The Honorable Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of the city of Boston, has signed a proclamation declaring August 17, 2014 to be “Sri Krishna Janamastami Day”, a first for Boston ISKCON.

The Boston center of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, established in 1968 and now known as New Gundica Dham, was one of the most prominent temples in the early years of the Hare Krishna movement. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada set a number of milestones in Boston, distinguishing the yatra’s position as a significant center for the development of Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana movement in the west. 

It was at Boston’s Commonwealth Pier in 1965 that Srila Prabhupada first set foot on Western soil, and where he composed his prayer “Markine Bhagavata-dharma”, entreating Lord Krishna for the spiritual deliverance of the western countries. Boston was also where Srila Prabhupada performed the first Brahmanical initiations of western men and women, either in or outside of ISKCON.

It was also in Boston that Srila Prabhupada established his original printing press, ISKCON Press, for publishing and distributing transcendental literature, and instituted worship of one of very few Deity forms of Sri-Sri Radha Krishna that he personally installed, Sri-Sri Radha Gopivallabha.

Temple President Pyari Mohan das and ISKCON Boston wish to thank Amit Dixit, Founder and Executive Director  of the South Asian Arts Council (http://www.southasianartscouncil.org/) for his tireless efforts in furthering ISKCON’s outreach into the Greater Boston community. He was instrumental in inspiring and executing this groundbreaking achievement.

www.iskconboston.org

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FULL TEXT OF THE PROCLAMATION: 

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: Sri Krishna Janmastami, a yearly celebration of the advent of Lord Sri Krishna, is celebrated as the most holy day of the year by followers of the Hindu faith; AND

WHEREAS: Worshippers of Lord Krishna observe Sri Krishna Janmastami by singing, chanting, reading and fasting until midnight, in the company of family and fellow devotees; AND 

WHEREAS: Sri Krishna Janmastami is observed at midnight with a ceremony accompanied by congregational chanting and followed by a vegetarian feast to break the fast; AND

WHEREAS: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of New England, the first and oldest Hindu temple in New England, continues to support the spiritual and religious well-being of Boston citizens of all faiths, creeds and ethnicities, and invites them all to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmastami with them; AND

WHEREAS: Thousands of Greater Boston residents of all and backgrounds have benefited from the communal worship, spiritual study, and sanctified food)given freely by ISKCON over the last 46 years,

THEREFORE: I, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston, do hereby proclaim, August 17^th, 2014 to be: 

SRI KRISHNA JANMASTAMI DAY

In the City of Boston and I urge all my fellow Bostonians to acknowledge and celebrate Sri Krishna Janmastami and embrace the spiritual beliefs of all citizens

(signed) Martin J. Walsh

Mayor of Boston

August 17^th, 2014