Dear Friends,
We cannot wait to celebrate Krishna’s birth anniversary with you this weekend (16 – 18 August). On Monday, 18 August, we worship our beloved Srila Prabhupada, the founder and acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. His devotion, conviction and determination has paved the way for vibrant festivals like our Janmashtami celebration. You can join us in veneration to Srila Prabhupada the real hero, who has changed the course of history by his pure love.
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple’s Janmashtami festival official kick off is on Saturday at 2pm on the main stage with the exciting new feature: The Janmastami Talent Contest. We have over 100 contestants eager to offer their talent for Krishna’s pleasure and we warmly invite you to come and cheer them on. You can look forward to drama, dance, music, scripture recitation and poetry.
Other Activities on Saturday, 16 August:
Krishna’s Birthday Party for Children
3pm | Tent on the Lawn
The Kids’ Tent opens at 2pm.
Janmashtami Journey
6pm | Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Amphitheatre
This is a new addition to this year’s line-up. Young ones will go on a magical adventure with a Gopi.
Please note that children MUST be accompanied by an adult for ALL kids activities.
Festival Market
In the mood of festivities, we have also arranged a spiritual market where you can find devotional literature; prasada snacks and treats; focus on Temple projects like Take Care of Krishna, Temple Restoration, Food For Life and how to join our Divine Network (social media); devotional apparel and paraphernalia and the exciting maha (jewellery that once belonged to the Deities) jewellery sale. We encourage you walk through our market at your leisure. Keep your eye out for the Srimad Bhagavatam special at the book store. You can get a full set (18 volumes) of this “spotless purana” for only R2108.
Saturday from 2pm
Sunday from 11am
Deity Offerings
Thousands of worshippers will take great pleasure in making a personal offering directly to the Deities. We will facilitate you to offer incense, ghee lamps, fruit, flowers & abhishek (bathing)
16 and 17 August | 9:30am – 8:30pm
Sunday, 17 August
Sri Krishna Janmastami
Temple Room Schedule
4.30am Mangal Arati (Deities will be dressed in a new outfit) followed by japa meditation
7:30am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
8:00am Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their second new outfit.
8:15am Class with His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
9:30am Deity offerings
9:00pm Kirtan & Krishna Book reading
12:00am Arati & Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their third new outfit.
Main Stage Cultural Entertainment
11:00amVaishnava Bhajans by ISKCON Youth
1:05pmClassical Dance
1:20pmTamil Bhajans by Tirupurasundari
2:10pmDance by Newlands Nama-hatta Girls
2:25pmVIPs & Janmashtami Talent Contest Winners
3:25pmTamil Bhajans & Bharatanatyam Dances by Yogambal Singaram’s Group
4:15pmHindi Bhajans by Keeran Eshwarlall
5:20pmBhajans & Talk by His Grace Subha Vilas Prabhu
6:55pmBharatanatyam Dances by Kumari Pinola Pillay
7:05pmTamil & Telegu Bhajans by Vijaylaksmi Balakrishnan
7:45pmTalk by His Grace Swarup Damodar Prabhu
8:15pmSri Sri Radha Radhanath Abhishek (bathing ceremony)
8:50pmKathak Dance by Hariksha Maharaj
9:05pmBhajans by Krishnastami Das
10:05pmDrama
10:50pmKirtan & Lecture by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami
11:50pmMidnight Arati projected in the main marquee and final kirtan
* Please note that the programme is subject to change.
Monday, 18 August
Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja
4.30am Mangal Arati followed by japa meditation
7:30am Srila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
8:00am Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath in Their new outfit.
9:30am Vyasa-puja program commences with glorifications, followed by abhisek of Srila Prabhupada
11:30am Bhoga (food) offering to Srila Prabhupada
We will miss His Grace Shyamlal Prabhu, who for many years took great joy and pride in artistically arranging the many offerings to Srila Prabhupada. He trained a few fortunate devotees how to arrange the bhoga in the four categories as described in the Gurvastaka, a song that glorifies the spiritual master.
12:30pm Midday Arati and Kirtan
1:00pm Srila Prabhupada’s guru-puja & pushpanjali (offering of flowers)
1:30pm Prasada — Please note that we will serve prasada in the Vaishnava tradition. People will be invited to take their seats and servers will come to you. If you would like to be part of the serve out team, please call Sudhir 079 144 0003
A Personal Offering to Srila Prabhupada
One of the most exciting parts of the celebration is the bhoga (food) offering. Anyone and everyone can make something for Srila Prabhupada. Our target is 4000 food offerings. You can prepare sweets, biscuits, snacks, exotic rice dishes, subjis, savouries, cuisine from Italy, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Oriental, Continental, Mauritian, authentic Bengali and South Indian dishes, fresh fruit arrangements, ice cream, fresh fruit, vegetable juices, smoothies and milkshakes — all for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. For ideas and submission of your offerings please contact Sukumari Dasi 031 403 3328
Janmashtami Seva
Would you like to render service to Krishna on His birthday? You can help in cash or kind. Please call Balaram 082 881 4521 or Jaisacinandan 083 777 3328.
As always, we look forward to seeing you and hope this finds you in the best spirits,
Your friends at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple
T: 031 4033328 | F: 031 4034429 | temple@iskcondurban.net
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