events News

Le Carnaval Spirituel Tour

Aniruddha — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:33:22 GMT

Fresh from their brilliant European Tour, Le Carnaval Spirituel returns toAustralia this summer to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Established in France in 1979, this fascinating troupe of internationalartists have for three decades delighted audiences worldwide with theircolourful “joie de vivre” performances, bringing the stage to life withtheir mystic blend of ancient eastern spirituality and truly contemporarytheatre.

“Le Carnaval’s” festive and rich tapestry of music, dance, yoga, martialarts and theatre evokes the timeless wisdom of India’s ancient Vedicculture.

Street performances will precede each of the stage shows, so the wholecommunity will get the chance to glimpse a vibrant world – a world thathas enriched and deepened the lives of millions of people for more than 50centuries.

Here is the troupe's performance itinerary:

Friday the 16th.

Poster-A4---2009-Melbourne

and Saturday the 17th. of January (7pm.): Fitzroy TownHall, at the corner of Napier and Moor Streets, Fitzroy.

Thursday the 22nd. and Friday the 23rd. of January (7pm.): St Kilda TownHall, 99a Carlisle St. (corner of Brighton Rd.) St Kilda.

Vegetarian food is available from one hour prior to commencement of the show.

Indradumnya Maharaja's disciples are requesting local devotees tovolunteer some time to assist with his preaching program for the wholeperiod of Maharaja's visit to Melbourne with Le Carnaval Spirituel: fromJanuary 13-29th. If you can give some time, please contact:

Melbourne Temple reception on 9699-5122Sri Krishna Chandra das on 0411-466-882Stoka Krishna das on 0411-550-429

Celebrate Diwali, Govardhana Puja, and Srila Rpabhupada's Disappearance day

Aniruddha — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:25:05 GMT

Please celebrate the month of Damodara with us beginning tomorrow week. By offering prayers and lights to Lord Sri Damodara you will surely receive His very special mercy.

Publishing the Diwali edition of FOLK magazine has been delayed. However we hope it will arrive in devotees' mail the week of October 21st. Here is part of Aniruddha Prabhu's editorial.

'...just like last year we've had a very successful Janmastami festival season. This year's Janmastami was the largest crowd we've ever had at the temple. According to all accounts it was a well organised and immensely enjoyable festival. I'd like to thank all those who helped organise and serve on the day. Its not easy to fast all day and stick to your posts. With Krsna's mercy we managed to pull it off. Thanks to all who helped make Janmastami a success. If you have any ideas on how to improve the festival please email your suggestions to me, aniruddha@pamho.net.

As we head towards the business end of the year we'd like you to be aware of events just around the corner. The next major events this year are Diwali and Govardhana Puja, which we celebrate on a Friday and Saturday this year.

Govardhana Puja is one of our most popular celebrations. Since it is very much a participatory event with a very long kirtana it ranks as a favourite for those who like to chant and dance for a long time. Keep an eye out for these occasions on the 31st of October and the 1st of November...'

The festival programs are as follows:

We will celebrate Diwali on Friday October 31st. You can have arati trays offered to Sri-Sri-Sri Sita-Rama-Laksmana and Hanuman from 5pm till 9pm. You can also join us at 7pm for a beautiful candlelit arati and offer lamps to the presiding Deities.

Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on Saturday November 1st. Following arati and kirtan at 4:30pm, we will circumambulate Lord Giriraja atop his mountain of sweet bhoga. At 6pm. we will serve feast prasadam; then at 7pm we will offer arati and present lamps to Lord Sri Damodara.

Our Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day falls on Sunday November 2nd. At 12:30pm we will offer arati and Guru Puja, and at 1pm. serve his prasadam feast. At 6pm in the evening we will read from Prabhupada-lilamrta in his room. This will be followed at 7pm by an offering of arati to His Divine Grace.

Please bless us with your association.

Diwali-www

Gov-Puj-www

Ppada-www

The Month of Damodara: Two Weeks Away

Aniruddha — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:21:14 GMT

October's longer and warmer days allow more time outdoors.

Damodar-www

The Vedic monthof Damodara (or Kartika) begins on Wednesday week, and continues untilNovember 13.

At Mahaprabhu Mandir, we look forward to chanting Damodarastakam prayersand offering lights to Lord Sri Damodara twice daily (7am & 7pm). Pleasefeel welcome join us, and to give us your association.

Srila Vyasadeva's recorded Sri Damodarastaka in his Padma Purana: it wasoriginally spoken by Satyavrata Muni in conversation with Narada Muni andSaunaka Rsi.

"In the month of Kartika one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recitethe prayer know as Damodarastaka, which has been spoken by the sageSatyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara." (Srila Sanatana Goswami, SriHari-bhakti-vilasa 2.16.198)

Srila Prabhupada writes: 'Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, quotingfrom the Vaisnava-tosani of Srila Sanatana Gosvami, says that the incidentof Krishna's breaking the pot of yogurt and being bound by mother Yasodatook place on the Dipavali Day, or Dipa-malika. Even today in India, thisfestival is generally celebrated very gorgeously in the month of Kartikaby fireworks and lights, especially in Bombay.' (SB 10.9.1-2: purport.)

Damodara Masa ki jaya.

Kuli Camp Reunion

Aniruddha — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:11:42 GMT

kulicamp-web

ere's an event coming up at the end of the year for the Gurukula Alumni.That's Yuga Avatara in the tree trying to pick a banana.

Vedavyasa-priya Swami visit in September

Aniruddha — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:34:02 GMT

Vedavyasa-priya Swami will be visiting Melbourne from the 16th till the 22nd of September.

Vedavyasa-priya Swami

He will be visiting various Bhakti-vrksa groups in the eveningsand giving class at the temple in the mornings.

test

Aniruddha — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:42:59 GMT

test

Divine Names

Retreat with Devamrta Swami 6-7 September

Aniruddha — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:12:49 GMT

Devamrta Swami arrives in Melbourne on 1st September in readiness for a retreat at New Nandagram to be held on the sixth and seventh.

He'll be giving morning classes and possibly a presentation at Urban Yoga during the week. Stay tuned for details.

Maharaja leaves on the eighth.

Festival season

Aniruddha — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:41:30 GMT

The lengthening days signaling the end of Melbourne's winter bring the vaisnavas' transcendental festival season. Next week we celebrate the five day swing festival, Jhulan Yatra. Saturday week is the anniversary of Lord Balarama's Appearance. One week later we celebrate Sri Krishna Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada's Appearance day. Here are the program details.

Everyone is invited to swing Chota Radha-Krsna on Their Jhulan from Tuesday the 12th. till Saturday the 16th. at 7pm. nightly.

Lord Balarama's Appearance celebrations on Saturday the 16th. begin at 10am. with a Harinama in His honour (starting from Gopals, 139 Swanston St.). At 12:30pm., arati will be offered at the temple, followed by gift giving at 1:00pm. Lord Balarama's prasadam feast will be served at 1:30pm.

Sri Krishna Janmastami falls on Sunday the 24th. The Deities will give extended darshan throughout the day (except from 4:30-7:00pm.). To please Lord Krishna there will be kirtanas and readings all day; drama and dance, abhishekam and a fire sacrifice. At midnight we will offer a very special arati. We will be serving Krishna prasadam for everyone throughout the day.

Srila Prabhupada's Appearance anniversary follows on Monday the 25th. At 10:00am. we will hear readings and homages; gurupuja and pushpanjali will be offered at 12:30pm. At 1:30pm. we will serve Srila Prabhupada's prasadam feast.

Please join us, and bring your friends!

Jhulan

Bal-Purnima

Janmastami

Prabhupada

Rama Navami celebrations on Monday April 14

Aniruddha — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:37:00 GMT

We will celebrate Lord Ramachandra's Appearance Day on Monday.

Rama Navami

Please join us for darshan of Their Lordships Sita, Rama, Lakshman and Hanumanji during kirtan and arati at 4:30pm. In class at 5pm., you can hear Lord Rama's glories directly from Srila Prabhupada's disciple Madhudvisa Prabhu. At 5:45pm we will offer Their Lordships an elaborate abhisekha, followed by a magnificent arati (7pm.). Please bring a small gift to offer to the Lords Sita, Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman at 7:30pm. Finally, we will honour Their Lordships' remnants (from a sumptuous bhoga offering) at 8pm.

Our special guest Madhudvisa Prabhu is visiting Australia from Los Angeles:

'Madhudvisa...joined the Krishna consciousness movement in San Francisco in the early days of 1967, and had taken initiation from Srila Prabhupada in 1968. His wealth of experience would be a particularly valuable asset in Australia. Soon after his arrival in Sydney [1972], he set about training the young men there in the art of mrdanga playing, inspiring the devotees with his memorable street kirtanas.' (Kurma Das:The Great Transcendental Adventure)

Madhudvisa Prabhu personally assisted Srila Prabhupada to install Sri-SriRadha-Vallabha (1973) and Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai (1975), and headed ISKCON Australia's purchase and development of Their Lordships' home: Mahaprabhu Mandir (1975).

Please join us for an unforgettable transcendental celebration in honour of Lord Sri Rama.

Gaura Purnima Celebrations: Friday March 21!

Aniruddha — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:47:50 GMT

Since this nectar-filled festival falls on Good Friday this year, we are planning a gigantic celebration of Lord Caitanya's Appearance.

Gaura Purnima celebrations

We've got a solid line up of special guests and events over the weekend. Bhanu Swami and Devamrta Swami will be in Melbourne for the occasion. The feast menus are all prepared.

Our festivities will begin with kirtana and arati for the Deities at 4:30 pm. At 5:00 pm. our priests will perform a special yajna. 6:00 pm. will see one of our special guests bring you a blissful class about this most merciful of all Krishna’s incarnations. Arati and an elaborate abhiseka (bathing ceremony) for Mahaprabhu follow at 7:00 pm. To top the festival off, at 8:00 pm. we will offer you a delicious break-fast feast!

You will also be able to offer individual arati trays to Sri Caitanya from 5:00 pm. Prasada will be available to all our guests from 6:00pm. (Those who wish may fast till moonrise at 5:43 pm.) Please come and join us for the fun!

Kadamba Kanana Swami's retreat Feb '08

Aniruddha — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:42:52 GMT

Kadamba Kanana Swami will be in Melbourne during the last week of February.

Kadamba Kanana Swami's retreat Feb '08

He'll be holding a retreat at New Nandagram on the last weekend of the month. To register please contact Kesava Prabhu on 0405 577 453 or keshava.tkg@pamho.net.

Bhakti-vaibhava 2008

Aniruddha — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:53:56 GMT

This year's Bhakti-vaibhava courses recommence on Monday 28 January.

Bhakti-vaibhava

Classes will be on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7.30 pm in the theatre.

Bhakti-sastri 2008

Aniruddha — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:36:55 GMT

The Bhakti-sastri course commences this year on the 31st January at 7.30 pm sharp.

Bhakti-sastri 2008

Classes will be held in the theatre on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. Aniruddha and Gangesvara Prabhus will teach; each presenting a chapter of the Gita at a time.

Aniruddha Prabhu will teach the first chapter of the Gita before he goes to Mayapur for the GBC meetings. Gangesvara Prabhu will teach the second chapter throughout the second half of February and into March. Students will receive the full yearly schedule at the first class.

For more details check out the web www.iskcon.net.au/bhaktisastri

Krishna Bandana for Hare Krishna Food for Life

Aniruddha — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:24:21 GMT

This year's event schedule is starting to fill up.

Krishna Bandana

On Saturday 12th of April Nupur Australia introduces acclaimed dancer Joyoti Das who will present an evening Odissi Dance Experience at the Besen Centre 87-89 Station St Burwood at 7.30 pm. The proceeds from this event will go to Hare Krishna Food for Life. If you'd like to book tickets you can do so by emailing here.

Prahladananda Swami Retreat January 08

Aniruddha — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:47:35 GMT

Prahladananda Swami is arriving in Melbourne on the 18th of January and willbe holding a retreat at New Nandagram over that weekend.

Prahladananda Swami January 08

You can contactKesava for details.

Snana Yatra 2007

Aniruddha — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:48:23 GMT

Preparations for our 2008 Snana Yatra festivities are well underway.

Snana Yatra celebrates Maharaja Indradumnya's installation of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra's Deity forms in Puri in the far distant past. We commemorate the installation in our own Melbourne summer so Their Lordships will relish a cooling bath.

During the Hati-vesha arati following Their bath, we offer Lord Jagannatha, Balarama, and Subhadra special preparations made from flat rice and yoghurt (or condensed milk) with sweet fruits, berries, nuts or a spicy salad combination. Usually this special Mahaprasadam is auctioned off to the highest bidding devotee. However this year, we are planning to pre-sell each pot with a stunning handpainted picture on it.

Anandini mataji is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with the painting of the pots. She will also be looking for sponsors who will be the fortunate recipients of Their Lordships special Mahaprasadam remnants.

Keep an eye out at upcoming Sunday Feasts for Anandini. She will be manning a stall to show off the beautiful devotional pots, and to accept offers from sponsors.

The pots will be presented to donors during Snana Yatra on the 26th of December after the abhisheka and arati.

Here are some of the wonderful pots already painted by Parvarti devi dasi.

Parvarti_1

Parvarti_2

Advent of the Bhagavad-gita

Aniruddha — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:25:16 GMT

Advent of the Bhagavad-gita

We're celebrating the advent of the Bhagavad-gita on New Year's day with a fire sacrifice and recitation of the Gita followed by a feast.

4.30 pm    Arati & kirtana
5.00 pm   Yajna and chanting of the Gita
6.00 pm   Feast
7.00 pm   Arati

Prabhupada's Disappearance 2007

Aniruddha — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 03:22:52 GMT

Prabhupada's Disappearance

This year Prabhupada's Disappearance falls on the actual solar calendar day itoccurred in 1977.Our celebration of the event takes place mostly in the evening. There will be a puspanjali, Guru-puja and arati at midday.

12.30 pm Puspanjali and arati
1.00 pm Feast
6.00 pm Readings and Homages
7.00 pm Arati in Prabhupada's Room

Kartika 2007

Aniruddha — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:13:54 GMT

We started offering candles for Kartika today on the full moon.

Damodara Lila

The first day of the month of Kartika is officially tomorrow, Pratipat. We will be offering candles in honour of Lord Damodara's childhood pastimes at 7.00 am and 7.00 pm every day throughout the whole month till Sunday 24th November.

Govardhana Puja 2007

Aniruddha — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:50:34 GMT

Govardhana Puja is one of my favourite festivals in Melbourne.

Worshipping Govardhana Hill

It usually means a long kirtana topped off with sumptuous prasadam from the hill.

4.30 pm Arati
5.00 pm Circumambulation of Giri Govardhana
6.00 pm Feast
7.00 pm Arati and offering of lamps