Deity Department

Still in lockdown, the temple residents were continuing to cover a number of deity services for Their Lordships. Community members living outside the temple are deeply missing their services and eagerly waiting for the temple to re-open so they can serve Their Lordships once again.

LORD JAGANNATHA’S MERCY Although Snanayatra and London Rathayatra was sadly cancelled this year, this didn’t stop the pujaris decorating Their Lordships with extra flower garlands and dressing Them beautifully on the days that the festivals would have taken place. Not only these days but the days that Snanayatra and Rathayatra took place in Jagannatha Puri were also observed with opulent darshans! Never wanting to miss an opportunity to serve her beloved Lord Jagannatha, Vimala devi dasi also cooked extra preparations on these days.

LONDON SNANAYATRA DARSHAN Sunday 31st May (day the festival was planned to take place)

DARSHAN ON THE DAY OF JAGANNATHA PURI RATHAYATRA Tuesday 23rd June

SPOTLIGHT ON A PUJARI

with Urjesvari devi dasi

The Community Newsletter Team caught up with one of ISKCON-London’s Pujaris, Urjesvari devi dasi to learn more about her, how she came to Krishna consciousness and the pujari services she is involved in.

Community Newsletter Team: Hare Krishna

Mother Urjesvari! Thank you very much for agreeing to talk to us. Please tell us a bit about yourself, for example where you were born, your family and upbringing?

Urjesvari devi dasi: I was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1955. My family’s upbringing was always with Lord Krishna in the centre of our lives. In 1969 we arrived in London where we were fortunate to meet Srila Prabhupada and the devotees at Bury Place.

Q: How old were you when you became more serious in Krishna consciousness? And how did it happen?

A: I seriously took up Srila Prabhupada’s movement in 1988 when I was 33 years old. I associated with the devotees and helped in distributing books, serving the devotees with whatever was required to be done and especially cooked chapatis for lunch prasadam. The way I got inspired was by hearing from devotees and especially my Gurudeva, Giriraj Swami’s lectures on the Nectar of Devotion.

Q: When did you first start serving in the Deity

Department at ISKCON-London? And what services did you start with?

A: I started serving at ISKCON-London in 2002 where I was asked by the devotees if I can cook for Their Lordships which I was very happy to do.

trained you or really inspired you and why?

A: I was in close contact with the Manor devotees as my children were in the Gurukul school there. Two devotees, Mother Shyamasundari and Mother Rachitambra helped me a lot in my Krishna consciousness and inspired me with their service mood. I was also inspired by the early sanga group in the 80’s with Maha Vishnu Swami and senior Manor devotees.

Q: You have been serving Sri Sri Radha

Londonisvara for many years, in particular, offering mangala arati, dressing, cooking Raja Bhoga (often all in one day!). What keeps you enthusiastic and motivated in your services?

A: It is the mercy of my Gurudeva and devotees that keeps me inspired in the services I do. I really love Lord Krishna and His devotees. The energy that Krishna gives me helps me to serve Their Lordships all the time and I feel bliss every day for the opportunity given to me by Their Lordships and the devotees.

Q: What is your favourite service and why?

A: I love all services I do as it gives me bliss and inner peace.

Q: Anything else you would like to share about

your services in the Deity Department?

A: I would like to thank you all for helping me in serving Their Lordships and the devotees and I hope to continue with the services once the world situation is back to normal.

Q: Thank you!