Nestled in the serene heart of Mississippi, the New Talavana community has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to construct a grand new temple, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. This dynamic community, part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is well-known for its vibrant culture, devotion to cow protection, and emphasis on sustainable living. On October 6-8th, 2023, New Talavana celebrated its 17th Annual Cow Festival, a fun, welcoming outreach to the larger Mississippi community that serves as a fundraiser for their cow protection programs. New Talavana cares for fifty cows on their expansive 1,200 acre property.
Brajasundari Dasi, a venerable retired educator, has meticulously crafted educational resources called Shastra Sheets designed to engage and enlighten kids. Drawing inspiration from the profound literary works of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, these worksheets brim with spiritual wisdom.
The 22nd Annual Diwali in London (DiL) celebrations brought hundreds of people to Trafalgar Square for the annual “Festival of Lights” on Sunday, October 29th. ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor was this year’s hosting organization for the joyful event, which is a partnership between the DiL Committee and London’s Mayor representing diverse organizations and religious traditions across the city.
Chaitanya Charan Das, "The Spiritual Scientist," is one of ISKCON's premiere teachers and prolific authors. He graciously agreed to share his two-part reflections on the Damodarashtakam with ISKCON News to help devotees enter this month of spiritual auspiciousness more fully. Here is Part II.
On Tuesday, October 17, Gopi Gita Schomaker, aka Mother Gopi Gita, Founder of Leadership Parenting, presented a western song, bhakti mantras and Leadership Parenting to a full concert hall at the Portland House of Music. This was the culmination of many months of internal work. A live band with drums, two guitars, keyboard, trumpets and more, accompanied the performance. Gopi Gita is a leader in ISKCON, coaches parents and educators internationally, and has served children directly in the classroom for over 20 years.
The innovative Dāmodara Program, conceived by the Congregational Development Ministry, extends a gracious invitation to individuals to participate in the sacred ritual of offering lamps to Lord Dāmodara during the holy month of Kārtika. This year's goal is to offer ten million lamps and to establish one million new connections.
The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education is organizing a combination onsite/online CAREER DHARMA seminar by Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Urmila Edith Best). For all the seekers who wish to know more about their nature and how to find a matching career where our work is our dharma—this seminar will open new horizons of knowledge. One can gain an overview of the nine principles of dharma in work so that you can move towards having a satisfying career that is the best expression of yourself.
What began as a heartfelt endeavor to share the joys of spirituality and unity has blossomed into a global phenomenon known as the Festival of Colors (FOC). Caru Das, popularly known as Caru-MC, held his first FOC in Spanish Fork in 1995. Little did he know that his unique approach to the Holi Festival, preserved in Indian tradition, would be successfully duplicated across North America and worldwide.
Many theistic persons and sometimes others turn to God for hope during desperate times. Devotees from Singapore provide spiritual care for patients for whom there is no other hope. At the instruction of His Holiness B.V.V. Narasimha Maharaj, ISKCON devotee Padma Locan Das has launched a hospice outreach at the Gita Reading Society, the local ISKCON congregation. Padma Locan Das, his wife, Renuka Devi Dasi, Vraja Lila Devi Dasi, Karuna Devi Dasi, Subhanana Devi Dasi, and Sewa Kund Devi Dasi are part of a team that routinely visits and cares for patients at a day hospice in Singapore.