Radhashtami is the celebration of the advent of Shrimati Radharani in this world over five thousand years ago. Lord Krishna is the male aspect of God, the energetic source of the supreme energy, and Shrimati Radharani is the female aspect, the energy. So when Krishna descends, Shrimati Radharani also descends.

On this day in particular, we have to get the mercy of Radha in order to get Krishna’s mercy. Radharani is simultaneously the personification of devotion for Krishna, as well as the ideal example of what being a devotee means. The word “Radha” comes from the word aradhana (worship), and so Her name indicates that She possesses the topmost method of worship and devotion to Krishna.

As Prabhupada pointed out on Radhashtami in London in 1973:

“Anyone who comes before Radharani to serve Krishna, she becomes so pleased, “Oh, here is a devotee of Krishna,” She immediately recommends that person, “Krishna, here is a devotee. He is better than me”. This is Radharani. I may not be a devotee. I may be the most fallen rascal. But if I try to reach Krishna through Radharani, then my business is successful…[On this day], we should offer pushpanjali [flowers] and pray, “Radharani, kindly be merciful and tell about me to Krishna. Krishna is yours.” Krishna is not independent. Krishna is Radharani’s property. So you have to approach Krishna though Radharani. Today is an auspicious day. Worship Radharani very nicely and be happy.”

Festival Schedule *(subject to change)*

Wednesday 15 September 2010

4.30am – Mangal Arati [ceremony of worship]

7am – Shrila Prabhupada Guru Puja [worship of the guru]

7.30am – Greeting of Their Lordships (flower outfit)

7.35am – Shri Radhika-stava and bhajan [hymn]

8.15am – Skit: “The Box” by Varshabhanavi devi dasi

8:30am – Class by H.H. Jayadvaita Swami

10am – Abhishek [bathing of the Deities)

11am - Bhajans by Chakrini devi dasi & the Gurukul (Manor School Alumni) team

Noon - Bhog Arati song

12.30pm - Midday Arati - 108 offerings (second-initiated brahman cooks only)

1pm - Gift Ceremony for Shrimati Radharani

2pm - Feast

4.30pm Pushpa [flower] Abhishek or Swing Festival of small Radha & Krishna Deities

7pm – Gaura Arati

7.40pm – Shyam Dance by the Gurukulis in the Theatre

8pm – Bhajans by Pranabandhu das’s Temple Band

9pm – Charan Darshan (viewing of the lotus feet of Shrimati Radharani) & distribution of Maha-cake (offered to Radharani)

• Note: NO PHOTOS (Taking photos during this viewing is strictly prohibited)

9pm – Bhajans continue until approximately 10.30pm

Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East and the Mayor of Harrow Cllr Asad Omar opened the event.

“I congratulate everyone who has taken part in the Walk- – raising money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital which is a great cause,” said Bob Blackman MP. “The event also promoted the proper treatment of cows which are an important aspect of our society”.

“This is an annual event which benefits local charities. This year we supported the Great Ormond Street Hospital,” explained Sheila Chauhan, the organiser of the Walk.

The Walk was also to promote a new milk quality marked as ‘Ahimsa’. Those milk products with the Ahimsa mark will represent milk which comes from cows which will kept free from slaughter.

Most farms in the UK will slaughter their cows for human or domestic animal consumption after about five years of their milking life. However, the Ahimsa campaign is looking to collaborate with farms to take care of their cows until they die naturally. A pilot is soon to be launched where people can purchase Ahimsa milk through a collection scheme.

“This premium milk will offer consumers the chance to avoid buying from an industry which is based around slaughter and suffering, and instead buy from a fresh new alternative” said Mr Sanjay Tanna, Director of the Lotus Trust.

You can learn more about Ahimsa milk on the website: www.lotustrust.org/ahimsa

The Lotus Trust is an educational, relief and development agency seeking to
transform lives and improve the environment both in the UK and overseas.
www.thelotustrust.org

Spiritualized Living

Learn simple living, high thinking, live with the monks, study the spiritual sciences, and experience your inner self with the possibility of extending your stay for the biggest Janmashtami festival outside of India. You will be participating and involved in organising this most important and significant of events in the Vaisnava calender.

Gain new skills and experience

Classes and workshops will be held 4 days a week with accompanying general temple services.

As well as this, acquire new or improve upon existing skills and experience in the following areas; devotional singing, learning Vedic instruments, book distribution, street procession (Harinam),cooking, milking cows, farming etc.

Fees

A nominal charge of £40 will be asked to cover basic costs of course resources etc. Concessions or sponsorships can be available for those with limited resources.

Course Outline

Classes and workshops for The Spirituality Quest will be geared around basic Vedic concepts such as:

* The Search for the Absolute Truth / 3 Pramanas / 4 Defects
* The Existence of God
* Faith and Doubt
* Creation / Universal Time
* Yoga of the Supreme Being

To commend success in completing the course, students will be awarded certificates.

NB: Please note there are limited places on this course and there is an application form to be completed and sent back to us ASAP.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada

Kanhaiya Das
Brahmachari Ashram

Bhaktivedanta Manor
Hilfield Lane, Aldenham,
Watford, Hertfordshire
WD25 8EZ (UK)

E-mail: ashram@krishnatemple.com
Daytime phone number: 07930 464 750 / 01923 851 000

Blessed with pleasant summer sunshine, thousands of festival-goers, pilgrims and devotees from all over the world participated in this 5000-year old extravaganza. The faithful hand-pulled the three 40-foot high exquisitely decorated chariots carrying the sacred deities of Lord Jagannatha (“The Lord of the Universe”) , Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. All along the parade route was a colourful procession of devotional singers, musicians and dancers, as London pulsated to sacred sounds.

The procession concluded at one of the most famous landmarks in the world, Trafalgar Square, where families enjoyed a wide variety of demonstrations and exhibitions, including a thrilling display on the main stage of dance, song, drama and even choral music! No ISKCON festival, however, would be complete without prasadam – sacred spiritual food – which was distributed liberally to everyone present.

Media coverage for the event was extensive, including BBC TV and Radio, ITV, Zee TV and Star TV.

Roll on the chariot wheels in 2011!

To view more photos, visit:

http://davidc.zenfolio.com/rathayatra2010

Where: Fryent Country Park, Kingsbury, NW9 9SG

All proceeds will support:

- The Ahimsa Slaughter Free Milk Dairy
- Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Bhaktivedanta Manor School Minibus

REGISTER HERE NOW »

Call Champak Lata: 07908 757334
Email Heerel: heerel@thelotustrust.org

Sponsorship?
We are actively seeking sponsors for this high-profile event (to cover food, gift-bags, marketing, t-shirts, etc).

For sponsorship call Prashant on 07769 650056

The calf has been named Mukti.

See her photos below!

looking up…

On the festival day, a play was performed by community children and a special fire yajna for the protection of the temple and devotee community followed. After that, many devotees travelled to the West End of London for Harinama sankirtan (public chanting) joining amongst others the devotees from the Soho Street Temple.

Photos from the day

Lord Narasimha fights and defeats the demon Hiranyakasipu!

More of the cast…

A fire yajna for the blessings and protection of the devotees

To download it, click here.