30 November 2004

Official Opening Today! If you can make it to Veracruz, Mexico, today (Tuesday), there will be a grand festival and feast for the official opening of our new purpose-built Seva Ashram there. Health permitting, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj will personally preside over the function.

Caracas. Six pages of pictures and descriptions about Srila Govinda Maharaj's recent visit. These web-pages are presented by Damayanti Devi Dasi who went with her family from London to Venezuela for the occasion.

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates include:

Audio: Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj's discourse at the Soquel Seva Ashram's Sunday Feast, 7th November 2004 (71 minutes, mp3 and RealMedia audio).

Nabadwip construction progress of the new Prasad distribution hall. Pictures for Srila Govinda Maharaj to see, and all to share.

Srila Govinda Maharaj's 21st World Tour is on schedule, with His Divine Grace continuing his travels by returning soon to our Soquel Seva Ashram, California. Recently he was feeling unwell in Mexico, but after caring medical attention His Divine Grace has now returned to better health and expressed this to be "...by the prayers and affection of the devotees." Sripad Akinchan Maharaj has written from Veracruz reflecting on this Pastime in his latest iMonk.net web-log.

Invitation to Sri Vyasa-Puja celebrations in Nabadwip, Bamunpara and Kolkata for His Divine Grace Om Visnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's 76th Appearance Day Festival, 27th to 31st December 2004. Please note, that Srila Govinda Maharaj himself is most likely to be in California for this occasion.

Written Sri Vyasa-Puja Offerings 'Now!' please. This year's compilation is being produced in America as a special offering to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj befitting this historic occasion. Therefore please send your offerings as soon as possible to offerings2004@scsmath.com, preferably with an accompanying photo, so these can be included for the satisfaction of our Divine Master. (For preparing photos to send by email, please see our Tips for Multimedia pages.)

Karttik Pilgrimage to Govardhan and Vrindavan. Pictures and captions of this year's annual pilgrimage of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

Mexico, picture report sent by Madhuchanda Devi Dasi and Bhagavan Prabhu sharing recent days in Veracruz with Srila Gurudev and the devotees.

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates: Audio: Appearance Day of Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj (6th November). Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and others address those gathered at the morning programme in Soquel (mp3 and RealMedia audio) and: Audio: that afternoon's program in San Jose (mp3 and RealMedia audio). Audio: Vet's Hall (5th November) His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj addresses and leads in bhajan the gathered devotees and guests at this programme in downtown Santa Cruz (mp3 and RealMedia audio).

Sri Vaisnava Toshani, latest posting from Veracruz on the 21st World Tour of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj: "The pious country of Mexico assures its bright future with the wonderful VIP treatment afforded to Srila Gurudev."

'Veracruz overflooded by Srila Gurudev's Mercy.' Tour dispatch by Jai Balai Prabhu. "The beauty emanating from Srila Gurudev's sweet affection to his associates, disciples and friends attracts everyone, therefore many devotees continue arriving from different parts of Mexico and the world...."

Venezuela: Imminent Separation as Srila Govinda Maharaj prepares to fly out from Caracas. Pictures and story captions capturing the last moments of this visit by Srila Gurudev.

Govardhan Puja in Govardhan held at our Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram. (Pictures to accompany Krishna Chandra Prabhu's recent audio dispatch.)

Mexico: 'A Grand Reception.' Sripad Akinchan Maharaj's first web log from Veracruz on tour with Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"When Srila Gurudeva finally takes my arm to support himself and we step through the double doors into the airport arrival hall, the tumult is stupendous as hundreds of devotees surge forward with cries of 'Jai Srila Gurudeva!' and cameras flash as Srila Gurudeva is garlanded, and bemused travelers crane their necks to see what all the commotion is about.
"This is my first visit to Mexico. I have been all around the world, on six continents, but I must say that I have never, ever, seen a reception quite like this."

Sri Gaudiya Darshan magazine: two more vintage issues are now available for download at the Sri Guru Vandana website maintained by the Math's Scandinavian devotees. The 1983 edition and the 1995 Jagannath Rathayatra edition are now presented as pdf files of good printing quality, and excellent for on-screen viewing.

Mexico. Safe arrival of Srila Gurudev. 'Mexico again Recovers its Life,' a dispatch by Jai Balai Prabhu summarising the first hours of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's current visit to Veracruz.

Sri Vaisnava Toshani the third posting within a week of this newly launched web publication by Srutasrava Prabhu. "Srila Gurudev departs from Caracas in the midst of tears of sorrow, and arrives in Mexico to tears of joy."

Venezuela: Photos, story captions and brief report in this web-page by Vaidehi Devi Dasi about the last day of Srila Gurudev's visit in Caracas.

Audio: Karttik Evening Kirttans. Siksastakam related kirtans composed by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, chanted yesterday evening here at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip, recorded and posted on the web in response to enquiries asking the tune to which these are sung.
Listen online (mp3 playlist) or:
Download (mp3 audio files):
Siksastakam Kirttans 1, 2 and 3 (9 minutes, 1.6 MB mp3 audio).
Siksastakam Kirttans 4, 5 and 6 (12 minutes, 2.1 MB mp3 audio).
Siksastakam Kirttans 7 and 8 (13+ minutes, 2.4 MB mp3 audio).
The Mahamantra chanted at the end (8+ minutes, 1.5 MB mp3 audio).

'Perseverance Rewarded.' Sripad B.L. Akinchan Maharaj reporting on the arrival of devotees from Colombia and Peru on the last day of Srila Gurudev's visit to Venezuela. "We may be separated from our Gurudeva for some time (some of these devotees have not seen Srila Gurudeva since he last visited Colombia in 1993) and so many obstacles my prevent us from getting his holy darshan, but if we persevere in our attempt, if we are sincere, the reward will be far greater than we could ever imagine."

Venezuela: 'One Day's News' on tour with Srila Govinda Maharaj. Vaidehi Devi Dasi sent pictures and extensive captions: "What happens in Caracas Venezuela is a very beautiful thing. Of course wherever Srila Gurudev goes there is always so much light and happiness, the days are filled with activities and especially service. Here is what happened yesterday at both Srila Gurudev's headquarters and at the Ashram...."

Ladies Class in Caracas. A summary by Madhavi Devi Dasi of a class by Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi to the lady devotees during Srila Govinda Maharaj's recent visit.

Audio: Govardhan and Vrindavan Annual Karttik Pilgrimage, diary dispatch phoned in by Krishna Chandra Prabhu transiting through Kolkata just before flying back to England.
Download or listen online (24+ minutes, 3 MB mp3 audio).

(Plus two earlier interviews with Krishna Chandra Prabhu and Anindita Devi Dasi in Nabadwip before going to Govardhan are posted in our What's New? archives of 10th and 11th November.)

Sri Vaisnava Toshani web-magazine updated with a page of pictures, slokas and inspirational comment from Caracas on Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad's Disappearance Day Festival in Caracas.

Venezuelan Tour Diary updated with Vidya Sundar Prabhu's last in this series of daily reports, written in the departure lounge at Caracas Airport.

World Tour Interviews. Older and newer generations of Venezuelan devotees share Krishna conscious reflections with Vaidehi Devi Dasi accompanying the Tour entourage of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Venezuelan Tour Diary by Vidya Sundar Prabhu, updated with recollections of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad's Disappearance Day Festival in Caracas.

Venezuela's new website: now includes live video feeds of special occasions during Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's current visit.

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates: The Moonlike Mercy of the Divine Servitor. Article by Jagamohini Devi Dasi sharing her recollections of two recent programmes with His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj. Kids' Halloween Sankirttan in the streets of downtown Santa Cruz. (Pictures with captions).

Portuguese language website fully revised by Bala Krishna Prabhu and reloaded onto the web: http://portugues.scsmath.org.

Nabadwip, pictures for Srila Govinda Maharaj to see, and all to share.

Venezuela 'blog' by Sripad B.L. Akinchan Maharaj on his iMonk.net website, reporting from Caracas on tour with Srila Govinda Maharaj.

Venezuelan Tour Diary by Vidya Sundar Prabhu, updated with a further two days of entries of current events in Caracas on tour with Srila Gurudev.

California: An Afternoon of Magic with Srila Gurudev and his entourage smiling brightly to see the tricks of Steve Blancoe, a local magician, upon whom Srila Govinda Maharaj also played a trick.... Pictures and extensive captions from Srila Gurudev's recent visit.

Singapore: 'Vaikuntha Bhandar' at the Holistic Living Festival, Fort Canning Centre. Preaching with book and Prasad distribution from the most colourful and vibrant booth at the Festival.

Venezuela: Srila Gurudev gives initiations, followed by a memorable Sunday programme at the Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram, Caracas. Web-page report with pictures and extensive captions by Vaidehi Devi Dasi.

Sri Vaisnava Toshani, the magazine printed by Sripad Srutasrava Prabhu is newly published electronically at http://toshani.com. The first web issue shares recent days in Venezuela with Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

California: La gran inauguración de la 'Vía Govinda,' Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram de Soquel. Reporte por Vaidehi Devi Dasi.

Mexico Tour information and notice for pilgrims in English and Spanish. If you are considering visiting His Divine Grace in Mexico later this month, please see this Veracruz notice for pilgrims which includes information about who to contact, hotels, transport, climate, etc.

Brazil, Porto Alegre festival for Sri Vyasa-Puja held earlier this month. (Pictures.)

Venezuelan Website launched and offered to His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj by Gaurachandra Prabhu heading the web design team at the Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram, Caracas. The site http://www.paramakaruna.org.ve includes up to date news in Spanish, pictures and audio of Srila Gurudev's current visit to Venezuela.

Venezuelan Tour Diary by Vidya Sundar Prabhu, sharing current events of Srila Gurudev and the devotees (in English). Additionally updated this afternoon with a further two days of diary entries.

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates: Article plus an additional photo gallery of Srila Govinda Maharaj inaugurating recently the 'Via Govinda' pathway to the top of the hill at the Soquel Seva Ashram.

Aniversario del Día en que Srila Gurudev recibió Sannyas por Vidya Sundar Prabhu, California, Noviembre 5 de 2004.

Venezuela, Tour arrival dispatch: 'Venezuela, a land graced by Grace Personified' by Pranesvari Devi Dasi.

Brazil: Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival at the Krishna Shakti Ashram, depicted in two webpages of pictures sent by Nanda Priya and Ishanandini Devi Dasis.

Turkey: Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival at the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Maha Mantra Yoga Centre, Ankara.

Forthcoming Sri Vyasa-Puja compilation in glorification of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj:
A special request to please send written offerings early (preferably as text in the body of an email) to:

so they may be included and printed in the anthology being prepared this year by Vrindavanesvari Devi Dasi. This will be presented to His Divine Grace on his holy Appearance Day, 28th December 2004. Srila Gurudev likes photos, so please send a picture or two of your good-self (as 'jpeg' files, not more than 100K each). Kindly submit your offerings early so the compilation can be nicely prepared for the satisfaction of our Divine Masters.
Tips for sending photos by email. Please send reasonably small photos. As a general guideline, use a picture editing programme on your computer to make each photo a maximum of 500 pixels wide, then "Save As..." a jpeg file with a quality of 50 percent. This will generally give a reasonable compromise between picture quality and file size. Please see our Tips for Multimedia pages for further useful guidelines.

It is looking increasingly likely Srila Govinda Maharaj will be in California for his Sri Vyasa-Puja this year. After visiting Venezuela and Mexico, Srila Gurudev is likely to fulfil the devotees' request to stay in America for the remainder of the year.

Srila Gurudev ascends the Soquel Ashram's new pathway now completed to the top of the hill. (Pictures.)

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates from the current Twenty-first World Tour: Sri Vyasa-Puja reflections from California: Waves of Nectar on Srila Guru Maharaj’s Appearance Day. Devotees' impressions from discourses of that memorable day. Srila Govinda Maharaj's sannyas anniversary. Vidya Sundar Prabhu gives a glimpse of the informal conversation by Srila Gurudev with Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj on 5th November.

Nabadwip, pictures for Srila Gurudev to see and all to share.

Audio: Follow-up interview. Summing up last weekend's festivals in Nabadwip and Hapaniya, Krishna Chandra Prabhu and Anindita Devi Dasi share these events and their pilgrimage as they start for our Govardhan Math to continue the Karttik Festivals there. Listen now (RealMedia streaming audio), or: Download or listen online (16 minutes, 2.7 MB mp3 audio).

The Greatness of the Vaisnava, an excerpt from Divine Aspiration by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, newly posted on Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj's Cybertemple of the Beautiful Goldenlord website. The excerpt begins with the question to Srila Guru Maharaj: "On the path of devotional service, how is one to improve his own condition?" Please take the time to read this article.

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates from the current Twenty-first World Tour: Audio: Four recent recordings from California (in mp3 and RealMedia audio): -) Srila Gurudev: darshan, October 13. -) Srila Gurudev: initiations, October 28. -) Sripad Janardan Maharaj: discourse, October 30. -) Sripad Goswami Maharaj: Sunday feast programme, October 31. Sri Vyasa-Puja of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj with the joyful presence of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj in California. (Pictures with captions.) Srila Gurudev receives a finely printed Italian translation of the book 'The Loving Search for the Lost Servant.' (Pictures with captions.)

Audio: Nabadwip, Sri Vyasa-Puja pilgrimage interview with Krishna Chandra Prabhu and Anindita Devi Dasi, recorded here in Nabadwip the day before Srila Guru Maharaj's recent Sri Vyasa-Puja. Listen now (RealMedia streaming audio), or: Download or listen online (19+ minutes, 2.2 MB mp3 audio).

Vrindavan Sri Vyasa-Puja en el Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math y la Misión, Seva Kunja, Vrindavan.

Vrindavan Sri Vyasa-Puja dispatch sharing Saturday's special events at our Temple at Seva Kunja, in the heart of Vrindavan.

Brazil, three pages of pictures of recent second initiations held on behalf of Srila Gurudev at the Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram, Krishna Shakti Ashram Shakti Ashram, Sao Paulo.

Hapaniya, today's festival at the Holy Place of Appearance of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Vrindavan, Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival for the 110th Appearance Day of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. (Pictures.)

Australia, Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival for the 110th Appearance Day of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. (Pictures.)

México: Sripad B.K. Ashram Maharaj in Morelia in these days leading up to the prayed-for visit of Gurudev Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj to Veracruz. (Pictures.)

Nabadwip Sri Vyasa-Puja grandly held here at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math including early morning nagar Sankirttan, glorification by many exalted devotees, presentation of written offerings submitted from around the world, and special offerings to His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, followed by mass Prasad distribution on this, Srila Guru Maharaj's 110th Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival. (Forty-eight pictures.)

Two new photoseries of Srila Guru Maharaj Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj posted on the Sri Guru Vandana website in memory of His Divine Grace this Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival Day.

Californian Website: What's New! page latest updates include: Audio: Golden Discourse & Kirttan (27th October), at our Golden Road Center in downtown Santa Cruz.  Speaker: Sripad B.B. Avadhut Maharaj.  81 minutes, mp3 and RealMedia audio. Gallery: Nagar Harinam Sankirttan in Santa Cruz (29th October). (Pictures with captions.)

Sannyasa Day of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip, 1985: an archive photo sent by Sripad B.K Giri Maharaj. 
Plus additional pictures of this historic occasion posted on the web previously.

Sri Vyasa-Puja Festivals will be held around the world this Saturday for Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's Appearance Day. As previously publicised, a grand festival will be held here at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math followed by the annual Karttik Pilgrimage to Govardhan and Vrindavan.
In Soquel, California, devotees are converging from around the world to attend the festival which will be blessed by the personal presence of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
In Vrindavan, Sripad B.P. Tirtha Maharaj is preparing a special programme at our Temple at Seva Kunja.
Devotees are invited to participate to make the worldwide Vyasa-Puja Festivals greatly successful for the glorification of Srila Guru Maharaj for the satisfaction of the whole Sampradaya.

Californian Website: What's New! page inaugurated to facilitate identifying recently added material featuring events associated with Srila Gurudev's current visit. The latest updates include: Video: Srila Gurudev in San Jose (23rd October) at the 17th Street house that used to be the ladies' ashram, and that is again back in devotees' hands having been recently purchased by Braja Mohini Devi Dasi and her husband Jayanta Krishna Prabhu. 3 minutes 39 seconds; QuickTime MPEG-4 and RealMedia video. Audio: Sripad BPJanardan Maharaj lecturing at our Golden Road Centre in downtown Santa Cruz, and Kirttan led by Raja Ram Prabhu. 44 minutes, mp3 and RealMedia audio. Three galleries of recent photos with captions of Srila Gurudev and the devotees.

Dum Dum Park, Kolkata, construction progress of the new Seva Ashram close to the existing Temple. (Pictures.)

Mauritius Temple construction progress of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math International, Long Mountain. (Pictures sent by Adhoksaja Prabhu.)

El Sagrado Mes de Karttik por Su Divina Gracia Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Srila Gurudev's 21st World Tour looks likely to expand to Venezuela within a couple of weeks, and possibly to Mexico later this month. Please also note it is quite possible Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj may be in California for his Sri Vyasa-Puja this year (December 28th). Prospective pilgrims to his lotus feet for Sri Vyasa-Puja may wish to postpone purchasing air tickets until plans are confirmed.

Venezuela, notice for pilgrims wishing to visit Srila Govinda Maharaj during his expected visit later this month, plus information of local hotels. (También en español.)

Nabadwip, the first days of Karttik. A variety of pictures, and a reminder of this month's importance given in the excerpt The Holy Month of Karttik by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Additional kirttans are chanted here throughout Karttik: six in the morning and a series of eight each evening. These are listed in The Daily Programme available here in pdf format (45 K), which refers to the Kirttan Guide book, available in full here in pdf format (650 K).

Nabadwip, construction progress. Pictures series of pouring the roof of the new Prasad distribution hall, and a further series of the progress downstairs in both sections of the new hall.

Brazil: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, four day Vaishnava festival led by Sripad B.V. Trivikram Maharaj on behalf of Srila Gurudeva. (Two pages of pictures.)