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
anna popova
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
OLGA DOROVKO
Radha Krishna Records Manager
Russian Vedic Society Coordinator
KRISHNA KANTA DEVI DASI
PRITESH PANDYA
Food for Life Coordinator
Child Protection Officer
MAHA NRSINGHA DASA
PRIYA KUNDA DASA
Festivals Coordinator
Atma Lounge Manager
MAIRIS UŠACKIS
SYAMA GAURI DEVI DASI
General Manager
Atma Lounge Manager
MUKUNDA KISHORE DASA
TITIKSU DASA
Closet Krishna Manager
UK Rathayatra Coordinator
NAAM SANKIRTAN DASA
VAYU DASA
Sankirtana Leader
Men’s Ashram Leader
NATASHA MENON Communications Secretary
CLOSET KRISHNA
Table of CONTENTS 5 6 7 8 11 12 14 17 20 22 22 24 25 27 28 31 32
Temple President’s Activities
Community Development Team Deity Department Festivals
Food for Life
Govinda’s Restaurant Harinama
London College of Vedic Studies Outreach
Radha Krishna Records Regional
Russian Vedic Society Sankirtan
Spiritual Mentorship System Volunteering
Hare Krishna! UK Film Premiere VIP Guests in March and April
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 B
haktin Gayathri, Guest Care Team Coordinator, facilitated a training session for existing and new members of the Guest Care Team on Saturday 14th April. In addition to presenting key aspects of guest care, the session included interactive role plays with attendees pairing up with one playing the role of a guest greeter and another playing the role of a new guest to see how they would deal with different scenarios. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact volunteers@iskcon-london.org
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deity department
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festivals gaura purnima Thursday 1st March
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Ramanavami Sunday 25th March HARINAMA IN HONOUR OF LORD RAMA Londoners were invited along on Thursday 22nd March to create auspiciousness for Lord Rama’s Appearance Day by taking part in harinama, starting at 10.00am. The procession went to LSE and SOAS universities before progressing onto Krishna’s Castle at noon. At 3.00pm, devotees moved on to Oxford Street. Similar harinamas took place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
HANUMAN JAYANTI The appearance of Hanuman was celebrated on Saturday 31st March by the inspiration of Vimila devi dasi, a senior Pujari at the Temple. Extra flower garlands for the Deities were made by garland-makers and extra bhoga preparations cooked by Vimila devi dasi. A sponsored feast was also served to guests, along with maha-prasadam. A special kirtan was held from 9.00pm onwards and the late night singing and dancing by devotees was filled with energy. It was a moving occasion for all present.
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Festivals
Nrsimha Caturdasi Saturday 28th April
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food for life Providing warmth as well as nutritious hot meals to the homeless
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group of Food for Life volunteers pulled out all the stops to help the homeless who they meet each week. In light of the treacherous cold weather, they organised to raise money to buy warm and good quality sleeping bags and blankets for those in need. These were extremely popular and in high demand, with many people asking for more.
Acyuta Charan dasa receives his British Empire Medal at a ceremony on Friday 13th April
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ood for Life has been feeding the homeless every weekday evening for over 25 years in the UK and its incredible power was officially recognised in December 2017 with the Head of the London-based service, Acyuta Charan dasa, being honored with a BME (British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service) for voluntary and charitable services to homeless people. He proudly accepted his BME award in April at a grand event presented by a representative of the Queen of England.
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govinda’s restaurant Govinda’s Restaurant is runner-up “Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year” at the London Curry Awards
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he London Curry Awards award ceremony was held on Monday 30th April at the Chak 89 venue in Surrey. 24 awards were presented at the ceremony and Govinda’s Restaurant was runner-up in the “Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year” category. Govinda’s Restaurant Manager, Thiru Dhayalan, attended and picked up the award.
Some recent customer feedback “I absolutely love your thali - and your vegan dishes are divine!’’ Bev “It’s our favourite go-to place when in London’’ Sarah
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Feature article on Ramanatha Sukha dasa, Govinda’s Restaurant cook and Srila Prabhupada disciple By Louise Guthrie
sweetest concoctions, declared: “Tell him this is the best sandesh in all the three worlds.”
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ny regular diner at Govinda’s Restaurant with an especially discerning palate may, in recent times, have noticed the addition of an indefinable yet palpable new ingredient to their prasadam. That special something is a finesse heightened by a life-time’s dedicated cooking experience courtesy of one of Srila Prabhupada’s original disciples. The name of the devotee and long-term cook infusing that extra touch of food-magic is Ramanatha Sukha dasa, who has made it a life-long mission to take the prasadam he cooks to ever-new culinary heights. Such is this devotee’s cookery skill that Srila Prabhupada, having eaten one of Ramanatha Sukha’s
The year was 1976 and Ramanatha Sukha was a devotee at Georgia Atlanta temple. Knowing his sandesh was to be offered to Srila Prabhupada, he had, of course, gone the extra mile to make sure this batch was exceptionally exquisite. “I made it in two layers” he says, “saffron and white, flavoured with rose and cardamom. It was in a block which I cut into sixteen pieces. Prabhupada was restrained.” Ramanatha Sukha smiles, “He took just three segments.” He had hoped to be able to attend that year’s Mayapur festival to see Srila Prabhupada in person but incumbent Atlanta Temple President, Balavanta dasa, expressed concern that there would be no-one to adequately tend to Ramanatha Sukha’s responsibilities in book distribution and deity service during his absence. It was therefore Balavanta who flew to Mayapur taking the sandesh along with him. As it turned out, this was for the best. From among 5,000 devotees, 300 to 400 were close enough to Srila Prabhupada at that time to be
granted a personal audience. As a Temple President, Balavanta was one of these fortunates, and when he went to visit Srila Prabhupada in his rooms, he made sure he took in Ramanatha Sukha’s subtly fragrant edible offering. So while Ramanatha Sukha was not able to hand over his sandesh in person, the confection made a great impression on his behalf. “A cook’s consciousness goes into his food” he says. It most certainly did, prompting Srila Prabhupada to say “Bring him to me”. Upon hearing that Ramanatha Sukha was diligently carrying out duties in Atlanta, he asked his assistant, Hari-Sauri dasa to write to him and ask for the recipe. Ramanatha Sukha had in fact met Srila Prabhupada in person the year before, when he received his second initiation from him in Atlanta in 1975. He was last in a queue of six devotees to do so, but any slight nerves he may have been experiencing while waiting patiently in line melted away as soon as he came face-to-face with Srila Prabhupada who was relaxed and invited his disciple to sit down next to him.
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Ramanatha Sukha had first become attracted to the Hare Krishna movement as a 19-yearold while studying at University of Georgia in Athens. His interest had been awakened by listening to George Harrison, and when two brahmacaris from the Atlanta temple came to visit the campus, he was receptive to their teachings. Before too long, he not only became absorbed in the Sunday programmes but decided spiritual life was where his true vocation lay. And, of course, his specific calling was always to provide nothing less than superb prasadam. He explains how back in those early days “there was a lot of rivalry between devotees in book-selling at the airports.” Devotional book sales teams working in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles airports were all determined to outsell each other. Luckily, Atlanta sankirtaneers had Ramanatha
Sukha to cook for them. “An army works on his stomach” he explains. In December 1975, he made it his mission to adequately fuel devotees for the Christmas book marathon. Thanks to his hugely nourishing input, they were properly energised and sustained to sell many more books than they might otherwise have done. Now aged sixty-four and at a stage in life where most people would have settled into retirement, Ramanatha Sukha came to London from Sweden some six months ago and has since been very busy making his significant contribution to Govinda’s Restaurant kitchen, where he specialises in Italian dishes. He is ever-mindful that, when asked who were his favourite deities, Srila Prabhupada, on more than one occasion replied that Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara were the most beautiful. Ramanatha Sukha therefore feels a unique affinity for the London temple. He always
prefers to use fresh tulasi leaves for offering food and for placing on the Lord’s lotus feet. Despite a general lack of outdoor growing space in central London, tulasi is grown on the rooftop of the Temple, enabling him to make his offerings in his preferred manner. When he’s not conscientiously working on food preparation, Ramanatha Sukha is able to get involved in other projects. He is currently spending Wednesdays fashioning new head-wear to adorn the Temple deities, Jagannatha and Balarama, at this year’s London Rathayatra on Sunday 24th June. So, not only are we getting to taste Ramanatha Sukha’s years of experience in making delicious prasadam, but this year, Jagannatha and Balarama will be parading out in brand new finery which we can all look out for during summer’s big upcoming festival!
harinama St. Patrick’s Night Harinama – Saturday 17th March Report by Louise Guthrie
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espite the brief return of freezing temperatures in mid-March, a dedicated band of devotees chose to brave the cold and face somewhat adverse elements to bring some warmth and joy to a chilly evening in central London on St. Patrick’s Night. Although the capital’s streets were much quieter than usual for this traditionally upbeat annual Irish celebration, ISKCON-London’s Saturday night harinama kirtaneers were nevertheless accompanied for some of their route by a number of active celebrators of the “green” festival who were only too happy to join forces in lifting the mood on this dark and frosty Saturday evening.
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Among the enthusiasts stepping out from Soho Street were a couple of devotees who, having recently returned from a trip to Mystic India with Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Krishna Wisdom team, were determined to carry on in the spirit of India and not let the extreme change in climate keep them indoors tonight. One devotee, Dom, enthused: “I think the snow added to the experience. Parading around London singing Hare Krishna, looking up at the snow falling from the night sky……that might not happen again for many years. I’m grateful to have been part of it.”
Easter Saturday Harinama – Saturday 31st March
Report by Louise Guthrie
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hat better way to spend Easter Eve than spreading the priceless treasure of the Holy Names? This year’s Holy Saturday also happened to be the last one of the month. Thus, Saturday 31st March saw a large and duly ecstatic Maha Harinama gathering outside ISKCON-London at 7.00pm. From there, the exuberant band of devotees took to the
streets and thoroughfares of Soho, Chinatown, Leicester Square and Piccadilly to bring their radiant smiles, joyful kirtan and energetic dance to the crowds. This special Maha Harinama was dedicated to Srutidharma dasa’s (Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple President) well-being and recovery after recently being diagnosed with brain cancer.
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Harinama
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london college of vedic studies
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n Saturday 17th March, London College of Vedic Studies hosted a seminar, “Psychology of Transcendence”, delivered by Bhuta Bhavana dasa. In the seminar, a dynamic model for practicing spiritual humility was presented. The session covered the following areas: • The role confidence plays in spiritual progress and development • The role of self-esteem in spiritual life • How to develop positive self-esteem • How spiritual humility differs from low self-esteem • What Srila Prabhupada meant by ‘’Be bold for Krishna’’ On Saturday 14th April, there was a very well-attended Japa Workshop by Chandramauli Swami.
Subscribe to the London College of Vedic Studies monthly e-newsletter: www.iskcon.london/lcvs/signup Like the London College of Vedic Studies Facebook page: www.facebook.com/londoncvs
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outreach Ladies Sanga
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n Thursday 8th March, the enthusiastic Ladies Sanga group chanted the Hare Krishna mahamantra with guest speaker, Sarasvati devi dasi. The session was well-attended with one new joiner and many other regular attendees.
On Thursday 15th March, a discussion took place on the following verse from Bhagavad Gita: ‘’One has to learn tolerance in the face of dualities such as happiness and distress, or cold and warmth, and by tolerating such dualities become free from anxieties regarding gain and loss.’’ Bhagavad Gita 2.45, Srila Prabhupada Purport Later that evening, the group had a delicious meal at Govinda’s Restaurant. On Thursday 5th April, the group had an enjoyable Rama-katha session conducted by guest speaker, Jambavati devi dasi. The discussions during the session were focused mainly around the various women mentioned in Lord Rama’s pastimes including the queens, the demonesses, and most importantly what happened to Sitarani and why. As the session concluded, the energetic group spontaneously started a second kirtan that attracted many more ladies and became wildly joyous.
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On Thursday 19th April, which was a beautiful sunny day, the Ladies Sanga enjoyed kirtans, Bhagavad Gita reading sessions and prasadam in Soho Square gardens.
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radha krishna records Radha Krishna Records releases a new music video
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n Nrsimha Caturdasi, Radha Krishna Records released a new music video to the powerful song ‘’Hari Om - May All Be Blessed’’ by Jahnavi Harrison. The song includes prayers by Prahlada Maharaja for the well-being of all humanity: ‘’May there be good fortune throughout the universe...’’ Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9. The song is co-produced by Shammi Pithia and Jagannath Suta dasa and released with the Radha Krishna Records Mantra Lounge Volume 2 album found on all digital platforms including iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/1270942106
The music video can be viewed on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3fT9k-bS_C0
regional South Regional Retreat Saturday 31st March to Monday 2nd April
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ver the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, from Saturday 31st March to Monday 2nd April, there was a South Regional Retreat held at ISKCON South London, organised by Mahaprabhu dasa and Bhaktin Hema. This was a three-day event with many activities ranging from classes (including from children in the community), dramas, presentations, and workshops, all based on the theme of Caitanya Lila. Guest speakers for the event were Bhakti Prabhava Swami, Bhakti Rasayana Sagar Swami, Navadvipa Candra dasa, Jai Nitai dasa, and Bhava Bhakti devi dasi. At the end of each session, attendees were treated to lila kirtan by special guest, Nitai Kirtan dasa, who would spontaneously enlist the assistance of attendees at the retreat to bring to life some aspect of Caitanya Lila. The prasadam for the retreat was all prepared by the local ISKCON South London community and consisted of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Accommodation was also provided in local devotees’ homes for those who needed it. The attendance was very good over the retreat weekend and in total, there were approximately 80 attendees each day. There were devotees attending from many of the South Regional preaching centres including Brighton, Crawley, Rochester, and even a few from Birmingham.
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ISKCON Wimbledon
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onthly programmes at William Morris Hall in Wimbledon, hosted by ISKCON-London with support from local devotees, Bhakta Matt and Bhaktin Priya, have now been re-established. It provides an opportunity for local newcomers to learn the basic art of bhakti-yoga through an introductory talk, kirtan and prasadam. Attendees are mostly those who have met a sankirtan devotee locally, taken one of Srila Prabhupada’s books and registered interest in learning the philosophy. The event also welcomes devotees living local to Wimbledon, with the vision of developing Wimbledon as one of Srila Prabhupada’s 10 main centres in London. The first two events took place on Saturday 24th March and Saturday 21st April. For more information, please visit: Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ iskconwimbledon/
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russian vedic society T
he Russian Vedic Society had a whole week of inspiring interaction with Vatsala dasa, a senior devotee and lecturer from Moscow. Dozens of devotees and several new seekers of spiritual knowledge attended his practical workshop “Prayer and Meditation” on 14th and 15th March. On Sunday 18th March, Vatsala dasa also engaged attendees in exciting interactive conversation on “What is devotion?”
7th Anniversary Celebrations On 17th March, the Society had their 7th Anniversary celebrations. It was an opportunity for the entire Russian devotee community to come together to celebrate, with fun, games, a theatre performance on Lord Caitanya’s lilas, prasadam, and more. Special guests, Vatsala dasa and Ananda devi dasi, led ecstatic kirtans to praise the glory of the Holy Names. The events were broadcasted on social media, which meant more devotees could take part online.
In April, Bhakti Rasayana Sagar Swami and Nara Hari dasa, leader of the Russian-speaking congregation in Mayapur, held three special seminars for the Russian devotees: a welcoming Nama-hatta dedicated to Lord Caitanya’s lilas, a very practical workshop tackling relationships amongst the devotees, and training on ways to improve chanting. Every Sunday at 2.00pm, the Russian Vedic Society continue their meetings in the Temple Seminar Room where they read and study the sastras, chant, sing, dance, and honour prasadam together.
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sankirtan “Every day, you have to read my books. Do you know that every day even I read my own books? Do you know why I read my books? I read my books every day because even I learn something new when I read them. Do you know why I learn something new when I read my books? Because these books are not my books – I do not write these books. Every morning when I sit here to write my books, Krishna comes personally and He dictates to me what to write, I simply take dictation from Krishna and I write these books. Therefore when I read them, even I learn something.” Srila Prabhupada
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Sankirtan
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spiritual mentorship system Hanel Gir, who is in Bhava Bhakti devi dasi’s Mentee Group, was asked about why she joined the Spiritual Mentorship System. Here is what she had to say:
Why did you join the Spiritual Mentorship System? I wanted to have direction on my spiritual journey and guidance from a senior. It was important for me to improve my sadhana, and having a mentor that I’m accountable to, has helped greatly in my engagement in services as well as the attention I need to give to my overall practice. It’s vital for me to keep growing and gaining knowledge. I believe the system helped to feed that drive I have and provide clarification wherever necessary.
What do you enjoy about it? I enjoy the association of devotees and the topics we cover in each session. And of course, most importantly, I enjoy the prasadam made by our masterful chef mentor.
Name a favourite moment in the system? 1 My first Mentee Meeting - making the card for Jagannatha Snana Yatra. It was a lot of fun meeting all the devotees and seeing everyone’s excitement and working together to make an offering to Lord Jagannatha. 2 Our Mentee Group winning the book marathon both at ISKCON-London and nationals in the groups category. Everyone in the Mentee Group contributed what they could to the overall effort of getting Srila Prabhupada’s books out and into the hands and homes of as many people as possible. It was wonderful to be a part of this group and see everyone’s sole goal in distributing the books!
Would you recommend it to others? Most definitely.
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HARE KRISHNA! UK FILM PREMIERE T
he UK premiere screening of “Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami” took place at Odeon Covent Garden on the evening of Monday 23rd April. The film’s directors, Yadubara dasa and Visakha devi dasi, were present and gave an introduction to the film and answered questions from a grateful audience after the film. There were nearly 400 attendees across two screenings. VIPs included those from the music industry, education, government, interfaith, neighbours, special interest groups, Srila Prabhupada disciples and other ISKCON seniors. A number of tickets were also released to the public. Website: www.harekrishnathefilm.com Facebook page: www.facebook.com/harekrishnafilmuk Email: info@krishnafilm.co.uk
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vip guests in march and april
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arch and April saw a large number of special visiting guests coming to ISKCON-London, including Chandramauli Swami, BB Govinda Swami, Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, Malati devi dasi, and Visakha devi dasi.
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Presentation by Malati devi dasi and Visakha devi dasi Report by Louise Guthrie “I have always accepted the services of women without discrimination” - so wrote Srila Prabhupada in his letter to Gurudasa dasa on 26th May 1972. On the evening of 3rd April 2018, we were fortunate enough to have two of Srila Prabhupada’s lady disciples giving a very special evening class at ISKCON-London on the subject of Prabhupada’s affectionate dealings with his female disciples. Malati devi dasi (co-founder of ISKCON-London) and Vishaka devi dasi (photographer and screenwriter of newly-released film “Hare Krishna!”) gave us their fascinating first-hand accounts and revealing insights on serving Srila Prabhupada in close proximity. During the course of the evening, the calm and soft-but-firmly-spoken pair gave many examples of female devotees who worked effectively with Srila Prabhupada, showing us a series of incisive photographs to support their anecdotes. “He encouraged and accepted whatever it was we could do… I never felt an outsider” said Malati devi dasi.
as personal secretaries and translators. Lady devotees like Yamuna, Kausalya, and Lilavati led kirtanas. Female disciples gave classes as well as public lectures, and were often in charge of the deities during public aratis. Yamuna devi dasi was one of the first devotees to be personally trained by Srila Prabhupada in the art of deity worship and it was she who helped him install the first large set of deities in ISKCON, Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara. She also performed abhiseka of deities at Jaipur’s 1972 pandal programme. Prabhupada actively encouraged ladies to use whatever talents they possessed. When he was planning for an illustrated book of all of Krishna’s pastimes and stories, Jahnava devi dasi took her paintings to him and received his approval. Working matters aside, Srila Prabhupada enjoyed some close and uncomplicated friendships with females, especially Janaki devi dasa, whom he affectionately referred to as his “naughty daughter”.
Malati devi dasi and Vishaka devi dasi bear witness throughout the presentation to how Srila Prabhupada did not make any distinction between the genders when it came to serving Krishna. Even when it came down to major undertakings like opening temples, he stressed that it made no difference whether it was a man or a woman working towards spreading Lord Caitanya’s message. Women, as well as men, accompanied Prabhupada when he was travelling, being appointed
Malati devi dasi and Vishaka devi dasi were a delight to listen to as they related numerous positive instances of Srila Prabhupada’s interaction with those lady devotees directly in his service. To round off the event, the two met with individual audience members as Vishaka devi dasi signed copies of her memoirs “From Faithlessness to Faith: A memoir in photographs”. It certainly was an evening to remember!
If you would like to write a report on an event taking place at ISKCON-London, please email: 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