‘Akalpa refers to the texture of Krsna’s hair, His nicely dressed body anointed with sandalwood pulp and decorated with flower garlands, His tilaka and His chewing pan. Krsna was decorated constantly in this akalpa process. Krsna’s hair was sometimes decorated with flowers placed on the middle of His head, or else it was reaching down to His back. In this way Krsna dressed His hair differently at different times.

I am happy to inform you that this year the Ratha Yatra festival in Puri dhama was celebrated very peacefully without any disturbances. I am very thankful to all the devotees around the world who have come forward with generous donations in response to our appeal for free prasada distribution at Puri during Ratha Yatra.

On the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha, the most splendid festival of Ratha Yatra takes place in the holy city of Puri. On the same day, Ratha Yatra takes place at Rajapur, in Simantadvipa, which is non-different from Puri dhama. Lord Baladeva and Subhadra devi mounted on Their chariots Taladwaja and Darpadalan while Lord Jagananth was carried in a rhythmic movement in a colorful Pandu Vijaya ceremony to His Chariot, Nandi Ghosha. The Ratha was inaugurated by celebrities from Kolkata. On the day of Ratha Yatra,Rajapur Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra deities gave special darshan with golden hands.

Mayapura Vaisnava Art Series
Art programs in Mayapur
Community members of Iskcon Mayapur have been attending presentations on Vaisnava Art. These programs which are run regularly in the Community Hall focus on a specific art form each meet. The idea is to support the local artists and get the community involved in the development of Vaisnava arts and culture.
The first week featured Vaisnava poetry and local poets including Murari Gupta Das and Braj Sevaki Dasi read their own works and shared inspirations. Poetry for from previous äcäryas was also read and discussed.

In the Pancha-tattva Mandir, a murti of Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura adorned the altar platform and devotees had an opportunity to chant their rounds in front of the great Acarya of our parampara. On his auspicious disappearance day, pushpanjali and maha arotika was offered to Thakura Bhakti Vinoda, followed by Prasadam distribution. As it was also Sri Gadadhara Pandita disappearance day, pushapanjali was offered to Gadadhara Pandita at noon. Nagar Sankirtan devotees went on harinam procession to Svananda Sukhada Kunj in Godrumadvipa, the place of Bhakti Vinoda Thakura’s residence, bhajan kutir and Samadhi.

New Guest house coming up in Ekachakra dhama!

We are happy to inform that construction of new guest house at Sri Ekachakra dham is under steady progress. Devotees visiting Ekachakra dhama have always desired to stay in Ekachakra dhama for few days in the tranquil atmosphere and visit the holy places where Lord Nityananda prabhu performed many of his childhood pastimes. Ekachakra is a beautiful village where one can feel the warmth of relaxing in the Mother Nature’s lap. Many holy ponds provide cooling waters and soothing breeze rejuvenating one’s body, mind and soul.

International School in Mayapur now accepting enrolments for new School year!

The Sri Mayapur International School’s holistic approach to education engages the body, mind, intelligence and words of devotee children from all over the world. It prepares them to fulfill their life’s purpose spiritually, at the same time providing internationally accepted skills, training and academic education.

SMIS immerses students in an alternative educational system that balances traditional, eternal spiritual values and contemporary international academics.

This is to inform all the devotees that MIHET Bengali Bhaktisastri course will begin at Sri Mayapur dhama from 5th of July to 19th September 2009. The course details and schedule are as below. Apart from other breaks for festival days, Study Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction and Sri Isopanisad at Mayapur.

Classes timings are convenient for attendees who have regular seva, temple residents and Grihastha devotee’s. More hours of classes will be covered over weekends.

On 15th of June, on the disappearance day of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami, his disciples and Mayapur community devotees remembered with love Maharaja’s glorious preaching activities, his commitment to the mission of Srila Prabhupada, personal encounters, pastimes and instructions to his disciples. As it is hot in Mayapur, Shastra dasa, disciple of Bhakti Tirtha maharaj and program organizer, conducted the glorification and homages program in the community hall. After the guru puja and arthi, devotees walked to Maharaja’s Samadhi, which was beautifully decorated for pushpanjali. A variety of bhoga cooked with love by devotees was offered to Maharaja.

Friday the 12th was the last day of school for the international school and ashram boys so we decided to celebrate by distributing two pots of kitchuri prasadam. We took the ISKCON boat across the Ganga to a peaceful village near Navadwip with the constant sound of ecstatic kirtan. The boys did a great job of distributing the lord’s mercy to the eager recipients; smiling faces young and old enjoyed the tasty prasadam and the sound of the holy name. On the way back we stopped for a refreshing swim in the purifying waters of mother Ganga.