Week Ahead 18 – 25 April

Dear Friends

Akshaya Tritiya
This Wednesday, April 18, is Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most important days in the Vedic calendar. Akshaya means “imperishable” or “that which never diminishes”. Traditionally, this is the best day for starting important endeavors or projects. For example, Vyasadeva and Ganesa chose this day to start writing the Mahabharata, and every year construction of the huge Ratha carts in Puri also starts on this day. Srila Prabhupada chose this day in 1953 to start the “League of Devotees” in Jhansi.

Akshaya Tritiya is the appearance day of Lord Parasurama, and it is also the day that the Ganges descended to the earth. Most devotees know it as the beginning of Candana-yatra, but actually, many of Lord Krishna’s other pastimes also took place on this day, specifically those which demonstrate Krishna’s extremely generous and intimate reciprocation with His devotees.

On this day, Sudama gave the Lord a tiny portion of chipped rice and was rewarded with unimaginable opulence. Draupadi was protected by Lord Krishna twice on this day, once when He provided her an unlimited sari at the dice game in return for a tiny piece of cloth, and later, when she needed to provide food for Durvasa Muni, the Lord took a single grain of rice from her pot and satisfied the hunger of all the sages.
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple Renovation
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is a spiritual oasis for the community. n 2015 with your support we painstakingly renovated the temple exterior and interior. However, we did not accomplish everything. We would like to repave all the pathways. You may have noticed the uneven surface and cracked portions, which can be hazardous. On this auspicious day, we would like to begin the renovation of the temple pathways. The amphitheatre is also in need of renovation. We have the idea to not only renovate it but to do a facelift too with a magnificent mosaic artwork in the amphitheatre. Please contact Rasa-sthali: rasasthali@iskcondurban.net.
Sri Nrsimha Caturdasi Deity Utsava Seva
You are invited to render personal service to the Deities on this most auspicious day. Sponsorships begin at R508. Please call Bhakti Devi: 031 403 3328 or tck@iskcondurban.net.
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Take Care of Krishna
Purushottama Maas begins on 16 May and ends on 13 June. It is understood to be even more powerful than the month of Kartik and occurs once every three years only. You are invited to book a Take Care of Krishna during this month. Please call Bhakti Devi: 031 403 3328 or tck@iskcondurban.net.
“If the devotee offers something to the Lord, it acts for his own interest because whatever a devotee offers the Lord comes back in a quantity a million times greater than what was offered. One does not become a loser by giving to the Lord; one becomes a gainer by millions of times.”

Krsna Book Ch. 81, The Brahmana Sudama Blessed by Lord Krishna

Kindly note the Temple’s additional phone numbers:
031 403 3358 / 031 403 3359 / 031 403 3384
Your Week Ahead
Saturday 21 April
Festival at The Goshala @3pm
with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
Sunday 22 April
Love Feast @3pm
with Her Grace Swarup Damodar Das
Wednesday 25 April
Be A Sage Book Club

Join our book club and share thoughts & realisations with fellow readers. Discussion on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, Chapter 14 with His grace Vibhu Caitanya Das.
This event begins at 6:30pm sharp and ends at 7:30pm with a feast.
Reservation is essential: temple@iskcondurban.net / 031 403 3328
Save the Date
Thursday 26 April
Ekadasi – Fast from all grains, beans, and legumes.
Kindly note: Govinda’s Pizzeria will be serving a full Ekadasi menu from 5pm-8pm.
Friday 27 April
Ekadasi Break Fast 06:22 – 10:02
Saturday 28 April
Sri Nrsimha Caturdasi – Appearance Anniversary of Lord Nrsimha
Fast until dusk.
Festival begins at 4pm with His Grace Govardhan Das.
Monthly Sankirtan Festival
Kindly register via temple@iskcondurban.net.
Festival Lineup:
10:00am Orientation
10:30am Book Distribution at pre-arranged spots (Devotees will be going out in groups)
12:30pm Pack up and return to Temple
1:00pm Sharing of experiences and reading of scores

We look forward to seeing you at the temple.

Your friends at
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple