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April 2019 BHAKTIVEDANTA April 2019 MANOR NEWSLETTER International Society for Consciousness (ISKCON) Founder His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Celebrating the Golden Contents Celebrating the Golden Avatar...... 4 KSocs University Retreat...... 6 Strictly RE...... 7 The OCHS celebrates its 20th Anniversary...... 7 The New York Times...... 8 in OMTimes Magazine...... 8 Film-maker from Iceland...... 9 Irish Radio...... 9 Trinity Church Hall Krishna Festival...... 9 Community food charity wins Hertsmere award...... 10 Srila Prabhupada: The Lotus Trust at the European Parliament...... 10 The duty of a One Vision Cafe ...... 11 is to culture the quality The Manor’s Resident Sannyasi...... 12 of forgiveness, which is The Long Run for Krishna Gains Momentum...... 12 illuminating like the sun. The Supreme Personality of ...... 13 Godhead, , is pleased Ishvari Mataji passes away...... 13 with those who are forgiving 50th Anniversary of London’s first Krishna temple.....15 Srimad Bhagavatam 9.15.40 Shree Krishna Haveli project update...... 16 Embracing the elements on Indian pilgrimage...... 18 Birmingham new premises...... 19 Jaysam Contractors Ltd...... 19 Bhagavatam reaches St James School...... 19 Football Club ...... 20

Please send your news, photos and comments to: Mohan das [email protected]

Bhaktivedanta Manor Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane · Herts (for sat-nav only, please use postcode WD25 8HE) 01923 851000 www.krishnatemple.com

© 2019, All articles & photographs copyright of April 2019

in honour of Lord

It was certainly a befitting way to Afterwards was abhiksesa (ceremonial celebrate the birth of Lord Rama: bathing) of the Ram Shila, and a hari Building up to Ramanvami (the birth of nama procession in Watford. Lord Rama) on 13th April, for five nights The following day was the huge public Rasamrita Swami enlightened festival extravaganza, making the entire devotees about some of the sub-plots in weekend completely devoted to Lord Valimiki’s Ramayan. On the day itself, Rama. Special guests joined thousands President of ISKCON Kolkata, Dayaram of pilgrims on that Sunday, many of das delivered an informative class and which included excited children on their that was followed by a brilliant drama Easter Holidays! Highlights included by the Ladies Ashram. Their premier the procession of the new utsav performance was artistic and well- Rama Laxman deities and the scripted, which was appreciated by the traditional drama by the Bhaktivedanta audience. Players.

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Celebrating the Golden Avatar March saw grand celebrations of the famous streets in the world – London’s advent of Krishna’s as Lord . Devotees from the Chaitanya. Known as the ‘Golden Manor and ISKCON London combined Avatar’ due to His golden complexion, with devotees from other parts of the Lord Chaitanya advented in , country for a blissful two-hour musical West Bengal, in 1486 to inaugurate glorification of the Lord’s Holy Names, the worldwide sankirtan movement bringing much delight to the shoppers (congregational chanting of the Hare and tourists. Krishna mantra). Over 500 years later, Back at the Manor, for the first time His appearance in this world continues during a Gaura Purnima festival, an to be celebrated as the ‘Gaura Open Day was held for new visitors to Purnima’ festival all around the world. the temple. At Bhaktivedanta Manor, a joyous day “We hosted 60 guests who had never of celebration was held in the Lord’s been to the Manor before, some from honour. The morning programme as far as Portsmouth ”, explained included a class by Malati dasi, Devaki dasi. “They enjoyed , an early disciple of Srila Prabhupada. meditation sessions, asked our monks This was followed by a skit in the temple questions and some dressed in saris.” room by the men’s ashram, with kirtan The evening programme in the also being performed throughout the main tent rounded off a day of day, beginning before dawn! intense devotion and spirituality. The The highlight of the festival though programme included a fully-costumed was the Harinama (public chanting) and professionally sound tracked drama procession down one of the most by the Bhaktivedanta Players called

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“The Golden Avatar” and was followed presentation on stage to encourage by a beautiful abhishek ceremony everyone to purchase and distribute sets (bathing of the Deities of Gaura-), of His Divine Grace’s books. accompanied by melodious kirtan. And finally, a festival is never complete A festival must always include the without a feast. A special Ekadasi distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s feast (i.e. without grains) was relished books, and Divya-Nama dasa, the by everyone present – and especially devotee in charge of the “Go-Matsya” by those who had been fasting till book distribution project, delivered a moonrise in honour of Lord Chaitanya.

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KSocs University Retreat Over a weekend in mid-March, the Bhuta Bhavana’s keynote speech, Krishna Consciousness Society (KCSocs) dedicated to the essence of association organised the most ecstatic and jubilant and a higher purpose, highlighted the retreat days till date. importance of using this pivotal point 200 marvelling university students from in our lives to pave the path of our all over the UK arrived at the Manor destiny by prioritising our spiritual life. bright and early without the faintest He emphasised that by ensuring that idea of just how energetic and musically their enthusiasm and drive exceeds the absorbed their spiritual retreat would be! challenges we face will mean our lives can be epic adventures. The day began with a wonderfully prepared, heart-warming breakfast to The rest of the day included a range of prepare everybody for their jam-packed workshops and one of the highlights day ahead. was a truly enlivening kirtan lead by , who didn’t let The game of human bingo engaged a single pair of feet remain still! everybody in warming up to their fellow students and broke the ice for the day. “Thank you to everyone who helped Sandipani Muni das lead the morning organise the retreat and served joyfully meditation which took them all to during the day itself. What we have another plane! achieved as a KC Socs family is truly inspiring!” said Kishan Paun.

6 April 2019 Strictly RE ISKCON Educations Services were a vital ingredient at the Strictly RE Conference 2019, organised by the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE). There were just over 300 delegates in attendance at the Park Inn Hotel, Heathrow. The conference was specifically for Teachers of RE and RE specialists, who had come from as far afield as the Channel Islands. Keli Chanchala dasi performed an dance within a pop-up temple “We had a good opportunity to network and many teachers also sampled some with teachers, exam boards and other prasad sweets. RE-related organisations,” explained IES Manager Tulsi dasi.

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies celebrates its 20th Anniversary The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, the world’s leading Centre in its field, celebrated its 20th year at the House of Lords at the River Room, hosted by Lord Dholakia. The Director of OCHS, , expressed the desire for Temples and It was attended by invitees from Hindu the OCHS to be better connected. He and academic organisations from up and added the board of governors is a secular down the country. Key guests included group and that the Centre was respected Lord Popat, Virendra Sharma MP, Subhash globally. Thakrar and CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of the Asian Voice. Rameshwar das and OCHS enables studying Hindu culture, Sanjya Gadhvi represented Bhaktivedana society, philosophy, religion and language. Manor. In that way it helps preserve India’s heritage and welcomes thoughts and ideas from Lord Dholakia informed the audience scholars from around the world. of the value of OCHS which is a seat of academic studies with high quality scholars The OCHS can be found online at and research capabilities ochsonline.org and ochs.org.uk

7 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter The New York Times

Devotees were featured in February’s edition of The New York Times Style Magazine’s first digital cover story, chanting on the streets of London alongside model Maisie Dunlop. Sivarama Swami in The photograph is part of a series OMTimes Magazine showcasing classic British fashion, paying homage to . Sivarama Swami was the main feature of the March 2019 edition of the Holmes Production, a London- OMTimes magazine. He appeared on based creative production company the front cover and was featured within specialising in stills, film, commercials, the magazine in an extensive interview shows and events, approached entitled “Modern Morality in Ancient ISKCON-London Communications Wisdom”. It included his personal Secretary Natasha Menon with the spiritual journey, Hindu/Vedic beliefs concept. and culture, ecology and the path to a They wanted to shoot a model in a peaceful life. British classic outfit along with an The OMTimes Magazine was created iconic London feature: “Hare to raise awareness of individuals chanting on the streets of London”, a and organisations that are making a famous daily sight in central London for difference in the world. the past fifty years. “In London, street chanting is more relevant now than it has ever been before,” explained Natasha. “The It attracts many to come to the Temple Hare Krishnas are a daily colourful and and get a taste of bhakti-yoga, as well lively sight. Devotees have become as gathering interest from the press accepted and loved by the Londoners and media. Opportunities such as The as well as by many of the millions of New York Times Style Magazine article tourists that visit the capital every year. give us global exposure and generates curiosity among readers.” 8 April 2019

Film-maker from Iceland Trinity Church Hall As advised by Russell Brand, an Krishna Festival Icelandic film and television director The “ Festival” held at and producer Gaukur Ulfarsson came Trinity Church Hall in Sutton was full to with his crew to Bhaktivedanta Manor. the brim as the diverse local audience As part of a film based on a true-to-life of over 200 experienced a package story about an Icelandic politician, the of culture, music, wisdom, dance and crew filmed the main character take delicious sanctified food. spiritual refuge and accept guidance Local ISKCON group members from ‘Kripa Moya das’ after receiving welcomed guests with a view to serving one of Prabhupada’s books from their spiritual inclinations with ongoing ’Radha Mohan das’. contact for those most interested. Some of the Church leaders in attendance also appreciated the presentation as applicable to people of all faiths, and one of which expressed an interest in visiting Bhaktivedanta Manor to learn more.

Irish Radio HARE KRISHNA Ireland’s Newstalk 108 will aired a 45 HARE KRISHNA minute radio documentary programme KRISHNA KRISHNA about Karuna Ryan and her sister Sukhada leaving their Methodist HARE HARE family and joining the Hare Krishna HARE RAMA movement. Karuna’s daughter Ekadashi HARE RAMA lives in London and also featured in the story as a next generation devotee who RAMA RAMA attended a Christian secondary school HARE HARE in Ireland. 9 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

Community food charity The Lotus Trust at the wins Hertsmere award European Parliament Hertsmere’s unsung heroes have been Sanjay Gadhvi, Director of the Lotus recognised for their efforts and long- Trust, Bhaktivedanta Manor’s sister standing service at the council’s annual charity through which we support Civic Awards in March. many initiatives, attended a meeting From community champions and at the European Parliament building in volunteers to youth leaders, the Brussels. The meeting was related to the great and the good in the borough Erasmus Project Funding, from which were rewarded in this year’s awards the Lotus Trust has received support for ceremony, held at Elstree Studios. 20 projects over the last 5 years. At the event Sanjay met Igor Soltes MEP from Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Brenda Batten, Slovenia, a successful businessman said: “I’d like to say thank you and well who engages in spiritual practice and done to all of this year’s award winners. pilgrimages to India. In their individual ways, each one has made a difference to the lives of “Igor is very keen to develop projects others. I hope their example will inspire that bring spiritual benefits to society other volunteers to come forward and to supplement commerce and social help make the borough an even safer, lifestyle,” explained Sanjay, “so he fully happier place to live and work.” appreciates the work of the Lotus Trust.” Civic Award Winners included The Lotus Trust is an educational, relief Shantasya dasi and das and development agency seeking for their work with Gratitude, a charity to transform lives and improve the which takes unsold supermarket food environment both in the UK and and cooks vegetarian meals for the overseas needy in Borehamwood. http://thelotustrust.org/

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

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Krishna’s Castle One Vision Cafe celebrates its first Food for All, a sanctified vegetarian anniversary food distribution charity run by Parasurama das, held a grand “re- Krishna’s Castle in the City of London opening” for a unique café in Watford. marked its first anniversary, with The café was previously known as representatives from 10 local banks and Gokula and was run by the late Bhaja businesses in attendance. For 14 months Hari das and his family. since its inception, Krishna’s Castle, situated in the heart of the banking Food for All took over the management world, has been a hive of devotional of the premises two years ago. “I service. There are 10 volunteers involved began giving out free meals every on a daily basis, and half of them are Monday, and it became very popular,” bankers who come to do their Corporate said Parasurama. “130 homeless and Social Responsibly. struggling people came the first time”. “There’s lots of service available,” With the re-opening, Food for All has explained ‘Krishna Castle’s’ Director changed the name to “One Vision Café” Parasuram das. “Over 2,000 healthy and turned it into a ‘Pay As You Can’ plates of food needs to be cooked, pots eatery. need to be washed (including the biggest The re-opening event at the café was pot in the western world!), vegetables attended by community members, chopped, pakoras and popadoms Watford Councillors, local charity cooked, and food distributed.” representatives, and even representatives “We also have a good relationship of Watford Football Club! with Work Away,” he further explained. “It is a scheme where employers offer accommodation and food to young HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA people in return for work. Young people KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE are queuing up from far and wide for HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA a chance to live in the City of London RAMA HARE HARE for a week and engage in meaningful activities!” 11 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

The Manor’s Resident The Long Run for Sannyasi Krishna Gains Bhakti Rasamrta Swami will be Momentum the official resident sannyasi at Since the previous newsletter, Bhakta Bhaktivedanta Manor until this summer. Deon Moodley has continued to This means he will be the spiritual head fundraise for a yoga studio / seminar of the community, to provide guidance facility in the Manor’s guesthouse. and inspiration and to attend devotional events. At the recent Manor Updates This year he has been sponsored to run session attended by Manor residents the Worthing and Hampton Court Half- and staff, Bhakti Rasamrta Swami Marathons, the Aldi Ashby Road Race in unveiled the canvas adorned with this Leicestershire, Dorney Lake in Berkshire year’s theme “Living with Gratitude, and the Kent Spring Marathon. Giving with .” “The target is £5,000 and we have He preaches all over the world since raised £2,435; almost 50%. including India, Singapore, UK, USA, Thank you for your kind and generous Australia and Russia. He is a member support. We need a further £2,565,” of the Executive Board and explained Deon. oversees the management of ISKCON If you would like to help Deon in his Belgaum, India. noble endeavour, visit the link below for To find out about upcoming classes more details and to donate: and seminars to be given by Bhakti https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Rasamrta Swami: deon-moodley2 www.krishnatemple.com See ad hoc updates also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deon. moodley.54

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Kirtan London Warrior’s Charlie, a popular Jivamukti yoga teacher. Charlie led yoga for Kirtan London, a volunteer outreach the first hour of the event, infusing it project supported by Bhaktivedanta with devotional wisdom and kirtan. 34 Manor and ISKCON-London, hosted guests attended the yoga and a total of their first six hour kirtan of the year. 110 guests attended kirtan. They hope Following the success over New Year’s to see guests returning for more kirtan Eve, the recent event was hosted in at Mantra Lounge, a regular Friday collaboration with the yoga studio, evening event in . Tripspace, in Haggerston and Humble Contact:www.kirtanlondon.com/

Mother Ishvari passes away prasadam and feeding Mother Ishvari recently peacefully everybody,” passed away at the age of 77. Born explained in Uganda, she and her husband Volunteer moved to during the 1972 Co-ordinator expulsion of Asians from Uganda. These Krishna Purna were difficult times for the Gujarati dasi. “She was community because the then Uganda always thinking President Idi Amin had adopted a about what new vigorous nationalist policy. preparations to Ishvari’s family moved to London make for Lord Krishna and would then and her parents and siblings moved serve them to the devotees. She used to to Leicester. Devotees used to visit cook for the deities on Sundays and at her parents’ house, where they were festivals as well. affectionately fed to the brim! It was at “Her invaluable service in the main that time that she was first attracted to kitchen will be missed, as she helped ISKCON. them all the time. Everyone loved her “She had a quality of cooking wonderful friendly attitude.”

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Appointments Process Public Appointees sit on the boards that Reception at Windsor steer and govern vital public bodies including the NHS, OFSTED, Kew Castle Gardens and key museums. A large delegation from Bhaktivedanta “The government want to make policies Manor attended the Faith and Public with consultation from leading faith Appointments Process Reception, at group Vicar’s Hall in Windsor Castle. Members,” explained Krish. “The Prime It was organised by Krish Raval of the Minister made it clear that she wants to Faith in Leadership Team, and Oliver ensure these bodies accurately reflect Dowden MP, the Cabinet Office minister 21st Century Britain. She felt that faith with responsibility for public appointment groups are presently underrepresented policy. The purpose of the event was to in these roles but can bring an important encourage leading faith members to put perspective on ethical issues”. themselves forward to become Public Appointees.

Saavaro Vee Kapoor (Vamsi Vihari das), a former member of ISKCON Sena, has released his first single called “Saavaro” with Times music and is available on all major streaming platforms.. Talking about the track, he explained “Saavaro means hue of black. It is an ancient poem about Krishna, revisited with a new composition in Raag Bhimpilasi. I have tried to create a new and unique genre of spiritual music which is highly emotive and powerful.” 14 April 2019 50th Anniversary of London’s first Krishna temple

The Hare Krishna movement was built on a pioneering spirit. Srila Prabhupada was the original pioneer who then through kirtan, yoga, -free empowered three couples - Mukunda food, wisdom talks and arts for the and Janaki, Shyamasundara and general public. Malati (with their baby Sarasvati), and Gurudasa and Yamuna - with a dream • On Sunday 24th November, there to start a centre in London and meet the will be a Golden Signature Event biggest band in the world, , at Hammersmith Apollo for both to help spread Krishna Consciousness. the ISKCON community and the general public. This will be followed The couples arrived in London in by a week of Temple festivities, September 1968, and by Christmas they including the actual Anniversary were chanting Hare Krishna with the day: Monday 2nd December. Beatles themsevles! On 14th December the following year, the Radha-Krishna Throughout the year there will also be Temple was officially opened in the various events at the temple, including heart of London and Srila Prabhupada a series of talks entitled ‘The London personally installed the presiding Story’. www.iskcon-london.org deities, Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara, the first large marble deities of Radha and Krishna in ISKCON. As Srila Prabhupada decreed, there followed six days of feasting, during which the curtains were kept open all day and people crowded in to see the new Radha-Krishna Temple.It was a historic occasion for the bhakti-yoga tradition; a long-standing order of the previous spiritual teachers had been fulfilled. 2019 marks the momentous 50th Anniversary year of this tremendous achievement, which will be celebrated through ‘Love and Happiness Events’. • This summer, there will be outreach events bringing bhakti-yoga culture, lifestyle and philosophy

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Shree Krishna Haveli project update

Construction of the Shree Krishna Haveli cover the cost of construction. We have is progressing steadily, and though the collected £4.2 million in donations with project is slightly behind schedule, the a further £3.7 million pledged, leaving construction company, Vascroft, have a shortfall of £1.6 million. This will re-assured us that the handover of the be the largest project in the history of building will take place in August this Bhaktivedanta Manor. We need every- year, just in time for the Janmashtami ones support to repay this loan for festival. establishing the Shree Krishna Haveli at To complete the Shree Krishna Haveli, Bhaktivedanta Manor. we have secured a £5 million loan to 16 April 2019

your INVESTMENT needed Projected Cost £9.6 Million Donations Pledges shortfall received Outstanding £1,629,876 £4,219,408 £3,750,716 We are nearly there Only 108 families needed INVEST £4 a day - hELP build sHREE Krishna Haveli for 10 years Leave a Legacy today - make history

We have secured a loan of £5 Million from the bank, against the temple and it’s assets, ensuring construction does not stop 17 Donate online at: www.krishnatemple.com/haveli | [email protected] |07907 809 006 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

ISKCON Educational Embracing the elements Services staff enhance on Indian pilgrimage teaching skills in India Krishna Wisdom and the College of ISKCON Educational Services (IES) Vedic Studies joined forces to organise a offers a wonderful day out to schools fantastic Indian pilgrimage for twenty-five at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Devotees intrepid travellers. It included a 4-day share their experiences in the faith they residence in Mayapur, Vrindavan and follow, along with the wider traditions of Rishikesh. The wanderers got to embrace and India. all four elements as part and parcel of a packed activity agenda, with plenty of: During a half-term the IES staff went on a pilgrimage to the holy places of India. fire - in the form of aarti (not least by the Ganga); The purpose of the trip was to enhance their teaching skills and gain new ideas earth - how about a rickshaw ride around through direct experience, especially for the peripheries of Govardhan Hill, or a those who have never been before. ramble up the foothills of the ; “These are all very important so that we air - however polluted some inner cities, can give our visiting schools the ultimate it’s extremely fresh around those foothills; experience of’ lived religion’”, explained water - fancy a bath in Mother Ganga, IES Manager Tulsi Seva dasi. or a quick dip in Radha Kund, ‘the holiest “Teaching RE is not an easy task, place in the universe’. especially when there is barely any The wanderers also took part in budget in schools for the subject. Good structured yoga and Ayurvedic cookery teachers will go above and beyond to classes. enhance their subject knowledge”. Learn more about how to get involved: krishnacollege.co.uk www.krishnawisdom.com

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Birmingham celebrates Bhagavatam reaches St 50 years of ISKCON UK James School with new premises St James School near Olympia, Birmingham is the second largest Kensington, is one of the most highly- city in the UK, with over 2 million rated independent schools in London. In people, centrally located and the most April 2008 the school made headlines multicultural city in the western world. when it made the study of Therefore it is undoubtedly an important compulsory in its Junior school. strategic location for ISKCON. After Recently Divya Nama das and Nirmal losing their former property, Birmingham Gosalia from the GoMatsya project devotees celebrated their new premises felt it would be a great idea if the in the City Centre, adjacent to school could purchase a set of Srimad Birmingham University. Bhagavatam for their library. They It is organised by a local Action met the head of the school’s Sanskrit Committee working together with Food department Mr Warwick Jessup and for All and help from Sutapa Prabhu. presented Srila Prabhupada’s English translation of Srimad Bhagavatam. ISKCON Birmingham’s Sunday Sanga Mr Jessup, being deeply impressed, programmes are now held at: immediately agreed to take a set for the Centre, 12 Harborne Road school. Edgbaston, B15 3AA Anyone interested in becoming involved: Time: 10.30am till 2pm [email protected]

Jaysam Contractors Ltd Jaysam Contractors Ltd voluntarily fitted in new oak doors all around the main building of Bhaktivedanta Manor. It was a particularly welcome seva (service) to the community because it enables the Manor to be fully compliant with new fire regulations.

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Watford Football Club top 10 of the English Premier League, are seeking to build closer relations Anand Jatania and Radha Mohan das with locals, and especially faith group attended an Equality Advisory Group members and ethnic minorities. meeting at Watford Football Club, They even wished Bhaktivedanta Manor which included an extensive tour of the a ‘Happy Gaura Purnima’ on their social grounds. media pages, which has hundreds of The Club, which is currently within the thousands of followers!

Modi unveils largest in the world

In February, the Prime Minister of India Gita, produced by Bhaktivedanta Book Narendra Modi unveiled the Largest Trust is the largest sacred text that has Bhagavad Gita As It Is at the ISKCON ever been printed. It weighs 800 kg and Centre, in New Delhi. The Bhagavad is 2.8 m by 2 m in size!

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