Bhaktivedanta Manor

Delighted to announce that our very own temple president, Visakha Dasi at Bhaktivedanta Manor has interviewed with Keith Vaz from Lyca Radio to share her memories of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, her photography and the books she has written as well as the creation of the famous award-winning documentary 'Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all!' and much more...

Tune into Lyca Radio to celebrate their 222nd edition tomorrow, Sunday 22nd September 2024 at 9am ✨

Our Home: Spiritual world is our home. The soul is from that place. To take the soul out of that land of selfless love and devotion is like throwing a fish on the sand and that’s where we are now, on the sand of material existence.

HH Radhanath Swami

Hare Krishna,

Today is a very special day. It is Bhadra Purnima and it is the day Grantha Raj Srimad Bhagavatam, the king of all scriptures, was finished speaking by Shukadeva Goswami.

Seeing the Srimad Bhagavatam as the solution to the problems of Kali Yuga The Lord wanted its message to be spread around the world. Therefore He gave an amazing benediction that whoever supports this purpose by gifting a Srimad Bhagavatam on Bhadra Purnima day will attain the trascendental destination in their next life.

Please take advantage of this opportunity and take, gift or sponsor a set.
If you would like to but are unable to sponsor a full set, don't worry. Team up with others and part sponsor a set.
www.krishnatemple.com/bhadra

Give the gift of Srimad Bhagavatam to anyone in the world through our cross-border gifting programme. Gifting to someone in India in super simple:
www.tinyurl.com/gift2india.
For gifting in UK: www.krishnatemple.com/bhadra
For other countries, message us.

Your servants,
The GoMatsya Team

The holy name, chanting if the holy name, if we act it properly, without any offense, then we are directly in connection with Krishna.

Vrindavan, September 16, 1976
Srila Prabhupada

Shraddha
17 September – 2 October 2024

Shraddha is a time for expressing our love and gratitude to our departed family members by making offerings to help them on their onward journey.

Shraddha lasts for one fortnight from the beginning of the lunar month of Ashwin, which this years falls from the 17 September until the 2 October inclusive.

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Ceremony at Bhaktivedanta Manor
There will be daily Shraddha ceremonies at the temple.

The ceremony will be led by a priest consisting of

Sankalpa, Pitri Tarpana (offering of Water to ancestors ) & Go Puja / feeding of the cows.

Please book in advance via our website so we can make sure that we have enough facilities. Further information can also be found on our website.

https://www.krishnatemple.com/event/shraddha-2024/

Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Monday 16 September 2024

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur (1838-1914) is a prominent preceptor acharya in our succession of spiritual masters and disciples coming from Lord Krishna. He was a pioneering spiritual leader, a householder, a magistrate working in colonial India under the British rule, a prolific preacher, writer, and poet. He wrote volumes of books reintroducing the pure teachings of Lord Chaitanya at a time when those teachings had practically become lost. He composed hundreds of devotional songs glorifying Krishna to uplift the consciousness of the suffering people of this world. He corresponded with philosophers, theologians, leaders, scholars, and professors of his time and sent books, including The Life and Precepts of Lord Chaitanya, to university libraries in foreign countries, planting the seeds for a worldwide movement of Krishna consciousness. Bhaktivinoda Thakur discovered and excavated the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya. Along with his devoted wife, Bhagavati Devi, he raised ten children, including the illustrious Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, who would become a great spiritual leader in his own time and the spiritual master of ISKCON’s founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Schedule (Subject to change)
Location: Temple Room

4:30pm – Kirtan & Bhajans
5:30pm – Class by Jaya Krishna Das
6:15pm – Drama
6:30pm – Pushpanjali & Guru Puja
7pm – Gaura Arati

Srimati Radharani's beautiful cake offerings ✨💕

🪷🌷🌸 Happy Radhastami 🌸🌷🪷

One day when Sri Vrishabhanu Maharaj, the king of Raval, went to the Yamuna river to take his daily morning bath, he was struck with wonder when he saw a glorious golden unearthly beautiful lotus flower which was radiating a divine effulgence. Being mesmerised by the transcendental thousand petaled lotus flower, he approached it, inside he saw a most amazing, gorgeous, delicate, divine baby girl, lying on the whorl of the flower. 

Since he had been praying for a daughter from his worshipable Lord, the Sun god, he immediately took the baby girl in his lap and accepted her as the blessing of the Sun God.

Taking her home, he joyously told his wife, Devi Kirtida, about the incident, and they both bathed the child with tears of love which were incessantly flowing from their eyes. Oblivious to the fact that they had received the original Laxmi and the consort of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, as their daughter, they simply thought of her as their very dear child and showered all their maternal affection upon her. 

Despite their unbounded happiness, they were greatly saddened by the fact that their daughter was not opening her eyes, because of which they did not celebrate her birth with the residents of Raval. 

However, anticipating the appearance of Srimati Radhika, Narada Muni went to the house of Vrishabhanu Maharaj. Narada Muni inquired about his children, however due to their daughter being blind, they did not inform him about her. Upon being insistent and asking repeatedly, Narada Muni was finally told about Srimati Radhika.

Narada Muni then instructed them to arrange for a big festival to celebrate her birth, in which they should invite Nanda Maharaj and Krishna. During this festival, Sri Krishna crawled to the cot of Radha and peered inside. Realising that her dearmost beloved was present before her, she opened her lotus like eyes and took darshan of Sri Krishna. 

Seeing the miraculous event, all the Vrajavasis were over joyed and celebrated the occasion in great ecstacy. In this way Srimati Radhika appeared in this world to perfrom pastimes with Sri Krishna to attract all the living entities.

Radhastami 🌷🪷
Wednesday 11 September 2024

Srimati Radharani’s glorious appearance on this planet occurred on this day around 5,000 years ago. She is the divine female energy of Lord Krishna, His loving potency, which He is all attracted by.

She is the foremost maha-bhagavata, the greatest devotee. Krishna is all-attractive, but Radharani is so great that she attracts even Krishna. Five thousand years ago, when Lord Krishna came to this planet to perform His pastimes, Srimati Radharani also appeared.

On Radhastami day, devotees meditate on the exalted position of Srimati Radharani and offer prayers to her.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.krishnatemple.com/event/radhastami-2024/

🌟 Hinduism Demystified with HH Keshava Swami 🌟

Join us for an enlightening exploration of Hinduism, the world’s oldest tradition. In this thought-provoking series, we’ll delve into fundamental questions:

* Cultural Religion or Universal Spirituality?
* Unity in Diversity
* Myth or Reality?
* One God or Many?
* Caste System and Idol Worship
* Life’s Ultimate Questions

Seek clarity with S.B Keshava Swami for 4 online sessions followed by an in person day retreat on Saturday 12th October 2024 at Bhaktivedanta Manor 🙏✨

🗓Tues 3rd - 24th Sept 2024
⏰8:00 PM – 9:15 PM
💰£20

Sign up here: https://www.krishnatemple.com/civicrm/event/register/?reset=1&id=1186

We were delighted to welcome 's to Bhaktivedanta Manor's Janmashtami celebrations last weekend!

Listen to her interview with who shares what the festival is about, what Janmashtami means to and hear from who was serving thousands of pizzas in the food tent!

📻 🔊 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jltrng

The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna 🪷🙏🏻

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2024
Forever grateful 🧡

Important Notice - Monday 26th August 2024

Hare Krishna,

We are truly grateful for your devotion and desire to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami with us at Bhaktivedanta Manor. The temple doors are always open for those who wish to have darshan of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda.
However, we regret to inform you that our temple and grounds have now reached their maximum capacity. For the health and safety of all our guests, we cannot have more people onsite at this time.

While our aim is to welcome all devotees, we are obliged to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone. Unfortunately, we are simply unable to accommodate any more visitors at this time. We deeply apologise for any disappointment this may cause and sincerely hope that you will still be able to celebrate this auspicious occasion with joy and devotion.

Please know that Krishna sees and appreciates your sincere efforts to be with Him, and we join you in prayers for a spiritually fulfilling Janmashtami.

Thank you for your understanding.

Krishna's Birthday Cake 🎂

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.

Bhagavad Gita 4.7

Janmashtami from above ✨

Hare Krishna,

To ensure everyone’s safety as final preparations take place for the upcoming Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival (Sun 25 & Mon 26 Aug 2024), the site will be temporarily closed on Saturday 24 August 2024 from 10am onwards. Access only for staff, registered volunteers and contractors. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Appearance of Lord Balarama

Monday 19 August 2024
Temple Room

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balarama is His second body. They are both one and the same identity. They differ only in form. In Lord Krishna’s pastimes, He plays as Krishna’s older brother. Together Krishna and Balarama enact many pastimes as cowherd boys in the land of Vrindavan.

Lord Balarama exemplifies the service attitude to Krishna. His only mission is to please Krishna by rendering service to Him, whether it is in the creation of the material worlds, maintaining the spiritual world or as His personal paraphernalia.

Lord Balarama is the eternal companion of Sri Krishna. He came as Laxman with Rama and later as Sri Nityananda Prabhu with Lord Caitanya. He is the original spiritual master, and any one desiring to make spiritual progress must first get the mercy of Lord Balarama.

Balaram Jayanti, the appearance of Lord Balarama, celebrates the activities and pastimes of Lord Krishna’s brother, Lord Balarama. There will be kirtans, dramas, ceremonies, and a feast. Open for everyone.

Jhulan Yatra of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda ✨

Jhulan Yatra, also known as the Swing Festival, is among the most auspicious festivals celebrated. It is a festival to celebrate Radha Krishna’s pastime of swinging on a golden swing everyday until Balarama-purnima. We celebrate the sacred festival of Jhulan Yatra (Swing festival) in the auspicious sacred month of Shravana (July-Aug).

The Deities of Radha and Krishna are placed on an beautifully decorated swing in the temple hall. After receiving the traditional arati worship, the Deities are pushed on their swing. Swing is decorated with all types of flowers and different creepers and leaves to give a feel as if the swing has appeared directly from Vrndavan, the holy place of Lord Krishna.

Everyone is welcome to come and offer flowers and swing their Lordships.

Schedule
Morning: 7am
Evening: 4:15pm - 6:15pm

Jhulan Yatra ✨
Fri 16 – Mon 19 August 2024

The four-day celebration of Jhulan at Bhaktivedanta Manor, when Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda are placed on a swing and swung by Their devotees, is a joyous occasion.

During this special time all of us can throng to the temple and please the transcendental eternal forms of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda. These transcendental forms of the Lord, called Archa-Vigraha, are installed in the temple and are non-different from Them personally. These forms are expanded by the Lord by His internal potency to facilitate the devotional service of His innumerable devotees who are in the material world.

Since our material senses cannot perceive the spiritual nature of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda, They accept such Archa Vigraha apparently made of a material element such as marble, but actually there is no material contamination. The Supreme Personality of Godhead and His eternal consort are waiting for us to fill our hearts with transcendental happiness by serving Their beautiful transcendental forms as They swing at Bhaktivedanta Manor during Jhulan-yatra.

Schedule:
Morning 7am
Evening 4:45pm-6:15pm

https://www.krishnatemple.com/event/jhulan-yatra-2024/

Sadhu Sanga with Sivarama Swami
Friday 9 August 2024 | 7pm - 9pm | Temple Room

In 1973, Sivarama Swami joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a dynamic organisation representing Vaishnavism, and became a disciple of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Six years later, at age 29, he entered a life of renunciation and was awarded the order of sannyasa (celibate monk). In 1987 he was ordained as an initiating spiritual master in the Vaishnava denomination.

Sivarama Swami is an internationally acknowledged religious leader, theologian, author of 23 books and dozens of articles, and an environmental and human rights activist. His scholarship and writings, his extensive public activities, his continued efforts to stand up for human rights, and his regular involvement in interfaith dialogues have made Sivarama Swami one of the most prominent religious leaders in Europe.

Join us for an evening of Sadhu Sanga ✨

5 Days To Go! 💐

Ox Parade & Harvest Festival! 🐂🌾🌿
Sunday 11th August 2024

For the second time in ISKCON UK history, 14 oxen will line up in pairs and take part in a parade around the iconic Bhaktivedanta Manor grounds!

It certainly won't be something to miss. Save the date and tell your friends and family about this!

Srila Prabhupāda had a desire to see oxen working the land side by side with the devotees. He wanted us to remember the bull as a fatherly figure in our lives. This procession is for His pleasure.

Our altar deities, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda will be joining us. ♥️

We'll see you there!

👇🏽 Schedule 👇🏽

9:45am – The parade begins outside the temple. Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda will board Their cart!

10:30am – along with joyful kirtans, we journey through pasturing lands and reach our organic farming area to celebrate our harvest, and hear from the devotees.

12pm – We head back to New Gokul Farm singing and dancing!