2012
Devotees gather to celebrate HH Jayapataka Swami’s Vyasa Puja
Disciples and devotees organized a Vyasa Puja for HH Jayapakata Swami on 3 April at Hare Krishna Land. The celebrations commenced with disciples of Maharaj circumbulating the Deities in the temple hall with his pictures. Senior devotees like Bhima Dasa, Devakinandan Dasa, Braja Hari Dasa, Jalatala devi dasi and several others made their offerings and shared memories related to Maharaj. Several well-wishers and disciples laid out bhoga offerings for Maharaj which included several subjis, sweets, savories, drinks and a huge cake.
ISKCON Juhu secures third position in Bhagavad Gita Book Distribution Marathon
ISKCON Juhu secured third position as part of Prabhupada Bhagavad-gita book distribution Marathon organized worldwide. The book marathon was originally initiated by Srila Prabhupada in the 70s to encourage and inspire devotees to sell large numbers of Bhagavad-gita during the Christmas season when people in the Western world are inclined to shop and in mood for a celebration. This initial spirit to distribute books caught on with devotees and translated into the worldwide Book Distribution Marathon during December whereby all ISKCON temples compete with each other to excel in this transcendental service.
Devotees bond at the Festival of Jagannath Mishra
The festival of Jagannath Mishra is the observance of the celebration of appearance of baby Nimai (Lord Caitanya) also known as ‘jata karma samskara’. The festival was originally observed at Yoga-pitha, Navadwipa, which is the birth (appearance) place of Lord Caitanya. After the appearance of his son Nimai under a neem tree, Jagannath Mishra held a celebration (also known as anandostava) to distribute sweets and gifts in honor of the birth of his son.
Lord Caitanaya bestows His mercy to thousands on His appearance day
Lord Caitanya is the Supreme Person, Krishna, appearing as His own worshiper. He is the combined form of Krishna and Krishna's most dear devotee, Srimati Radharani. He came to experience the love She feels for Him, and to show by example how to fully surrender to Krishna.
He exhibited symptoms of love of God to the highest degree, and emphasized chanting the holy names Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare as the best means to attain love of God.
SSRRC members gather for Holi & Gaura Punima revelry
One of the earliest Holi celebrations at the temple began with a Holi & Gaura Purnima Get together function with Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Committee (SSRRC) members. Initiated in 1998, SSRRC consist of several accomplished citizens of Mumbai who are not only well- wishers of ISKCON but assist with festival planning, temple projects and other temple related services.
The Holi celebrations saw committee members arrive in vibrant color outfits and joyfully welcome their fellow members by smearing tikka on their forehead with colorful powders. Strains of Vaishnava and Brijwasi bhajans reminded devotees of the colorful Brijwasi spirit of Holi as was enacted by Lord Krishna in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Significance of Holi
Holi is a festival that symbolizes the beginning of spring also known as ‘Vasant Rutu’. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/
The devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate Holi by remembering the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna indulging in the colour festival in Mathura and Vrindavan and also when Prahlad was protected by Lord Vishnu when his father arranged to burn him at the hands of his sister Holika and
The most merciful Lord Nityananda blesses all on His appearance day
The appearance day of Lord Nityananda was celebrated this year on 5 February 2012. The festivities at the temple started early in the morning with the Shobha Yatra consisting of several dancing and chanting devotees and congregation. The flower bedecked palanquin and the wonderful procession attracted many en route, who stopped in their steps to have a darshan of Their Lordships and receive blessing. The Shobha Yatra went around Juhu beach and culminated at the temple with the most ecstatic crowd chanting the Holy names. This was followed by a special lecture on on the glories of Lord Nityananad and a special abhishek ceremony. The bathing of the Lord with sacred substances (abhishek) amid the chants of Brahma Samhita seemed like a magical event, transporting one to a different plane. All those present to participate and witness this most auspicious ceremony felt tremendously fortunate and blessed. The half day fasting period ended with a prasada feast for all.
Prabhudas Dasa leaves this mortal world
On Friday the 20 January, 2012, in the early morning hours, His Grace Prabhudas Dasa passed away at the age of 78. He was a vanaprastha (renounced householder) who joined the ISKCON Juhu in 1984 and for the last 28 years selflessly served the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees at Hare Krishna Land, on news of his departure performed kirtan and performed the last rites according to Vaishnava tradition. On the 22 January, a memorial festival was held in his honor wherein senior devotees who had associated with him personally shared his qualities and pastimes. He was known to many as being disciplined in sadhana which he carried from his previous army background. He was remembered for inspiring devotees to attend mangal aarti which also included waking them up.
Anna Dan Seva & Maha-abhishek nourish body & soul on Makar Sankranti
The most auspicious day of Makara Sankranti (which was on 15 January this year) was celebrated at ISKCON Juhu with twin celebrations.
It was on this day in the year 1978 that Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari temple was officially opened to all in its complete glory. It is also the day when the temple coordinates and distributes prasada to thousands as its initiative of Anna Daan Seva on Makara Sankranti day.
This year too, the temple distributed more than one lakh plates of prasada to institutions,
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago visits Hare Krishna Land, Juhu
The Honorable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago accompanied by Foreign Minister, Surujrattan Rambachan and ministers of her cabinet visited ISKCON Juhu on 13th January 2012 and took darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radharasabihariji, Sri Sri Gaur Nitaiji and Sri Sri Sita Ram Laxman Hanumanji. Also accompanying them was famous cricketer Brian Lara.