DepartmentAL CONTACTS JAI NITAI DASA
RADHA RAMAN DASA
Temple President Charity Chairman Member of Management Board South Regional Coordinator Mentor UK Zonal Supervisor
Charity Trustee Mentor
BHAVA BHAKTI DEVI DASI
ACUTYA CHARAN DASA
Temple Administrator Charity Secretary / Trustee Member of Management Board South Regional Secretary Mentorship System Coordinator Mentor
Food for Life Coordinator
JAGA MOHINI DEVI DASI
Adi Gopi devi dasi
Ladies Ashram Leader ISKCON Educational Services Member of Management Board
Radha’s Boutique Manager
MURLI MANOHARA DASA
Debasmita francis
Head Pujari Charity Trustee Member of Management Board Chair of New Temple Committee Member of Brahmacari Council Mentor
London College of Vedic Studies Coordinator
RAM CHARAN DASA Financial Controller Member of Management Board
DEVAKI DEVI DASI
Head of Community Development Team Volunteers Coordinator
THIRU DHAYALAN
DHAVAL DATTANI
Govinda’s Restaurant Manager Kitchen Manager Member of Management Board
Volunteers Coordinator
KAPILA MONET
NATASHA MENON
Radha Krishna Records Manager
Communications Secretary
KRISHNA KANTA DEVI DASI
OLGA DOROVKO
Food for Life Coordinator
Russian Vedic Society Coordinator
Laurynas Mikalauskas
PRITESH PANDYA
Head of IT
Child Protection Officer
Data Protection Lead
MAHA NRSINGHA DASA
PRIYA KUNDA DASA
Festivals Coordinator
Atma Lounge Manager
MAIRIS UŠACKIS
SYAMA GAURI DEVI DASI
Temple Commander
Atma Lounge Manager
MUKUNDA KISHORE DASA
TITIKSU DASA
Closet Krishna Manager
UK Rathayatra Coordinator
NAAM SANKIRTAN DASA Sankirtana Leader
VAYU DASA Men’s Ashram Leader
CLOSET KRISHNA
Table of CONTENTS 5
Temple President’s Activities
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Community Development Team
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Deity Department
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Festivals
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Govinda’s Restaurant
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Harinama
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London College of Vedic Studies
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Outreach
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Radha Krishna Records
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Sankirtan
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Spiritual Mentorship System
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Volunteering
Graphic Designer: Chandra Bellamy Editorial Team: Devaki devi dasi Louise Guthrie Neha Bhatt
For any comments or queries on this publication, please email community@iskcon.london
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Community development team Annual Patrons Dinner
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Sunday 22nd July
n Sunday 22nd July, on a glorious sunny day, ISKCON-London Patrons and their guests boarded the Dixie Queen (London’s largest entertainment, conference and party boat) for the Annual Patrons Dinner. This year’s theme was “The great transcendental boat of ISKCON”. The schedule included a keynote talk by special guest, Bhakti Rasamrta Swami, kirtans by Radha Londonisvara dasa that inspired attendees to chant and dance ecstatically as the boat travelled across the River Thames, lively drama (produced by Syamananda dasa), and a succulent Italian prasadam menu.
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Community Development Team
Volunteers Sanga
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Thursday 16th and Friday 17th August
olunteers were treated to an excellent two-day presentation by Urmila devi dasi during her short visit. The topic was “Achieving Material and Spiritual Balance: How to balance sadhana, services, family, study, work etc.” She systematically went through this relevant topic in four aspects: · How can all the aspects of my life energise me spiritually? · Struggles with maya – is there hope and how? · Can I find high-quality time for Krishna in a life filled with so much to do? · Always thinking of Krishna – is it possible in the realities of my life?
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deity department pujari sanga
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n Friday 27th July, there was a Pujari Sanga with special guest Nrsimha Kavaca dasa, ISKCON Deity Worship Minister. Attendees had an opportunity to share what inspires them to serve Their Lordships and also to put forward questions to Nrsimha Kavaca dasa.
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Deity Worship course
hree devotees who serve in the Deity Department – Rupesvara Nimai dasa, Vamsi Vata dasa and Sandhya Taninki – attended a Deity Worship course certificated by the Mayapur Academy. The course spanned across four intensive weekends from Saturday 21st July to Sunday 12th August at Bhaktivedanta Manor. It included hands-on practical teaching, equipping attendees with knowledge and skills in serving and worshipping the Lord in His deity form. The focus of the teaching was worship of Gaura Nitai with the offering of 16 items of worship. The course was headed by Nrsimha Kavaca dasa and assisted by Gadadhara dasa and Murli Manohara dasa, Head Pujaris of Bhaktivedanta Manor and ISKCON-London respectively.
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Deity Department
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festivals Jhulan yatra
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Tuesday 21st to Sunday 26th August
hulan Yatra (The Swing Festival) honours a pastime which demonstrates Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani’s eternal love as They swing on a finely decorated swing during the rainy season in Vrindavana. This year’s festival, which took place from Tuesday 21st August to Sunday 26th August, gave everyone the chance to personally swing Chota Radha-Londonisvara (at 7am and 7pm each day). As devotees took turns in pushing the sacred swing, others accompanied them by singing a beautiful bhajan, Jaya Radhe Jaya Krishna, as each awaited their own opportunity to sway Their Lordships.
Adorning flower outfits in lilac, pink, and white, complemented by the rosy glowing wings of beautiful butterflies poised around Them
Radha and Krishna, capturing hearts in red 10
Festivals
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Festivals
balaram jayanti Sunday 26th August
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govinda’s restaurant A
sense of community is important. What better means of connecting with other residents than by taking part in a local fête. It’s not just a fun opportunity to meet new people and introduce them to different ideas but also a great way to celebrate the amazing and diverse community you live and work among. So, on Sunday 1st July, Govinda’s Restaurant was delighted to set up its own inspiring food stall at Soho Society’s Village Fête in St Anne’s Churchyard, Wardour Street, to not only air its vegetarian values
but also to showcase its ethically-based karma-free food, cooked – as ever – with love and devotion. Thali plates on offer were made up of rice, dhal, two different types of subji, paneer, puris, and salad. Customers could choose from a refreshing range of drinks including berry lassi, mango lassi, mint lemonade, and ginger beer, to complement the amazing food. All of this surely served to convince otherwise anyone who had doubts that being vegetarian is boring!
Customer testimonials
“Govinda’s are doing the best work. Be Vegetarian” Kishan Panda “I love it. Great veggie thali at a reasonable price” Gerry Lyons 13
harinama
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Harinama
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Harinama
Padayatra: Pilgrimage for Peace Monday 20th to Saturday 25th August
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he six-day Padayatra festival began in Ramsgate on Monday 20th August and ended in the picturesque town of Canterbury on Saturday 25th August. The main theme of the Padayatra was “Simple living. High thinking.” Spectators and participants were able to immerse themselves in a spiritual experience through devotional literature, music, philosophy, prasadam, and the sight of two oxen gracefully pulling the traditional carts. The Padayatra team were greeted enthusiastically by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury as well as many Cathedral officials, local dignitary members, councillors, and members of the Canterbury interfaith group. Canterbury officials spoke about “unity in diversity” and were delighted to see the Hare Krishna’s in their town and offered their support and blessings for the onward journey. The Mayor of Margate and many other esteemed guests danced in kirtan with devotees under the Margate clock tower – a historical landmark inaugurated in 1869 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. All special guests received a selection of books presented as a giftset including the following books – Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, CaitanyaCaritamrita and Krishna Book. Over 50 devotees actively participated in the festival and a record-breaking 1,000 books were distributed.
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Harinama
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What a Difference a Storm Makes
Harinama
By Louise Guthrie
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arinama takes place come rain, hail or shine. But what a difference a storm can make. Weeks of high and, at times, debilitating temperatures eventually culminated in “Furnace Friday.” Rain and strong winds (at last) moved in to not only bring the stifling UK heatwave to an abrupt end (and, hopefully, restore some of our greenery), but also to agreeably cool London down in readiness for Saturday evening’s regular scheduled harinama. And so, on the last weekend in July, a sizeable crowd of devotees were able to comfortably gather themselves outside ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna Temple in a much more temperate climate, no doubt inwardly relieved that they would not have to contend with any untoward heat on tonight’s pathway though the city centre. In fact, a fresh and blustery breeze would not only keep the group’s yellow devotional flag nicely billowing throughout, but also effectively buoy each and every participant along their route, lending an extra spring to this troupe’s collective stride as they reliably brought the Maha Mantra loud and clear to famous and familiar landmarks.
Indeed, so infectious was the group’s recharged energy that it was not just many casual passers-by, but even a couple of established street-performers who were irresistibly drawn right into this sundown’s devotional song and dance. A busker in Chinatown soon changed his own tune (and rhythm) to blend in with the flood of sacred mantra music sweeping along Gerrard Street towards him, while a goldpainted “living statue” in Leicester Square quickly seized the opportunity to take a break from standing motion and expressionless when passing devotees who in good-humour placed a fresh flower garland around her neck. The female figurine grinned delightedly and playfully flexed her bow-and-arrow before returning to (immovable) business-as-usual. The band returned happily to base on Soho Street, not only physically refreshed by kinder elements, but spiritually rejuvenated by sacred chants – and morethan-ready to savour some sustaining prasadam.
london college of vedic studies In July and August, the following courses took place: • Tuesday 3rd July: Mahatma dasa delivered a relevant seminar on “Mind – our best friend or worst enemy?” • Saturday 7th July: Murali Gopal dasa from the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies unravelled the secrets of the fascinating cosmos in his workshop “Mysteries of the Sacred Universe” • Sunday 8th July: Bhakti Rasamrita Swami gave a powerful talk on the “Power of Habits” • Saturday 14th July: Mahatma dasa delivered an engaging seminar “First be conscious, then Krishna conscious” where he discussed the importance of regularly studying and applying the teachings of Srimad-Bhagavatam • Sunday 12th August: “The Sonic Escape” by Bhuta Bhavana dasa provided valuable insights on the science and philosophy behind chanting and how we can improve our own japa meditation
Subscribe to the London College of Vedic Studies newsletter: www.iskcon.london/lcvs/signup Like the London College of Vedic Studies Facebook page: www.facebook.com/londoncvs Follow the London College of Vedic Studies Instagram page: www.instagram.com/londoncvs
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outreach Ladies Sanga In the months of July and August, Ladies Sanga offered a variety of sessions. SESSIONS IN JULY:
SESSIONS IN AUGUST:
• On Thursday 5th July, Hanel, regular Ladies Sanga attendee, gave a talk on the glories of the holy land of Vrindavana.
• On Thursday 2nd August, Jaga Mohini devi dasi led her last session before going to serve Malati devi dasi in the USA for a few months. She spoke on Jagannatha Puri and Rathayatra pastimes. It was a well-attended session.
• On Thursday 12th July, Hanel led the monthly Bhagavad-Gita reading and discussion. Once a month at the sanga, ladies are systematically reading a verse and are currently reading from Chapter 4. The sanga was well-attended with one newcomer. • On Thursday 19th July, Brioni, Ladies Ashram resident, talked about the glories of prasadam. She shared a deeper understanding of the act of honouring prasadam. Brioni currently cooks for the sanga. • On Thursday 25th July, Jaga Mohini devi dasi, Ladies Ashram Leader and Ladies Sanga Co-Coordinator, read pastimes of Srila Prabhupada for the pleasure of the attendees.
• On Thursday 9th August, Narada, Ladies Sanga Co-Coordinator, led a small session narrating the origin of the Sankirtana movement and sung one bhajan, Hari Haraye Namaha, with attendees. Song cards were distributed and attendees read aloud in dramatic way. • On Thursday 23rd August, Aartee, regular Ladies Sanga attendee, discussed her realisations about balancing spiritual and material life. After honouring prasadam (including cake made by Brioni), the team sang kirtan and then went to the Temple Room at 7.00pm to take part in the Jhulan Yatra festival.
Ladies Sanga takes place every Thursday evening in the Seminar Room. All ladies welcome. 22
Outreach
secrets from the east programme
Report by Brioni Boykew
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n a warm and cosy room overlooking the street, there is the smell of incense whilst cake and tea is offered for those participating. It is always an inviting atmosphere, like visiting family, when we all get together in our regular newcomer’s programme “Secrets from the East”. Long-term resident monk, Dayal Mora dasa, holds the space for questions and answers, expertly quoting from our sacred texts, whilst creating a friendly vibe in the room. We are always very inspired by the quality of questions and comments that are posed from the newcomers. This week, one particular member’s comments stood out and inspired all present:
“I came across your people dancing and singing on the street and I felt this rare feeling in my chest, in the area of my heart and it spread across my body. I can only describe it as being like a child finding a lost parent… It was like I realised I had always been looking at the world in foggy glasses and all of a sudden I take the glasses off and I can see the world clearly as it is. It’s not that I wanted to cry but tears were rolling down my face. But I am afraid it’s just a taster, momentary – like everything else, it’s going to disappear. Can you explain this to me and does it really last?” We discussed topics such as how to remember Krishna and never forget Him, how to love others by developing love of God, and the process of bhakti yoga. The gathering was followed by sumptuous Sunday Feast prasadam in Govinda’s Restaurant. All participants signed up for our database and so will be receiving invitations to further programmes that are organised.
Secrets from the East takes place every Sunday afternoon in the VIP Room. All newcomers welcome. 23
radha krishna records Some recent feedback on Gopibhava devi dasi’s Cintamani album “One of most deeply beautiful and heart-moving CD’s I have ever heard… this CD automatically fills my mind *all day long* every day. I don’t think I have *ever* had that experience. Thank you millions of times” Urmila devi dasi
sankirtan
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Sankirtan
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spiritual mentorship system Initiation Congratulations to Vamsi Vata dasa (formerly Bhakta Alvin), who is in Murli Manohara dasa’s Mentee Group, who got first initiation by Bhakti Caitanya Swami in Newcastle on Saturday 18th August.
Spiritual Mentorship Retreat There was a Spiritual Mentorship System retreat between Thursday 9th August to Monday 13th August in the beautiful surroundings of New Mayapur, France.
New Mayapur is located in a castle (completed in 1905) surrounded by greenery in 86 hectares of land. This place was acquired in 1975 by disciples of Srila Prabhupada. It takes nearly three hours from Paris to reach New Mayapur. Their Lordships Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Madhava and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai are the principal deities of this sacred place. They welcome visitors throughout the year and it is the perfect place to rejuvenate or to hold a retreat. If you are interested in making a visit, please contact community@iskcon.london
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DAILY SCHEDULE ARATI TIMES 04:30 05:00 07:00 08:00 12:30 16:15 19:00 21:00
Mangal arati Tulasi arati Deity greeting Dhoopa arati Raj Bhoga arati Dhoopa arati Sundara arati Sayana arati
These are times when items are offered for the pleasure of the Deities.
DARSHAN TIMES
CLASS TIMES
04:30 to 05:00 07:00 to 07:30 08:00 to 11:45 12:30 to 13:00 16:15 to 18:30 19:00 to 19:30 21:00 to 21:30
07:30 Srimad Bhagavatam / Caitanya Caritamrta 13:00 Introductory talk * 18:00 Bhagavad Gita *
These are times when the curtains are open and the Deities can be seen.
* Excluding Sundays
LUNCH PROGRAMM E - MONDAY TO SATURDAY 13:00 to 14:00 Introductory talk and lunch. SUNDAY FEAST PROGRAMME 15:30 to 19:30 Includes arati, introductory talk and feast.
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
community@iskcon.london
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada ISKCON-LONDON Radha-Krishna Temple 10 Soho Street London W1D 3DL
CONTACT: T: +44 (0)20 7437 3662 E : info@iskcon-london.org W: www.iskcon.london
@iskconlondon /iskconlondon