Mayapur, December 29, 2008

Radha-Madhava riding Their new elephant, Laxmipriya, during evening procession in ISKCON Mayapur compound:

Street Harinama in Mayapur:

Pancha-tattva Mangala aroti:

United Religion Initiative (URI) global assembly in ISKCON Mayapur

URI (United Religion Initiative) meetings were held in ISKCON Mayapur - representatives and leaders from different religions from around the globe came to Mayapur to share with each other and meet to insure the development of peace work worldwide, reduce religios based fighting and wars. URI is a part of United Nation's peace-work program.

following is a video-play list, by clicking on the red icon at the bottom you can select which video to watch:

Radha-Madhava in Manipuri Poloi Outfit - Darshan

In the honor of Bhakti Swarup Damodara Swami, who had passed away one year ago, on his Vyasa Puja Day celebration Radha-Madhava and Asta-sakhis were dressed in Manipury national outfit.

this video is a courtecy of MayapurISKCON channel

Mayapur Katha on Skype

You can contact us via Skype now: mayapurkatha

Update on Jayapataka Swami's health situation

by Ratnavali Devi Dasi

HH Jayapataka Maharaj's status report by Dr Madhavananda das, Director of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai.
Maharaj has been off the ventilator for 48 hours now and is doing well. The reports are encouraging. His oral intake of prasadam is increasing gradually.
Please continue to pray intensely.

Darsan arotik in Mayapur temple, 7am diety greeting

Swimming elephant (Laxmipriya)

this is a very cute video by Hrimati Mataji, who is looking after the elephant Laxmipriya.
Hrimati mataji sais:
We take her every week to a local Pond nearby Jagannath Mandir in Rajapur, not far from Mayapur town.
We are trying to train Laksmipriya in a very soft manner and without the iron "ankush" hook. She is getting a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and good medical care

Mangala aroti in Mayapur, November 2008

Srila Prabhupada disapearance day

On November 2 devotees observed Srila Prabhupada disapearance day in Pushpa Samadhi Mandir, Mayapur, with kirtan and offering aroti, garlands, also everyone was offering little lamps.



In this video devotees observe the disapearance moment by singing bhajan Vaishnava Thakur:

Mercy of a devotee - Bhakti Charu Swami remembers how Jayapataka Swami got him back

In this video Bhakti Charu Swami is remembering how Jayapataka Swami got him back when he went away from the temple back to his parents home. This talk was given on Srila Prabhupada's disapearance day in Samadhi Mandir, Mayapur:

Mayapur Academy has started a new semester

In Mayapur Academy devotees learn various aspects of Deity worship:



Video is from MayapurISKCON video channel.

Gopashtami celebration in Mayapur, ISKCON Goshala

Pankajanghri Prabhu talks about Krishna's pastimes with cows on Gopastami day in ISKCON Goshala:



Padmalochan Das gives Gopastami talk about Krishna's pastimes with cows:



Jananivasa Prabhu is talking about Mahaprabhu's pastimes with cows and Goshes in Mayapur:

GOPASTAMI - darsan of Srimati Radharani & ashta-sakhi's lotus feet

Kartik night darsan

24-hour Kirtan in Mayapur temple dedicated to H.H. Jayapataka Swami

Mangala aroti announcement about health condition of Jayapataka Swami:



Devotees chant 24-hour Kirtan in Mayapur temple dedicated to H.H. Jayapataka Swami, in this video - night kirtan, before mangala aroti:



Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Happy Govardhan Puja!

Diwali lights offering in Mayapur

H.H.Jayapataka Swami health update

by Vrindavan Lila Dasi

For updates on H.H. Jayapataka Swami's health condition please check on www.dandavats.com
The summery reports from today can be found here:
www.mayapur.com

This is a large printable photo of Jayapataka Swami that I took during Radhastami celebration this year in Mayapur, he is throwing flowers from Radha-Madhava's bathing table into the crowd of joyful devotees. Click on photo to see larger:


Maharaja's destiny is totally in Srila Prabhupada's hands now (and as always, ofcause), let's all pray that whatever the outcome of this condition may be Maharaj would not have to suffer much physically.

Hare Krishna!
Gauranga!!!

Kartik months is here

This month is represents Srimati Radharani.
The special thing to do in this month is to light a lamp in the temple of Lord Krishna.

Prints of Mayapur photos are available for order in large format

click in the middle to start the slide show:



To view the sample photos and get the serial file name to make an order GO HERE.

Vamana Deva Appearance day celebration in Mayapur, September 2008

click here to see photos of Vamana Deva Appearance Day celebration in Mayapur, 2008


Srila Prabhupada instructed head-pujari, Jananivasa Prabhu, to dress one little boy as Vamana Deva for this ocasion - the boy becomes a living deity of Vamana and accept worship of devotees.

Hari Sauri Radhastami talk

Mood of Srimati Radharani:


Prabhupada translated 10-th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam first of all to make Krishna's Vrindavan pastimes available to us right from beginning:

Radhastami in Mayapur, 2008

Click here to see photos of Radhastami celebration in Mayapur, 2008
Radhastami abhishekha - milk, honey, shower, flowers baths:


Radhastami Abhishekha:


Radhastami day darsan:



Radhastami greeting card:

Vyasa Puja of Srila Prabhupada celebration in Mayapur, 25 August 2008.

click to see all photos from Vyasa Puja celebration

Jananivasa Prabhu is reading his offering to Srila Prabhupada from community Vyasa Puja book:



Vyasa Puja program is going on, devotees read their offerings to Srila Prabhupada - Padmalochan Das, Ramaniya Devi Dasi, Vasudeva Das:



Aishvarya Radha Devi Dasi sang bhajan compiled by Bhadracharu Das in glorification of Srila Prabhupada:



Morning of Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja, program openned with students of National School singing a song "Jaya Srila Prabhupada":

Krishna Janmastami in Mayapur, 24 August 2008.

Day darshan:


mangala darsan after Janmastami:

Ban on plastic bags in Mayapur

At last plastic bags are baned in Mayapur.


click on the document to see larger.

Jhulan yatra in Mayapur

Jhulan-yatra is a celebration of Radha-Krishna's swinging pastimes.
Radha-Madhava are swinging on the large lotus flower shaped swing, devotees are coming in line to pull the rope. There was elaborate arrangement at night with lit up fountains, prasad and sweet kirtans.

Farewell to Lalita Mataji, principal of Mayapur International School

25-07-08:
Teachers and students of Mayapur International School gathered to honour Lalita Mataji, who had been the Principal of Mayapur International School for the last 16 years.
She decided to move to Australia to join the rest of her family, husband Bimala Prasad Prabhu and daughters.
Suchih Prabhu inherited the post, from now on he is Acting Principal.


photos by Padmalochan Das

Rathayatra procession in Mayapur, 2008

Gundicha temple cleaning (day before Rathayatra), Mayapur

Jagannatha snana yatra celebration in Mayapur, June 2008

Snana Yatra festival take place 2 weeks before Ratha Yatra. Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi are getting bath - everyone who comes is allowed to participate in abhishek. After abhisek Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi were dressed in Ganesha-vesh outfit - Jagannath and Baladev as elephants and Subhadra Devi as a lotus flower.

Krishna’s betrothed

Story of Damodara Rati Mataji leaving her material body

Told by Vrindapati Devi Dasi
It is one thing to hear about someone, this doesn’t give a deep feeling, but when you actually involved personally and taking responsibility for a person – it is similar to becoming a mother. I feel so grown up after this experience - so much more appreciation of life and of devotee association came from the experience of me helping Damodara Rati.

We met in Mayapur. We became friends and I came to know her life story. She was very successful in her material life - wealthy, respected, had husband and children, job that she liked.
At the age 58 she left home to live and serve in NY temple. When she became devotee of Krishna she immediately renounced her material situation, she took all her gold and diamond jewellery, put it in a box and gave to her spiritual master, not leaving anything for herself. Normally people of such age are not inclined to give up their possessions, accumulated in life-long struggle. They want to enjoy the fruits of life's work, but Damodara Rati fully dedicated herself to devotional service to Radha-Govinda. Devotees of New York temple were kind and supportive of her. She was very attached to her spiritual master, H.H. Romapada Swami.
But what she does next? At the age 63 she suddenly get up and giving up her nice situation moves to India, Mayapur – on the fresh start!
She told me “Krishna was calling me”. At first she went to Vrindavan, but her Guru insisted that she would live in Mayapur. So, she came to Mayapur. She came along, did not have anyone here who knew her. Gradually Mayapur devotees noticed her and started to like her seeing what a kind, generous and simple person she was. In time, by the mercy of devotees, she got a room and settled in lady’s ashram, she got service to the Deities – making necklaces. She also was painting many deities for various devotees.

When she started to feel sick, she went twice to Udipi in a clinic there, trying to take care of her health. But during her second visit it become clear that she is seriously sick, she was diagnosed with cancer.
Before she came to Mayapur Damodara Rati was serving to Radha-Govinda in New York for 12 years - so, when she became sick devotees from NY were helping financially and taking kin interest in her wellbeing. Romapada Swami was very concern about her.
She was always very aware of her real position as devotee of Krishna and in complete realisation that she is getting prepared to go meet Krishna regardless of the external circumstances. She was not trying to stretch her time, was not in a mood of trying to enjoy little longer in this body. She did experienced bodily suffering, but she was taking it very much in satva-guna, there was no agony, she was quietly tolerating.

She always was saying that she wants to get married to Krishna. We used to laugh and joke with her about it, me and other matajis were teasing her a little. But she was very determent in her desire and very open about it.
Damodara Rati Devi Dasi left her physical body on 12 June 2008 at 8:30 am.

The morning she left we did the usual body-care procedures, and I saw that she was experiencing a lot of difficulties with her body, intoxication started, she had bad headache. But in all that she remain fully conscious, she did not show any symptoms of mental distress, but quite the opposite – rather calm and ready to meet with Krishna.
As we were trying to take care of her body, we heard a marriage party going by, on the road with a band (trumpet players, drums, dressed up people…)
Apparently, as we found out later, it was the most auspicious day to get married and several Bengali weddings were going on that day.
I said to her in a joking manor, “Oh! Get ready bride! Krishna sent for you to bring you to the wedding!” She looked at me with a serious and at the same time tricky expression and moved her head slightly in agreement.

I started to clean her room and when I was near her bed I touched her hand and understanding that something was wrong checked the pulse – she did not have it. She was still in her body, just about.
I started to run around trying to call someone, but everyone was at the program in the temple. I felt great pressure of responsibility. I run home to tell my husband that Damodara Rati is leaving her body NOW!(my husband, Shrisha Das, had a big part in helping and arranging for the care of Damodara Rati)
Then I run back again to her room, grabbed harmonium, one devotee happened by, Govinda Data, we started to sing Hare Krishna kirtan - because this was the most important thing to do for her at that moment. And as we sang both of us saw that she is leaving her body. This was 8:30 am.
Half an hour before she left Pankanjanghri Prabhu offered puja to Nrisimha Deva on her name.

It was a very beautiful day – clear, calm, sunny, yet not hot, nice rain came for a while and made everything clean and fresh just before we went to the Ganga in a procession to cremate her body.
Avyachi Mataji told me that on our way to Ganga she had a feeling like if it was a Queen’s procession, people were bowing on the road, everyone was offering respect – as if we were carrying a Queen.

Damodara Rati was so fixed on the idea that she is going to marry Krishna, for her this was not a question – she was definitely to marry Krishna. She was so very straight and honestly simple about it. We used to laugh (in a good way) when she was talking about her upcoming marriage with Krishna, but when we were carrying her to the cremation place we all felt like we were carrying a Queen.

Vakresvari Mataji arranged Harinama party to come with us, the whole cremation experience was very peaceful and beautiful, devotee stayed to the end singing kirtan.
Many people had tears running down. I was looking and thinking, “why are people crying?” – obviously not because she left this suffering body, everyone was very happy for her. I personally realised that I have lost someone very close, dear to me, a very important person in my life - even though I was not appreciating her importance enough while she was present. But by looking after her in her last days and especially having seeing how she left her body I had so many realisations in my heart.

Damodara Rati did not want to cause difficulties for anyone. I was worrying – what it would be like to care and cremate her when rains and flood will come, how would I combine this with my other service? I was considering to move her into my house. But she was so sensitive and graceful that she simply freed everybody of anxiety.

I am sure 200% that she is with Krishna now. We were talking with Jananivasa Prabhu today, and apparently yesterday (12-06-08) was the best of the best of days for performing marriage rights, many Bengali couples were getting married on that day, and Jananivasa Prabhu said “she is probably got married to Krishna too”.
Vrindapati Devi Dasi is singing bhajan "Sri Rupa Manjari pada..." in memory of Damodara Rati Devi Dasi.

Radha-Madhava water pastimes, Mayapur, June 2008

This is a popular summer festival when Radha-Madhava enjoy water pastimes in a pool with fauntine full of lotus flowers. The flower altar is set right in the water with fauntine placed infront of Radha-Krishna. Devotees are coming and offering flowers while chanting Their Names.
Jananivasa Prabhu and Ramaniya Mataji are giving out flowers to each person along with one of the names of Radha and Krishna to chant when offering a flower.

Cooking for thousands daily!

This video is showing the cooking process in the Gada kitchen of ISKCON Myapur.
It is very large operation - devotees are expertly handling it, cooking daily for 3000 to 5000 people, who are visiting Mayapur.
Buses of pilgrims are coming through, people stay for a day or two for darsan, most of them eat in Gada prasadam hall.

Umapati Swami in Mayapur

This video shows a part of the daily darsan program at ISKCON Mayapur temple. Devotees dance in kirtan, Umapati Swami is also dancing, he is staying for few months in Mayapur.



Tulasi puja after Mangala aroti:

Radha-Madhava boat pastimeduring chandan yatra, 2008, Mayapur

Nrisimha Chaturdasi in Mayapur, 2008

Hamsavahan (Lord Shiva) visits ISKCON Mayapur

Hamsavahan (Lord Shiva riding Brahma's swan) came to visit ISKCON Mayapur again this year. He was recieved with GREAT enthusiasm by local devotees.
Many of brahmacharis have a lot of affection for Lord Shiva from the childhood, so there was very enthusiastic kirtan as well as very colorful and plentiful bathing ceremony (abhishek).

Lord Shiva was so anxcious to listed of Gauranga's pastimes in Navadvipa Dhama that he could not wait any longer, jumped on the back of his father's carrier (Swan) instead of his own (bull) and rushed to Godruma Dvipa to hear discussions of sages about Lord Chaitanya. He recieved the name Hamsavahan.

Since couple of past years Hamsavahan have been visiting ISKCON Mayapur - there always a grand reception for Him here.



For the full coverage of this visit and abhishek
please visit HERE

Milking cows in ISKCON Mayapur Goshala

by Vrindavan Lila Dasi

Our ISKCON Mayapur Goshala has improved a lot in the past few years, cows are looked after very nicely and with great attention. Cows are peaceful and supplying very tasty milk for the pleasure of Radha-Madhava, Pancha-tattva and Nrisimha Deva, as well as for the community devotees.



This video-show called HOME and is a little experimental :), but I thought the music goes nicely with the theme.

Ramnavami celebration in Mayapur, 2008

Laxmipriya gets her own bath tub

Our new elephant Laxmipriya has finally got her very own new bath tub and is enjoying in it very much, as you can see in this picture sent by Hrimati Mataji, who is taking care of her:

Mayapur International School presents

This video is contributed for our readers/viewers/ by H.G. Suchih Das, production by Ganga Das.

Lalita Devi Dasi presents the Mayapur International School - what it is today, what kind of education and future it offers for the children, ashram life, academics, etc:

Srivasa Thakur Appearance Day celebration

Video of the temple courtyard after darsan program during Gaura Purnima festival

Gurukuli Krishna Das unexpected departure

by Vrindavan Lila Dasi

The day before Gaura Purnima this year we have lost one of very talented and prominent gurukulie boy, Krishna Das. He was born in Moscow to Bal Krishna Prabhu and Savitri Mataji.

He was very open and friendly character, talented movie-maker, enthusiast of keeping Gurukulie family united.

What happened?
Boys were playing in the Ganga, on a boat – diving, swimming, playing.
Krishna Das was also prompted to jump off the boat by his friends. He was a good swimmer, but somehow when he did jump in the water this time he got dragged in by the Ganga...well, there are more details of how it happened…, but in this article we are simply informing vaishnava community of the fact that we have lost a very valuable young member of our society, full of potential to preach effectively and to attract people to Krishna Consciousness through his art and personality.
This is very grievous loss for our society.

Ever since I knew Krishna Das (as a baby) I have been always noticing how much spiritually inclined this person is. He was very Krishna-conscious baby, then child and when he had grown up into a young man his personality really shined among his friends.

He had made several movies and one of them (about Anapa festival) was presented at ITV Film Festival in Mayapur and won one of the prises. His last film called Kuli-Mela (about gurukulie reunion in Russia).

I very much feel the pain his mother is going through, knowing her personally… Krishna Das was her only child, she had him late and was bringing him up with unlimited motherly LOVE and care, he was her pressures treasure.

Of cause we are not in control of the destiny, but we certainly could pay better attention to each other’s existence and endeavours in Krishna Consciousness.

We all have no doubt that Krishna Das is in good spiritual care, whatever destination he has gone on to. One who dies in Mayapur is certainly will get attention of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya.

It is us, who stay back to live our lives, we have to think more carefully how we handle the priceless vaishnava association we have been given by couseless mercy of Srila Prabhupada.
Every vaisnava going out of our life – is the loss that can’t be measured… and if we really feel that way we would try to take better care not to loose anyone unnecessary or “accidentally”, because accidentally means wastefully…- There would be lot less accidents if we would care to protect each other.

At the funeral Mother Savitri said that she feel that all gurukulies are her children and offered her help, association and motherly love to all friends of Krishna Dasa and all gurukulies.
Hare Krishna.


his website - http://www.bala.ru/

Krishna Das made this photo, this is his favourite photo of Pancha-tattva in Mayapur:

this is some video footage of Krishna Dasa's funeral and cremation:

Mangala aroti next morning after Gaura Purnima

Gaura Purnima - new year, Gaurabda 522

Gauranga abhishekha:

GauraPurnima Festival opening, flag rasing ceremony:

Adhivas (Welcome) ceremony on Gaura Purnima eve at ISKCON Mayapur temple

Adhivas is a welcome ceremony, where is welcomed person is shown various auspicious items and mantras are chanted. In the evening before Gaura Purnima devotees welcomed the event evening before with kirtan.

Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2008

Parikrama returns to ISKCON Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir with ecstatic kirtana.

Kirtan in Radha-Madhava temple:

Kirtan in Pancha-tattva temple:

Parikrama on the road:


Parikrama talks at Belpukur, Sachi-mata birth place. Jayapataka Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Kavichandra Swami, Rajendranandana Prabhu, Surabhi Mataji spoke of the place and also emphasised the importance of reducing(stopping) using plastic bags and glases in the Dham. Apparently there is a big effort being made by Indian goverment to abandon plastic, especially most common and contarminating item - plastic carry-bags.


Parikrama at Chant Kazi Samadhi:

Parikrama arrived to Navadvipa town:

Laxmipriya - new Mayapur elephant

Laxmipriya is the name of our new Mayapur elephant. She is 6 years old child (elephants have same life-span as humans). She arrived toMayapur on 7 March 2008 and lives in the forest area near Taranpur, where devotees built a shed for her. We also expect a second baby-elephant to arrive in two months time (her name is Vishnupriya) and she is 3 years old.
So far Laxmipriya have not been officialy introduced to devotees, although many went to see her in the forest. She will be introduced in few days time after parikrama.

GBC report in Mayapur 5-03-08

On 5-th of March GBC concluded their meetings with Deity report.

Ahindra Prabhu evening kirtans during Gaura Purnima festival

Weding of Rangini Radhika and Rupa Manohara

On Sunday, February 24, a weding was performed, joining Rangini Radhika (Australia), disciple of Jayapataka Swami and daugher of Amoga Prabhu (Srila Prabhupada disciple) and Rupa Manohara (UK), disciple of Radhanatha Swami, in marrage - very beautiful couple.
HH Radhanatha Swami, HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Bhakti Charu Swami, HH Kavichandra Swami - all delivered speach at the Yagya on importance of strong marrage and marrage vows for both, husband and wife.

NITYANANDA PRABHU Appearance Day celebration in Mayapur

This image (digital painting) of Lord Nityananda's lotus feet was sent by Rasikananda dasa with the message, "Today is the most auspicious occasion of the appearance of Lord Nityananda, and for the pleasure of the Lord and His devotees we wish to offer a small gift as an inspiration to take more shelter at His lotus feet. Please feel free to distribute to whomever you please. The more mercy we give, the more mercy we get!"

MIHE student's play at the end of semester

MIHE semester 2007/08 finished and students put up a little play (here are some fragments):

Bird flue is spreading in W.Bengal - pray for our peacoocks

Bird flue is spreading in W. Bengal, many farm birds are getting killed... This doesn't affect other animals or humans, only birds.
In ISKCON Mayapur we have peacocks, which are in quarantine and we hope they will be safe. Some percussions being made by Hrimati Mataji, who is oversees the animal care in ISKCON Mayapur project.
Our peacocks are in danger of a possibility having government vets coming to kill them... Please pray for our peacocks.

Govindam-adi-purusam darsan (7 AM)

Prabhupada pastimes - talk given by Giriraj Swami on Disapearance Day of Srila Prabhupada, Mayapur

by Vrindavan Lila Dasi

This talk was given by Giriraj Swami on Disapearance Day of Srila Prabhupada, November 2007, Mayapur.
Maharaj tells story of Prabhupada pastime with devotees - deciding shall He stay or shall He go? (May 1977)

I realise that I am posting this 2 months after the ocasion, but just found this recording and would like to share.

Winter nenws

by Vrindavan Lila Dasi

This year winter is very long and cold in Mayapur... we are strugling to keep our little room somewhat warm, health is affected - thus less postings. Sorry. Pray for the Sun to come. Hare Krishna.

Radha-Madhava flower-abhishek

It has become a tradition over the past three years to bathe Radha-Madhava in lots of flowers at the beginning of Magh month (Krishna pusya abhishek) - an exciting and colourful festival of flowers and colours in the middle of winter...
Devotees are enjoying participating in this festival.
After Gaura Aroti utsav Radha-Madhava are brought out on the platform and bathed in flower petals, at the same time in the main altar big Radha-Madhava and Sakhis are showered with a flower rain.
All deities are wearing flower dresses made by the hands of community devotees.



Radha-Madhava darsan in flower dress offered on Pusya Abhishek day in ISKCON Mayap[ur temple:



devotees making flower outfit for Sri Sri Radha-Madhava and Sakhis:

Care for aging people in ISKCON - Janmastami Prabhu interview

video-interview with Janmastami Prabhu, remembering his friend Nirguna and talking about caring for retired vaishnavas who prepare to leave their bodies.

Radha-Madhava bullocks procession on Saturday night

Saturday evening procession of Radha-Madhava.
Elephant is replaced by the bullocks: