Inivitation to ISKCON events this November: Aberdeen Festival of India, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, HH Sivarama Swami visit, etc

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Gouranga Festivals

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Nov 3, 2012, 12:52:25 PM11/3/12
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Dear friends,

The days are getting shorter and colder, but do not despair, you are warmly invited to the following exciting ISKCON events this November:

4th Nov. SUN 5pm-8pm- "Aberdeen Festival of India" at  Mile End School, Midstocket Road, Aberdeen AB15 5PD
11th Nov. SUN 2pm - 5pm - "Diwali - Festival of lights" at Karuna Bhavan, GarnGour Road, Lesmahagow, ML11 0HQ
16th Nov. FRI - 19th Nov. MON - visit to Scotland by HH Sivarama Swami (events with him below)
17th Nov. SAT 4pm-8pm - ISKCON founder Acaraa - Srila Prabhupada's disappearance day anniversary  & HH Sivarama Swami presentation on wonderful new multi-volume books at Karuna Bhavan, GarnGour Road, Lesmahagow, ML11 0HQ
18th Nov. SUN 2pm-5pm - Govardhan Puja festival with HH Sivarama Swami at Karuna Bhavan, GarnGour Road, Lesmahagow, ML11 0HQ

Description of the Events:

4th Nov. SUN 5pm-8pm- "Aberdeen Festival of India"

"Festival of India" is a celebration of culture and spirituality. This festival aims to elevate one to a natural state of joy and happiness. It will be a transcendental feast for the senses. Prepare yourselves for an enlivening afternoon with Indian dance, comedy drama, musical meditation, Kirtan yoga, Bhakti-yoga, eastern philosophy based on the Vedas and a delicious vegetarian feast. Leave all your problems and worries behind and experience a higher taste.

11th Nov. SUN 2pm - 5pm - "Diwali - Festival of lights",
RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/events/517562898255789/

Diwali, meaning ‘festival of lights’, is one of the most widely celebrated occasions in the year.
Diwali has become a multicultural festival for all backgrounds of people. The central theme for the festival is derived from the epic Ramayana, but the festival also marks the traditional New Year’s Eve in India. This was also the day when Lord Krishna performed His childhood pastime of breaking the pots of yogurt and letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda.  

The Vedic aphorism says - "Do not remain in the darkness - go to the light". This festival is to remind us individually and collectively that there is a higher purpose in life - seeking spiritual enlightenment and self-realisation.

Diwali is celebrated with offerings of candles and lamps, narrations, bhajans and kirtans. The festival will culminate with delicious Diwali feast.

16th Nov. FRI - 19.11 MON - visit to Scotland by HH Sivarama Swami

The great saint, kirtan leader, sanyasi, HH Sivarama Swami will be visiting Scotland 16th -19th of November, 2012. He will be our special guest at two upcoming major events at Karuna Bhavan. First - Srila Prabhupada's disappearance anniversary and presentation of his wonderful new  multivolume book "Nava-Vraja mahima" on Saturday, 17th of Nov, 4pm-8pm. Second – Govardhan Puja festival which will also include a presentation of his book on Sunday, 18th Nov 2pm-5pm. During each event he will be leading  wonderful bhajans and kirtans.

HH Sivarama Swami is famous for his deep realisations which he has recorded in a number of much appreciated books. He is also famous for his heart-touching bhajans and kirtans. For the last four years Maharaja has been working on researching and writing an extensive set of books on the wonderful glories of Sri Vrindavana (poster attached). This set of books - titled Nava Vraja Mahima - has just been published in a once only, limited edition print. Maharaja will be speaking about and reading from his books. As usual, there will be delicious prasad feast at the end of each programme.

Sivarama Swami was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1949. His family immigrated to Canada where some years later in 1970, he first came in contact with Srila Prabhupada's teachings, via his transcendental books. He became his initiated disciple in 1973 and accepted the renounced order of life in 1979. He was requested to accept the responsibility of GBC (ISKCON Government Body Commission) member in 1986 while serving in the UK. He has been serving ISKCON in the UK in various capacities since 1980 and took responsibility for Hungary from 1988. Sivarama Swami is also well known for his deep knowledge of vaishnava literature, and has written several books about Krishna consciousness himself. At present he is GBC for Hungary and is responsible for wonderful developments of Krishna Consciousness there. The most notable is one of the most successful, self-sustained farm communities in the world – New Vraja Dham. In 2011 HH Sivarama Swami was awarded the Gold Cross of the Hungarian Republic, the second highest award in the state in appreciation of his charitable, humanitarian and value-creating work.
 HH Sivarama Swami official website:
http://www.sivaramaswami.com

17th Nov. SAT 4pm-7pm - SP disappearance day & HH Sivarama Swami book presentation

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness passed away in the year 1977 in Vrindavan. This year for this special occasion we will have the association of HH Sivarama Swami who will help us to increase our appreciation for Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada was a pure devotee of Lord Krishna who spent all his time in the loving service of the Lord. On the instructions of his spiritual master he travelled overseas to spread the glories of Lord Krishna to the western world. He brought millions to the path of bhakti. He established one of the biggest movements to propagate love of Godhead. Srila Prabhupada was a prolific writer of Vaisnava philosophy. He translated the Bhagavad Gita as it is, which has been widely circulated around the world and has made a huge impact on society.

Although Srila Prabhupada is no longer with us physically, on a spiritual platform he is very much present; in his deity form, his books and his instructions. His mercy is there for all those who seek it. Departure of a pure Vaisnava is a celebration as he returns to his eternal service at Krishna’s lotus feet in the spiritual world - Goloka Vrindavana.

18th Nov. SUN 2pm-5pm - Govardhan Puja festival with HH Sivarama Swami

Govardhan Puja festival is greatly loved by everyone. This extraordinary hill is a few miles from Vrindavan, which is Krishna's  birthplace and is the destination of several million pilgrims from all around the world. During this month of Kartik many of them go on Govardhana Parikrama (the 14 mile circumambulation of the hill that includes visiting many places of pastimes of Sri Krishna). Govardhan Hill is so significant, because it is the site for the most intimate pastimes of Krishna with his devotees.

Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities — water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant. - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.21.18

Krishna personally supervised His associates in performing the very first Govardhana Puja festival and instructed them in its philosophical significance. Our re-enactment of the festival will unfold through recitations, bhajan songs and dance. Each year, here at Karuna Bhavan we build a mountain of sweets and circumambulation of this hill is a highlight of the festival. The festival will culminate with a special Prasadam feast with many traditional savory and sweet preparations.

For directions and other info please visit
www.iskconscotland.com

I hope this meets you in good health,
Prabhupada Prana das
(temple president)

HH Sivarama Swami books.jpg
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