed in the holiest of all places, Navadvipa Govardhan Puja Pushpa Abhishek Pushpa Abhishek dhama accrues 1000 times more spiritual benefit than anywhere else! As festival dates draws nearer we are in need of sponsors. Our first priority is to have all the slots for Festival Prasada Seva filled up. This will help our tradition of Free Festival Prasada to keep going on for this year. Twelve full days of Festival Prasada is yet to be sponsored. For breakfast, it is Rs.75,000 and donation amount is Rs.120,000 for lunch prasada. Ways to donate: Please visit www.Mayapur.com and click the “Gaura Purnima” button. There you will see the various way that you can contribute All the donations receive 80 G tax exemption certificate. Odana Sashti Gopastami

påthak satreëa vä mahyaà parva-yäträ-mahotsavän kärayed géta-nåtyädyair mahäräja-vibhütibhiù Either alone or in public gatherings, with singing, dancing and other exhibitions of royal opulence, one should arrange to celebrate those holy days, ceremonies and festivals set aside specially for My worship. Gita Jayanti Gopastami - SB 11.29.11

Mayapur Tourism Center Bus Opp. Gada Bhavan Indica Tata Sumo A/C or Ambassador Non A/C Luxury Coach A service of ISKCON Mayapur

Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Pushpa Dress E-mail : [email protected] Ph: (3472)245728 Mayapur Sanga - Winter Issue Page 7 Mob: 9233379990 / 9564051064