Worldwide Activities of Krsna consciousness
Gitamrita Celebrated in Guntur
Guntur, AP: ISKCON here organized a function entitled “Gitamrita” that was celebrated from June 3-7. The program was attended by many students, businessmen, and members of the parliament. The goal of the program was to educate people about the importance of the Bhagavad-gita, as well as to inform the public about ISKCON Kondaveedu’s Spiritual Heritage Revival project. ISKCON is building a new temple for the ancient Venna Gopal deity at the foot of the Kondaveedu Hills.
Srimad-Bhagavatam in Telugu
Tirupati, AP: Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam was released in Telugu language here in the presence of respectable dignitaries and members of the Tirupati Balaji temple. The entire set is available in twenty-two volumes having golden covers and many color photos inside. To order a copy, write to amitahk108@hotmail.com
Ratha-yatra Celebrations
Puri, Orissa: The traditional Ratha-yatra at Jagannatha Puri was held on July 03, 2011. Devotees from all walks of life were thrilled to pull on the ropes tied to the chariots of Lord Balarama, Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. Over twelve lakh devotees from all over the world had converged on Puri.
On the same day, Ratha-yatras were held simultaneously in Ahmedabad, as well as at Mira Road, north of Mumbai.
New ISKCON Temple in Brisbane
Brisbane, Australia: A new ISKCON temple will soon come up here after the City Council gave its approval amidst local environmentalists raising concerns about environmental protection. Temple president Adi-Kesava Dasa reminded the public that ISKCON has the utmost respect for all living entities, including trees, and said he was sure that the beautifully-designed temple would enhance the location.
Bhagavad-gita in US Motels
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: On June 16-17, 2011, ISKCON devotees from the Motel Gita Project attended the annual convention of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) in Las Vegas, Nevada, requesting the owners of hotels and motels to include a copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is in their guest rooms, as is commonly done with Gideon’s Bibles. More than 100,000 copies of Bhagavad-gita were thus kept in rooms.
Prabhupada Ghat in Pandharpur
The honorable chief minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, along with His Holiness Lokanatha Swami, conducted the stone laying ceremony for the new Prabhupada Ghat in Pandharpur early morning on 1st May 2011. The Government of Maharashtra wishes to transform Pandharpur into an international destination so that Lord Vitthala’s glories may spread throughout the world. ISKCON Pandharpur has enthusiastically accepted the government’s request to construct a bathing ghat. The first segment of the ghat right in front of ISKCON’s Sri Sri Radha Pandharinatha Temple will cost approximately Rs. 10 crore.
Contributed by Madhava Smullens, Amitakrsna Dasa, and Akruranatha Dasa.