£750,000 grant received for centre
Stolen River movie- -the urgent plight of the Yamuna
The award winning documentary about the urgent plight of the Yamuna River was screened in the Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Haveli. Directed by devotee Krisztina Danka PhD, the film focuses on six young people in rural India set out on a journey to find out who is poisoning their sacred river Yamuna, causing many people and animals to fall sick and even die. By the time they arrive at the foothills of the Himalayas, a shocking reality unfolds in front of them: their river has been “stolen” and replaced by an open flow of sewage, causing a major ecological disaster affecting tens...
Russell Brand’s 12-step recovery group
Early October, Russell Brand and members from his 12-step recovery group attended Bhaktivedanta Manor for a full-day retreat. Visakha dasi and Kripa Moya das introduced the guests to Srila Prabhupada and took them on a full tour of the estate, especially including the temple room and the Bhagavad-gita walk around the lake. Later there were also bullock-cart rides and cow-milking! – Bhuta bhavana das opened the sessions of the day with intention setting and led a heart changing japa session. Radhika Ranjan das led the group through two soul lifting and dance inducing kirtans. At the days end, all...
Thanking our crucial volunteers
The management of Bhaktivedanta Manor are extremely grateful to everyone who gives up so much of their free-time to volunteer at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Whatever the service, whenever it is, their efforts are crucial to the running of such a huge devotional project. That especially applies to Janmashtami and other large festivals, for without a strong volunteering base, such wonderful events would not be possible. The Volunteers Care Council (VCC) is headed up by Krsnapurna dasi and her committed team and saying that their efforts are ‘remarkable’ is an understatement! Krishna Purna dasi Previously, the annual volunteers Thank You evenings were...
The Holy Names at 125 stations
In observance of 125 years since the birth of Srila Prabhupada on 1st September 1896, devotees from across the South East of England have embarked on an exciting and ambitious adventure: A dedicated team are currently on a ‘chanting marathon’, performing hari namas at 125 train stations and their adjacent areas across the boroughs of the British capital. By mid October this year they had already graced the Holy Names at every stop along the Northern Line and nearly completed the Jubilee Line! – – –
Avanti Foundation acquires Branston Hall
The Avanti Foundation is pleased to announce its acquisition of Branston Hall, Lincoln, as part of its continued development of well-being and educational resources. The fifty-roomed heritage estate, including a lake and 75 acres of grounds, much of which is arable, will host residential retreats and other events based on Krishna conscious teachings and practice. The aim is to become the country’s leading retreat venue for spiritual nourishment and education and will work in collaboration with and as a natural next step for various projects linked with the Manor, such as School of Bhakti, Kirtan London, Avanti Schools Trust, OMNOM...
Youth Reconnect at the Haveli
In mid September as the summer drew to a close, 55 of the Manor youth gathered in the Sri Krishna Haveli to meet old friends and new at the aptly named “Reconnect” event. The gathering saw both Manor nursery and Gurukul alumni, and many others who have also been born and raised in the Manor community, get together to engage in energising activities, deep discussion, rocking kirtan and delicious prasadam. This event came about after a longing of the youth to gather more frequently and connect more deeply than has been possible this last 18 months and beyond. An elated...