Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Announcement 13/11/2004

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this announcement can also be viewed online at www.iskcon.org.au/announcement_2004_11_13.htm

Govardhan Puja and Diwali celebrations

What is it all about?

The festival of Govardhana Puja was first inaugarated over 5,000 years when Lord Krishna asked his father to worship the Govardhana Hill instead of performing the Indra yajna. At that time Indra become very upset and began incessantly showering the Vrindavana area with torrential rains for 7 days.

Indra then recognising the supremacy of the Lord worshipped the Lord at Govinda kund. Here is a picture of the place.

The festival commerating the event will be celebrated at the temple tonight starting at 5.00 pm

Diwali - the New Year

Srila Prabhupada has explained that this Diwali ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramacandra, while Lord Ramacandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years banishment by the order of His father. His younger step-brother Bharata, took charge of the Kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramacandra took back the charge again from His brother, and seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali function. This is the original idea of Diwali, and Dipabali. Dipabali means the same thing--Dipa means candles, and bali means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Dipabali.

Temple report for the New Year

ISKCON Brisbane has had a successful year thanks to the combined efforts of all of the devotees. At last count over 70 initiated devotees perform regular devotional service for the temple community. This includes catering, temple worship, restaurants, cleaning, cooking, book distribution, gardening, maintenance, office work, and congregational preaching. To all the devotees a big thank you.

Many of you may not be fully aware of the diverse activities and we are herewith submitting the current status quo.

  • Govindas Restaurant - over $20,000 was spent on the purchase of new equipment, opening hours have been extended, Murari Prabhu was appointed as the head cook. Average of 180 patrons frequent the restaurants, the profits of which help to maintain the temple. Now in it's 15 year of operation it is the place many people in Brisbane recognise as the face of the Hare Krishna movement. The premises also double as the Sunday feast venue which starts at 5.00pm every Sunday. (more information see www.brisbanegovindas.com.au)
  • Krishna's Cafe - along with the restaurant in the city, the temple also operates a budget restaurant in Brisbane's West End suburb. Here many students and local business people find the calm and relaxing atmosphere provided by Krishnapada Prabhu and his wife Tulsi dasi, and assisted by Bhaktin Fayne and Silpa Karini Mataji, to be a perfect environment for learning about Krishna consciousness. Open Monday to Friday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm it is the perfect place to visit next time you are in that part of town. For more information please contact Krishnapada Das at krishnapada@hotmail.com
  • Saturday night sat-sanga program - This prorgam of regularly meeting on Saturday nights at 5.00 pm for a program of chanting, classes, chanting and feasting has now become so popular that it is hard to accomodate the well over 200 people who attend on a regular basis. Co-ordinated by Rampriya Prabhu and members of the festival committee the program is a perfect opportunity to visit the temple, associate with the devotees, and to help render devotional service. For more information please contact Rampriya Prabhu at rampriyadas@iprimus.com.au
  • Sunday Feast - Every week starting at 5.00 pm up to 200 people attend the world-famous Hare Krishna Love feast. Long time devotee Garuda Prabhu and his successor Janaka Prabhu have made the weekly program into a great success. For many people it is the first contact with the devotees and many people have become devotees from seeing the sincerity and wonderful atmosphere that exists between the devotees. For more information contact Janaka Prabhu at inubainu@hotmail.com
  • New Temple Project - The timeline for the completion of the building application certification is now only 3 weeks away. Thanks to the generous support of one of our longstanding supporters, funds to pay professional consultants have allowed us to speed up the work required to the stage were we will be shortly getting the earthworks started for construction. Full details will be published in the next newsletter so stay tuned! For further information contact Taraka dasi at taraka@iskcon.org.au
  • Catering - Braja Gauranaga Prabhu and his team of assistants have a regular program at which they provide catering for large festivals as well as individualised events. As well as providing prasadam the team also generates a substantial portion of the weekly temple budget. The next event will be at the Sherwood markets on the 19th November. If you are able to volunteer your services for any of the catering events please contact Braj Gauranga Prabhu at braj_108@hotmail.com
  • Book Distribution - headed by Dhruva das brahmacari and assisted by Bhakta Seean there is a daily program for the distribution of transcendental literature. Dhruva reports that many librarires in Queensland now stock a collection of Srila Prabhupada's books thanks to his persistence in following through interested government purchasing officers. Dhruva also attends many of the catering festivals at which is able to do a good trade in transcendental literature. More information available from Dhruva das at dhruva_dasa@hotmail.com
  • Temple Worship - The worship of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai is currently being performed by many devotees in the Brisbane community.Our Head Pujari Mukunda Prabhu after many years of service has gone to India for 4 months leaving us all an additional opportunity to do some intimate seva for the Lord. If you would like to assist pleas consult the current deity worship roster found at http://www.iskcon.org.au/deity_worship.pdf
  • Children Classes - under the guidance of Vilas Manjari and Taraka Matajies, over 25 children receive weekly interactive classes on Krishna conscious at the temple. Every Saturday afternoon starting at 5.30 pm children of ages 5 and above are welcome to attend to further their understanding of the Vedic culture. For registration please write to Taraka at taraka@iskcon.org.au
  • Youth Activities - The Brisbane temple has a large group of devotees who have attended the gurukula and together with other interested youth they have regular activities and events they participate in. For more information please contact Nitya-nadia Bihari Dasi at nadia_atyourfeet@hotmail.com
  • The Gaura Nitai Dance and Drama troupe - has performed at numerous temple festival functions much to the delight of the guests. Nadia also performs traditional Indian dancing and has become a celebrity in local circles for her wonderful performances. She is also available for classes during which she teaches dancing. Please contact her at nadia_atyourfeet@hotmail.com
  • Bhakti vrksha program - For those not able to get to the temple on a regular basis there are regulalr Sunday programs held at the home of Sakhi Ray Prabhu where new aspirants can come together and hear about the philosophy of Krishna consciousness and become enlivened. Want to know more then please email shreeji@in.com.au for an invitation.
  • The Loft - The latest addition to the temple venues for getting informed about Krishna is to visit the Loft. Situated opposite Govindas restaurant on the first floor at 99 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, and it is open Sunday's from 2 to 4 pm for Orissan dancing, then Tuesdays and Thrusdays from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm for hatha yoga, and Fridays from 6.30 to 8 pm for "Ancient Rhymes for Modern Times" - Bhagavad Gita discussion group. There is also a childrens playgroup during the Sunday feast program. For more information call Param Satya dasi 04 3194 9356 or email Sitapati das at sitapati@iskcon.org.au The Loft website address is www.theloftbrisbane.info


    How to find us

    The Hare Krishna Temple is at 95 Bank Road , Graceville.

    Telephone (07) 3379 5455.

    By train Take the Ipswich line to Graceville Station (west side). Bank Road is opposite the station by the shops. Follow the road to the end, bearing left. Continue to the end of the road to the Temple.