Contents: 2001 [Jan - June] — Cira-dahi Mahotsava, Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi, Calf born, Meeting with Asta-matha Swamis in Udupi, Candana-yatra, Narasingha Caturdasi, Ramanujacarya’s Appearance, Gaura Purnima, Tripurari Maharaja visits, Tour to Subrahmanya, Halebid and Udupi, New Center and Deities in Bangalore, Sivaratri, Nityananda Avirbhava, Deity chamber decoration, New Calf, 2001 Kumbha Mela.

See Events Index below for more events from 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 & 2000.

JUNE

Cira-dahi Mahotsava
The Cira-dahi Mahotsava of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami was observed on 4 June in Govindaji Gardens. Swami Bhakti Vijnana Giri and Nanda Kisora Dasa prepared four different offerings of banana, jack fruit, mango and "jeera" mixed with yoghurt and chipped rice. This festival commemorates the pastime at Panihati (in West Bengal) when Nityananda Prabhu instructed Dasa Goswami to feed all the Vaisnavas chipped rice (cira) and yoghurt (dahi). This festival is also called Danda Mahotsava (festival of chastisement) because Nityananda Prabhu "punished" Raghunatha Dasa in this way for avoiding Him.

Observance of Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi
On 2nd June, the devotees of the matha observed Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi. According to the scriptures, if one can fast on this day without taking even water, he is performing a great austerity. Srila Vyasadeva related to Bhima that Sri Krsna had told him personally that if one observes this vrata strictly one attains the merits of all ekadasis and the Lord becomes most pleased with him. In accordance with scriptural injunctions, the Deities were bathed in milk during the evening and on the dvadasi the devotees ended their fast successfully by breaking their fast with water and grains.

May 2001

New addition to Govindaji Gardens

On May 31, one of the ashrama cows, Padmavati,
gave birth to a baby bull.

MEETING WITH ASTA-MATHA SWAMIS IN UDUPI

Sri Sri Vishwesha Thirtha (Pejavara) Swamiji  

On 18^th May, Sripad Bhakti Bhavana Visnu Maharaja, Bhakti Vijnana Giri Maharaja and Nanda Kisora Dasa Adhikari went to Udupi Ksetra to meet with the heads of the asta-mathas. The goal of this meeting was to attain confirmation that the Gaudiya sampradaya is a genuine branch of the Madhva line, and to get recognition of Srila Prabhupada’s contribution to the world of Vaisnavism.

On the way they stopped off at Kukke Subrahmanya and spoke to Sri Vidyaprasanna Tirtha Swamiji of the Samputa Narasimha Matha. The Swamiji was very helpful and wrote a letter wherein he stated that there was absolutely no reason why the Madhva community should criticize Srila Prabhupada. He also invited the devotees to observe the ranga-puja at the newly renovated Somanathesvara Temple in Subrahmanya — a 1000-year-old Siva temple that is now under the management of the Subrahmanya Matha.

The party went on to Udupi, the headquarters of the Madhva sampradaya. Although some of the heads were out of station, they met Sri Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swamiji of Kaniyur Matha, Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji of Krsnapura Matha, and Sri Laksmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Shirur Matha. All the swamis were very supportive of the service rendered by Srila Prabhupada and wrote letters of appreciation.

The party also met Sri Visvesa Tirtha Swamiji of Pejavara Matha who is presently serving the Deity of Udupi Sri Krsna as the paryaya swami. Pejavara Sri has always been a loyal friend of many Gaudiya institutions and his friendship was again proven on this occasion. He was very upset to hear the criticism of Srila Prabhupada and emphasized that he had immense respect for Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya.

He also pointed out that although there are certain philosophical differences between the Gaudiya and the Madhva schools, they are basically the same, and we should strive to harmonize the two as much as possible. Referring to a recent article written by the Bangalore based Purnaprajna Vidyapitha (of whom Pejavara Swami is the chancellor), he said that he felt ‘very pained’ to find that the article was insulting to the Gaudiya sampradaya and to Swami Prabhupada. Swamiji said that he would issue an official statement in the near future "to strengthen the mutual harmonious relationship between the two sampradayas."
Video clips and transcript of this meeting with Pejavara Swami may be found online: https://gosai.com/dvaita/udupi/. After Udupi, the party travelled 200km to the Raghavendra Swami Matha in the village of Hornalli. Here they met Sri Vidyadisa Tirtha Swamiji of Palimaru Matha. Palimaru Swamiji also wrote a supportive letter and kindly invited the devotees to attend the next Paryaya festival in January 2002.

Candana-yatra

The festival of Candana-yatra was observed by all the matha-vasis of Govindaji Gardens this month. Since the month of Vaisakha (April / May) is very hot, the cooling effect of sandalwood pulp (candana) is very pleasing to the body of the Lord. The Deity of Sri Govindaji was decorated with sandalwood paste mixed with saffron, camphor and rosewater.

Narasingha Caturdasi Celebrations

The program began in the late afternoon with Svami B.V. Giri and Sriman Caitanya Dasa offering tulasi leaves while chanting the thousand names of Lord Narasingha (Narasingha Sahasranamavalli).

Sripad Bhakti Bhavana Visnu Maharaja performed an abhiseka to the matha Deities of Yoga-nrsingha, Vira-nrsingha and all the Nrsingha Salagramas. He then gave a short class on the appearance of the Lord whilst the bhoga offering was made. The program ended with maha-aratika and anakalpa prasadam.
  

April 2001

Sri Ramanujacarya’s Appearance

Members of Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha observed the tirunaksatra (appearance) of Sri Ramanuja at the holy town of Melkote on 28^th April. Melkote plays a very significant role in the life of Ramanuja, for it was here that Ramanuja and his followers fled to when they were persecuted by the Saivite king Krimikanta in Tamil Nadu.

The devotees, led by Sripad Bhakti Bhavana Visnu Maharaja and Svami Bhakti Vijnana Giri took darsana of the Deity of Ramanuja and observed a Laksmi-Narayana homa performed by Sri vaisnavas from a gurukula in Visakhapatna.

The program was headed by Sri Chinna Jiyar Svami who invited both Sripad Visnu Maharaja and Giri Maharaja on stage to participate in a Visnu-sahasranama parayana (recitation of the thousand names of Lord Visnu).

The ceremonies ended with a palanquin festival wherein the utsava-murti of Rama-priya displayed His dasa-avatara forms for the pleasure of Sri Ramanujacarya.

MARCH 2001

Gaura Purnima at Govindaji Gardens

Sri Gaura Jayanti, the holy appearance of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu was celebrated at Govindaji Gardens, Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha on Friday 8^th March. At 400.pm the main program commenced with initiations and another lecture by Srila Narasingha Maharaja on the importance of panca-samskara diksa. A fire-yajna was then performed by Svami Bhakti Vijnana Giri and Sriman Nanda Kisora Dasa Adhikari. There was then an elaborate abhiseka ceremony for the Deity of Lord Caitanya, followed by a palki (palanquin) festival. Two-hundred guests and devotees took caranamrta and feasted on annakalpa (non-grains) prasadam. more

FEBRUARY 2001
Visit by Swami B.V. Tripurari Maharaja

On 22nd of February Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha was fortunate to host H.H. Swami B.V. Tripurari for five days. Maharaja gave a series of classes from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta on Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's meeting with Prakasananda Sarasvati in Varanasi. The residents of the asrama took the opportunity to ask many questions to Maharaja on a variety of topics.

Maharaja also visited the nearby temple of Adi Ranganatha before leaving with his party for Jagannatha Puri.

Tour to Subrahmanya and Udupi

A party of devotees from Narasingha Caitanya Matha left Govindaji Gardens on a four day tour of the holy ksetras of Kukke Subrahmanya and Udupi. The party consisted of Srila B.G. Narasingha Maharaja, Sripada B.B. Visnu Maharaja, Svami B.V. Giri and Svami B.A. Avadhuta, as well as three grhasta families.

On the way the ashrama devotees stopped off at the ancient Siva temple of Halebid before continuing their journey. The devotees also stopped for darsana at an ancient temple of Lord Narasingha.

On reaching Subrahmanya the devotees took darsana of the ancient shrine of Lord Karttikeya and the temple of Samputa Narasingha before attending the evening rathotsava festival.

The next day, the party moved on to Udupi, the headquarters of the Dvaita sampradaya and took darsana of Udupi Krsna, Candramoulesvara and Anantesvara. In the evening there was a rathotsava where the utsava-vigraha was taken around Car Street in His golden ratha.

The devotees returned for a day in Subrahmanya Ksetra before returning to Govindaji Gardens.

(More details and photos will be available on the Pilgrimage site soon)

New Center and Deities in Bangalore

On Sunday 18^th Feb., 2001, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai were brought from Govindaji Gardens to their new residence in the Bangalore preaching center.

Srila Narasingha Maharaja began the program at 4.15 pm with bhajanas and a lecture on the importance of sacrifice (yajna), and in particular the nama-sankirtana yajna. He also explained the esoteric meaning behind the procedures of fire-sacrifices. At 5.00 pm he led the devotees in a puspanjali ceremony to greet the Deities, which was followed by a Panca-sukta homa performed by Svami B.V. Giri and Sriman Nanda Kisora Dasa Adhikari.

After the purna-ahuti Svami B.S. Madhava led the devotees in singing as Srila Narasingha Maharaja and Sripada Visnu Maharaja offered a simultaneous arati to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and a prasadam feast was served to the 300 people who attended the program.
The new center is located in HSR Layout and regular Sunday programs will start at 5 pm. All are cordially invited to attend.

For any further questions or directions, one should contact either Svami B.S. Madhava Maharaja or Svami B. A. Avadhuta Maharaja at:
(0)98440-90755 or (0)80-572-0384 or via email.

Maha-Sivaratri Mahotsava

Maha-Sivaratri was observed by the members of Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha on 21^st February. The Gopesvara Siva-lingam was taken in procession amidst the chanting of the Holy Name to the banks of the Kaveri where he was given a taila-snana (oil-bath). He was then bathed in the sacred waters of the holy river by Srila Narasingha Maharaja, whilst Svami B.V. Giri chanted auspicious mantras in praise of Lord Siva.

Returning to the temple, Srila Narasingha Maharaja
offered arati to Gopesvara Mahadeva and nirmalya
(prasadam remnants) from Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.

Nityananda Prabhu Avirbhava Mahotsava
The divine appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu was observed at Govindaji Gardens, Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha, by the ashrama residents and visiting members from Mysore, Bangalore and the U.S.A.

Srila B. G. Narasingha Maharaja gave initiation to nine devotees and awarded sannyasa to Baladeva Dasa, who is now known as H. H. Bhakti Ananda Avadhuta Maharaja.

Sripada B. B. Visnu Maharaja and Swami B. V. Giri conducted an elaborate fire yajna and the program ended with a wonderful kirtan led by Srila Narasingha Maharaja and a feast.

A detailed description has been given in Krsna Talk 14

Almost Vrndavana
Govindaji Gardens' clean and green atmosphere is hard to improve on, but the recent addition of Radha Raman Prabhu, a professional horticulterist from Hawai, adds some very wonderful touches to the ashrama in the garden. Radha Raman Prabhu is adding many flowers, ponds, landscaping and bonzai trees for Govardhan Hill (see below)

The Deity chamber is being decorated with bright festive artwork (right). In addition, a 54 piece series of original style Caitanya-lila art (see below), is presently underway.

January 2001: New Calf born in Govindaji Gardens

On 24th January, Syamarani, one of Govindaji Garden's three cows gave birth to a female calf. The calf, named Surabhi, is exceptionally big for her age and has a voracious appetite. The matha residents are happy at this new addition to the Sri Sri Radha Madhava goshala.

2001 Kumbha Mela
On 2^nd January 2001, a party of devotees left from Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha for the Maha Kumbha Mela in Prayaga, U.P. The party consised of H.H. Bhakti Abhaya Tridandi Maharaja, H.H. Bhakti Srirupa Madhava Maharaja, H.H. Bhakti Vijnana Giri Maharaja and H.G. Sudarsana Dasa Adhikari.

Kumbha Mela, undoubtedly the biggest religious gathering in the world, attracts multitudes of sadhus and pilgrims from all over India. It also draws media coverage from all over the world. During this years event, aproximately 70,000,000 people gathered there for the main bathing days on Purnima, Makara Sankranti, Amavasya and Maha-Sivaratri.

Besides observing the holy festivities the party shot video footage for the upcoming video-documentary series "The Veda Files." Madhava Maharaja and Sudarshana Dasa returned tothe Bangalore center after eight days, while Giri Maharaja and others stayed for almost a month to cover the first "royal bathing days" (shahi-snana), on Makara-sankranti and Mauni Amavasya.

Braving a heavy cold spell, the likes of which has not been seen for 50 years in Prayag, they shot 18 hours of footage for the first film produced by Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha in a series of documentaries (the Veda Files) about Vedic traditions. The two sannyasis then travelled to the holy city of Kasi for a few days of filming before returning home to Govindaji Gardens in the beginning of February.

In 1989, when Srila Narasingha Maharaja and Sripada Visnu Maharaja attended the previous Maha Kumbha Mela in order to write an article for 'Clarion Call' magazine, the result was a 112-page publication consisting of 86 color photographs and a highly informative text.

The book entitled ‘Kumbha Mela —The World’s Largest Act of Faith’ is available from Mandala Publishing Group—text and pictures from the Kumbha Mela book may be viewed on line: Kumbha Mela Book

Events Index by year — from latest to earliest.

2009  Karttika in Vrndavana - 2009,  Bhagavad Gita Widget & Guardian of Devotion Widget,  Radhastami & Vyasa Puja of Swami Narasingha - Kaliya-mardana Krsna Ashram - 2009,   Radhastami & Vyasa Puja of Swami Narasingha - Govindaji Gardens Ashram - 2009,   Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Observance 2009,   Janmastami – Mexico 2009,   Janmastami – Govindaji Gardens 2009

2008

2008  [August] — New Books Published, Appearance of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Appearance of Srila B.G. Narasingha Maharaja, Janmasthami Celebrations 2008: Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha and Kaliya-Mardhana Krsna Ashram.

2008  [April - June] — Narasinghadeva's Appearance Day Festival, Candana Yatra

2008  [January - March ] — Gaura Purnima at Govindaji Gardens, Gaura Purnima at Kaliya-Mardhana-Krsna Ashram, Sivaratri, Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance, Vasant Pancami

2007

2007  [October - December] — Srila Prabhupada Tirubhava , Karttika in Vrndavan at Radha Damodar, Chief Minister Visits , Govardhana Puja, Sridhara Maharaja Appearance, Kartikka Masa,  The Philosophy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

2007  [June-September] — Radhasthami, Vyasa Puja Srila Prabhupada, Vyasa Puja Srila B.G. Narasingha Maharaja, Janmasthami 2007, Renovation of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhu's samadhi finished,  Bhajan Kutira Renovation started.

2007  [March-May] — Sri Narasimha-caturdasi, Chandan Yatra, Srila Rupa Goswami Samadhi Reconstruction Progresses, Italy Center Opens [Srila Prabhupada Seva Ashram], Gaura Purnima observed at Govindaji Gardens.

2007  [February] — Srila Rupa Goswami Samadhi Reconstruction in Progress, Prabhupada Returns to his Rooms at Radha Damodara Temple, Bhumi Puja at Srila Rupa Goswami's Samadhi.

2007  [January] — Appearance of Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada, visit of Jayadvaita Swami, Visit by Sripada BB Bodhayana Maharaja, Appearance of Lord Nityananda, Marriage of Drdha Vrata and Gandarvika, Vasant Pancami, Visit of Guru Prasad Maharaja.

2006

2006  [October-December] — Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Disappearace, Srila Prabhupada Disappearace, Govardhana Puja, Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Deva Gosvami Appearance.

2006  [August-September] — Srila Bhakti Promoda Puri Gosvami Appearance, Radhasthami, Visiting Friends in Europe and the USA, 60th Appearance of Swami BG Narasingha, Vyasa Puja of Srila Prabhupada, Janmasthami 2006.

2006  [May-July] — Wedding of Sri Gopal Dasa and Anuradha Devi Dasi, Candana-yatra

2006  [January-April] — Hare Krsna Ashrama Inauguration Festival (Mulki), Gaura Purnima Celebration, Vasant Pancami Observance, New DVD Film Biography of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Installation of Kaliya Mardana Krsna Deity, Visit by Sri Nandanandana, Guru Prasad Swami and Swami B B Bodhayana.

2005

2005  [August-Dec.] — Visit of Paramadvaiti Maharaja, Anniversary of Sri Narasingha Chaitanya Matha, Karttika, Govardhana Puja, Srila Prabhupada Disappearance, Appearance of Bhaktivinoda, Radhasthami, Reprinting of Follow the Angels and In Search of the Ultimate goal of Life, Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja, Srila Narasingha Maharaja Vyasa Puja, New Video: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Biography: The Universal Teacher, New book by Srila Sridhara Maharaja entitled Encounters With Divinity, Sri Krsna Janmastami Mahotsava.  

2005  [May - July] — Jagannatha Ratha-yatra, Appearance of Lord Narasinghadeva, Candana-yatra, Appearance of Srila Gadadhara Pandita Gosvami.  

2005  [March-April] — Filming for Srila Bhaktisiddhanta video, Gaura Purnima Festival, Maha-Sivaratri, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Appearance.

2005 - 1  [Jan-Feb.] — Nityananda Trayodasi, Vasanta-pancami, Installation of Lord Jagannatha and Gaura-Gadadhara, Ashrama Publications & Videos, Kaliya-Mardana Krsna Asrama, Kannada Songbook Printed.

2004

2004  [Nov. - Dec.] — Disappearance Bhaktisiddhanta, Ten Year Ashrama Anniversary, Disappearance Srila B P Puri Gosvami, Disappearance Gaurakisora, Disappearance Srila Prabhupada, Karttika Masa, Govardhana Puja, Srila Sridhara Maharaja Appearance, B B Visnu Appearance.

2004 - 4  [Sept. - Oct.] — Appearance Day of Srila B P Puri Gosvami, Evolution of Theism reprinted, Sannyasa of Srila Prabhupada, Appearance of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Radhasthami, Srila B G Narasingha Appearance, Srila Prabhupada Appearance, Janmasthami.

2004 - 3   [April cont.-August] — Visit of Vijayashankar MP, Visit of Dr Rajaram, Painting of Narasinghadeva's temple, Himalayan Pilgrimage video, Library & Devavision Studio opening.

2004 - 2   [March-April] — Narasingha Caturdasi, Candana Yatra, Deities of sannyasis, new Goshalla, Gaura Purnima, Salagrama-hara, Srila Prabhupada Samadhi painting.

2004 - 1  [Jan-Feb.] — Sivaratri, Appearance Bhaktisiddhanta, Nityananda Trayodasi, Kirtan Hall Artistry, Visits of BV Narasingha & Guru Prasad Svami, Vasanta-pancami, Publication of Prakrta-rasa Aranya Chedini, Kumbha Mela on New Zealand TV.

2003

2003 [Sept - Dec.] — Tirobhava of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Foundation of Library & Multimedia Studio, Yoga-Narasimha Tilaka, Video Darshan of Yoga-Narasingha, Installation of Sri Sri Laksmi-Narasingha, Srila Prabhupada's Tirobhava, Karttika, Govardana Puja, Avirbhava of Srila BR Sridhara Deva Gosvami, Appearance of Srila BB Visnu Maharaja, Radhastami.

2003 - 1  [August] — Janmastami and Installation of Yoga-Narasingha, Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja, Vyasa Puja of Srila Narasingha Maharaja.

2003 - 2  [May-July] — Puri Ratha Yatra, Tumcur Science Program, Bhoga Narasingha and Yoga Narasingha, Narasingha Caturdasi, Candana Yatra.

2003 - 3  [Jan-April] — Gandaki Muktinatha, Gaura Purnima Festival, Varadaraja in Kondaggi, Laksmi-Narasimha in Javagal, Yoga-Narasimha in Belavadi, Mahabalipuram, Pakshi-tirtha, Vasanta-pancami, Wedding of Govardhana and Krsna-priya dd.

2002

2002-2 [June - Dec.] — Srila Prabhupada Deity, Vrndavana Temples, Subramanya Tirtha, Karttika Masa, Govardhana Puja, Srila Prabhupada's Tirobhava, Subhaga Svami visits, Kitchen Ground-breaking, Sridhar Swami visits, Goshalla Completed, Vyasa Puja of B. P. Puri Goswami, Radhastami and Babaji Initiation, Narasingha Maharaja Vyasa-puja, Janmastami, Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja, Audarya Asrama program and San Francisco Ratha-yatra.

2002 [Jan. - May] — Narasingha Jayanti in Vermont & Govindaji Gardens, Gosala Foundation, Pejavara Svami visits, Gaura Purnima in Vermont & Govindaji Gardens, Guru Prasad Swami Visits, Jayadvaita Maharaja visits.

2001

2001 [July - Dec.] — Boston Program, Govardhana Puja, Srila Prabhupada Tirobhava, Govardhana Hill Manifests, Gurukula boys visit Nagamangala, Radha Damodara Moves to Vermont, Devavision Project Moves, Editing for Devavision Underway, Installation of Sri Sudarsana Cakra, Radhastami, Vyasa-puja Celebration of BG Narasingha Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja, Janmastami & Janmastami videos, Boston Program, West Coast Saranagati Tour.

2001 [Jan - June] — Cira-dahi Mahotsava, Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi, Calf born, Meeting with Asta-matha Swamis in Udupi, Candana-yatra, Narasingha Caturdasi, Ramanujacarya’s Appearance, Gaura Purnima, Tripurari Maharaja visits, Tour to Subrahmanya, Halebid and Udupi, New Center and Deities in Bangalore, Sivaratri, Nityananda Avirbhava, Deity chamber decoration, New Calf, 2001 Kumbha Mela.

2000

2000  [Jan - Dec.] — Govardhana Hill to Manifest, Copper Plate Project, Installation of Radha-Damodara.

Site Index