This summer, a new ISKCON Bhakti Yoga Center opened in a strategic location near the University of Minnesota, and they reached a significant milestone on October 28th by welcoming a set of stunning Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai deities to their community.

Six weeks of intense preparation by Minnesota devotees preceded the arrival of Gaura-Nitai, Who were escorted from Alachua by Jaya Gopal Dasa and his wife Damianti Devi Dasi, both disciples of HH Romapada Swami. 

The Deities originally lived in Queens, New York, and have been served by Danista Devi Dasi for 30 years. “We believe they originally lived in Minneapolis, but facts are vague at this point,” said Rama Kisora Dasa, one of the founding members of the Minneapolis community, “But what is most important is They chose to come to Minneapolis.”

When Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi from Alachua was meditating on making new outfits for Their Lordships, she later had a dream where Gaura-Nitai expressed how happy they were to be going to live in Minneapolis at the new ISKCON Minnesota Center. Nama Ruci Dasa, a gifted pujari from the ISKCON Chicago Temple, came for the auspicious weekend to welcome the deities with mantras and devotion.

Some highlights of the welcome weekend included distributing 250+ prasadam gift boxes (sweet and savory) and 150+ plates of prasadam served during the 10-hour event. We had various devotees provide kirtan throughout the day for Srila Prabhupada and Gaura Nitai. “We are so grateful to all the devotees who prepared for and served this milestone event in our community.” 

Since its opening, the community has been going strong, “We are now open six days a week for darshan. Weekly events include our Sunday Feast and the Wednesday Night Wisdom Bhagavad Gita class,” said Rama Kisora, “We will add more classes over the coming months.”

To follow the continued service of the new Minneapolis community, you can visit their website.