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Christmas Retreat Schedule

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Sat, December 24th, 2016
4pm                           Kids Club – Arts and Crafts!
                                   Yoga for Adults
5:15 pm                   Storytelling Time by Sankirtan Das
6:15 pm                   Come Milk the Cows
7pm                          Arati
7:30 pm                   The Pursuit of Happiness—learn the ABCD’s of Happiness

Sun,  December 25th, 2016
5am                           Mangala Arati
7am                          Come Milk the Cows
7:30am                    Darshan Arati
8am                           Srimad Bhagavatam class – Listen and Learn the Ancient Vedic texts.
9am                          Breakfast Prasadam
10am                        Darshan of Radha Kund, Shyama Kunda and Govardhan
12:30 pm                Arati
1pm                           Does Your Mind Control YOU? Learn how to finally take charge!
2pm                          Sunday Christmas Feast
                                   Bring a Present–Exchange a Present!
4pm                           Practical service to Lord Krishna
5.30pm                    Yoga for Adults
                                  Kid’s club
7pm                           Arati
730pm                     Bhagavad Gita Class

Mon, December 26th, 2016
5am                           Mangala Arati
6am                           Yoga
7am                          Come Milk the Cows
7:30am                    Darshan Arati
8am                           Srimad Bhagavatam class – Listen and Learn the Ancient Vedic texts.
9am                           Breakfast Prasadam
10am                         Practical Service to Lord Krishna                 
12.30pm                  Arati
1.30pm                    Lunch Prasadam
7pm                           Arati
7.30pm                    Bhagavad Gita Class


New Year’s Retreat Schedule

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Sat, December 31st, 2016 
4pm                          Kids Program! Arts and Crafts for Krishna
                                    Yoga for Adults
5:15 pm                   Storytelling Time by Sankirtan Das
6:15 pm                   Come Milk the Cows
7pm                          Arati
7:30pm                    The Pursuit of Happiness—learn the ABCD’s of Happiness
8.15- 12:30pm                    Welcome the new year with Ecstatic Kirtans   

Sun,  January 1st, 2017
5am                           Mangala Arati
7am                          Come Milk the Cows
7:30am                    Darshan Arati
8am                           Srimad Bhagavatam class – Listen and Learn the Ancient Vedic texts.
9am                          Breakfast Prasadam
10am                        Darshan of Radha Kund, Shyama Kunda and Govardhan
12:30pm                 Arati
1pm                           Does Your Mind Control YOU? Learn how to finally take charge!
2pm                          New Year’s Lunch Feast
4pm                           Practical service to Lord Krishna
5.30pm                    Yoga for Adults
                                   Kid’s club
7pm                           Arati
7.30pm                    Bhagavat Gita Class

Mon, January 2nd, 2017
5am                           Mangala Arati
6am                           Yoga
7am                          Come Milk the Cows
7:30am                    Darshan Arati
8am                           Srimad Bhagavatam class – Listen and Learn the Ancient Vedic texts.
9am                           Breakfast Prasadam
10am                         Practical Service to Lord Krishna                 
12.30pm                  Arati
1.30pm                    Lunch Prasadam

2017 Calendar PDF

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Our new calendar is now available. Please CLICK HERE for a PDF copy of the 2017 New Vrindaban Calendar. It has some beautiful pictures of the landscape and of New Vrindaban.

Bhagavad-Gita Crash Course

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Please join our head preacher H.G.Gaurnatraj Das on an exciting journey through the Bhagavad-Gita. Learn the essence in 3 weeks. Click on this link to register or call 304-312-6539.

If you would like to donate a larger ammount please use the following link:

CLASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE COURSE ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND ON THE NEW VRINDABAN WEBSITE.

register for bhaktivedanta medical association retreat 2017

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Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat

Registration page
  • Price: $200.00 Quantity:
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  • Price: $100.00 Quantity:
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Yoga Nrisimha Weekend

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Lord Nrisimha is known as the great protector. The great protector appeared with lions face and claws and the human torso. He is ferocious and terrifying for those who do not believe in Him but fiercely protects His devotees from any obstacles and harm that come their way. Unmatched and supreme He is present on earth and heaven and everywhere in between.

Even today Lor Nrisimha is known to protect His devotees. Lets pray for His blessings and mercy by chanting, Yajna, Meditation, asana everything dedicated to Him. Let pray to Him for good health, intelligence and long life and protection against all obstacles.

Come and participate or sponsor a puja.

Donation options

Nrishimha Pavithra Mahayajnam 351
Pushpa Seva 551
Nrisimha Maha Abisheka Seva 751
Dress Seva 2501
Annadaanam 5001
Nrisimha Go-Daanam 3501
Go-Puja 108

Narsimha Chaturdashi

Help Protect 13 Cows

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Give protection to 13 additional cows.

Iskcon New Vrindaban is in the process of adopting 13 additional cows and urgently needs your help.

These 13 cows are coming all the way from Canada. They are currently being looked after by a devotee family: Bhakta Fil, his wife Sukhayanti and their two daughters . Unfortunately due to a lack of devotee association Bhakta Fil and his family have been looking for a new place to take care of the cows.

Its in the very best interest of the cows that they spend their remaining days in a protected environment. And there is probably no safer, secure or loving place in all of North America than right here, in New Vrindaban, The Land of Krsna.

Help us to bring these cows to The Holy Dham.

Please sponser or adopt a cow. Look at the beautiful pictures below and select the cow you would like to support.

As a mark of our appreciation, all sponsors will get a special gift of a cow figurine and a special puja will be done in the name of their family.

When you next visit us in New Vrindaban, we will introduce you to your cow and give you the opportunity to perform a go puja. Why not make visiting your cow a part of your every future trip to New Vrindaban.

Yours in the service of Lord Krishna

Gaurnatraj das

Go-Seva
Name of Cow:

 

Visnu Priya

Picture

Visnu Priya has a unique character, unlike many other dairy cows. She is not at all timid and from day one on our farm she has been very approachable. She loves to be pet and brushed but also doesn’t mind giving you a small nudge if you happen to be in her way. Visnu Priya loves to eat, a lot, and you can often find her in one of the other cow’s food bowls trying to steal their grain. She was the first cow to arrive on our farm and has been super welcoming to the rest of the herd. She is loving to all members of the herd and is very happy to have so many friends.
 
 

Nitai Prana

Picture

Nitai is a sweet and gentle young oxen. He has developed a bit of a laid back yet stubborn nature. He will do as you say to the extent that it suits him and he doesn’t mind having to make you wait for him. Nitai was the first male calf to arrive on our farm. Once Murali, another young bull calf, arrived on the farm, Nitai quickly made friends with him and they are now inseparable. They can always be found together, either playing or resting. 
 
 

Remuna

Picture

Remuna is very mischievous and confident cow. Being a bit timid at first, after a few short days Remuna showed her true nature by playfully trying to boss around the other cows in the herd. She will even give us a gentle shove if we happen to be in her way. She still has a very childlike nature; often she will try to chew on our hair or clothes just like little baby calves do. She is very sweet and loves to be pet and brushed.
 
 

Mangala

Picture

 At first, Mangala was a very shy and timid young cow. Due to the harsh treatment she received in her previous home she wouldn’t let anyone approach her. After a few months on our farm she learned to trust us and she is now easily approachable. She has a very playful, childlike nature as one can often find her running around, playing and chasing the younger calves in the herd, but she will also shove them away if they get in her way. It is such a pleasure to see the transformation she has gone through since her arrival.
 
 

Yasoda

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Just as her name indicates, Yashoda, has a very caring, motherly nature. She always looks over the younger calves in our herd, even though they are not her own. We gave her the nickname Mama, just for that reason. She is the natural leader of the herd as all the other cows show her respect and follow her lead. Wherever she goes, the others obediently follow her. Even though her size might indicate otherwise, as she is a largely built cow, she has a sweet, nurturing and tender nature.
 
 

Murali

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Murali was offered to us as a gift from the farmer from whom we received three other cows that are now a part of our herd. We were extremely happy when he arrived on the farm and his jumpy, joyful nature shone through immediately. Murali has grown up to be quite a feisty young oxen. When he is not in the mood for attention he will gently give a small nudge but will quickly approach you for attention at other times. Nitai Prana and Murali have become best friends from day one. They can always be found together either grazing, resting or playing.
 
 

Nandini

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Nandini is a quiet cow who keeps to herself most of time. At first she was very timid not only of us humans but to the rest of the other cows on our farm as well. After only a short while, she warmed up to us all and can now be seen eating and resting alongside the rest of the cows and oxen, she even lets us pet her and feed her treats with joy. We have given her the nickname Grandmother, as she can always be found resting next to the calves in our herd as though she is babysitting them for their mommies.
 
 

Meera

Picture

Meera is a very young and courageous cow. When she arrived on our farm she explored it with such confidence as though it all belonged to her. Although she was a bit timid at first she quickly learned to trust us and we are now her best friends.  Often you will find her following visitors around and out of curiosity she will check them out when they have their backs turned towards her. She is very playful and loves playing with Nitai Prana and Murali, who from day one became her best friends.
 
 

Ananta Gauranga

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Ananta Gauranga is a mischievous little guy. He will pick a playful fight with anyone in the herd, regardless of their size. He is always full of energy and is often found hopping, jumping, running and having fun around the farm. His best friend is Gopinatha as they were born only a few days apart from one another. They are often found together, either playing or resting one next to the other.
 
 

Gopinatha

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Gopinatha is a pleasant young fellow. He is very mild in his behavior and it seems as though nothing can trouble him. He loves playing around with Ananta Gauranga, as they are almost the same size, but you will rarely spot him playing with any of the big guys. He is sweet and charming, and he doesn’t mind to be pet whenever possible. He spends most of his day with Ananta Gauranga and it is not a rare sight to see them resting next to one another.
 
 

Rama

Picture

Rama is a sweet young oxen. He is very friendly and will not mind if you approach him slowly. He has developed a very trusting nature and he loves to come and great you when you pay him a visit. Him and his sister can still be seen “hanging out” together although he also enjoy the company of the “bigger” boys in the herd. 
 
 

Shanta

Picture

Shanta is a mischievous young calf. She will run away from you in a flash and will only allow you to approach her if she is “in the mood” for it. Her nature is so different from her mother’s (Visnu Priya) as, unlike her mother, she is very shy and gentle, at times even a bit timid. She can be found a lot with Arjuna, the youngest calf in our herd, who follows her around wherever she goes. It is also not a rare sight to see her close to her twin brother, Rama.
 

Arjuna

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Arjuna is the youngest member in our herd. He came as a big surprise as we did not expect any of our cows to give birth after Visnu Priya had her twins Rama and Shanta (You can read more about this in our description of his mother, Meera). He is a very playful young calf, so much so, that when you approach him to pet him he would rather run off and hop around you, or try to headbutt you instead. He made friends with Rama and Shanta and can often be found following them around. However, his favorite game is chasing the cats around and trying to headbutt them in the process.
Go-Seva
Name of Cow:

Janmastami 2017

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We will celebrate Janmastami on two separate evenings including August 15, 2017 which is the actual Janamastami, as well as August 19, 2017.

This Tuesday, August 15th, we will be celebrating Sri Krishna Janmastami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna. Please join us, there will be so many enlivening activities during the day. Please see the detailed schedule below:

On Saturday, August 19th, we will be celebrating Janmastami with our guests and visitors. For that, we have a separate schedule as below:

 

The Janmastami 2017  PDF brochure is here


Janmashtami 2017
Date:
Name:




Holy Name Retreat 2018

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May 11-13th, 2018

New Vrindaban will celebrate Mother’s Day weekend in our Jubilee year (2018) with a new format—the Festival of Inspiration is evolving into the Holy Name Retreat, facilitated by His Holiness Sacinandana Swami.

Join us in the Appalachian foothills during the delightful mid-spring season for three consecutive days of sadhu-sanga, soulful kirtans, deep chanting & dancing, sumptuous prasadam, and an engaging children’s program. An inaugural introspective kirtan will be held on Thursday (5/11) evening.

What can you expect from this retreat?

* Strengthen your inner connection with the Divine Couple

* Gain new insights and techniques in relation to chanting the Holy Name

* Strengthen your commitment to offenseless chanting of the Holy Name

* Embrace breakthrough experiences in chanting the Holy Name

* Expand the boundaries of your spiritual life so that you can have deeper and more rewarding spiritual realizations.

In order to enable participants to benefit optimally from this retreat, we are working hard to provide an atmosphere conducive to focus deeply during the retreat’s learning experiences. We are pleased to host the retreat in our beautiful new Yoga Shala that overlooks Kusum Sarovara lake–a peaceful location, slightly removed from the temple and restaurant, surrounded by trees and shrubs and often visited by the deer, peacocks and swans. We have also arranged  a FREE children’s camp for those 5-13 years old, so their youthful energy can be blissfully engaged by our creative and engaging community members.  New Vrindaban is also home to forest hiking trails and walking paths for you to practice your personal japa.

Schedule and timing of sessions will be posted soon.

Click Here to Register.

Christmas & New Year’s Retreat

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You are cordially invited to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in New Vrindaban!

In our everyday busy world full of destructions, what we really need is some quiet time to slow down and reconnect with ourselves, our lives, and the world around us in a deeper way. What’s often missing is a sacred space where we can honor what it means to celebrate endings and new beginnings with conscious awareness and intention. New Vrindaban in West Virginia offers exactly this – come, open your heart and jumpstart your resolutions with our Christmas and New Year’s Retreats. Enjoy lymphatic yoga, hiking, sacred mantra kirtan, tool-based seminars, karma yoga (selfless service) and delicious cruelty-free food, while your children also enjoy activities specially created for the young and active! In addition, heal your heart with our protected cows as you brush, milk and feed them. Book your room now at palacelodge.com while accommodations are available.

CHRISTMAS RETREAT

23 December, Saturday
3pm Hike
5pm Seminar
(3-6pm New adVentures Kids Camp)
6pm Healing Cow Seva
7pm Gaura Arati and Mantra Kirtan

24 December, Sunday
5am Mangala Arati
6:30am Lymphatic Yoga
7:30am Darshan Arati & Guru puja
8am The Glories of the Srimad Bhagavatam
9am Breakfast
10am Hike and Archery
12pm Seminar
2pm Sunday Love Feast
3-5pm Karma Yoga
(3-6pm  New adVentures Kids Camp)
6pm Healing Cow Seva
7pm Gaura Arati and Mantra Kirtan

25 December, Monday
5am Mangala Arati
6:30am Lymphatic Yoga
7:30am Darshan Arati & Guru puja
8am The Glories of the Srimad Bhagavatam
9am Breakfast
10am: Gratitude Circle and Karma Yoga
(10am-1pm  New adVentures Kids Camp)
1:30pm Christmas Lunch Prasadam Celebration


NEW YEAR’S RETREAT

30 December, Saturday
3pm Hike
5pm Seminar
(3-6pm New adVentures Kids Camp)
6pm Healing Cow Seva
7pm Gaura Arati and Mantra Kirtan

31 December, Sunday
5am Mangala Arati
6:30am Lymphatic Yoga
7:30am Darshan Arati and Guru Puja
8am The Glories of the Srimad Bhagavatam
9am Breakfast
10am Hike and Archery
12pm Seminar
2pm Sunday Love Feast
3-5pm Yajna and Karma Yoga
(4-6pm  New adVentures Kids Camp)
6pm Healing Cow Seva
7pm Gaura Arati
9:30pm Resolutions and Vision Board
10:30pm Lanterns in the Sky with Kirtan
11:30pm Welcome the New Year Kirtan

1 January 2018, Monday
5am Mangala Arati
7:30am Darshan Arati and Guru Puja
8am The Glories of the Srimad Bhagavatam
9am Breakfast
10am Hike
(10am-1pm  New adVentures Kids Camp)
1:30pm Lunch

Schedule subject to change. Dinner is available at our vegetarian Govinda’s restaurant.

Bhagavan and his family

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Devotee Who Grew Up in New Vrindaban Returns to Serve His Community

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

Born to a devotee family in New Vrindaban, West Virginia in 1977, Bhagavan Bauer lived and attended gurukula there until the age of eighteen.

While he developed great friendships with the other gurukula students and has good memories of fun times with them, he also endured the kind of traumatic abuse and neglect that was unfortunately all too common in many of ISKCON’s ashram-based gurukulas at the time.

So it was no surprise that he left in 1995 to create a new life for himself. During his twenty years away, Bhagavan gained a well of experience. He worked in New York City at several different jobs, including fitness trainer, construction worker and electrician. He married his wife Ananga Manjari, and they had two sons, Nava Kishor and Nitya, now 14 and 12.

As a father, still healing from his own negative childhood experiences and looking to give his children a more wholesome upbringing, Bhagavan studied parenting techniques. To pass on his knowledge, he then became a parenting coach and educator himself – a service he still offers.

More recently, after suffering the loss of several relatives, he and his wife sought more stability in their lives. And they felt that New Vrindaban, where Bhagavan’s mother Sukhavaha lives, was the place to find that.

In August 2015, Bhagavan and his family moved back to a very different New Vrindaban – one with a revitalized focus on Srila Prabhupada’s vision, improved devotee care, and increased infrastructure maintenance. He also found dramatically better treatment of children at the local Gopal’s Garden school, where his sons now study and his wife teaches.

When he first returned to New Vrindaban, Bhagavan struggled with what he described as an unhealthy sense of entitlement towards the community due to the trauma he had previously experienced there.

“But I decided to work through it and learn to love New Vrindaban while here,” he explains. “And that, I felt, would help me heal.”

Bhagavan says he is now reconnecting with the community he grew up in – and is at the forefront of efforts to transform it and pioneer the next wave.

Since moving back two years ago, he has been serving as the construction and maintenance manager for ISKCON New Vrindaban, overseeing a team of seven. Together they are assisting the effort to physically revitalize key parts of New Vrindaban, much of which had received little maintenance over the previous thirty years.

In his two years there so far Bhagavan and his team have already done an impressive number of upgrades.

They have upgraded all the floors in the temple prasadam room and hallways with vinyl plank flooring; put in a new sink and cabinets for dishes in the prasadam room; and upgraded the guest kitchen.

The team also helped Gopisa Das finish a host of new apartments for resident devotees near the New Vrindaban Community Gardens. They built the brand newYoga Shala in a record time of four months – a 2,000 square-foot building with a sloped cathedral ceiling, windows on three sides, and a beautiful view of the swan lake. And they built the wittily named “Vishnu Maintenance Workshop” to consolidate all their own tools and make their work more efficient.

Meaningfully to Bhagavan, they also transformed the Palace Lodge ground floor rooms – which had been gurukula ashrams in the 1980s – into comfortable, modern motel rooms.

“Demolishing the old ashram was a cathartic process for me,” he says.

Currently, Bhagavan is redoing the siding on the guest lodge and upgrading the chattras and walkways around the swan lake.

Next, he and his team plan to renovate the old farmhouse at Vrindaban, where the community was originally centered, and where Srila Prabhupada stayed in 1969 – restoring a wonderful piece of history.

After receiving feedback from community members on the details, Bhagavan is also eager to help make a big improvement – upgrading the entire outside of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s temple to give it a fresh, more attractive look.

The challenge in working for the New Vrindaban construction department, according to Bhagavan, is that one doesn’t have the luxury to specialize but has to be able to do everything. So tasks can have a learning curve.

“But I like that we have a dynamic team who work together cooperatively; that we’re constantly upgrading and making New Vrindaban more beautiful; and that I get to help create nice relationships with the devotees,” says Bhagavan, who is well-respected by his team.

As the name of the department’s new workshop suggests, Bhagavan is a big believer in the “Vishnu principle” of maintenance. “The Brahma and Shiva phases might be more fun – but it takes more energy and effort to maintain, which is why Vishnu is the Supreme Being,” he says. “We want to maintain everything nicely so that the beauty of New Vrindaban can be there for years to come, and attract new generations.”

In this vein Bhagavan is also a member of New Vrindaban’s recently elected Village Council, which is working to develop a more appealing environment for families and individuals by providing community members with a stronger voice in running their community.

“New Vrindaban is ever-growing and developing, and we’re working on shifting towards a focus of how to care best for the community member,” he says. “We hope this will encourage younger generations of families to move here and help New Vrindaban grow towards fulfilling Prabhupada’s mission.”

Farm Conference Schedule 2017

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2017 ISKCON North America Farm Conference Schedule 

 

 

Friday

1:30-2:30 pm Lunch, travel to the Valley Barn
2:30-3:00 pm Introductions
3:00-3:45 pm Opening Address & Group Discussion
3:45-4:00 pm Break
4:00-5:00 pm The History of New Vrindaban’s Cow Protection Program: A Guided Tour
5:00-5:15 pm Travel to Yoga Shala
5:15-6:00 pm Urban Farming: Healing Hearts in Nature’s Temple (Bhaktin Allegra)
6:00-7:00 pm Dinner, travel to the Palace
7:00-8:30 pm Palace Program: Kirtan, Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions for New Vrindaban: A Slideshow Presentation (Sankirtana dasa), Dipa-dana

 

Saturday

5:00-5:45 am Mangala Arati & Tulasi Puja
5:45-7:30 am Japa, 7:00 am: Milking at the Temple Barn (Ananda Vidya dasa)
7:30-8:00 am Darshan Arati & Guru Puja
8:00-9:00 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class (Kalakantha dasa)
9:00-10:00 am Breakfast, walk to the Yoga Shala
10:00-10:30 am Opening Remarks, Introduce the day’s schedule (Kalakantha dasa)
10:30-11:30 pm Where is the Ahimsa Dairy Paradigm Leading Us To? (Kalakantha dasa)
11:30-11:45 pm Break
11:45-1:30 pm Panel Discussion: The Ahimsa Dairy Equation
1:30-2:30 pm Lunch
2:30-3:00 pm Free Time, relocate to Nandagram
3:00-4:00 pm Ox Training at Nandagram (Balabhadra dasa)
4:00-4:15 Relocate back to Yoga Shala
4:15-5:15 Healthy Soils, Healthy Plants, Healthy People: Organic Approaches to Manage Soil Quality (Jim Kotcon)
5:15-6:15 pm Toolbox for Building A Green Congregation: Why Farming is The Incubator for The Second Half of Srila Prabhupada’s Mission (Tapahpunja dasa)
6:15-7:00 pm Dinner
7:00-9:00 pm Gaura Arati, Kirtan, Shayan Arati, Dipa-dana in the temple

 

Sunday

5:00-5:45 am Mangala Arati & Tulasi Puja
5:45-7:30 am Japa, 7:00 am: Milking at the Temple Barn (Ananda Vidya dasa)
7:30-8:00 am Darshan Arati & Guru Puja
8:00-9:00 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class: 1.17.3 (Balabhadra dasa)
9:00-10:00 am Breakfast, walk over to Yoga Shala
10:00-10:30 am Opening Remarks, Introduce the day’s schedule (Kalakantha dasa)
10:30-11:30 am Intro to Water Bath Canning (Makara dasi)
11:30-12:15 pm The Vrindavan Village Vision of Srila Prabhupada (Gadi dasa)
12:15-12:30 pm Break
12:30-1:30 pm Bulls are the Basis (Balabhadra dasa)
1:30-2:00 pm End of Conference: Reflections and Closing Remarks (Kalakantha dasa)
2:00-3:00 pm Feast

 

New Vrindaban Invites All North American ISKCON Farmers To Second Annual Farm Conference
By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

ECO-Vrindaban and ISKCON New Vrindaban are extending an invitation to every Hare Krishna temple and farm in North America to attend the 2017 Annual North American ISKCON Farm Conference from October 13th to 15th.

The Conference will be hosted at INV in West Virginia, and is organized Kalakantha Das, the GBC Minister for Agriculture and Cow Protection, along with volunteers from several farm communities.

“We also want to invite not just devotees, but anyone from the regional area who is interested in small farming, gardening or sustainability,” says conference co-organizer Jamuna Jivani Dasi.

Themed “Back to the Basics,” the aim of the conference is not only to discuss the big picture end result; but also to provide practical first steps and a support network for those who feel inspired to carry out Prabhupada’s instructions on simple living, yet lack the experience or knowledge.

ECO-V General Manager Ranaka Das, who has served at New Vrindaban for over forty years, will give participants a tour of the cow protection facilities along with a history of New Vrindaban’s cow protection program – the first in the Western World.

In his presentation “Holistic Cow Care & Ox Training,” Balabhadra Das will give everyone an hour of hands-on time with the oxen, plus an hour of cow protection philosophy according to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Balabhadra, now based in Alachua, Florida, has run his “International Society for Cow Protection” (ISCOWP) for decades in New Vrindaban, Gita Nagari and beyond.

 

The Farm Conference will also benefit from professionals outside the ISKCON community. James Kotcon, Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at West Virginia University, will lead a workshop on how to build soils using organic practices. His techniques avoid synthetic chemicals and instead use organic matter, tillage, composts, cover crops and crop rotations.

Ken Peralta from Grow Ohio Valley will speak about Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) and how to set them up. His vision is to see family farms and backyard and community gardens thrive, and have grocery stores and school cafeterias use healthy local produce.

Meanwhile in “The Ahimsa Dairy Equation,” Kalakantha Das will discuss how to plan a sustainable milking herd for an Ahimsa Dairy.

Dhruva Das and his wife Parijata Dasi from Gita Nagari farm in Pennsyvlania will add to this with a presentation on the practice, challenges and price for milk from protected cows.

And there will be a panel discussion on the Ahimsa Dairy Equation with Shyamasundara Das from Bhaktivedanta Manor’s New Gokul farm, along with many of the other presenters.

Elsewhere Vidya Dasi, who has volunteered in the gardens at New Vrindaban for more than forty years, and her colleague Suchandra Dasi will share their expertise in “Flower Production and Propagation.” This will be especially practical and helpful to devotees because local flower production is important for Deity worship in all ISKCON temples.

ECO-V board advisor Makara Dasi, who grew up in New Vrindaban and runs her own small farm in Michigan, will lead a practical canning workshop.

Russian devotee Vrajarenu Das will share insight and inspiration from the many successful farming initiatives currently going on in ISKCON Russia.

And in “The Vrindavan Village Vision of Srila Prabhupda,” Gadi Das of Murari-sevaka Farm in Tennessee will share Srila ​​Prabhupada’s teachings on ideal village life​ and self-sufficiency as well as lay out practical steps to achieving Srila Prabhupada’s vision.”

On the Friday evening, there will also be a Kartik kirtan at Prabhupada’s Palace and a slideshow  presentation by Sankirtan Das on Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for New Vrindaban.

The Farm Conference will be an opportunity for both current and aspiring farmers, gardeners and cowherds to learn about projects underway at New Vrindaban and other small farms around the world. And it will be a chance for them to gain skills, techniques and inspiration for their own private or community farm or garden.

“We also want to help participants network and realize that they’re not alone – that there is a whole community of people committed to similar seva all over North America, who can provide them with resources, support and inspiration,” Jamuna Jivani says.

“And finally, we hope people will get a strong sense of how important farming and cow protection is to Srila Prabhupada, and how they’re all really working towards fulfilling his desire.”

Participation in the Farm Conference costs $151 per person (on-site, 3 nights accommodations) or $108 (on-site, 2 nights accommodations).

Registration is now open at: http://farmconferences.iskcon.co/registration

Or, call 1-304-843-1600, ext.111. Participation is open to all, so organizers ask everyone to extend an invitation to congregational devotees, as well as your small farm neighbors!

Govardhan & Diwali Festival: Oct 20-21

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Govardhana Puja, Go-Puja and Annakuta are all connected with the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavan from torrential rains. On this day devotees build a replica of the hill out of large quantities of sweets, which they then circumambulate. Cows are especially honored on this day, being very dear to Lord Krishna. An abundance of food preparations are made by devotees and offered on the altar and then distributed to everyone. Hence the name ‘Annakuta’: Anna meaning ‘made from grains’.

Please see the detailed schedule below: 

Rebuilding Relationships!

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ISKCON New Vrindaban Takes Steps to Rebuild Local Relationships

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

Ratha Yatra Parade in Wheeling Downtown.

At the second annual Rathayatra in Wheeling, West Virginia – New Vrindaban’s neighboring city – on July 8th, over two-and-a-half thousand locals delighted in Lord Jagannath’s parade. When interviewed they said they loved the energy, prasadam, trying out japa meditation, and the family-friendly activities.

INV Communications director, Vrindavan das,   Mayor of Wheeling, Glenn Elliott, WV House of Delegates, Erikka Storch, and Mayor of Moundsville, Eugene Saunders.

Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliot spoke at the event, saying he was honored New Vrindaban had chosen Wheeling for the Festival and praising the diversity it brought to the community; Congresswoman Erikka Storch thanked devotees for sharing their culture and tradition. Meanwhile two local TV stations previewed and covered the event along with four local newspapers, including a glowing front page article.

This was an ocean away from the response to New Vrindaban devotees just a few years ago. Even recently, the national press were still dredging up past transgressions in every article; and some locals would yell at devotees to leave town when they went shopping.

But with resolution to the past crimes and scandalous behaviors, accompanied by a genuine effort from devotees to connect with their neighbors and build relationships, attitudes have gradually been changing.

Strides have been made particularly since former Bhaktivedanta College Director Jaya Krsna Das became ISKCON New Vrindaban president in 2011.

When asked during a local TV interview about New Vrindaban’s history of child abuse and other crimes, his communications director Vrindavan Das acknowledged it head on and accepted that New Vrindaban had deserved much of its negative reputation over the years.

At the same time, he said, devotees had learned from their mistakes; were now following the laws of the land; had a zero tolerance policy for child abuse; and were being better neighbors and members of their community.

With efforts like this interview, trust began to develop as the press saw devotees’ sincerity. Vrindavan Das worked hard to develop personal relationships with reporters and news directors. Gradually, the press began to approach devotees in New Vrindaban for stories.

Today, nearly every one of the community’s major events receives a positive article in at least one local newspaper, sometimes four or five; with a few front page stories a year. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, a major regional newspaper with over 300,000 readers ran three stories about New Vrindaban this year. And local CBS and NBC affiliates run positive coverage of many events.

Along with the more positive press, devotees are starting to be seen less as weirdo recluses and more as valuable contributors to society. When the City of Wheeling invited different religious organizations to tackle social issues like drug addiction, for instance, they included amongst their speakers devotees such as Vrindavan Das, who suggested Krishna conscious solutions.

It’s a move toward Srila Prabhupada’s vision of New Vrindaban as a center for spiritual education. So too is is the increase in invitations devotees regularly get from professors to give lectures on Krishna conscious lifestyle and philosophy at local institutions such as Bethany College. Student groups from Ohio State University, Carnegie Mellon University, West Virginia University, Wheeling Jesuit University, West Liberty University and more regularly visit New Vrindaban for field trips.

Prabhupada also put a lot of emphasis on reaching the leaders of society. Trying to follow in his footsteps, New Vrindaban devotees have begun to build relationships with the local governor, tourism commissioner and US Senator. And next spring, many politicians and other leaders are expected to attend a VIP event for New Vrindaban’s 50th anniversary.

But perhaps nowhere is the change in attitudes more evident than amongst New Vrindaban’s neighbors. Whereas before there was mutual distrust and judgement, devotees have gone a long way towards healing relationships with the public by getting involved in their community, making friends, developing a more humble attitude and reaching out through festivals.

Festival of Colors, launched in 2012, leads these. Drawing several thousand people from neighboring areas like Wheeling and Moundsville WV, Washington PA, and St. Clairsville OH for a day of Mantra Music and color throwing, it’s growing every year.

“At first, mainly youth unfamiliar with New Vrindaban’s past came,” says Vrindavan. “But over the last two or three years, a lot of family people who have lived in the area for 30 or 40 years have started attending too, showing that we’ve started building up their trust again. Now many know us as the fun, peace-loving, colorful people.”

An open-house inviting all New Vrindaban’s neighbors for its 50th anniversary should go even further to building that trusting, mutually appreciative relationship.

Meanwhile, relationship-building has also affected tourism. Devotees are now on the board of the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB); Vrindavan Das serves as its vice president; and Prabhupada’s Palace is seen as one of the four main attractions in the county.

This official standing comes with a lot of benefits. All marketing costs are covered by the State’s tourism budget. This includes free ads in the State Travel Guide and county tourism office, and displays and brochures in two highway welcome centers on the West Virginia State border.

In addition the other three main attractions in the county – Grand Vue Park, Grave Creek Mound and West Virginia Penitentiary – also all recommend New Vrindaban to their visitors.

The result is that the number of tourists, pilgrims and visitors has considerably increased in the last few years.

What’s more, New Vrindaban recently hosted the bi-monthly West Virginia Regional Tourism Meeting for the second time on June 21st this year, with 23 representatives from five surrounding counties.

After their meeting the representatives all took a tour of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple, Prabhupada’s Palace, and the goshala, and asked many questions about Krishna conscious philosophy and lifestyle.

“It’s definitely got to the point where people now feel that we are part of the greater community, and that we contribute substantially,” Vrindavan says.

He adds: “Srila Prabhupada envisioned New Vrindaban as a place of pilgrimage for all. So having good relationships with our neighbors is important – it creates trust and appreciation.”

He encourages devotees at other ISKCON temples around the world to also reach out to their local officials, send press releases to the media about special events, and connect with neighbors.

“Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental movement is for everyone – so share it,” he says. “Reach out and tell people how you plan to contribute to your community and help make your country a better place.”

Onsite Joint Board Meeting

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The ISKCON New Vrindaban, Eco-Vrindaban, and Village Council cordially invite you to the onsite joint board meeting taking place on November 10th – 12th, 2017 at the Yogashala.

The meeting includes presentations by Eco-V, Spirit Garden & others, and service appreciation ceremony for Syamakunda, Rasalila and Ranaka Prabhus. This year, we will also have a special presentation by Professor Burke Rochford. The open discussion session with GBC, INV & Eco-V board, and Village Council members will be held on Sunday at 5:00 pm. And, New Vrindaban residents will receive a “thank you” t-shirt gift from us. Please see the detailed schedule below.


Gaura Purnima 2018

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Gaura Purnima is the auspicious appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (who is also known as Gauranga due to His golden complexion), and this year we are celebrating the 532nd anniversary of His appearance on March 01, 2018. This festival also marks the beginning of the New Year for Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to establish Sankirtana (chanting of the Holy Names) – the Yuga Dharma for this age of Kali. He appeared on Phalguni Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Phalguna, (Feb-March) in the year 1486 AD (1407 Shakabda) at Sridham Mayapura as the son of Sri Jagannath Mishra and Srimati Sachidevi. His parents named him Nimai since he was born under a nimba (neem) tree in the courtyard of His paternal house. His appearance day is celebrated as Gaura Purnima.

The celebration begins in the evening with a pallakki utsava of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai (Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda). The utsava Deities are taken out in a procession in a pallakki bedecked with flowers. Devotees perform maha sankirtana to please the Supreme Lord. As everyone joins in the sankirtana, the Hare Krishna maha mantra resounds in every corner of the temple.

After the procession, the Deities of Gaura Nitai receive a grand abhisheka. Their Lordships are first bathed with panchamrita and then with panchagavya followed by various fruit juices. Devotees chant prayers from the Brahma-samhita, glorifying the Lord. A grand arati is performed to the accompaniment of the Gaura Arati song composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. After the arati, the Deities are bathed with sanctified water from 108 kalashas while the devotees chant the Purusha Sukta prayers. Their Lordships then receive pushpa vrishti (showering of flowers) and a special offering of 56 dishes (chappan bhog).

Next follows a shayana arati when all the assembled devotees glorify Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by singing Sri Sachitanaya Ashtakam that describes His transcendental form, qualities and activities. The program concludes with the shayana pallakki utsava.

On this day, devotees fast till moonrise and break their fast by taking anukalpa feast (made from non-grains). On the following day, they offer a special feast to the Lord which is called Jagannath Mishra Feast, named after Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s father, who arranged a grand feast to celebrate the birth of his son.

There are many seva opportunities on this day from making garlands, assisting with the feast, cleaning the temple, making abhisek garlands, and greeting guests. If you cannot be personally present, then you are invited to offer donations on behalf of your family.

 




Nityananda Trayodasi

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Sri Nityananda Trayodashi is the auspicious appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna appeared in Navadvipa as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to establish the Sankirtana Movement (the Yuga Dharma for this age of quarrel and hypocrisy). To help the Supreme Lord in His mission, Lord Balarama appeared as Nityananda Prabhu. He assisted Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by spreading the holy name of the Lord throughout Bengal.

Nityananda Prabhu appeared in the village of Ekachakra, in the district of Birbhum (West Bengal) as the son of Padmavati and Hadai Pandita in the year 1474 AD. He was born on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magha (Magha Shukla Trayodashi). Even today pilgrims visit the place of birth of Lord Nityananda in Ekachakra. This temple is called Garbhavasa. The parents of Lord Nityananda hailed from a family of pious Brahmins originally from Mithila.

On the day of Nityananda Trayodashi, devotees fast till noon and pray to Lord Nityananda for spiritual strength. A grand abhisheka is performed to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. The Deities are bathed with scented water and given a sandal oil massage. After the massage the Deities are bathed with panchamrita (milk, curd, sweetened water, ghee and honey) and panchagavya. The Deities are then bathed with exotic fruit juices and water mixed with herbal extracts. The sarvaushadhi snana is followed by 108 kalasha snana and concludes with pushpa-vrishti (showering of fragrant flowers on the Deities). The Deities are offered a feast. The Shayana Arati and Shayana Pallakki Utsava conclude the festival.

The schedule at the New Vrindaban temple is as follows:

Nityananda bhajans from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM followed by an abhishek, interactive class by Upendra Das, arati, and feast.

A Greenhouse for Tulasi Devi

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We are finally ready to build a greenhouse for Tulasi Devi. We plan to lay the foundation of the greenhouse in a few months and hope to be completed by this Summer. In addition to our many Jubilee celebrations, we hope to make Tulasi Devi’s house one of them.

Who is Tulasi Devi?

Vrinda Devi wanted to serve Krishna more intimately, so she expanded herself as Tulasi Devi, a holy plant. Her fragrant leaves and flowers decorated Krishna’s feet and were strewn into garlands that hung around His neck. Tulasi Devi became so dear to Krishna that it was no secret that serving and worshiping her would grant His association. Vrindavan’s residents learned that simply by gazing at her, touching her, remembering her, glorifying her, bowing down before her, offering prayers to her, planting her, watering her, and worshiping her would please Krishna.

They also knew that if one serves Tulasi Devi with great devotion, she opens the doors to Vrindavan for as many ancestors and descendants of the devotee as there are branches, sub-branches, seeds, flowers, and leaves on the Tulasi plant being worshiped. One’s sins are burned to ashes, and at the time of death, Yamaraja’s servants, the agents of the Lord of Death who come to claim the departed soul, will never enter a home in the presence of a Tulasi plant.

Why serve her?

Thus, for our benefit, Krishna arranged that Tulasi Devi manifest on Earth. He descended to Vrindavan on Earth five thousand years ago with His intimate associates, and till now His pastimes are taking place there. Vrinda Devi and her servants are making the same daily arrangements for Radha and Krishna’s pastimes. Tulasi Devi is also present. This Vrindavan is nondifferent from the Vrindavan in the spiritual realm, a higher dimensional reality not perceived by our mundane eyes. But we can see Tulasi Devi, and although she seemingly appears as an ordinary plant, she is glorified throughout the sacred Vedic scriptures as a descendant of the spiritual realm come to give us a great treasure.

The Skanda Purana describes these gems: “Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulasi tree, which can immediately vanquish volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree, one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the Tulasi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja. If someone sows a Tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krishna. And when the Tulasi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krishna, there is the full development of love of Godhead.”

The Tulasi Greenhouse Project

Understanding Tulasi Devi’s prominence in the worship of Krishna and the upliftment of human society, Srila Prabhupada brought Tulasi Devi to the West, and with the aid of his disciples, nurtured and protected her. New Vrindaban, one such home of Tulasi Devi that Srila Prabhupada had created, wants to ensure that she continues to thrive so that her treasures can reach everyone. ISKCON New Vrindaban is working to create build a year- around green house for Tulasi Devi. During summer sTulasi he has been cared for during the summer in a dehabilitated green house and, during winter in an inside inner room, which cannot be used during the summer due to its sun exposuredoes not provide suitable conditions for the summer. Therefore the new greenhouse will provide a suitable environment for Tulasi to survive and flourish all year round w build a greenhouse so that she can survive the frigid winter months. With appropriate ventilation, lighting, temperature and humidity control mechanisms, floor heating, and water supply systems., the greenhouse will provide a suitable environment for Tulasi to survive and flourish.

How can you serve?

Lord Krishna is pleased when Tulasi Devi is served and worshiped, and Tulasi Devi is joyful when she is placed at the lotus feet of Krishna. By assisting the Tulasi Greenhouse Project, you will be pleasing Krishna and His beloved devotee. You will also be giving others the opportunity to reap the rewards of connecting with Tulasi Devi. As a result, you will one day receive the eyes to witness the resplendent pastimes of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna and Vrinda Devi in their spiritual abode.

You can also assist with taking care of Tulasi Devi by volunteering your time and skills.

Write to: pilgrims@newvrindaban.com to enquire.

To hear the Tulasi prayers: http://vaishnavsongs.iskcondesiretree.com/2011/05/tulasi-aarti/

To donate: newvrindaban.com/tulasi-house

“Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself
to a devotee who offers Him merely a tulasi leaf and a palmful of water.”
(Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi 3.104)

Register for Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat 2018

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June 7-10th 2018

Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat 2018

Registration page
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NV50 Anniversary

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NV50 Anniversary Celebrations – You are invited!

We are happy to share great news – in 2018 New Vrindaban celebrates its 50th anniversary! The Hare Krishna community in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, was founded in 1968 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a 70-year old monk and scholar from India, who came to America on the order of his spiritual master to preach the ancient science of Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada envisioned New Vrindaban as a replica of Vrindavan in India, the holiest place of pilgrimage. New Vrindaban was meant to embody the idea of “simple living and high thinking” – and rests upon four main components: 1) cow protection 2) simple living, 3) spiritual education, and 4) holy pilgrimage, which would all lead to the most important component of all: 5) loving Krishna.

Over the fifty years of its existence New Vrindaban evolved from a handful of devotees and one farmhouse to a large community with an exquisite temple, longest running cow protection program, and hundreds of devotees from all over the world! The last two decades were tough though, as New Vrindaban has been slowly coming up from its knees after a major setback. Today New Vrindaban is thriving, headed by a new team of talented managers. Every year 30,000 visitors come to see the Palace of Gold and tour the grounds of New Vrindaban. In 2018 we want to celebrate the 50 years of history, achievements, current significance and a bright future of New Vrindaban. We invite all of you to become part of this celebration!

We have planned lots of great events for this summer and we cordially invite you to come and celebrate with us. Five special events are dedicated to the New Vrindaban’s 50th Anniversary this year. The first two are the weekend extravaganzas in March and April to celebrate our congregation, particularly donors who generously support New Vrindaban’s projects. The VIP Event for West Virginia government officials and ISKCON dignitaries will follow in May. July will feature an open-house weekend – a joyous and colorful event for all neighbors and visitors from around the world. The culmination of the festivities will be a huge semi-centennial celebration in September which will reunite many former residents and Srila Prabhupada’s disciples who have contributed to New Vrindaban community over the fifty years of its existence. There will also be a special edition of our annual 24 hour kirtan which will expand to a 50 hour festival featuring new and well-known kirtaneers!

This is the first of a series of special articles which will cover different aspects of NV50 celebration this year – preparation, coverage of each event, guest testimonies, and interviews with devotees who make it all happen. The first article is expected to come out in March. We will also proudly repost the article featured in the latest issue of the Back to Godhead magazine. The article is an overview of New Vrindaban in honor of its 50th Anniversary. The article, accompanied by stunning pictures, tells the story of New Vrindaban and introduces four very special persons who personify the four components formulated by Srila Prabhupada. Stay tuned!

Once again, 2018 is a very important and exciting year for New Vrindaban! The five NV50 events will embrace and unite all parts of our diverse congregation. We want to recognize and appreciate each and every one who in any way contributed to the New Vrindaban community – those who visited, appreciated, donated,, volunteered, helped build and maintain, spread the good word about New Vrindaban and sent prayers! Let this grand celebration bring all of us closer and allow us to see the new bright future that we can build together!

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