Srila Prabhupada Ashram, Srila Prabhupada Marg, Srila Prabhupada Nagar, Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir – 182101Ph : 01992 – 276146 Fax : 01922 - 270298

Monthly News Letter Issue : 01 July 2013 All glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga All glories to Srila Prabhupada All glories to Srila Nityanandapada

Kheer Bhawani Fair

The Goddess Ragnya Devi is symbolised as a sacred spring at Tula Mula village, near (27 kms) Srinagar, Kashmir. The spring of Kheer Bhawani is quite large and has always been held in veneration by the Brahman population of Srinagar. Kheer Bhawani is considered to be the Presiding Deity of most of the Kashmiri Brahmans.

Within the spring is a marble temple. The temple-spring complex is affectionately known as Kheer Bhawani as thousands of devotees offer milk and 'Kheer' to the sacred spring.

The devotees of the Goddess fast and gather here on the eighth day of the full moon in the month of May/ June.

According to belief, the Goddess changes the colour of the spring's waters, which are ascribed to different manifestations of the Goddess. Turning of the colour into shades of black is supposed to signal approaching disaster.

Some people say that before the exodus of the Pundits’(Kashmiri Brahmans) from Kashmir the colour had turned completely black in 1990!

According to the legend, there were 360 springs surrounding the main spring but all of these seem to have disappeared as the land has become marshy all around.

Every year thousands of people from all around the world throng here to get the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani.

We Hare Krishna’s too found it attractive to propagate the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, i.e.

Sankirtan Movement (only religious practice for Kaliyuga) & distribution of actual knowledge of the Absolute Truth (Lord Krishna) by various books

written by our previous Acharyas in disciplic succession & translated by world renowned Spiritual Master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Many devotees from various ISKCON Centres gave their selfless service enthusiastically by keeping themselves engaged in Book

distribution along with preaching on Krishna Consciousness & selling various Krishna related items as well.

We were very thrilled to the response we got from people there. They were interested in purchasing our books mainly Bhagwat Gita As It Is. We were amazed

to notice their ecstatic involvement in Hari Naam Sankirtan Yagya upheld byour most devoted HG Sudarshan Prabhu ji in the temple premises. He also performed Nagar Sankirtan every morning although not only it is an area populated with Muslim Community but militancy hit area as well. In spite of death threat he performed it very courageously by the mercy of our beloved Guru

Maharaj His Holiness Navayogendra Swami Ji. The locals used to come out to watch us doing Naam Sankirtan & appreciated with smiling faces.

Many of our Muslim brothers not only purchasedBhagwat Gita As It Is in Urdu language but also were inquisitive to hear about Lord Krishna’ childhood pastimes with great interest.

Srimad Bhagwatam Katha May 13th to 19th 2013

Our beloved spiritual master HH Nava Yogendra Swami Ji Maharaj popularly known as ‘Maharaj Ji’gave his mercy by showering nectar drops of Srimad Bhagwatam before the Vyas Puja this year. When the May month sun “Davanal” spreadin every part of India; Maharajji‘s merciful glances on people of Udhampur dham acted like drizzling of rains. Every day from 4 PM to 9 PM Maharaj ji gave discourses on Srimad Bhagwatam, starting with the chatur sloki Bhagwatam and closing with Lord Krishna beautiful pastimes followed by Aarti and Maha Prasadam.

Guru Maharaj distributed gifts and sweets to devotees on 6th day of Bhagwatam to celebrate the appearance day of Lord Krishna.

These Srimad Bhagwatam discourses with melodious Bhajans overwhelmed & enchanted the listeners. The ecstatic dance on these bhajans by the Gurukul boys and devotees turned the atmosphere into Golok Vrindavan.

Around 400 persons attended the katha on weekdays and on weekends around 800 persons were seenattending it. The whole atmosphere was spiritualized with Maharaj Ji simple and melodious description of

Srimad Bhagwatam. The whole of temple premise was thundered by loud chanting of holy name “HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAAM HARE RAAM RAAM RAAM HARE HARE. Maharajji specially emphasises on chanting the holy names of the

Lord which is the only way of deliverance in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy (Kali Yuga). As it is stated in Brihad Naradiya Puran:-

"harer-nama harer-nama harer-namaiva kevalam kalau nasty-eva nasty-eva nasty-eva gatir anyatha"

Maharaj ji in the end concluded Srimad Bhagwatam with his famous quotes.

“Malin Man Ki Har Baat Bekar Hai, Hari Naam Hi Saar Hai. Mahaprabhu Aadhar Hai Naam Gane Sada Ruchi, Kirtaniye Sada Hari”

vyas puja May 22nd 2013

We celebrated the 67th appearance day of our beloved spiritual master His Holiness Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Astotara-sata Sri Srimad Navayogendra Goswami Ji Maharaj on 22nd

May. The seniors, juniors, well wishers and aspiring devotees all waited for this day when our beloved spiritual master took his human form just to take us back to Godhead. Our Guru Maharaj only asks our firm commitment to go back to Godhead following the footsteps of his spiritual masher HDG Srila Prabhupada. On this occasion devotees from all over the world express their realization as how Srila Gurudev’s divine presence in their life has uplifted them from bodily consciousness to God (Krishna) Consciousness. After ecstatic morning mangal arati schedule HG Kunti Mataji read an offering on behalf of all the devotees. Radha Priya & Shyama Priya Matajis sang a beautiful bhajan “Sri Guru Charan Bhaj” simultaneously the devotees were doing Pushapa

Abhishek of Guru Maharaj. HG Kunti Mata Ji sang her favourite bhajan “Gurudev Kripa karke Charano Mein Jagah Dena” which touched the heart of every one present there for the abhishek.HG Indranuj Pr had an interesting GK quiz based on Maharaj ji’s life & likes to check how much his devotees know about their Guru Maharaj. Maharaj Ji

personally distributed gifts to the winners of the quiz. The sankirtan party (prabhat pheri) along with around 600 devotees’ thundered the Udhampur city with tumultuous Hari Naam. Sankirtan & in between inviting Udhampur residents to take park in the celebration followed by grand feast. In the evening Srila Guru Maharaj distributed sweets

and juices to guests present in temple campus. This was followed by personal offering & gifts from Guru Maharaj Disciples and well wishers. The last attraction of the day was Charana abhishek done by HG Sanjay Vyas Pr followed by birthday feast enjoyed in prasadam hall.

Initiation ceremony May 23rd 2013

In Bhakti-Rasamata-sindhu, Srila Rupa Goswami states that the first element of the process of devotional service is guru-padasrayah, taking shelter of the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual master. This means complete offering or surrender of one’s very body, mind, words, and heart to Srila Gurudev.

So the most awaited day came on 23rd May for all theaspiring devotees who wanted to take shelter of Srila Gurudev; who officially took charge of taking the surrender souls back to Godhead. This is the second biggest initiation ceremony after 2003 when Srila Gurudev accepted more than 40 fallen souls under his shelter. Most of the devotees felt ecstatic since they

were waiting for this day for a very long period, someeven waited as long as 14 years. In the morning HG Sanjay Pr & HG Sudarshan Pr briefed aspiring devotees about Guru Sishya relationship and many other useful and important aspects related to the initiation.

By 10am devotees gathered in the initiation hall, but they were informed that Srila Guru Maharaj will be coming at 1300 Hrs. but when Guru Maharajji didn’t come even at 1pm, some seniors’ devotees suggested from their own experiences that they should call Srila Guru Maharaj from bottom of their hearts; only then His Holiness will come. Devotees started kirtans in all kind of their own melodies tunes.

As per the practice the aspiring devotees were to fast even from water till initiation, since the weather was hot everyone was feeling thirsty. Every min seemedlike hours for devotees. After waiting till 1500 hrs devotees came out of temple premises and went out in heat in front of Srila Gurudev room and started praying heavily for his mercy. Soon to bless the surrendered souls Srila Gurudev came out. Devotees followed him to temple premises making roaringsound of Jai Gurdev !! Jai Gurudev !!

Srila Gurudev gave few instructions to all the aspiring devotees regarding surrendering of disciples to Guru Disciple Parampara. One by one devotee came and

took oaths for following the regulative principles. Srila Gurudev gave each their new names simultaneously. This was followed by Yagya (Fire Sacrifice) Ceremony.

Soon the temple premises started being heard with chattering sound of “Bhiksham Dehi”. New devotees started asking for Dakshina for pleasure of Srila Gurudev. This process lowers our ego which is necessary to progress in spiritual path. Everyone enjoyed feasting after this grand celebration.

Prabhat Pheri

This is one of the Guru Maharaj favourite schedule program for every centre and temple for spreading the holy name. Since 1988 once it is started it has never stopped till now. Every early morning devotes try to wake up the sleeping souls by doing Hari Naam Sankirtan in every small passage of location.

They invite them to come to the temple and join Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu movement. Udhampur prabhat pheri became more blissful when group of gurukul children performed wonderful dancing & kirtan and encouraged all to engage in devotional service of their Lordships. Sankirtan also helps old and frequent visitors to revive & refresh their forgotten actual position.

Harinaam Prabhu Ki Jai !!!

jagannath rath yatra

Jagannath Ratha Yatra Festival, the most important festival of Lord Jagannath commences on the 10 July, Wednesday and Return Car Festival 'Bahuda Jatra' on 18 July this year. This colourful festival which draws millions of devotees from various parts of the country as well as from abroad to Puri, is held in June-July every year. Lord Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, comes out of His sanctum sanctorum to give Darshan to all Devotees belonging to all sects and communities.lt is said that those who take part in the Car Festival earn their passage to the Heaven.

'Snana Pumima' marks the beginning of this festival. On this day the three deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra take prolonged bath on an open platform known as 'Snana Bedi', Then they retire for 15 days popularly called the period of 'Anabasara' and remain in isolation. During this period, no public worship is performed. After 15 days of isolation, the Gods come out of the temple in a colourful procession to board their respective Chariots and thereafter begins the journey known as "Ratha Yatra'.

The much famous Temple Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath, takes place in Puri. On the first day, the Jagannath temple images are carried through the street in three huge thundering chariots which have made this event internationally known. Nine days later, the journey is repeated in the opposite direction. To witness this festival is an experience of a life time.

The chariot of Lord Jagannath, known as 'Nandighose', is 23 cubits high and has 18 wheels. The chariot of Balabhadra, which is 22 cubits in height and has 16 wheels, is named 'Taladwaja'. 'Devadalan' the chariot of Subhadra, is 21 cubits in height and has 14 wheels.

The chariots are made anew every year in accordancewith strict and ancient specifications and are pulled by several thousand devotees at a time. In terms of splendor and fervent devotion, the Car Festival is one of the world's most incredible spectacles.

Jai Jagannath !!

Jai Balabhadra !!

Jai Subhadra !!

vaishnav calendar

2nd JulyDD of Sri

Srivasa Pandita

3rd JulyFasting for

Yogini Mahadvadashi

8th JulyDD of Sri Gadadara

Pandita/ Srila Bhakti Vinod

Thakura

9th JulyGundica Marjana

10th JulyDD of Sri Savrupa

Damodara Goswami/ Sri

Sivananda Sena/ Rath Yatra

Starts

13 JulyHera Pancami

14th JulyDD of Sri

Vakresvara Pandita

18th JulyReturn of

Rath Yatra

19th JulyFasting for

Sayana Ekadasi

22nd JulyDD of Sri Santana

Goswami/ Guru (Vyas) Purnima

23rd JulyFirst month of Chaturmasya

begins (Fast for Green leafy

Vegetables for 1month)

27th JulyDD of Srila

Gopala Bhatta Goswami

30th JulyDD of Srila

Loknath Goswami

31st JulyThe incorporation

of ISKCON in New York

* DD : Disappearance Day

Book Distribution (kheer bhawani fest)

Srimad Bhagwatam

English 1 Set

Bhagwat Gita

Hindi 116 Nos.

Urdu 72 Nos.

English 33 Nos.

Krishna Book Hindi 8 Nos.

Medium Books 50 Nos. Small Books 100 Nos.

birthdays

2nd JulyMeera DD (New

Delhi) / Hari Bhakti DD

(Mumbai) / Nikhil Sarin, (Gurgaon)

3rd JulyAchyut Rai

Das, (Udhampur)

7th JulyBhagwan

Khemchandani, (Lucknow)

6th JulyAradhya,

(Udhampur)

9th JulyAjay Goel,

(Udhampur)

10th JulySudhir Garg, (Lucknow) /Mangatram

Sharma, (Udhampur)

13th JulyKrishna Gopal

Singla, (Jammu) /

Vibha, (Jammu)

14th JulyShyamapriya DD,

(Udhampur)

16th JulySona Gupta,

Jammu)

18th JulyVarun Bhanot,

(Jammu)

22nd JulySoni,

(Washington)

23rd JulyAsha Gupta, (Udhampur)

26th JulyGirish Ahuja,

(Amritsar)Vijay Gupta,

(Jammu)

28th JulyAdi Kavi Das, (Pune) /

Ashok Kumar Gupta, (Udhampur)