Over the last four decades, the devotees in Pietermaritzburg have been instrumental in serving and being part of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. ISKCON Pietermaritzburg started off as one of Sri Sri Radha Radhanath’s main nama-hatta groups. They hosted wonderful festivals, which attracted thousands of people from all around Pietermaritzburg, they were dedicated in their weekly service gatherings, and are enthusiastic to study the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Pietermaritzburg became known as a place of warm hospitality and mountains of prasada. These devotees were actively involved in festivals at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, from helping to cook for the Love Feast, to cleaning vegetables and serving prasad at the Durban Festival of Chariots. They even went out of their way to collect funds for the Durban Festival of Chariots.
In a few days time, the ISKCON Pietermaritzburg will officially open. For me, it feels like a child leaving its comfortable nest and going on out on its own. The Pietermaritzburg devotees will now shoulder new responsibilities now. They will have to ensure that the deity standards are maintained. They will have to think of ways to keep the devotees inspired and engaged, and that the Temple becomes a beacon of Krishna consciousness in Pietermaritzburg. These are exciting times!
The day after Srila Prabhupada installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in Vrindavan in April 1975, His Divine Grace commented, “Now I have installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, one may stand in front of Them and one may say, ‘My Dear Sirs, I have such and such problem,’ and They will help you.”
In this way, I pray to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai that They unlimitedly bless the residents of Pietermaritzburg (and Durban!) and engage us in Their sankirtan movement.
Please find below the celebration details. Kindly note the program is subject to change and I look forward to seeing you at there.
Your servant
Vibhu Caitanya Das
ISKCON Pietermaritzburg Temple Opening
28 September – 1 October
584 Bombay Road (corner of Bombay Road & Olympia Way), Northdale
Special Guests
His Holiness Bhakti Chaitanya Swami
His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami
His Holiness Bhakti Narasimha Swami
His Holiness Ram Govinda Swami
His Grace Medhavi Prabhu
His Grace Nandakumar Prabhu
Thursday 28 September
Purification and Auspiciousness Festival @6:30pm
Svasti-vacana
Vasudeva Punyaha
Vastu Santi Yajna & Vaisnava Yajna
Friday 29 September
Preliminary Installation of Deities of Gaura Nitai @6:30pm
Netronmilana – Opening the Eyes of the Deities
Vanda Paana – Presenting auspicious articles to the Deities
Sayanotsavam – Deities to rest
Saturday 30 September
Installation of Deities @ 2:00pm
Kalash Maha Abhishek
Fire yagna
First Darshan of Gaura Nitai in Their new outfit
Gaura-arati
Festival of Lord Rama’s victory and burning of Ravana effigy
Prasada will be served from 2:00pm onwards. Feast at 8:00pm
Sunday 1 October
Official inauguration of the Temple @2:00pm
Cultural Festival @12:00pm
You may bring offerings of fruit, flowers, and other gifts to the Deities of Gaura Nitai from 9:00am onwards. The public can also offer an arati to the Deities.
Note: A bus service will be available from Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple. The bus departs at 12:00pm.
Kindly note that it is Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans, and legumes. Ekadasi prasad will be served from 12:00pm. Feast at 5:30pm.
Parking
Heather Secondary School – A free shuttle service will be available.
Festival Queries
Nalika Rajaram 084 891 7070 | nalika.rajaram26@gmail.com
If you would like to assist this wonderful project in Srila Prabhupada’s movement by way of sponsoring towards the deities and building, please contact Nalika Rajaram.
Kindly note: to book your seat on the bus, registration is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net or 031 403 3328
Booking may be done via the Book Table.
The show begins at 8pm sharp, so come in early, grab a seat, order your meal and get comfortable for a fun evening of spiritual entertainment.
You may want to bring blankets and cushions. BYS (Bhakti Yoga Society) Cafe will be providing our light meals, snacks, and drinks. Note: Govinda’s Pizzeria will be open. Entry is by donation. All proceeds go to the theatre and the university cultivation programme.
We look forward to seeing you at the temple.
