Hare Krishna,Hare Rama! ‘Janmasthtami’ and ISKCON’s 50th Anniv
“I am impressed with how much the teachings of one man and the spiritual tradition he brought impacted themselves into the lives of so many people.” – Dr. Harvey Cox, Professor Emeritus Harvard University
“A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is doing valuable work and his books are significant contributions to the salvation of mankind.”- Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Former Prime Minister of India
“The Hare Krishna movement… is historically very significant, for now, for the first time since the days of the Roman Empire, an Asian religion is being openly practiced by people of western origin in the streets of western cities- Dr. A. L Basham, author of “The Glory That Was India”
Mangaluru: Hare Krishna, Hare Rama! Thousands to Celebrate Janmashtami, Lord Krishna’s Appearance Day and the ISKCON’s Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary- 1966-2016). Addressing the media persons during the press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Nama Nishtha Das, Manager, The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Nantoor-Mangaluru said, ” Janmashtami, the Appearance Day, or birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, will be celebrated by ISKCON on August 25, from 9 am to Midnight at TMA Pai International Convention Centre MG Road Mangaluru. The Sanskrit wisdom texts, the Vedas, explain that God is the all-attractive person and most dear friend of everyone- That’s why ‘Janmashtami’, the ‘Appearance Day of Lord Krishna’, is one of the most celebrated events all over the World.”
He furthers said, “Today ‘Janmashtami’ is celebrated by people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds across the world; but Krishna’s global fame has only fully evolved in the past few decades. A big reason for his increased popularity is due to the ISKCON movement, which celebrates its own 50th Anniversary this year. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) began in New York City. ‘Janmashtami’ will be celebrated at ISKCON temples around the world, and here in Mangaluru, with a variety of drama performances, live Bhajans, mantra chanting, Darshan of Deities, pravachans,, and various competitions for kids. Up to Five Thousand devotees expected to attend throughout the evening. Open to the public-All are welcome.”
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Nama Nishtha Das said, “ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada taught that the path to happiness is not found in material pursuits, but in simple living, high thinking, and in awakening love of God—Lord Krishna. Over the last 50 years, ISKCON has grown into an international community with more than 600 temples, 100 vegetarian restaurants, and 516 million books in print in 87 different languages. The society’s international food relief programs feed 1.2 million children each day in India alone. “It is due to Srila Prabhupada that the bhakti siddhanta advocated by Sri Madhvacharya reached an international level.” had said His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Pejavara Adhokshaja Matha, Udupi recently. He had also said that Srila Prabhupada holds the credit for spreading the philosophy of devotion to Sri Krishna along with a revolution in moral living all over the world.”
“ISKCON is rooted in the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya. It teaches that the soul is eternal and different from the body; that chanting God’s names, or mantra meditation of ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare RamaHare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’ can awaken knowledge of the self; and that healthy life comes through the practice of cleanliness, self-discipline, mercy, and truthfulness, as well as avoiding intoxication, illicit sex, meat-eating and gambling” added Das.
Shridhar Chaitanya Das-In-Charge of Children Competitions, Shivprasad K-Media Co-ordinator, Devotees Chaga Keleti from Hungary, and Smt.Prabhupada Priya Dasi from U.S.A. were also present on the dais during the press meet.
Janmashtami Celebrations :
Competitions for the Children 9 am to 4 pm; Golden Jubilee Celebrations( 50’th Anniversary of ISKCON) from 6 pm to 7 pm.
– Janmashtami Celebrations – the Appearance Day Celebration of Lord Krishna, with dramas, abhishek, Jhulan, kirtan, chanting, prasadam etc
– Foreign Devotees from Hungary, Brazil, USA etc will be participating the celebrations, along with local VIP guests to name a few , Nitte University Vinay Hegde, Sate Minister UT Khader, Entrepreneur Ajeet Kumar Malady
Program Details : Children Competitions -10 am to 4 pm : 10 am to 1 pm : Krishna Vesha Competition and Painting Competition; 2 pm to 3 pm : Shloka Recitation; 3 pm to 4 pm : Gita Quiz; 5 pm onwards : Prize Distribution
Janmashtami Celebrations – 7 pm to midnight : 7.00 pm : Drama; 07.45 pm : Pravachan; 8.30 pm : Abhishek; 10.00 pm : Pravachan; 10.30pm : Jhulan Utsav; 12.00 midnight : Mahamangal Arti; 12.30 am : Special Prasadam
About ISKCON :
ISKCON, also known as the Hare Krishna movement, was founded in New York City by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. Prabhupada was born Abhay Chandra De, who in 1932 became the disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. The Gaudiya Vaishnava Society, in recognition of De’s scholarship, bestowed on him the title of Bhaktivedanta — meaning one who has realized that devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the end of all knowledge. Later, he was known throughout the world as AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
It was on Thakura’s instructions that Prabhupada went to the US in 1965 to propagate the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Prabhupada’s spiritual master wanted the Bhagavad Gita to be known to the world and not to be restricted to India and Hindus. Prabhupada founded ISKCON in 1966 and since then it has expanded to 600 centres across the globe. The structure of the religious foundation follows the instructions laid down by Prabhupada. All ISKCON centres must fully comply with all local laws of governance that apply in whichever country they are located.
Each centre has to be self-sustaining. According to Prabhupada’s instructions, no funds received through donations, sale of books, restaurants or gifts and artefacts from one temple can be transferred to another. Each temple has to devise ways to raise funds. Hence the size of the temples depend on the donations from its patrons. There are 95,000 initiators (people who have been taken into the fold after being initiated by senior gurus/meditators) across the globe and over 10 lakh life membership holders. Life membership is given to donors, well-wishers and associates who want to listen to kirtans and satsangs.
