oldchakra.com

New Temple in Surat
From Basu Ghosh Das

These pictures were taken at the inauguration of the newly constructed ISKCON temple at Surat on the auspicious day of Sri Vasant Panchami, 17 February 2002.
[Photos inside.]

Looks Bad to Reasonable Persons
By Vipramukhya Swami

[Some of the material quoted in this article may be disturbing to devotees mourning the passing of Tamal Krishna Goswami.]

If you have any doubt that the antagonists of ISKCON are rejoicing over the passing of Tamal Krishna Goswami due to an unfortunate accident, then take a look at PADA. Be warned, it is an offensive website, not for the faint at heart. To quote one so-called devotee on that site: "We are very happy to learn that Tamal Krishna Goswami has died in a car crash. Krishnas mercy! A day to celebrate. We will all pray for him to get his due share in the court of Yamaraja for poisoning Srila Prabhupada and his Mission. Thanks Krishna, one demon less on this planet. Now let's get the other ones."

Puranjana himself writes, "Today (15. March 2002) is Tamal Krishna Goswami's (TKG) disappearance day. This is a truly wonderful day of great joy and jubilation and we are touched by the mercy Krishna has shown to the suffering Vaisnavas by finally dispatching this demon to the court of Yamaraja."

Harinam in Croatia
By Bh. Stipica

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, Saturday (2002/03/09) was not only Ekadasi day but it was definitely the day of the Holy Name. On a nice sunny day, more than eighty devotees gathered, led by His Holiness Sacinandana Swami, to take part in a big (probably the biggest ever) walking Harinam through the streets and main square of Zagreb. The procession was also carrying Gaura Nitai Deities. There was nice media coverage of this (unusual) happening. Harinam finished after more than three hours of chanting in ecstasy.

In the evening of the same day, there was a big (five-hour-long) Nama Yajna, also led by His Holiness Sacinandana Swami, which gathered around 200 devotees.

To feel the atmosphere of walking Harinam visit the photo album: http://www.foi.hr/~sgrgic/photos
/2002-03-09-harinam_zagreb/ 

Your servant,
Bh. Stipica
Zagreb

Update on Puri Rape Trial
By Vrindaban dasa

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glory to our divine acaryas!

In August 2000, several Krishna devotees were arrested in Sri Jagannatha Puri dham and charged with raping the six year old daughter of Slovakian Maria Schmidova (30). The devotees include Sriman Bhakta dasa, an old disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; Sriman Mayapur Chandra dasa, also a disciple of Srila Prabhupada; and His Grace Mandali Bhadra dasa, a disciple of H.H. Hrdayananda Goswami. Also arrested were Asoke Sahu, a follower of Paramadvaiti Swami, and four local Puri men, including the famed photographer of Lord Jagannatha, Sudarshan dasa Mohapatra.

From the inception, the men arrested protested vehemently and requested the authorities to have Maria examined by mental-health experts. They also appealed for the police not to allow Maria to leave India, as they knew she would not appear at the time of trial. The police never had Maria examined, and they did not prevent her from leaving India.

Orphanage in Russia
By Sachi devi dasi

I wanted to let you know what I was working on and beg for your participation. For those of you that may not know, Indradyumna Swami writes monthly diary entries on his traveling experiences. A few months ago, he wrote about an orphanage in Central Russia that the devotees attempt to visit frequently. He himself visits once a year. There are about 30-35 children in this orphanage.

The devotees in the area were bringing the children prashadam, teaching them the maha mantra, doing artwork, and various other activities. The devotees in this area have very little money, so although they were able to give some time, they didn't have much money to offer for devotional paraphenalia. These children were so enlivened by the visits that they would carve their own japa beads from local wood, write frequent letters to the devotees, color pictures of Krishna, and some even joined the temple at age 18. 

Editorial Published in Local Paper
By Mayesvara dasa

To my friends, wellwishers, and readers,

I am pleased to inform you that the Ojai Valley News has recently published my latest editorial entitled "Fashionably Non-Committed." It is a short piece that addresses the rapid growth of New Age Impersonalism that is showing up all over the world but is especially prominent in Southern California, USA.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru and Gauranga.

I would like to request all the Vaisnavas to include the devotees of Padayatra India in their prayers. Presently they are traveling through the villages of Gujarat (on their way to Dwaraka-dham) where the Hindu/Muslim conflicts are occuring. Telephone contact was made with them yesterday, and they are reported to be safe.

Your servant,
Deenanath dasa
[Complete on this page.]

I was reading the Daily Mail yesterday. There is a page for questions, where people write in and ask a question, and others write in with answers. One question yesterday was "On the M6 near Manchester, the word Gauranga has been daubed on a bridge. What is the origin and meaning of this word?"

A person has written in with this answer: "FURTHER to a previous answer pointing out that Gauranga or Gouranga is a Hare Krishna chant meaning be happy. I have no doubt this is correct. However, I think the message on the motorway bridge may have another answer.

For Disciples of Paramgati Swami
by Shyamasundari devi dasi

I am a disciple who lives in Germany, and I will edit and compile all the emails of Maharaj´s disciples and friends with the purpose of sending regular information and news about our gurudev. This mail will initially be in Spanish and English and if there are some Brazilian devotees interested in helping, we can also translate and write in Portuguese. Maharaj is now going to stay for a long time in Brazil, and it is an opportunity to gather together all our  godbrothers and sisters and keep ourselves connected via Internet. Devotees that may have pictures, classes, or conferences from Maharaj, please put all this material together because we will edit a tape ministry of our gurudev, and in this way we can all have his classes and lectures at home. You can send this material to the postal address that is at the end of this article.

Haribol!

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please receive on this auspicious day of Sri Advaita Acarya’s appearance his wonderful picture from New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Ljubljana Slovenia.

Your most humble servant,
Abhinandana Nitai das

The trial of the devotees in Jagannatha Puri accused by Austrian Maria Schmidova of raping her six-year-old daughter, Tulasi, on June 28, 2000, has continued in the Puri Court the past three days. Three witnesses are examined each day. Each witness has repeated the same facts: "I do not know anything. I do not know these people. I do not know about any rape. The police grabbed me from the street and forced me to sign my name on a blank sheet of paper."

At one point yesterday, a female police constable was called, and she pointed at accused Asoke Sahu and said, "That is Bhakta dasa." The judge had her step down while the onlookers laughed.

Already 12 witnesses have been called. Every one has implicated the Orissa Crime Branch in deliberately fabricating this false case.

Deccan Herald Clarification
from J. Deshpande

I think you have been rather hasty in your celebrations viz. "Judge Dismisses ISKCON Suit" posting ("ISKCON Legal Case in Bangalore"). Here is the updated situation reprinted from the Deccan Herald, 7 February 2002.

ISKCON Gets 7 Days Time For Appeal

BANGALORE, Feb 7 (DHNS)

ISKCON Bangalore has been granted seven days time to appeal against the order of the XXVII City Civil Judge dismissing an interlocutory application seeking a declaration denying any power or right to ISKCON, Mumbai, to control the properties and affairs of ISKCON, Bangalore, its President and office bearers.

Reprinted from the Deccan Herald, Bangalore, India, Thursday, February 7, 2002

Judge Dismisses ISKCON Suit

DH News Service, Bangalore, Feb 6

The XXVII Additional City Civil Judge, Mr A P Murari, today dismissed a suit filed by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) located at Chord Road, Bangalore, seeking an injunction declaring that ISKCON, Mumbai, has no power or authority to control the properties and affairs of ISKCON, Bangalore (Chord Road), its President and office bearers, besides its temples in Bangalore and Mysore.

In his order, the judge held, prima facie, that ISKCON, Bangalore, is a branch of ISKCON, Mumbai. The properties acquired and developed by the former were done as a branch of the latter and not as a separate entity. ISKCON, Mumbai, as the mother institution, has every right to regulate the affairs of its branch.

The judge also ruled that an exparte order passed on October 16, 2001, directing the parties to maintain status quo, is liable to be discharged. Compensatory costs of Rs 3,000 has been awarded to the first defendant, ISKCON, Mumbai.

Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Hare Krishna Temple and College of Vedic Studies in England, UK, will be soon opening a lending library for devotees. At present there are about 1000 books. Book cards, membership cards, logging of all the books on a computer is being done as preparation for opening the library. This is great, as a lot more people will get access to these holy books. I hope other ISKCON temples open lending libraries to spread Krishna Consciousness in this world.

Hari Bol

Ravi
[Complete on this page.]

Attention Devotees.

Less than a month now to submit your offering for Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja book. March 1, 2002, is the deadline.

Please write Dravida das at dravida@mindspring.com for further information.
[Complete on this page.]

The 2001 Los Angeles Rathayatra was a very hot day. This gave me the idea of making very beautiful full-color graphic umbrellas with Lord Jagannatha's face on them. I was thinking of how nice it would be to see his transcendental grin popping up from the crowd on the back of umbrellas that are approximately three-foot diameter in size.

I have since contacted a manufacturer, and I have prepared all the artwork to make this product. Needless to say, it would also work quite nicely as a regular umbrella and I am ready to go.

The question I have is, "Would it be appropriate to make such a product?" Some have suggested that it might be considered offensive to thrust Jagannatha into the elements the way umbrellas are used. However my line of reasoning is as follows:

To all the assembled devotees and well-wishers,

Please accept my most humble obeisances and Glories to Srila Prabhupada and Narasimha Deva.

I want to thank all of you who have been offering prayers on my behalf for the last few days, and I would also like to apologize if I may have, unintentionally, caused grief in the minds of my good parents. If I may, let me explain.

Since coming to India again in August of last year, I wanted to search out 108 temples of Lord Narasimha Deva so that by His mercy I may be able to write a book on them. Having already seen so many unbelievable temples, I resumed my quest, leaving from Mamallapuram, where I had been staying with my brother Drdha for a few weeks, getting prepared.

Devotees in Malaysia are getting ready for massive prasadam distribution at a Hindu Festival in Malaysia on 28th January.

In the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, the city of the world’s tallest twin towers, the festival of Thaipusam is celebrated at a tourist attraction called Batu Caves, where about one million pilgrims attend to fulfill their vows made to Lord Muruga (Skanda). And in Penang Island about 300,000 pilgrims attend.

After spending more than 500 days in the Puri Jail, the devotees have finally gone on trial! Friday, January 18, the trial of six accused persons— including Mandali Bhadra das and Mayapur Chandra das, both Italians, and Sudarsan das Mohapatra of Puri, famed photographer of Lord Jagannatha— for the alleged gang rape of Maria Schmidova and her daughter Tulasi devi began in the courtroom of the Honorable Guru Prasad Das, Chief Judicial Magistrate in Sri Jagannatha Puri, Orissa. Bhakta dasa is not included in this trial as he is suffering in the SCB Medical College Hospital and is not fit for trial at present. A separate trial will be held for him when he is able to appear.

Mumbai Ratha Yatra
by Bh. Shyam Pandey

Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji Mandir, ISKCON of Juhu, celebrated Sri Jagannatha Rathayatra festival from 11th of January to 14th of January 2002. Thousands of people attended the festival with great joy and pomp. Lots of Srila Prabhupada’s books and Sri Krishna Prasad was distributed to one and all who attended the festival. Overall. the festival was a grand success.

The New Govardhana Farm Community held its ninth annual Ratha Yatra at Byron Bay, a coast resort south of Brisbane.

The festival takes place at two different days, one at daytime on the beach and one at night through the town to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

For the beach procession, the cart gets special wheels so that it can be pulled on the sand along the main beach. Their Lordships are then taken to a pandal in the Main Beach Park. Here, due to the many Ratha Yatras held over the years and to the amazement of many, the city council recently erected a four-meter-high peace monument with a golden-lettered engraving of om namo bhagavate vasudevaya.

Ecstasy in New York
by Trisakti devi dasi

Picture this: Times Square, New York City, New Years Eve; a harinam party chanting Hare Krishna ecstatically amidst a diverse crowd including a multitude of police officers and other emergency workers.

On New Year's Eve 2001, devotees gathered at 26 Second Avenue in New York City, Prabhupada's first temple in the west. Devotees from the Bhaktivedanta Ashram, along with other members of the yatra organized the harinam party. His Grace Yajna Purusha das began the kirtan and then Ekachakra das followed up with sweet melodies. Despite the freezing weather, the party persevered. His Grace Sunanda das lead an enlivening kirtan for over two hours, culminating in the most ecstatic train ride back to 26 Second Avenue.

Ratha Yatra in Perth
from Ananda Tirtha das

[from Free Forum]

Dear Devotees,

We are pleased to announce that on Sunday the 6th of January, the first of a hopefully annual Ratha Yatra festival was hosted by ISKCON Perth, Western Australia.

Four photos are attached to this text. We'll let you know when more photos are uploaded to the temple website. The 30-foot-high Ratha was constructed locally by devotees.

The Vedic Theatre Company

The Vedic Theatre Company is now accepting inquries, letters of intent and photos from devotees who desire to participate in future film and theater productions for the late 2002-2003 season. We seek devotees within the continental USA who can be available and free to travel for extended periods. Second-generation devotees between the ages of 19 and 30 are greatly needed.

Forbidden Archeology News #7

We hope this Newsflash finds you in excellent physical, mental, and spiritual health, armed with positive affirmations and determined to pull through massive global change. The strength we derive from surviving the tests ahead will further empower us to create a true New World Order based on spiritual economics and purified consciousness.

France: Religious Freedom at Risk
by Merudevi Dasi

The French National Assembly voted on 3rd May in favor of a controversial new law that is designed to "reinforce the repression of groups with a sectarian character." The bill has met with a considerable amount of criticism, notably from the Catholic and the Protestant Churches, the US State Department, and the Council of Europe. Pope John Paul II has also expressed his concerns on the state of affairs in regards to religious freedom in France.

Virus Warning
by Ramakanta dasa
[from PAMHO System Info]

Do not open any file attached to mail from the Internet, if the Internet address in the From: line starts with an underscore (e.g. <_xyz@abc.com>), or if the file size is 29020 bytes. This file is a virus.
[The article is complete on this page.]

Helping to Re-Release "My Sweet Lord"
by Radha Mohan das BCS

A journalist who works for the British Sun newspaper is in a personal campaign to urge EMI records to re-release George Harrison’s "My Sweet Lord" in time for Christmas. (This song includes the Hare Krishna maha mantra).

Offerings for 
Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja
from Dravida dasa

This year the deadline for writing offerings for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja book is March 1, 2002, six weeks earlier than in previous years. The idea is to leave more time for promoting the book before Vyasa Puja and to enable us to ship the book earlier, thus greatly reducing shipping costs. The official call for homages follows.

New Temple In Queens, New York
by Bhaktin Trina Ramlogan

There is a new temple in Queens, New York, called Sri Krishna-Caitanya Mandir. It is a small temple located at 114-37 Lefferts Boulevard, in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York. This temple was incorporated in recent months and is listed in the Back to Godhead magazine.

Teacher Needed in Australia
by Bhuvanamohini devi dasi

Do you have a Bachelor or Diploma of Education?

Here at New Govardhana Farm, Australia, we have an established Krishna Conscious School (21 years—previously a boarding Gurukula) and have a full-time teaching position available for a qualified devotee teacher.

Padayatra India Needs Equipment
by Ekanath dasa

Recently, Padayatra India has received, as a donation, a digital film projector. However, in order to use it, and play films on it, they need either a digital video player or camcorder (handy cam).

Padayatra India has been on the road now for 17 years. Its goal is to take the holy name of the Lord to every town and village of India. In the evening they normally hold a program in the heart of the village, where they show a film, usually attended by all the residents.

Devotees in Puri Still in Jail
by Bhakta dasa

Many of our readers may remember back to August 2000, when Bhakta dasa, Mayapur Chandra dasa, and Mandali Bhadra dasa were arrested in Jagannatha Puri on charges that they had gang-raped six year old Tulasi devi, daughter of Ms. Maria Schmidova, a Slovakian national, residing in Vienna.

In March 2001, Bhakta dasa’s family brought formal charges against Maria in Austria. In a quick settlement, Maria confessed before the Honorable High Court in Austria that the whole case was fabricated from the beginning.... Sadly, the Orissa court chose to totally ignore the Austrian court documents, and the case has continued as though it were genuine.

Monkey Helps Police Recover Deity

Reprinted from: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=109944528 

BHUBANESWAR: A monkey, reportedly, played a key role in recovering the astadhatu idol of Madan Mohan, one of the two idols stolen from the Jagannath temple in Puri, Monday morning. Police sources said it was a monkey that led the search party to the well in which the idol was found. "The monkey behaved differently. It led the team to the well where the idol was found," sources said.

Jagannath Deity Stolen from Puri Temple
[ reprinted from http://headlines.sify.com/219news1.htmlJagannath ]

Madan Mohan, the ‘ashtadhatu’ (eight metals) idol of Lord Jagannath was stolen from Puri’s Jagannath temple on Sunday.

The early-morning rituals of the presiding deities of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra were suspended. The Madan Mohan idol is considered a living deity of Lord Jagannath.

Last week, jewellery worth millions of rupees from the eleventh century Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar were stolen.

Food Relief Program in Orissa
by Radha Madhab Sahu

Bhaktivedanta Charities Inc. and ISKCON launch food relief program in Orissa.

The Bhaktivedanta Charities, a US based non-profit organization, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Orissa have joined together to launch a monthly food relief program to distribute prasadam to the poor in the Indian state of Orissa. Every month 3,000 needy children are being fed through the project.

Alachua First Annual Family and Youth Conference
By Chitralekha dasi

It was a soul-fulfilling experience for many who attended the first annual Family and Youth Conference held in Alachua, Florida, on September 21-23, 2001. Attendees traveled from as far away as New Zealand and Brazil to take part in the conference. With a variety of interactive sessions and open-forum discussions on education, family, and living in the secular world, the conference provided a stimulus for pro-active thinkers as well as practical solutions to everyday dilemnas.

The News Just Gets Better at Hare Krishna World

For 20 years Hare Krishna World (formerly ISKCON World Review) has helped devotees around the world connect with their hopes and dreams. Now, after so many years of operating without capital funding, the newspaper is undergoing a reorganization to make it financially self-sustaining.

We need your spiritual support, love, advice, and financial backing. But first, you may want to view the latest issue at harekrishnaworld.com to see for yourself what the paper has to offer. Earlier this summer we also mailed the print edition to 7500 readers around the world.

The New War on Ignorance
by Krishna Dharma

The Guardian, Saturday, September 29, 2001
[reprinted with permission from Krishna Dharma]

"Good will prevail over evil," declared President Bush, as he tried to rally his stunned country. Surely, we must all share that hope, but do we all share the same concept of good? Did the people behind the awful events in America believe they were perpetrating evil? Osama bin Laden is urging all Muslims to join a "jihad for the sake of God, urged by his prophet". If the American attacks were, indeed, a part of this so-called jihad, then they were done with the unswerving conviction that it was God's will.

Prayer Seems to Double in-Vitro Fertilization Success
from Columbia University College Of Physicians And Surgeons 
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/ps10-3-1 

NEW YORK, NY – Prayer seems to almost double the success rate of in vitro fertilization procedures that lead to pregnancy, according to surprising results from a study carefully designed to eliminate bias.

The controversial findings, published in the September issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, reveal that a group of women who had people praying for them had a 50 percent pregnancy rate compared to a 26 percent rate in the group of women who did not have people praying for them. None of the women undergoing the IVF procedures knew about the praying.

Kaumadaki Has Cancer
by Rose Forkash

Many of us remember Kaumadaki Devi Dasi (Heather Andersen), who was initiated by Srila Prabhupad in 1970. She has rendered many years of selfless service in various North American ISKCON temples. For years she was the secretary to Rameswar Maharaj, who was then in charge of Srila Prabhupad's Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and who was a GBC member and Guru. She assisted and worked with me, Rose Forkash, in writing the FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) newsletters that were sent out to thousands of parents of devotees around the world. She has been an inspiration of devotional service to everyone that knows her.

Today Kaumadaki is very ill. She suffers with cancer. She has had surgery and needs to undergo many months of chemotherapy. Kaumadaki is no longer able to work and her savings are almost depleted. 

[Reprinted from Web MD Medical News] 
Kindness Is Contagious

A leading 'positive psychologist' is working to prove that kindness is catching. Witnessing good deeds physically inspires the viewer to model that behavior, he says, a finding that can — and should — be applied to childrearing and education.
By Mark Moran, MPH, WebMD Medical News

"Here was a man who had been imprisoned his whole life," says Haidt, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville. "If anyone had a right to be angry, it was Mandela. Yet it was he who said that we all must work together."

Thought of the Week: The Ultimate Shelter
By His Holiness Romapada Swami

*Empathy is essential. Even though we are not this body, BG 6.31 indicates that we should feel empathy for others according to our own experience of pain and suffering. "para-duhkha-duhkhi krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye." [from Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami, Vilapa-Kusumanjali 6] One who is an ocean of mercy very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others.

Introducing Dharma Counsel

by His Holiness Danavir Goswami

The Dharma Counsel comprises pragmatic Vedic sages ready to go anywhere to speak with world leaders and share their wisdom. These individuals are transcendental to nationalism or religionism, and there is no cost for their counseling.

To each world leader who is interested, Dharma Counsel will explain what the Vedic literatures such as Bhagavad-gita, the Upanisads, the Ramayana and the Puranas say about karma, reincarnation, mantra meditation (or chanting the holy names of God), and how to properly understand and apply the Bible, the Koran, the Torah, etc. 

[Reprinted from WebMD Medical News]
When Will It Be OK to Be Happy?
By Daniel DeNoon

WebMD Medical News

Sept. 17, 2001 — A nation whose heart still bleeds grieves its losses. As we survivors begin to resume our lives, we wonder: What will normal life look like in post-disaster America? When can we be happy again?

"There is no moral or ethical injunction against being happy — as long as you learn something from this," psychologist and author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, PhD, tells WebMD. "It's all right to be happy if you are grateful about the life you have — and if you are not just sorry about what happened but are ready to make a commitment to make the world safer for the future."

A Report from New York City
by Romapada Swami
[reprinted from the Free Forum]

A dedicated day of sincere and heartfelt prayer to Krishna's Holy Name, on the part of our entire international movement, in honor of those who lost their lives in this tragedy and for the bringing of peace and the protection of God-abiding persons of the world, is being planned. The date for this event is September 29. All temples are being requested to arrange for an outdoor or an indoor harinam sankirtan event, ideally from noon to 3 PM, or whatever works best depending upon your local circumstance.

Another Realization from the September Tragedy
by Rama Raghava das

Although I appreciated everyone's kindness, and cooperation, I couldn't help but think of how nice it would have been if prashadam were being served, instead of McD's harmburgers. And it would have been so nice if there could have been kirtan, to help encourage the weary, sometimes depressed workers (one of my services was to provide counselling).

One Who Cheats Like a Rogue, Steals Like a Rogue, 
and Lies Like a Rogue is NOT A Brahmin
An editorial by Mayesvara Dasa

The simple fact is that anyone who really understands what it means to be a Brahmin would act like one and naturally honor the copyright laws. Ksatriyas on the other hand are not convinced to do the right thing simply for philosophical reasons. Instead they need to see how a particular choice will increase their reputation before they will act properly. Vaisyas however are motivated only by profit, and that is what we are talking about here and wherein the difficulty lies.

Krishna Comes to the Corn Belt
By Bhakta Wallace

KANSAS CITY, MO, USA—Missouri, that staunch stronghold of middle-class American values and home to the late President Harry S. Truman, is now home to the Rupanuga Vedic College (RVC) a Krishna conscious men's seminary located on a quiet tree-lined street in Kansas City's suburban district and close to two major universities.

Temple Raises $6,000 for NY Firefighters
by Caru dasa

Local firefighters from the cities of Salem and Spanish Fork manned the admission gate at the Krishna Temple’s Annual festival of India last Saturday night (Sept 15th). A big sign posted at the gate indicated that all proceeds were to be forwarded to the NY City Firefighters’ fund.

 Tom Roe, the Fire Marshall for Utah County, was on hand throughout, and said, "These firemen are very touched by the Krishna’s temple’s decision to turn over these hard earned proceeds in this hour of need.

Hare Krishnas Conduct Public Memorial
Text and photos by Bir Krishna das Goswami

Chapel Hill, N.C., USA, Sep 16, 2001—The Hare Krishna Community in North Carolina conducted a memorial march and memorial service to honor those who have lost their lives in the recent terrible tragedy in New York and to express their solidarity with all of America in this time of crisis.

Devotees chanted and prayed during a one-mile parade down the main street in this university city, carrying banners stating: "God Bless America" and "Unite and Pray for Peace" and waving American Flags.

New York Terror Attack

The main temple, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir is located in Brooklyn, across the East River but in view of the World Trade Center. According to the devotees, they saw the fire and smoke from the temple rooftop. As soon as the attacks began, the devotees started to perform kirtan in the temple room. 

More News from New York
By Mitravinda devi dasi

The devotees who worked in southern Manhattan are all okay. Many devotees walked to the temple over the Brooklyn Bridge. It's about a 45 minute walk. One devotee worked on the 14th floor of the World Trade Center and was inside when the first plane hit. 

Update from ISKCON Washington DC
By Anuttama dasa, ISKCON Communications

This is a brief update for those who may be concerned about the well-being of the devotee community in Washington DC, after the terrorist attack on Wednesday, September 11.

New York ISKCON Okay after Terrorist Attack
By Vipramukhya Swami

The World Trade Center was close to ISKCON New York, which is located just on the other side of the East River in Brooklyn at 305 Schermerhorn Street. The twin towers were the second tallest buildings in the world, tallest in New York, and were clearly visible from the roof of the Brooklyn New York ISKCON temple.

The towers collapsed yesterday after two commercial aircraft, hijacked by terrorists, crashed into the buildings.

ISKCON Washington DC Bulletin: Prayers for the Victims of the Terrorist Attack
Submitted by ISKCON Washington, DC

In this time of need, we request all devotees to pray for the mercy of Lord Krishna, especially for the victims of this attack. The power of prayer in limitless and is also recognized by the medical field.

Seeking Two Actors for Mahabharata
By Bhakta Vaikuntha

The Vedic Theatre Company, a newly formed company dedicated to bringing the ancient classics of India to life, is seeking photos and resumes from two male devotee actors age 19-30.

Chandler Baffled by Invocation
By Heather Urquides, The Arizona Republic

Aug. 25, 2001, Chandler, Arizona, USA: It wasn't church, it was the invocation at the Chandler City Council meeting Thursday night and some council members said Friday that the Hare Krishna followers went too far. Others agreed.

Dallas Temple Needs Your Help Now

ISKCON's Kalachandjis Restaurant and Palace at ISKCON Dallas, Texas, needs you to write to our Mayor and Council Members to prevent McDonalds from building a drive-through restaurant right in the middle of our quiet residential neighborhood. Here's how CHAKRA readers can help. 

Photos of Janmastami in Mumbai, India

Prabhupada

Radha-Krishna

© CHAKRA January 15, 2004

Missing Person
By Josefina Biagosch

I am seeking for reference about Carlos Alberto Rauch, my son. I lost all contact to him in April 1977 while he lived in Los Angeles California. Due to his last phone call to Argentina I understand that he is a member of your community.

Vancouver, Canada, Observes Krishna Festivals
By Jaya Govinda dasa

Hare Krishna. We just finished our big back to back festivals of Krishna Janmastami ( Lord Krishna's Appearance day) and Lord Jagannatha's Rathayatra. Both festivals were very successful. The weather was superb and attendance was excellent.

U.S. Ready to End Sanctions on 
India to Build an Alliance
By Jane Perlez, NY TIMES

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 — The Bush administration is moving on a broad front to strengthen relations with India, a nation it views as a neglected and potentially important strategic ally and trading partner in Asia.

Ratha Yatras in Malaysia
By Simheswara das

CHAKRA (Teluk Intan, Malaysia) - August 19 and 20, 2001: ISKCON Malaysia organizes a minimum of 14 Ratha Yatras a year in the Peninsula. All Ratha Yatras are organized by Nama Hattas in different states. The most attractive in Penang Island where three chariots ride in the city center.

Boise Idaho (USA) Celebrates Janmashtami
By Anantarupa dasa

In celebration of 15th anniversary of the temple, the devotees and members of New Biharvan Boise, Idaho, USA made an offering of 10, 001 flowers to Sri Sri Radha Bankebihari on Janmashtami day.

Krishna vs. LAX Airport (Los Angeles)
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A city ordinance that prohibits solicitors from seeking donations at Los Angeles International Airport violates free speech rights, a federal judge has ruled.

Pirating of ITV Materials
By Nrsimhananda dasa

CHAKRA (Los Angeles) - August 21, 2001: After months of writing to ISKCON authorities including the entire GBC, Mahaman, temple president of ISKCON Vrindavan, and numerous devotees coming forward to express their frustration with their works being pirated, Brahmananda and Gargamuni have increased their sales and snuffed the legitimate competition. Distributors can't compete with people who don't have to pay any royalties and can sell for less.

Ratha Yatra in North Carolina
By Syama dasi

Lord Jagannath will bestow His blessings upon all present at the Charolotte, North Carolina Ratha Yatra on Sunday Sept 9, 2001.

Seattle Ratha Yatra

ISKCON Seattle is hosting the Sixth Annual Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath and the Festival of India, during the Labor Day weekend (Sep 1-3). Please come and experience the culture of ancient India. Watch demonstrations of classical dance and music, cultural plays and puppet shows. Visit booths on philosophy, vegetarianism and yoga.

Splendid Janmastami at Juhu, Mumbai (India)
By Parijata devi dasi

 For the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari and Srila Prabhupada ISKCON Juhu, Bombay (Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Mandir) hosted one of the most splendid Janmashtami festival from 10 - 12 August 2001.

New Jersey Sect Marks Anniversary
By Michael Daigle, Daily Record, Montville, NJ, USA

MONTVILLE NJ, USA - The shoes of the devoted spilled from the shelves and floor of the entryway onto the steps leading outside the temple. About 400 people gathered Sunday at the temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness of New Jersey in Towaco to celebrate Janmashtami, the 5, 000th anniversary of the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna, who the followers believe to be the true god.

Indian Prime Minister Congratulates ISKCON in Russia
By Madana-Mohana das

New Delhi, INDIA - (11 August 2001): Indian Prime Minister Atal B.Vajpayee sent his complimentary message for the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ISKCON in Russia.

Krishna Devotees Threatened by New Law
ISKCON Communications Briefing

Yugoslavia is in the process of drafting a new religious law. According to the draft law the Ministry of Religious Affairs has the power to deny or cancel the registration of any organization they deem unfit. ISKCON devotees are worried that they will be denied re-registration due to negative popular sentiments, following what they feel to be an organized media campaign against them. A denial of re-registration would make all their institutional activities illegal.

Photo Diary of Birmingham UK Ratha Yatra
By Antardwip das

We have done a web-based photo-diary of ISKCON's Birmingham Ratha Yatra, which was held on July 29th.

Visit ISKCON Hawaii

The ISKCON Hawaii temple would like to invite senior devotees to visit New Navadvipa Dhama to give classes and enliven the local devotees here. We humbly request ISKCON gurus, GBC members, sanyassis, Prabhupada disciples, or other senior devotees to come visit our temple.

UK Hindu Youths' Quest to Find Roots
By Rashmee Z Ahmed

LONDON: The snazzy and the spiritual are coming together as thousands of Hindu youths converge on several acres of green London parkland to bond, listen to katha, sing along to soulful rap and resolve the contradictions of being both Hindu and British. The 10-day Hindu Youth Festival, the largest and first of its kind in Europe, has the blessings of everyone who matters: British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Prince of Wales, sundry corporate sponsors such as Laxmi Mittal and the Hindujas and various Hindu peers such as Lords Navnit Dholakia and Raj Bagri. But its organisers say it is not a youthful indulgence or a super-spiritual sort of all-night rave.

Estonia: Hare Krishnas Cater for Growing Spiritual Appetite
By Tim Ocuser, RIGA

Take a stroll along Krisjana Barona Street in the morning and you will see a long queue of despondent-looking elderly people outside the Hare Krishna Center. It's plain to see from their disheveled appearance and long faces that they're not there to sing religious praises. They are there for the Food For Life program, which the Krishna devotees run from the center. 

25th Anniversary of ISKCON Washington, D.C.
By Trikalajna dasa

Devotees in the Washington, D.C. area invite you to attend the joyous devotee reunion and 25th Anniversary of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana residing in Potomac, Maryland. Reconnect with old friends, share stories of the past, and create stories for the future. Watch the original video footage of Srila Prabhupada's only visit to Washington, D.C., 25 years ago in July of 1976. There will be plenty of fun activities for children and lots of great prasadam for everyone.

House Demanding Strict Guidelines on Arsenic Levels