Srimad Bhagavatam Released in Malayalam

The Honourable State Minister for Excise&Ports Sri K. Babu, released the 18 volume Malayalam version of the Srimad Bhagavatam to the Kerala public, in a packed hall full of scholars, dignitaries, devotees and ISKCON patrons from Kerala, on the 10th October 2015 at TDM hall, Kochi.

International BBT representative from South Africa, Govardhan Dasa along with Governing Body Commissioners (GBC) Lokanath Goswami, Bhanu Swami & Anuttama Dasa were present at the occasion with Bhakti Vinoda Swami, Zonal Secretary of Kerala, Braja Bihari Dasa of ISKCONResolve and Bhakti Dhira Damodar Swami from Africa. 

The event marked the historic voyage of Srila Prabhupada from Kochi on August 23^rd, 1965, with Srimad Bhagavatam volumes aboard the cargo ship, Jaladuta, on which, Srila Prabhupada was the only passenger traveling.

The minister said he was moved to witness the history of the 35 day voyage of Srila Prabhupada and his journey to spread the Srimad Bhagavatam’s message all over the world and that today he had the fortune to release that same magnum opus in Malayalam language. Other erudite citizens of Kerala were honored and gifted books of Srila Prabhupada at the event.

On the occasion, the first “Bhaktivedanta Swami Memorial Lectures” were delivered by Lokanath Goswami, Bhanu Swami , Anuttama Dasa and Govardhan Dasa.

Memorial Plaque Unveiled

Sri Rajesh Asher, son of Sri Jairam Asher (Jairam & Sons shipping Co.) who hosted Srila Prabhupada in 1965, joined the guests on stage to unveil a memorial plaque to be placed at the famous Mattancherry Wharf in Kochi port, where Srila Prabhupada landed on the Jaladuta on August 20^th

1965.  A certificate of gratitude was awarded to the family by Bhakti Vinoda Swami zonal secretary for ISKCON in Kerala.

An eight minute preview of the movie “The Acharya”, showed graphically the pain of two heart attacks that A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami endured aboard the Jaladuta en route to America, while recording his prayers in complete surrender to Lord Krishna before landing at the Boston Pier in the USA.

The event culminated in a maha Hari Nama Sankirtanam lead by Lokanath Goswami to the bliss of all the assembled devotees and guests who danced and chanted Lord Krishna’s names remembering the sacrifice of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and thanking him for his presence in Kerala.

The small congregation of devotees at ISKCON Kochi worked very hard offering various services in the event ranging from cooking and prasadam distribution to arrangements at the hall.  Other devotees and leaders from Kerala joined in to help the event to become a great success.

Honored for Services

A special booklet on the historic voyage of Srila Prabhupada and about the BBT, marking the 50^th anniversary was released and distributed free to all the visitors.

Various groups of devotees from Kerala, leaders and donors were honored by the sannyasis present, for their contributions in the production of the Srimad Bhagavatam. 

More than 1000 sets of the Srimad Bhagavatam were booked and distributed in the special pre-publication offer by the Kerala branch of the BBT, which partly helped to finance the production. 

A fitting finale: Jaladuta Harbour Cruise

On the 11^th of October devotees had two large, special, fully furnished boats commissioned to carry more than a hundred devotees in memory of the Jaladuta Voyage of Srila Prabhupada with kirtan and speeches by the sannyasis on Srila Prabhupada’s epic voyage. The cruise on the very waters that Srila Prabhupada sailed, brought on the memories of the sacrifices he made to bring Krishna Consciousness to the world of Humanity.

For more information please visit : iskconcochin.com

Photos of the event : https://flic.kr/s/aHskneJne6