August 2008 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Celebrating London's 40th Rathayatra Four thousand people joined the 40th Rathayatra festival in the streets of central London.Warm sunshine accompanied the crowd as the procession wound through the city in front of three magnificent chariots. Many commented how wonderful Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Lady Subhadra looked in their bright new Srila Prabhupada: outfits. The fifty-foot high chariots were One should be very careful of bedecked with hundreds of bright these three enemies of human life: garlands and mirror decorations. lust, anger and greed. The more The large wheels of the chariots a person is freed from lust, anger were specially made by Her Majesty the Queen’s wheelwrights, who and greed, the more his existence employed traditional methods of becomes pure. Then he can follow steaming and bending wood. the rules and regulations enjoined About 20,000 people took part in in the Vedic literature. By following the festivities at Trafalgar Square, the regulative principles of human at the end of the procession route. life, one gradually raises himself to A feast was served free of charge to everyone. Trafalgar Square the platform of spiritual realization. If resembled an Indian bazaar, with one is so fortunate, by such practice, free prasad distribution to all to rise to the platform of Krishna comers, exotic items for sale, and consciousness, then success is a main stage programme. At some of the stalls, tourists and others guaranteed for him. discussed philosophy from Srila Bhagavad Gita 16.22 Purport Prabhupada's books. Recycling Champions 2008: Food for All receives top prize UK charity ‘Food For All’ was Parasuram das, director of Food for presented with the first prize trophy All, said: “The food business wastes at this year’s Novelis Community so much. Millions of tons of good Recycling Project awards. The food are wasted every year in the ceremony took place in central UK and end up in land-fills. London and was attended by groups “Often tons of packaged food is from all over the country who are thrown away for relatively minor pro-active in recycling. reasons. For example, over-produced Novelis, the largest recycler of products and items with incorrect aluminium drink cans in Europe, packaging.” praised the charity's collection and Food for All has been working with distribution of fresh food from Sainsburys in Watford and Camden, supermarkets which would otherwise as well as smaller businesses. be thrown away. Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2008 Manor School Provides Into the Blue: “Outstanding Provision” Post-Exam Relief for University students Last month’s OFSTED inspection In June nearly 30 students came to Students were then treated to dinner of the Manor School gave the staff, Bhaktivedanta Manor for an evening before heading out into the fields management and pupils much to of Hare Krishna culture. The event, behind the farm for the evenings celebrate. The inspector was impressed entitled "Into The Blue" was a post- highlight – devotional songs under the by the broad range of subjects offered, exam event for University students stars. The students clapped, danced and brought to life by many outings and across the country. sang around a campfire. guest speakers. The curriculum was The evening was kicked off by Bhakti The evening was a great success and viewed as also having strengths in Nrsingha Swami. Visiting from just what everyone needed after a hard reading, writing and maths. Africa for the first time, he spoke year of work at University. The next “Bhaktivedanta Manor has a good about the all-inclusiveness of Krishna such retreat is planned for mid-October, school with outstanding provision for Consciousness. He emphasised that to coincide with the start of the new pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and spirituality is something people academic year. cultural development. Relationships from every country and culture can between adults and children are participate exceptionally good and as a result in, using pupils behave very well and their himself attitudes to learning are good. Pupils as an behaviour is outstanding in and out of example. class.” - Ofsted Report, May 2008 Jayadvaita Swami gave the Krishna conscious viewpoint on the current "green" debate in society. Manor School signs on Connect.... to Krishna to Krishna The monthly ‘Connect’ Programme, The Connect programme is going from As part of the Manor School’s held at Bhaktivedanta Manor, went to strength to strength, giving young men programme on Disability Awareness, another level in June when a special 2 the opportunity to associate with each children undertook a 10 week study day retreat was held. The theme for the other, share experiences, and discuss of British sign language, organised weekend was 'Personal Resolution... Krishna Conscious philosophy. through the Harrow Deaf Association. Global Revolution' with a series of The next ‘Connect’ programme is Prema Pradip das teaches at the seminars by Govinda das, Gauranga scheduled for Saturday 2nd August. A organisation and visited the Manor das and Radheshyam das from Mumbai further event is planned in September. to give some lessons. He found the and Vrindavan in India. children responsive and quick to learn. Next term, the children are hoping to visit a deaf school in St. Albans to practise some of their new skills. Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2008 Laying the foundation of Krishna Avanti School Vegetarian Day Care Centre Opens A new day care centre run by Shyamala Sakhi dasi has been operating for six months. Situated in Radlett, it is five minutes drive from Bhaktivedanta Manor. The UKI day centre in Radlett works on the basis that there are young adults and older members of the community who, for various reasons, now find themselves less able to get out unaccompanied but still have the desire to enjoy a day out. They have the opportunity to share a cooked lunch and join in various activities with others. Work has already begun on the site of The pit was then filled with sacred the Krishna Avanti School on Camrose herbs. At precisely the right time during Avenue in Stanmore. Following the ceremony the heavens opened the initial Bhumi Puja ceremony to and rain fell on the pit - an auspicious seek blessings of Mother Earth, the occurence. subsequent rites involved installing a Participants included Bhakti Charu deity of Ananta Sesa at the building’s Swami as the special guest, members foundation. of the I-Foundation, Naina Parmar Nine bricks, bathed in five products of the Head Teacher of the School, the cow and covered in coloured cloth Bhaktivedanta Manor Senior were placed into the ceremonial pit. Management and Mansell PLC, the After sacred prayer, the form of Ananta building contractors. Sesa was bathed. The Proud Merchant Bharat Natyam lessons The Bhaktivedanta Players entertained for Congregation UKI Day Centre makes an key members and supporters of the important contribution to London Ratha Yatra team and Sunday community awareness by acting as congregation with their new play a preventative measure for problems ‘The Proud Merchant”. A wealthy and caused by lack of social contact arrogant man enters the Temple in and stimuli. It facilitates people in Jagannath Puri, Orissa, but is quickly continuing to lead an independent humbled and becomes a great devotee. life by allowing members choice, control, independence and dignity through various activities and events. Members have many opportunities to contribute to the life of the day centre, through activities that encourage self-esteem and self- fulfillment. The centre can cater for upto 45 people. Shyamala Sakhi dasi provides facility for users of the centre to Jahnavi and Tulasi Harrison, Manor visit the temple during darshan School graduates and members of a times. A pickup and drop off service dance school, have been teaching the is available for those unable to traditional Indian dance of Bharat make their own way there. For Natyam to congregational children and further details contact Mayapur adults alike. House on 01923 855856. Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2008 Strawberry Fair is Cream Radlett Festival 2008 of the Crop Bhaktivedanta Manor supported the More than 300 first-time locals enjoyed Radlett Festival once again with the sunshine at Bhaktivedanta Manor’s attractions, rides and a free feast. Strawberry Fair Open Day on Saturday Ron Worthy, Chairman of Aldenham 28th June. An array of food including Parish Council, said the ‘fabulous’ strawberry pastries, pancakes and weather on Sunday 8th June had chocolate strawberries and cream were helped to attract a large number of sampled by local guests and the Manor people to Radlett's summer fair. farm’s home-made strawberry ice “It is a village fair,” he added, “all cream was a particular success. the local societies come and even There was a variegated line up of though they might not make that activities: yoga, pranayama breathing much money they raise publicity. workshops, head massage, mehndi, That’s what it is all about.” face painting, 'try on a sari', bullock cart rides and informative tours of the “On behalf of the Radlett Festival Commitee, I am once again extremely grateful building and estate. to the Hare Krishna Team led by Nila Madhava das who offered the festival some tremendous help with stewarding, stage, sound equipment, ox-cart rides and the food provided was also enjoyed by many people at the festival. “What really makes the Hare Krishna helpers so special is that each and every one of them helps us with a smile on their face and it is so obvious to me to see the inner peace which you all have.