Dear Friends
“They Call it Africa, We Call it Home” an advert on a billboard read — I had arrived in Ghana. By the mercy of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami, Krishna consciousness is spreading like wild fire across West Africa. Maharaj spent a lot of his time cultivating prominent leaders and devotees in West Africa. Today those fruit are blossoming where hundreds of West Africans from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigera, and Cameroon, descended in Accra, Ghana for the 5th Annual BBT Africa Conference. The conference had one theme — how we can increase the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books throughout Africa. Realisations were shared, goals were created and challenges were assessed with the outcome of simple and realistic solutions. Srila Prabhupada liked the phrase, “Keep on Moving”. And the devotees from Africa and doing just that — endeavouring through difficult circumstances to push on the mission of His Divine Grace. It made me think of our situation in Durban, of how we have ample ability to offer so many hearts to Srila Prabhupada. I look forward to sharing some exciting announcements and plans with you this weekend on the occasion of the 100th Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and also having the opportunity to hear from you as well, after all, they call it Africa but we call the Temple our home.
Your servant
Vibhu Caitanya Das
Weekend Festival Celebrating the Centennial Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur was the pioneer of the Krishna Consciousness Movement. He was an out spoken acharya and wrote profusely on devotion and the condition of the soul. He vision was all inclusive: “Gradually, when the offensive portions of the established religions are destroyed, there will be no more differences in the bhajana performed by the various sampradayas nor any quarrel between them. Then as brothers, the people of all varnas, castes, and countries will spontaneously chant the holy name of the Supreme Lord together. At that time, no one will hate anyone…; nor will anyone be overwhelmed by the pride of high birth. The living entities will not forget the principle of natural brotherhood.” (Sajjana Toshani 4.3)
To honour this acharya on his 100th disappearance anniversary, we are hosting festivals over the entire weekend. On Friday, the actual day, there will be a morning, midday and evening programme. On Saturday, we are hosting a grand harinam on the Durban Beachfront. We encourage you to join. Dress in your finest, bring banners, balloons, flags, etc. and let’s get every soul to chant the holy name. On Sunday, the festivities will end at the Love Feast highlighting Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s life and also as an offering to him, we will present a dynamic report on Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple.
Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Book 2014
You are invited to share your appreciation to Srila Prabhupada by writing an offering/homage for the 2014 Vyasa-puja book. Please send your offerings to ACBSP2014@gmail.com no later than 25th July. There is no cost. All enquiries: Haridev Das 039 978 3000
Haridev Prabhu requests that if anyone would like to serve on the Vyasa-puja Book Team to please call him. Devotees and well-wishers are needed to assist with proof reading, layout and design, editing and writing articles.
4-6 July Boys Weekend Retreat at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple for boys from 18yrs and older.
Life skills, team building, harinam, prasada, kirtan yoga, book distribution, mantra meditation, cooking classes and much more. Spend time in a spiritually surcharged environment. Contact Ananta Gauranga Das 082 7833 599 | agd.rns108@gmail.com
Week Ahead
Friday, 27 June
Centennial Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Fast until midday
4:30amMangal Arati
7:00amDeity Greeting
7:05amSrila Prabhupada’s Guru-puja
7:50amClass on Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
9:00amDevotees singing Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s bhajans
11:50amBhoga Offering (Please bring food offerings)
12:30pmRaj Bhoga Arati
1:00pmPushpa-puja
1:30pmLunch Feast
7:00pmSpecial Programme with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
9:00pmLight Prasadam
Saturday, 28 June
In celebration of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s life, there will be a maha-harinam on the Durban Beachfront. Meet at the old snake park at 10:00am.
Sunday, 29 June
Special Love Feast at 3pm — Your Temple, Our Temple, Srila Prabhupada’s Family – Report
Today is your last chance to book your child for the Krishna’s Kids Winter Retreat hosted at Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple from 1-3 July. Suitable for children between 4-12 years old. Cost R100 and includes all activities and meals. Booking essential. Call 083 950 5111.
Finally, the Durban Festival of Chariots retail shop is holding a sale over the next two weekends. Items on sale arrived late. Details:
28th and 29th June – New Jagannath Puri Temple – in the hall
5th and 6th July – Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple – in the prasada marquee
Trading times are from 10am to 6pm on all days.
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 | www.iskcondurban.net | temple@iskcondurban.net
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