December 2015 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Srila Prabhupada: If a person tries to reciprocate Meeting with Modi a feeling of love towards the Temple President Srutidharma das was During the Wembley event, children one of those selected to personally greet of the Krishna Avanti School and other Supreme Personality of Godhead Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi schools recited the national anthems of and is satisfied with the blessings and Prime Minister David Cameron at both India and the UK, and also got to the much publicised Wembley Stadium meet both Prime Ministers. of the Lord, he will at once feel event, where 60,000 people welcomed the Indian Prime Minister to the UK. Later, at a function organized by the Indian High Commissioner, Srutidharma the highest peace of mind for Prime Minister Modi told Srutidharma das, Gauri das and Vinay Tanna were das that he fondly recalled his visit amongst the special guests. There Gauri which he is hankering life after to Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Janmashtami das presented Prime Minister Modi with life. festival in 2005. He also congratulated a box of Mangala-arati sweets. ISKCON on it's 50th Anniversary. Srimad Bhagavatam: 2.6.6 purport Community Cohesion in Letchmore Heath As part of Mitzvah Day, a team of devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor’s community joined Jewish and Christian locals to plant hundreds of daffodil bulbs on Letchmore Heath Village Green. “The village residents should have a beautiful Green to look forward to this spring”, explained organiser Lewis Osbourne. “These type of events are great for building local community spirit,” added Radha Mohan das. Mitzvah Day is an annual day of faith-based social action. Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2015 Remembrance Day Gauri das and Devaki dasi took part in the annual Remembrance Day function on Letchmore Heath Village Green. Amongst other local faith representatives, Gauri das recited prayers and Devaki dasi laid a wreath at the foot of the War Mememorial on behalf of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Dusshera As a huge effigy of Ravana, the ten- Outstanding reviews for IES headed demon and enemy of Lord Rama, ISKCON Educational Services (IES) often receive very positive feedback from burst into flames following an open-air teachers, parents and students after their visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor: dramatic recreation of the epic battle “Having had many trips in the past in my 14 years of teaching, this certainly stands between them. The Pandava Sena youth out as the most interesting and beneficial experience for pupils. The opportunities group’s performance during the Dusshera that were provided for the children to gain an insight into a different religion and Festival brought to life this battle fought ways of life were delightful” wrote Sarah King, teacher at Holmer Green First long ago, as described in epic scripture School. The Ramayana. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil, and the burning of material desires in our hearts. Manor School goes to Parliament On a trip to the Houses of Parliament and the new Education Centre, the Manor School’s Vrindavan class met with Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden. After a tour of the House of Commons an exclusive tour of the House of Lords followed. Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2015 The Mayor’s Civic Service During the annual Mayor’s Civic Service, Srutidharma das met the Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Martin Worster, his wife Hosting a Bollywood Pilgrim Pam and Revd Peter Beven, the Vicar of St Mary the Virgin Anuradha dasi and Tulasi Seva dasi were happy to host Sonu and All Saints Church in Potters Bar. Nigam during his pilgrimage to Bhaktivedanta Manor. Sonu Nigam is a famous singer whose songs have been featured HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, in many movies. He has also released Indian pop albums and appeared in Bollywood movies. KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE High Sheriff’s Justice Service Srutidharma das represented Bhaktivedanta Manor at Hertfordshire’s High Sheriff’s Justice Service at St Albans Cathedral. Attendees included religious leaders, Judges, University of the Third Age Mayors, leading Councillors, police and Armed Forces A group from a University of the Third Age group based in representatives from across the County. Special prayers and Southampton spent an entire day at Bhaktivedanta Manor. a two minute silence were included in the service, in honour of the 130 people killed during the terrorist attacks in Paris. The University of the Third Age is a unique organisation which provides life-enhancing and life-changing opportunities Pictured- Srutidharma das with the Bishop of St Albans for retired and semi-retired people. Rt Revd Dr Alan Gregory Clayton Smith (left) and Bishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2015 A Mountain of Sweets Govardhan Puja is when Lord Krishna stopped the people of Vrindavan worshipping King Indra because he had become too proud of his position. In retaliation, Indra sent torrential rains in an attempt to harm the citizens. Miraculously, Lord Krishna lifted the sacred Govardhana Hill to act as a huge umbrella. After the rains had stopped, Krishna took the huge form of the Hill, called Giri-Govardhana. The festival of Govardhan Puja celebrates this pastime of the Lord by creating a hill made from prasadam sweet delicacies. Child Protection Training Daksina dasi and Gandharvika dasi ran training sessions with the Pre-School and Manor School children as part of the Thousand-fold devotion annual Safety Week. It is said that every act of devotion performed during the auspicious month of There was also a training session for Kartik is multiplied by a thousand times. The importance of this month is described residential devotees about how to extensively in the scriptures, especially in Srila Rupa Goswami’s Mathura identify and report abuse. The feedback Mahatmya. There Radharani, Lord Krishna’s consort and personification of was very positive and devotees thought devotional service, is described as the presiding deity of Kartik. that the information was very valuable. Pilgrims came every morning and evening to offer candles in the Temple room and Daksina dasi is the Child Protection sing the traditional Damodarastakam prayers. Officer for the Manor as well as the national Director. Page 4 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2015 Every December the entire ISKCON world focuses on the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books to the public. This year, in observance of ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary, the Manor devotees are making a special effort to distribute no less than 100,000 books this month alone! Last year the community distributed 51,000 books, and that was the most successful marathon for 18 years. So this year’s “100k Effort” is a truly marathon operation! Page 5 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2015 Ramayana - the Musical Rear Admiral leads lifts spirits from the front Due to very wet weather conditions for days in advance, the Jaya Krishna das and Godruma Bihari das attended the Diwali Diwali festival at the Manor this year had to be cancelled. Celebration organised by the Armed Forces Hindu Network, However, those who still visited the temple were welcomed. which took place at the Royal Naval Reserves unit, HMS Those who visited included Mayors, MPs and members of President, in London. other faiths. During the function many personnel took literature from us On that day, the Bhaktivedanta Players rounded off their 30th and appreciated the temple. Anniversary with performances of Ramayana - the Musical. The show was sung by a host of community devotees and was premiered over the Diwali season. It was greatly appreciated by a delegation of Hertsmere Councillors who were invited into the Theatre as honourable guests. Prayers at Number 10 For the third year in a row Srutidharma das was invited to EU Parliament’s first chant prayers at the Diwali function at Number 10 Downing Street. Diwali celebrations Religious leaders from the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities, The Hindu Forum Europe (HFE) celebrated Diwali for the as well as leading businesspeople attended the function at the first time in the EU Parliament in Brussels. ISKCON devotees Prime Minister’s residence. from all over Europe were among more than 100 attendees of the historical event. Key organizer and Chair of the HFE, The Prime Minister expressed how delighted he was to receive Mahaprabhu das, explained there are plans to celebrate Diwali members from Bhaktivedanta Manor. every year in the European Parliament. Page 6 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2015 Labour Lights the Lamp Godrumna Bihari das recited ‘prayers for peace’ at the Labour Party’s annual Diwali function in their Westminster headquarters. Afterwards Jeremy Corbyn MP, the Leader of the Labour Party, lit the ceremonial lamp. Celebrating at the House of Commons At the annual Diwali function at the House of Commons, ISKCON was duly represented by Farish Lakhani and Ravin Ganatra from our festivals team. The event was attended by the former SNP Leader Alex Salmond, the Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn MP, London Mayoral candidates Sajid Javid MP and Zac Goldsmith MP, and the High Commissioner of India His Excellency Ranjan Mathai. The event was pleasantly upstaged by the arrival of the famous American Civil Rights Leader Rev Jesse Jackson who delivered a message of Peace and Unity during these troubling times. Green Apple Award On behalf of the devotees who run the Govardhana Ecovillage near Mumbai, Srutidharma das accepted the Green Apple Award at the House of Commons. The scheme is run by The Green Organisation and the award was presented by its The Supreme Lord blesses the General Manager , Mr Mark Wolens.