September 2011 ISKCON-London Community Newsletter

News from ISKCON-London’s Radha Krishna Temple The September Edition 2011

September Highlights • Radhastami • A Blast from the Past • Volunteers Dinner • Bhaktin Jak’s Initiation • H.H. Devamrita Swami Speaks to ISKCON London’s Counselees • Brahmacari’s Bhakti Sastri Course Comes to an End • Book Distribution • 40th Anniversary DVD Now Available • Chakram Album • Outreach • Govinda’s Restaurant

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Radhastami

As always there were ecstatic kirtans throughout the day and a wonderful harinam.

Srimati Radharani’s appearance day fell on Monday 5th of September.

Their Lordships were looking extremely beautiful dressed in an opulent flower outfit.

There was a full day of festivities with classes by Visrambara dasa, Sarva Mangala devi dasi and Guru Charan Padma devi dasi.

A big thank you to all those that took part and made it a very special day.

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A Blast from the Past The Radha Krishna Temple was established

by Srila Prabhupada at 7 Bury Place in 1969.

The temple stood at that site for 10 years. In that time many devotees came in touch with

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Krishna consciousness and Srila Prabhupada.

On the 10th of September around 60 disciples of Srila Prabhupada, who had joined at Bury Place, once again gathered outside the building for a reunion harinam.

Armed with mrdangas and kartals the devotees danced along Oxford Street as they did many

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years ago. The atmosphere of London was transformed as the devotees swayed and sang the holy names. The crowds looked on with smiles and some even joined in. It seemed as though Srila Prabhupada was there himself.

The harinam lasted three hours ending at Soho Street when these great souls returned home to Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara. Inside the temple

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the devotees continued dancing as Ranchor das sang sweetly and Radha Londonisvara smiled beautifully.

The atmosphere was emotional as many devotees had not seen their Lordships for a number of years. The devotees left with maha prasadam and a small gift while we were left inspired.

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Volunteers Dinner From grand festivals to everyday service the community of ISKCON London are always on hand to enthusiastically serve. An evening of appreciation was organised to celebrate the service of these magnificent devotees.

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The community showed its gratitude to Bhakta Sumeet who has spent many years heading up the food for life team.

A wonderful gift was presented to Prabhupada dasa and Rajni devi dasi to honour them for their longstanding service and contribution to ISKCON London.

Devotees were treated to an entertaining drama

by Maha Nrshinga dasa and Ram Charan dasa, a sumptuous feast and beautiful kirtan.

ISKCON London would like to deeply thank you all for being part of this wonderful community.

Jai Nitai dasa led the devotees in showing their appreciation for one another.

If you would like to volunteer at ISKCON London please contact Bhakta Dhaval on dhaval.dattani85@gmail.com

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Bhaktin Jak’s Initiation On Saturday 3rd September Bhaktin Jak was initiated in New Vraja dhama in Hungary.

Jak has been association with ISKCON for over 20 years and recalls how she used to camp in the car park at Bhaktivedanta Manor!

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His Holiness Kesava Bharati dasa Goswami initiated Jak and gave her the new name of Janaki devi dasi.

This was followed by the Radhastami celebrations on the New Vraja dham farm which are always exceptionally ecstatic due to the dedication and hard work of all the community members - a place well worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

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H.H. Devamrita Swami Speaks to ISKCON London’s Counselees

Brahmacari’s Bhakti Sastri Course Comes to an End

On the 7th we were very fortunate to have the association of H.H. Devamrita Swami. Maharaja gave a inspirational talk to ISKCON London’s counselees. After an ecstatic kirtan Maharaja spoke about committing to Krishna.

After an in depth study of Srila Prabhupadas books the long awaited bhakti sastri examination took place on the Wednesday 7th, bringing to end the course that ISKCON London’s brahmacaris started at the beginning of the year.

With Maharaja’s mix of humour and deep realisation devotees were left inspired.

The bhakti sastri course for the congregation continues and the exam is due to take place sometime next year.

For details on joining the counsellor system please contact :bhava.bhakti@gmail.com

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Book Distribution During the month of September we collected ÂŁ8,323 and distributed 3,384 books for a total of 2,753.50 book points.

The scores are as follows:

Name

Days Lakshmi

Book Points

Name

Days Lakshmi

Book Points

Big

Maha Big Medium Medium Set Small Hard Hard

Bhakta Ravi

1

1.00

0.25

Sastra-dhan Sponsorship

1

84.00

23.50

1

5

Aditi DD

1

1.00

0.50

Bhaktin Julia

2

90.00

25.00

6

7

Bhakta Vinesh

3

7.00

1.00

4

Ananta Nitai das

3

76.00

37.00

Lavanga Latika dd

1

5.00

1.00

4

Bhakta Noy

10

204.00

42.00

Bhakta Elin Entchev

1

7.00

1.25

5

Bhakta Robert Revel

4

86.00

43.25

From Russia with Love

1

9.00

1.75

7

WW& NPKTSP

1

191.00

65.00

Russian Bhakti Vriksha

1

10.00

4.00

Sharada dd

1

262.00

68.50

Kashinath dasa

1

59.00

6.00

Bhakta Karlis

1

12.00

6.00

Bhakta Vince

1

35.00

7.50

Bhaktin Louise

2

30.00

9.75

Murli Manohara dasa

1

32.00

10.00

Tattva Jnana Dasa

1

27.00

12.00

Rupa Gosvami das

1

113.00

18.00

16

1

Harinam Party

3

61.00

18.25

3

5

Jhulan Yatra

1

133.00

20.00

10

5

Bhakta Pasha

4

68.00

23.25

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Big

Maha Big Medium Medium Set Small Hard Hard 1 1

2 3

1

11 5

1

1

46 20

1

70

6

15

46

86

1

63

34

10

2

1

2

Janmasthami 2011

1

410.00

82.75

49

15

2

4

Virabhadra dasa

8

248.00

84.50

1

37

9

30

weekend warriors

3

372.00

99.75

17

24

17

13

Uddhava Damodara Dasa

10

273.00

109.50

6

36

37

Sachi Kumar Nimai das

18

305.00

126.50

Bhakta Alexey

9

329.00

136.75

1

63

Sundara Nitai das

9

704.00

209.75

40

76

Bhakta Laurie

14

670.00

246.75

NPKTSP

2

978.00

424.75

3

184

55

105

Bhakta Eliott Reed

17

1,943.00

678.75

1

292

92

191

1

7

5 23

9

1 9

1 19 3

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103 52 506 39 2

120

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40th Anniversary DVD Now Available

Chakram Album Radha Krishna Records has recently released ‘Chakram’ a devotional album featuring Kripamoya Prabhu. It is currently available through various outlets including:

The long awaited DVD of the 40th Anniversary celebrations is now available in Radha’s Boutique.

• HMV Oxford Street • Mysteries in Covent Garden • Radha’s Boutique in Soho St

With highlights of the week long celebrations you can re-live this special event when ever you like.

Don’t forget to get your copy before they run out.

This album has taken around two years for it all to be completed, and it would not have been possible without my highly musical, expert and philanthropic friends who so generously gave their time, skills and resources for the project.

In that sense, CHAKRAM is the product of a group – and I’m a firm believer in groups as the best human resource for the spiritual life.

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When played together at a quiet time, the songs on the album take the attentive listener on a journey through different colours of spirituality.

The powerful Sanskrit mantras contained within the songs, and the ideas expressed within them, form a series of lessons that can help one advance along any chosen path. And the music is refreshingly different.

Spiritually uplifting and filled with protective mantras, Chakram has something for the yoga practitioner, the meditator, and the world music enthusiast.

I hope you will enjoy it and share it with your friends.

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Outreach During the month of September Jai Nitai dasa carried out the following activities.

2nd - Crawley Yatra hosted their first Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Celebration. 70 devotees attended and was a wonderful experience for all.

4th – Gave the Sunday Feast Talk in Leicester.

5th – Celebrated Radhastami.

9th – Attended Brighton Initiations.

The following devotees took initiation from His Holiness Mahavishnu Swami: * Dina Dayadra dasa - took second initiation * Bhaktin Jennifer; now Janava Mata devi dasi * Bhakta Kishan; now Krsna Gopal dasa * Bhakta Richard; now Rupa Goswami dasa * Bhakta Vaughn; now Vidyapati dasa His Holiness Janananda Goswami initiated Bhakta Len who is now Lochan das Thakura dasa.

ISKCON Brigton also opened the Temple room and welcomed Gaura Nitai on this day.

10th – Attended Brighton Ratha Yatra and Bhaktin Jak’s

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first initiation in Hungary from His Holiness Kesava Bharati Goswami. Bhaktin Jak is now Janaki devi dasi.

10th-13th - Jai Nitai dasa and Bhava Bhakti devi dasi were away in Hungary.

Govinda’s Restaurant takings for September:

15th - 5 devotees from ISKCON London went for a two month sabbatical to Chowpatty; Bhakta Alexey, Bhakta Ben, Bhakta John, Bhakta Shiv and Virabhadra dasa will stay in Chowpatty and also visit Vrindavan. They will return in the middle of November.

£52,563.61p from the above amount: Catering £ 350 and Books £ 79.50 ***************************************************

16th – Attended the Mantra lounge event.

Total for Govinda’s restaurant:

17th – Hosted The Radha Krishna Temple Volunteers dinner at Dragon Hall.

£ 52,134.11p

23rd – Home Program with the Dattani family with 25 guests.

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24th – Hosted Crawley men and ladies sangas with Bhava Bhakti devi dasi. There were about 12 devotees in each group.

* 30 working days. * Average per day for restaurant: £1,752.12 * Govinda’s restaurant made £2,763.71 more compared to September 2010.

25th - Gave the Sunday Feast Talk.

29th – Jai Nitai dasa, Rama Charan dasa and Bhave Bhakti devi dasi left for Villa Vrindavan Italy to attend European Leaders Meetings for 5 days.

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama Krishna Krishna Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Hare

Radha-Krishna Temple 10 Soho Street London W1D 3DL

T: 020 7437 3662 E: london@pamho.net W: www.iskcon-london.org

International Society for Krishna Conciousness Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada