October
  14   5:00 PM   Moonlit Parikrama of Govardhana

  16   6:30 AM   Vrindavan Temples

  17   6:30 AM   Madhuvan Talavan

  18   6:30 AM   Javat - Ter Kadamba - Lunch at Vrinda Kunda

  19   9:30 AM   Narottama Das Disap. Radha Gokulananda Mandir

  20   6:30 AM   Barsana

  21   8:00 PM   Midnight Bath at Radha Kunda

  23   6:30 AM   Radha Kunda

  24   5:00 AM   Badrinatha

  26   6:30 AM   Vrinda Kunda Nandagram, Lunch at Vrinda Kunda

  27   6:30 AM   Kamyavan

  28   6:30 AM   Raval and Gokula

  30   5:00 AM   Giriraja Parikrama

  November
  1   7:00 AM   Srila Prabhupada's Procession to Goswami Temples

  2             Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day

  4   6:30 AM   Mansarovar, Bandhirvan, Baelvan Return by Boat

  5   6:30 AM   Rama Ghata - Chir Ghata

  6   12:00 noon   Gopastami Ter Kadamba

  8   6:30 AM   Lohavan

  9   4:30 PM   All night Kirtan in Vrinda Kunda

  10  7:30 AM   Vrinda Devi Festival in Vrinda Kunda

  ps. timings of departure may be subject to change...

KARTIKE’SMIN VISESENA NITYAM KURVITA VAISNAVAH
DAMODARA ARCANAM PRATAH SNANA DANA VRATA ADIKAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/3 from SKANDA PURANA)

Specifically in the month of Damodara, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and take bath early in the morning, give charity and follow a fasting vow. This is the duty of Vaisnavas.

NIYAMENA VINA VIPRAH KARTIKAM YAH KSIPEN NARAH
KRSNA PARAN-MUKHAS TASYA YASMAD URJO’SYA VALLABHAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/24 from PADMA PURANA conversation between Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi)

Oh brahmanas, any person who tries to observe a Karttika month without following rules and regulations properly, Lord Sri Krsna remains against them because this month (Karttika) is very pleasing to Him.

YAIR NA DATTAM HUTAM JAPTAM NA SNANAM NA HARER VRATAM
NA KRTAM KARTIKE PUTRA DVIJAS TE VAI NARADHAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/25 from SKANDA PURANA)

Oh son Narada, those brahmanas who do not give charity in the month of Karttika, perform sacrifice, chant japa and fast for Lord Hari are the lowest of mankind.

KARTIKA KHALU VAI MASAM SARVA MASESU CA UTTAMAM
PUNYANAM PARAMAM PUNYAM PAVANANAM CA PAVANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/36 from SKANDA PURANA)

The month of Karttika is the topmost of all other months. It is the most meritorious and purified of all other pure months.

NA KARTIKA SAMO MASO NA KRTENA SAMAM YUGAM
NA VEDA SADRSAM SASTRAM NA TIRTHA GANGAYA SAMAM
KARTIKAH PRAVARO MASO VAISNAVANAM PRIYAH SADA
KARTIKAM SKALAM YASTU BHAKTYA SEVATE VAISNAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/39,40 from SKANDA PURANA)

There is no other month equal to Karttika and there is no other yuga equal to Krta-yuga. There is no other scripture equal to Vedas. There is no other place of pilgrimage equal to Ganges, therefore, the month of Karttika is very dear to the Vaisnavas (people dedicated to Visnu).

DVADASU API MASESU KARTIKAH KRSNA VALLABHAH
TASMIN SAMPUJITO VISNUR ALPAKAIR APY UPAYANAIH
DADATI VAISNAVAM LOKAM ITI EVAM NISCITAM MAYA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/41 from PADMA PURANA)

Among all twelve months, the month of Karttika is dear to Lord Sri Krsna. If somebody performs a little worship of Lord Sri Hari in this month, He offers that devotee His own abode. This statement is true.

PRAVRTTANAM CA BHAKSANAM KARTIKE NIYAME KRTE
AVASYAM KRSNA RUPATVAM PRAPYATE MUKTIDAM SUBHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/49 from SKANDA PURANA)

Whatever one usually eats, if he gives up some of the ingredients of it in the month of Karttika, then he achieves the same aupicious form as Lord Sri Krsna undoubtedly.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in the Digdarsini-tika, “Those who are engaged in eating daily and following the rules of Karttika, they should try to minimize and give up certain ingredients in eating. Obtaining the same form as Krsna means that it liberates one from the miseries of this material world and gives all auspiciousness and happiness.”

SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA KARTIKE KESAVA AGRATAH
SASTRA AVATARANAM PUNYAM SROTAVYAN CA MAHAMUNE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/76 from SKANDA PURANA Lord Brahma speaks to Narada Muni)

Oh great sage, after giving up all varieties of religious functions, one should follow Karttika fast and listen to the narrations of Lord Sri Hari before His Deity form.

PALASA PATRA BHOJI CA KARTIKE PURUSO NARAH
NISPAPAH SYAT TU NAIVEDYAM HARER BHUKTVA VIMUCYATE
MADHYASTHAM ISVARAM PATRAM VARJAYED BRAHMANE TARAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/87 from PADMA PURANA)

Any person in the month of Karttika, who eats on the leaf plate of Palasa the remnants of the Lord, becomes free from all sins and achieves liberation. Besides brahmanas (twice born persons), others are not advised to eat from this leaf because this leaf is said to be the leaf of the Supreme Lord.

SNANAM JAGARANAM DIPAM TULASI VANA PALANAM
KARTIKE YE PRAKURVANTI TE NARA VISNU MURTAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/90 from PADMA PURANA Lord Krsna speaks to Satyabhama)

Any person who performs bathing in the month of Karttika, remaining awake, offering lamps, giving charity or planting and transplanting Tulasi, he achieves the same form as Lord Sri Visnu.

KALPA KOTI SAHASRANI PATKANI BAHUNY API
NIMESA ARDHENA DIPASYA VILAYAM YANTI KARTIKE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/99 from SKANDA PURANA)

If even for a short time somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Sri Hari, then whatever sins he has acquired for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed.

YATHA CA MATHANAD VAHNIH SARVA KASTHESU DRSYATE
TATHA CA DRSYATE DHARMO DIPADANE NA SAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/120 from PADMA PURANA)

Just as by rubbing of two sticks of wood one can see fire, so by offering a burning ghee wick to the Lord in the month of Karttika, one can see his merits without a doubt.

In his Digdarsini-tika Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains, “Even though fire is present in all pieces of wood, still without rubbing fire does not manifest. Similarly, in all kinds of functions, although merit is available, by offering a lamp in this month, certainly one can see the merit. Not otherwise. Of this there is no doubt. Therefore, without offering lamps, all merits are unprofitable. This is the essence here.”

VAISNAVO NA SA MANTAVYAH SAMPRAPTE KARTIKE MUNE
YO NA YACCHATI MUDHATMA DIPAM KESAVA SADMANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/122 from PADMA PURANA)

Oh sage, a person who does not offer a ghee lamp in Lord Kesava’s temple in Karttika, that foolish person is not addressed as a Vaisnava.

EKADASYAM PARER DATTAM DIPAM PRAJVALYA MUSIKA
MANUSYAM DURLABHAM PRAPYA PARAM GATIM AVAPA SA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/129 from SKANDA PURANA)

One rat (female mouse) had once burnt a ghee lamp which was offered by someone else on Ekadasi day. By doing so, she achieved a rarely achievable human form and at last attained the topmost destination.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes in his Digdarsini-tika, “In this verse it is found that it is possible to attain the results of directly offering a lamp on Ekadasi. This history of the mouse is very famous in the Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya. (In a temple of Lord Visnu, there was a mouse living who was eating the ghee from the extinguished ghee lamps which had been offered by others to Him. One day when she felt hungry to eat ghee, she tried to eat the ghee from a lamp which was not yet extinguished. While eating ghee from
the lamp, the cotton wick got stuck in her teeth. Since the ghee wick had a flame, the mouse started jumping in front of the Lord’s Deity form and thus died due to fire. But Lord Sri Visnu accepted the jumping of that mouse with a lit ghee wick in her mouth as His aratik. In the end He gave her liberation, the topmost destination.)

MATHURAYAM NARAIR URJE SNATVA DAMODARO’RCITAH
KRSNA RUPA HI TE JNEYA NA ATRA KARYA VICARANA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/155 from PADMA PURANA)

Any person who worships Lord Damodara in the month of Karttika in the Mathura area, certainly achieves the same form as Lord Sri Krsna Himself.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments on this in his Digdarsini-tika, “Human beings achieving the same form as Krsna means that they see Lord Sri Krsna. In other words, they become as worshipable as Lord Sri Krsna. This this the understanding here.”

KARTIKE MATHURAYAM VAI PUJANAD DARSANAD DHRUVAH
SIGHRAM SAMPRAPTAVAN BALO DURLABHAM YOGA TATPARAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/161 from PADMA PURANA)

Although a child, Dhruva Maharaja during the month of Karttika in the area of Mathura worshiped Lord Sri Damodara and immediately became fixed in his devotion, became worshipable by Saunaka and the other sages and saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.

SULABHA MATHURA BHUMAU PRATY ABDAM KARTIKAS TATHA
TATHAPI SAMSARANTIHA NARA MUDHA BHAVA AMBUDHAU
YANI SARVANI TIRTHANI NADA NADYAH SARANSI CA
KARTIKE NIVASANTY ATRA MATHURE SARVA MANDALE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/162,164 from PADMA PURANA)

Although Mathura (Vraja area) is easily available on the earth and Karttika is easily attainable in the year, but oh, what a great misfortune in the side of human beings who are still suffering in the ocean of material existence. In the month of Karttika, all of the places of pilgrimage, oceans, rivers and lakes come to Mathura area [but they do not take advantage of it.]

ASVINASYA TU MASASYA YA SUKLA EKADASI BHAVET
KARTIKASYA VRATA ANIHA TASYAM KURYAD ATANDRITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/168 from PADMA PURANA conversation between Lord Krsna and Satyabhama)

One should take a fasting vow for the month of Karttika without any laziness on the Ekadasi which falls in the light part of the month of Asvina (September-October).

NA GRAHE KARTIKE KURYAD VISESENA TU KARTIKAM
TIRTHE TU KARTIKIM KURYAT SARVA YATNENA BHAVINI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/186 from SKANDA PURANA)

Oh beautiful lady, specifically, one should not take a vow of fasting in the Karttika month in the home or house. Always the endeavor should be made to go to a place of pilgrimage to make this vow and observe it there.

TATAH PRIYATAMA VISNO RADHIKA GOPIKASU CA
KARTIKE PUJANIYA CA SRI DAMODARA SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/195 from PADMA PURANA)

Among all other gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Lord Krsna. Therefore in the month of Karttika, one should worship Lord Damodara with Srimati Radharani near Him.

DAMODARA ASTAKAM NAMA STOTRAM DAMODARA ARCANAM
NITYAM DAMODARA AKARSI PATHET SATYA VRATA UDITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/198)

In the month of Karttika, one should daily worship Lord Damodara and sing the Damodarastaka (the eight prayers of Lord Damodara) which pleases Lord Damodara, written by the sage named Satyavrata.

GOVARDHANA GIRAU RAMYE RADHAKUNDAM PRIYAM HAREH
KARTIKE BAHULA ASTAMYAM TATRA SNATVA HAREH PRIYAH
NARO BHAKTO BHAVED VIPRAS TADDHI TASYA PRATOSANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/207 from PADMA PURANA)

Oh brahmanas, in the beautiful Govardhana area there is a Radhakunda (a lake of Radharani) which is very dear to Lord Sri Hari. One who takes bath in it on the eighth day of the dark moon night of Karttika, becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that, “Although by taking bath in Radhakunda one becomes very dear to Lord Sri Hari, still, if he takes bath anywhere in the name of pleasing Lord Hari, he pleases Him as well.

SRI KRSNA DASA VARYO’YAM SRI GOVARDHANA BHUDHARAH
SUKLA PRATIPADI PRATAH KARTIKE’RCYU ‘TRA VAISNAVAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/232 from SKANDA PURANA)

On the first day of the light part of the month of Karttika, a Vaisnava should certainly worship the topmost servant of Lord Sri Krsna, Sri Govardhana Hill, early in the morning as it is found in the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th Canto, 21 chapter, verse 18.

MATHURAYAM TATHA SAKSAT KRATVA CAIVA PRADAKSINAM
VAISNAVAM DHAMA SAMPRAPYA MODATE HARI SANNIDHAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/249 from PADMA PURANA)

One who stays in the Mathura area, worships Govardhana, and goes around it, he goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari and stays there happily.

URJE SUKLA DVITIYAYAM MADHYAHE YAMA ARCAYET
SNANAM KRTVA BHANUJAYAM YAMA-LOKAM NA PASYATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/267 from SKANDA PURANA and PADMA PURANA)

On the midpart of the second day of the light part of the month of Karttika one should worship Yamaraja and take bath in the Yamuna. If he does so, he will not have to go to the abode of Yamaraja.

PRABODHINIM UPOSYA EVA NA GARBHE VISATE NARAH
SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA TASMAT KURVITA NARADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/289 from SKANDA PURANA spoken by Lord Brahma)

Oh Narada Muni, one who fasts on Prabodhini (when the Lord gets up) Ekadasi, does not enter again into the womb of another mother. Therefore, a person should give up all varieties of occupation and fast on this particular Ekadasi day.

DUGDHABDHIH BHOGI SAYANE BHAGAVAN ANANTO
YASMIN DINE SVAPITI CA ATHA VIBHUDHYATE CA
TASMINN ANANYA MANASAM UPAVASA BHAJAM
KAMAM DADATY ABHIMATAM GARUDANKA SAYI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/293 from PADMA PURANA)

One who fasts with one pointed intelligence on the day when the Supreme Lord Sri Hari, Who sleeps on a bed of the enemy of Garuda (snake) goes to take rest in the Milk ocean on the bed of Ananta Sesa and also the day He gets up, gets all of his desires fulfilled.

BHAKTIPRADA HAREH SATU NAMNA KSATA PRAVODHINI
YASA VISNOH PARA MURTIR AVYAKTA ANEKA RUPINI
SA KSIPTA MANUSE LOKE DVADADI MUNI PUNGAVA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/301 from VARAHA PURANA conversation between Yamaraja and Narada Muni)

This Prabodhini Ekadasi is famous for rewarding devotion to Lord Sri Hari. Oh best of the sages (Narada Muni), the personality of Ekadasi is present on this earthly planet in an unmanifested form of Lord Hari.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks in his Digdarsini-tika that one who exactly observes the Ekadasi fast by observing this, he directly worships Lord Sri Hari. This is the meaning of this verse. Therefore, Ekadasi is said to be equal to Lord Sri Hari Himself.

CATUR DHA GRAHYA VAI CIRNAM CATUR MASYA VRATAM NARAH
KARTIKE SUKLAPAKSE TU DVADASYAM TAT SAMACARET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/412 from MAHABHARATA)

A person who observed Caturmasya fast stated in four different ways should end his fast on the Dvadasi day on the light fortnight of the month of Karttika.

EVAM YA ACARET PARTHA SOBHANAM DHARMAM APNUYAT
AVASANE TU RAJENDRA VASUDEVA PURAM VRAJET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 16/433 from BHAVISYA UTTARA PURANA)

Oh son of Prtha, Oh best of the kings, one who follows his vows properly as it is stated here achieves the highest merit and at last goes to the abode of Lord Sri Hari, the son of Vasudeva.

MALATI MALAYA VISNUH PUJITO YENA KARTIKE
PAPAKSARA KRTAM MALAM HATHAT SAURIH PRAMARJJATI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/92 from SKANDA PURANA conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

In the month of Karttika (October-November), any person, if he worships Lord Visnu with Malati (white Jasmine) flowers, whatever sinful activities are registered for him by Yamaraja, death personified, are removed.

KAMALAIH KAMALAKANTAH PUJITAH KARTIKE TU YAIH
KAMALA ANUGA TESAM JANMANTARA SATESU API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 7/102 from PADMA PURANA, UTTARA KHANDA)

Any person who offers lotus flowers to Lord Narayana, the dearest personality of Laksmidevi in the month of Karttika, Laksmidevi resides with him for hundreds of births.

Janardana das

“Both the mother and the son were lamenting Dhruva Maharaja’s having been insulted by his stepmother and his father’s not having taken any step on this issue. But mere lamentation is useless—one should find out the means to mitigate one’s lamentation. Thus both mother and son decided to take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord because that is the only solution to all material problems. It is indicated in this connection that Dhruva Maharaja left his father’s capital city to go to a secluded place to search out the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is the instruction of Prahlada Maharaja also that if one is seeking peace of mind he should free himself from all contamination of family life and take shelter of the Supreme Godhead by going to the forest. To the Gaudiya Vaisnava this forest is the forest of Vrnda, or Vrndavana. If one takes shelter of Vrndavana under Vrndavanesvari, Srimati Radharani, certainly all the problems of his life are solved very easily.”

Bhurijana das

The most auspicious month of Kartika is beginning from 14th October, 2008. We shall present a series of articles on the importance of performing Kartika Vrata. To begin with ………..,

PADMA PURANA ON KARTIKA VRATA
quoted by Srila Sanatana Gosvami in his Hari-bhakti Vilasa (the standard lawbook for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas)

Intro-if one neglects to perform the Kartika Vrata all his pious merits amassed in the passed are burned to ashes; his study of the Vedas becomes futile; and his performance of japa, charity, and austerity becomes fruitless.

Glories of Kartika Vrata-Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartika month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartika Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, whereas ordinary vratas only last for one lifetime! As Krsna says in Gita that He is the month of Nov-Dev, similarly, Srimati Radhika is the holy month of Kartik which precedes His month. Rupa Gosvami and others refer to Radharani as the Kartika-devata or Kartika Devi, in other words, Radhika is the goddess or presiding Deity of the Kartika Vrata.

Daily Offer-tulsi arotik, ghee lamp to Krsna and sing Damodarastakam, bathe in Yamuna if possible, give charity to pure devotees.

Dont Eat: grains given by others, honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods like sweets and fried foods, samosas, pakoras.

Dont Do: cut hair, nails, use things of others, criticize Vaisnavas, Vedas or anyone, no oil on body, do not find faults in others or be envious.

Prayer before beginning: “O gopikas! By your mercy may Radha and Krsna be pleased with my Kartika Vrata.”

Benefits Observing Kartik Vrata: All sins flee from the heart. Perform other vratas one hundred times not equal to one performance of Kartik Vrata. All the holy places will live within your body. Proper performance of Kartik Vrata gives one a million times the result of chanting mantras, do yatras and other types of vratas. Those who worship Damodara in Vrndavana even once easily attain Krsna bhakti. Dhruva Maharaja attained Hari darsana by worshiping Krsna in Mathura during the Kartika month.

Summary of How to Follow the Kartika Vrata:

Remember–Kartika Vrata is a special time to worship Radha Damodara, and especially get the mercy of Radhika, since it is Her month, and She is very very easily pleased this month if one worships Her along with Her beloved Damodara.

Srila Prabhupada on When to Start Kartika Vrata: “In Vrndavana we should have Kartika Vrata, Urja Vrata, for one month beginning on Ekadasi (Pasanukusa) (Srila Prabhupada Tape 10/6/72)

Pasanukusa Ekadasi Morning: Offer prayer-”O Janardana, O Damodara, O Devesa who are accompanied by Radhika. During the month of Kartika, I will bathe early every morning for Your satisfaction.”

1. Rise early every day by Brahma Muhurta, bathe, chant japa offer Mangala Arotik

2. Hear Srimad Bhagavatam, especially Radha and Krsna pastimes in Vrndavana, daily in association of exalted Vaisnavas, if possible. By regularly reading Srimad Bhagavatam during Kartika month, one gets the benefit of reading all the eighteen 18 Puranas. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month.

3. Chant continually in japa and kirtan, Krsna nama, do extra rounds and more kirtana with family.

Must maintain celibacy for entire month

Give up favorite food article for entire month (sweets, salties) Try to eat only once in a day. *if you can do and carry on ordinary works*

Eat your meals only on palasa leaves (if possible, will give tremendous punya.)

No oil on body and NO EATING honey, eggplant, portal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame seeds, or urad dahl (no kichoris)

Daily sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning

Daily offer a ghee lamp to Krsna Deity or photo (no need of picture of Mother Yasoda-Damodara or photo)

Daily offer arotik and prayers to Tulsi devi praying for eternal residence in Vrndavana and eternal service of the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna.

Daily chant the Radha-krpa katakasam, and Krsna krpa kataksam in Giti Guccha songbook

Also chant other prayers to Radha and Radha Krsna Yugala from the Giti Guccha songbook

On Ekadasi, Dvadasis, and Purnima chant the one-thousand names of Radha

On the three Ekadasis in Kartik try to observe Nirjala Vrata and stay awake chanting hari nam, especially on the last one, Uttana Ekadasi, when Lord Visnu and all the demigods awake after four months slumber.

Donate charity to pure devotees

Offer special nice foods to Krsna for entire month. For example every day make sweet rice,(khira) which is the favorite food of Krsna.

BAHULASTAMI BATH IN Radha KUNDA- “Anyone who bathes in Radha-kunda on Bahulastami becomes a dear devotee of Lord Krsna, because this act highly pleases Him.” (Hari-bhakti-vilasa)

BREAKING THE Kartika Vrata FAST: After sunrise and within the paran breaking period on the Dvadasi day after Uttana Ekadasi (if you started your Kartik Vrata on Pasanukusa Ekadasi),-offer arotik to Krsna and dedicate your vrata to Radha and Krsna for Their pleasure, worship the Vaisnava brahmanas by offering them presents plus a prasadam feast including the items that you fasted from during Kartika (sweets, milk products etc.) After honoring the brahmanas then break your Kartika Vrata fast by honoring the foods you abstained from (such as urad dahl, sweets, or whatever items.) Chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and Radhe Radhe Govinda, Govinda Radhe…..and taste the sweet feeling of spending the entire month absorbed in pleasing Radha and Shyamasundara. Jai Srila Prabhupada!

Janardana Das

(Janardana Prabhu is one of the members of Vrindavan Management Council)

That is called lila-vicar, the point of view of the transcendental loving pastimes where Krishna in Vraja becomes subordinate to His devotees, especially Srimati Radharani, but also Yasoda Maiya and Nanda Baba, and His dearmost friends, like Sridama, Sudama, Subala and others. So although we all know that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead but in seva-bhava we have so much affection for Srimati Radharani that it seems to excel the bhava for Krishna. It is a very subtle point to consider.So when the devotees arrived for mangalaratrika they were delighted to see the wonderful flowerdecorations on the altar, on the Jagamohanmandapa (the place from where we take darshan of the Deities), in front of the temple till the main gate of the temple and in Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi. And a beautiful, new outfit had been offered to the Deities for the mangalaratrikadarshan. At 7.30am, the main darshantime, the new daydress, off-white colour, the Deities were wearing was giving pleasure to all the devotees. But what is most enlivening for the Devotees on that day is the darshan of Srimati Radharani’s lotusfeet. Because only on Radhastami it is possible to take that carandarshan.

This year in the morning and afternoon, whereas at other years only in the afternoon. And also for some devotees there is a special darshan added to thatiiii And how fortunate are the pujaris, who are able to take that darshan every dayiii. At 10.15am the abhishekam of Sri Sri Radhe-Shyam began. Also Sri Lalita and Sri Vishakha are bathed together with the divine couple since Radhastami is also the appearance day of Vishaka Devi and Lalita’s appearanceday was two days before.This wonderful event can not properly be described with words. It has to be beheld and appreciated with our own transcendental mind and senses, by being present there. But, dear devotees, just behold the beautiful pictures of the event and be happy. At 11.00am the wonderful offering of bhoga is offered to the Deities and at noon the Rajbhoga aratrika is offered. In the afternoon at 4.30pm the Deities gave darshan with a magnificent floweroutfit, made by our localdevotees. It was mindblowing for many devotees. See for yourself.

Also in the morning H.H. Mahanidhi Swami gave a very nice lecture about Srimati Radharani. Certainly hearing about Her and Her wonderful pastimes with Her associates, giving transcendental pleasure to Sri Krishna is very important.

In order to fully appreciate Sri Radhastami, dear devotees, just one time try to be here for that.

Hare Krishna.

Jay Sri Sri Radhe-Shyama, Jay Sri Radha.

This year the weather has been very nice.

There was enough rain and therefore the surroundings here are green, wherever there are no new buildingsiiiand it is not too hot, although a little humid. The arrangements for controlling the crowd were nicely made by the templemanagement and therefore everything went very smoothly. There were four new outfits offered this year; one for mangalaratrika, one for the main darshna at 7:30am, one for the afternoon darshan and the last for the midnight darshan. There was simultaneous abhisheka for Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama and Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundar. By the arrangement of the Lord there was a lot of milk for the abhisheka and after the abhisheka there was a huge amount of bhoga offered to the Deities, cooked by the many sincere devotees of the Lord, coming from all over the world, and offering so many varieties of sweets, cakes, cookies, samosas, kacoris, parathas, fancy rice, pulao rice, plain rice, so many types of vegetables prepared in various ways, chutneys etc. all for the pleasure of Sri Krishna. And as for every festival different devotees spoke nicely about the appearance of Sri Krishna and His pastimes. Also as usual Aindra Prabhu and his devotees and other devotees were chanting the Holy Names of the Lord very melodiously, giving pleasure to all. The prasadam too was very good. Also worth mentioning are the wonderful flowerdecorations on the altar and in the temple and in front of the temple too.

Since we are aspiring to join the pastimes of Brajendranandan Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama in Vrindavan we may point out that both Sri Balarama and Sri Krishna appeared in Sri Vrindavan Dhama and that simualtaneously Sri Krishna appeared also in Mathura as the son of Vasudeva. Vasudeva brought his son to Gokula and put Him there and Vasudeva took His younger sister, who is yogamaya, the internal potency of Sri Krishna back to Mathura. Vasudeva Krishna merged then in the form of Brajendranandan Krishna. In order to join the eternal pastimes in Goloka Vrindavan we must become aware of the proper conclusions of the scriptures, following the mood of Srila Prabhupada and the previous acaryas.

Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja started with Srila Prabhupada’s tape of his chanting the mangalaratrika song. After the darshan of the Deities Srila Prabhupada’s gurupuja was performed, followed by enthusiastic kirtan and then bhajans, followed by a recorded class given by Srila Prabhupada. Then the devotees presented their heartfelt offerings and also offerings by Srila Prabhupada’s seniormost disciples were read out by their disciples. At noon a nice bhoga offering was given to Srila Prabhupada, followed by puspanjali and then aratrika was offered and finally as sumptuous feast was served to all the devotees.

In the evening some local, respectable saintly devotees were invited to our temple on the occasion of the traditional breaking of claypots, containing milk, rabri(cooked down milk with sugar), honey etc. In this way the festival ended in a very auspicious and jolly mood.

And now the devotees are eagerly waiting for the next festivals, especially the most sweet and wonderful appearance day of Srimati Radharani.

By Krishna Balaram Mandir Deity Dept.

This year we offered a new nightdress, for mangal aratrika, and as usual a new day dress.

As we offered a blue dress, with champaka flowers work on it, which was very beautiful, Balarama was certainly very pleased. Sri Balarama is known to be wearing a blue dhoti and chaddar. Looking at the photos of Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama you can judge for yourself how satisfied Balarama was. As you all know Balarama likes very much honey. Therefore everyday, throughout the year, in the afternoon, we offer Him a bowl of honey solely for His pleasure. (In the winter we offer also in the evening, for all the Deities, one bowl of honey.) And this year so many devotees offered honey for the abhisheka that we offered more honey than anything else during the bathing ceremony. Usually we have four times more milk and two times more dahi than honey for His abhishek. And on His abhishek we usually have double the amount of honey for Him than on other abhishekas.

So because this time there was so much honey in the caranamrita the devotees became almost intoxicated and could nicely remember Sri Balarama’s pastime with His gopis who drank varuni nectar and became transcendentally intoxicated.

May He bestow His mercy upon us and give us spiritual strength by which we may conquer the influence of the external energy of Krishna.

By Krishna Balaram Mandir Deity Dept.

With great enthusiasm the pujaris celebrated with all the assembled devotees of our temple.

The flower decorations were done very nicely, day by day more beautiful, and on the fourth day the swing was engulfed with green tree branches, leaves and we were absorbed in the feelings of the eternal pastimes of Radhe-Shyama in the groves of Vrindavan, accompanied by Their many eternal associates, the gopis and manjaris.

And as these festivals are meant to invoke these feelings we can pray that one day we may be there also in our spiritual forms serving in the eternal pastimes of our Istadevas.

Behold the beautiful photos of the Jhulan-yatra. That is the perfection for our eyes.

By Krishna Balaram Mandir Deity Dept.

On 18th July we celebrate the beginning of Sri Caturmasa, which all saintly devotees observe. During that time the devotees increase their devotional endeavors and decrease their material needs, like eating and sleeping etc., as much as possible.

Srila Prabhupada asked us to at least not take any spinach for the first month, no dahi for the second, no milk for the third and no urad dal for the fourth. The full moon day, first day of caturmasa, is known as Guru Purnim, which is the appearance day of Srila Vyasadeva. On that day traditionally all the saintly persons worship their spiritual master. So there are so many pilgrims coming to Sri Vrindavan, to Vraja, to Govardhana. It is also the beginning of the rainy season, the month of sravana, when so many pilgrims are visiting the Dhama, the various local temples. During that time one of the most exiting festivals is the Jhulan-yatra of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. In some temples the swing festival starts at the beginning of the month of August. In our temple we begin on the 12th August.

In the temple courtyard, western side, the devotees are making a beautiful flower arrangement, a phoolbungalow, for the pleasure of the Deities. The Utsava-murtis, the small Deities used for the occasion, are also wearing a flower dress, made by the devotees only. After the vaikhalika-bhoga-offering-aratika, at about 5pm, our most beautiful Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundar and the gopis are brought, with kirtana, to the place were the swing festival is taking place. There the Deities are welcomed with an Aratika and an offering of sweets, called naivedya. And then all the devotees are allowed to swing their beloved Deities, till just before the temple closes at 8.45. This is going on for 4 days. Everyone is very much enlivened to take part in that wonderful pastime of the Lord.

The next day is Balarama Purnima, the appearance day of Sri Balarama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There will be very beautiful flower decorations all over the temple and on the altar. A new day outfit and a new night outfit will be offered, as well as a flower dress. An abhishekam, bathing ceremony for Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama, will be held at 10am.

Then a huge offering of so many foodstuffs, sweet and salty, will be offered and then Aratika is performed. Since Balarama likes honey a lot of honey will be offered to Him. In Vrindavan practically every day is a festival. And so devotees are always busy serving the Lord and enjoying the spiritual atmosphere of the various festivals. And that transcendental happiness is ever increasing. Hare Krishna.

My spiritual life began in Vrndavana some 30 years ago at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Krsna Balarama, Sri Radha Syamasundara, and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. I arrived on foot from Mathura and reached in the evening time and as I walked on the road approaching Vrndavana there were no people walking on that road but only many cows.

It was as if I was coming home with Krsna and His cows. Then I entered Vrndavana through the Prabhupada Gate and that was more then symbolic, only by Prabhupad’s mercy can we enter in to Vrndavana. This is where I grew up in spiritual life chanting japa in Srila Prabhupada’s house. When I first came Prabhupada’s Samadhi was a small shed, it was very intimate and later the current, majestic building was constructed around it. We, the new devotees would twice a day clean the temple with brooms and fresh water. Gradually I got more responsibility and I became responsible for different affairs in the temple including the ringing of the temple bell. The bell had to be rung by the security on the hour and half hour and Prabhupada had said, that he would judge the management by the ringing of the bell. Management in Vrndavana was and is not a simple thing, I try to help, sorry if not everyone is satisfied.

During the last 11 years after taking sannyasa I have traveled continuously from country to country, from temple to temple, from home to home. But I always remember only one place as home, Vrndavana. ‘In the Varaha Purana there is a statement praising the residential quarters of Mathura. Lord Varaha tells the men of earth, “Any person who becomes attracted to places other than Mathura will certainly be captivated by the illusory energy.” ‘ NOD Ch.12

This year I had the good fortune to be in Vrndavana for Chandana Yatra. Krsna and Balarama had brought me here to do some service for Them, guess what.. a management meeting. Chandana Yatra coincides with Aksaya Tritiya, which is the day that Satya Yuga began, also Lord Brahma first manifested grain on this day, thus providing the means to offer sacrifice and the sustenance for all living beings. Therefore Aksaya Tritiya is a very favorable day to make a new beginning or commitment. In the morning the atmosphere in Vrndavana was calm and peaceful, I took advantage of this by chanting hare krsna.

We remembered Madhavendra Puri, the perfect Prema Bhakta, who was so deeply absorbed in love of God, that he did not bother to make any material arrangements not even to eat. Madhavendra Puri sat at the side of Govardhana at Govinda Kund, absorbed in chanting the Holy Name. Then a cowherd boy came who brought him a pot of milk. The boy was very pleasant and said he would come back later to collect the pot, but he never returned.

Later that night Madhavendra Puri had a dream and then he saw the boy again and this time recognized Him as Krsna. Krsna told him that in His Deity form, He had been hidden in the bushes by a pujari who fled in fear of his life, for muslims who destroyed temples and killed people all over Vraja. The Deity of Gopal instructed Madhavendra Puri to exvacate Him along with the villagers and once again resume the worship. After he awoke Madhavendra Puri arranged for all of that, but later Gopal asked him again in a dream for cooling sandelwood paste, since He still felt very hot from lying in those bushes in the hot sand for a long time.

Madhavendra Puri although at an advanced age embarked on a journey to Jagannatha Puri to obtain the sandelwood. On the way in Remuna the Deity of Gopinatha stole a pot of sweet rice for Madhavendra Puri and later Gopal appeared again in Madhavendra Puri’s body and told him to put the sandelwood on Gopinatha’s body, which was non different from His own. Thus we are commemorating all these pastimes at the time of Chandana Yatra.

In Vrndavana there is a huge crowd and all the major temples are covering their Deities from head to toe in sandlewood. large numbers of people come from all over to have darsanas of all the Deities in the major temples. The atmosphere is filled with enthusiasm and expectation. There is a competition between the temples who can provide the best chandana darsana. The main competitors are undoubtedly Radha Damodara, Radha Ramana, Radha Syamasundara and the Krsna Balarama temple with its three altars. One must come to Chandana Yatra and join the mad rush to see for himself who is the winner. It is an individual matter, it has everything to do with the relationship of service one has with a particular Deity how that Deity reveals Himself. This year I decided to become swept up in the festival and went on the Hari Nama party with Dina Bandhu and a group of devotees. At Banke Behari temple there was an intense crowd and we were having an ecstatic kirtan going by then, the Vrijbasis got in the mood and various people started to dance along with us. Dina Bandhu explained that on this day only Banke Bihari is showing His lotus feet and that one of the feet of the lord is the lotus foot of Krsna and the second one more slender the lotus foot of Srimati Radharani. Vrndavana! By the time we came to the Radha Damodara temple the crowds had only thickened and people were pushing to get in the narrow entrance gate while at the same time others were pushing with equal force trying to get out. Something that by no means can diminish the ecstacy and satisfaction the people experience upon seeing the Deity. For me the Hari Nam was a great highlight and to offer full obeisances in Srila Prabhupada’s rooms in Radha Damodara for the first time since legal dispute has arisen. I pushed along with the crowd to get some sandlewood from the Deity.

There are also other days in Vrndavana, more internal ones, days and nights, to chant peacefully round after round in deep meditation. Or days to read the scriptures for many hours, days of deep bhajana. If I take rest early now then maybe tomorrow can be such a day.