Llama Fest
by Caru das
Posted July 11, 2008
The 14th Annual Llama Fest will be held at KHQN Radio Station and Utah Valley Llama Farm two miles south of Spanish Fork on Main St. Festivities start from 4 pm, on Saturday July 19th.
In their native Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, llamas carry heavy loads over terrain which is impassable to motorized vehicles. They are the trucks of the Andes. In America, life is much easier where they have become popular for carrying camping gear on weekend hikes and day trips. Many have found a niche as sheep guards on the open range. Still others, like an RV purchased with good intentions but somehow never used, spend their lives simply munching grass and looking gorgeous and exotic to passers by.
The Llama Fest was originally conceived as an opportunity to highlight Llamas and their owners in the most public way possible: in the overall cultural context of food, music, spinning and weaving demonstrations, music, dance, and competitions between the llamas and their handlers. "If an average attendance of 4,000-5,000 is a public enough event," says festival coordinator Chris Warden, " then we've been successful.
Click Here for the article at utahkrishnas.com
Toronto Ratha Yatra 2008
by ISKCON Toronto
Posted June 27, 2008
ISKCON Toronto would like to invite all devotees around the world to experience the bliss of unadulterated kirtan as their Lordships Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra adorn the streets of Toronto for the 36th year on July 19th and 20th!
Highlights of Toronto's 36th Annual Festival of India - Ratha Yatra include:
- Fantastic line up of distinguished VIPs like HH Bhaktimarga Swami, HH Purnacandra Gosvami, HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja, HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Rtadvja Swami, HG Dravida Prabhu, HG Malati Prabhu, HG Krsna Nandini Prabhu, HG Brhat-Mrdanga Prabhu, and HG Mahatma Prabhu.
- Exciting area for the little devotees with HG Pyare Mohan performing magic tricks
- World class, award-winning entertainment fusing our talented devotees and local performers from Toronto
- A scintillating drama directed by HH Bhaktimarga Swami
- Performances by Bus Tour
- Yoga Meltdown - A festival within the festival aimed at outreach to the yoga community
But, for you dear devotees, the highlight is definitely when the parade reaches its pinnacle in the Toronto Tunnel. Chaos ensues as you experience the most rocking kirtan with some of the best kirtaneers in the North America. There's nothing else like it - imagine a sea of devotees jumping, dancing, singing to the pulsing beat of mrdangas and kartals while their voices echo in the famous tunnel! It is not to be missed! Check out www.feedyoursoul.to/tunnel... nuff said.
We look forward to seeing you and serving you on July 19th and 20th!
Your servants,
ISKCON Toronto Rath Yatra Organizing Committee
ISKCON Devotees Celebrate 12th Annual Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Queens, Ny, July 6, 2008
by Mithuna Das
Posted June 22, 2008
The June 13th 2008 New York City Ratha Yatra , was a transcendental sight to behold ; some 5000 Vaisnavas serenaded Their colorful Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra down 5th Avenue, with unparalleled gaiety and abandon. Caring neither for common public opinion nor tomorrow, the devotees danced and danced; moving in effortless unison, their bodies formed complex geometries that would make ardent string theorists sit up, and pay attention. Little did we know that in a few hours, another wave of ecstasy was coming. On Sunday June 14th a Maha Maha Harinam was held at the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir. Some 1500 devotees spent an evening of super ecstatic dancing to rich melodies of sweet kirtan; even temple floor under the feet of the dancing devotees oscillated as if it was being struck by the shear wave front of a crust shattering earthquake. However, because the Lord is infinite and superlative in every sense, we can never arrive at a position of finite glorification of such a being; devotional service is eternal! Exercised by this state of unfulfilled potential, the devotees are forever seeking new and sundry opportunities to please and glorify their Lord. Thus at the behest of the fervid devotees, on Sunday July 6 2008, Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra will again grace the streets of New York. On this occasion, the Ratha Yatra parade will start at 1:00 p.m. from the corner of Liberty Avenue and 133rd Street, and it will end at the Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mandir ( 111-14 101 Avenue, South Richmond Hill, Queens, NY), the residence of Their Lordships Sri Sri Krishna Balarama. Following the street parade, a Maha kirtan, devotional dramas, dances, book and free prasadam distribution, and other cultural items will hosted until 7:00 p.m.; thereafter, the devotees and their well wishers are invited to attend the resident Sandhya arati. Based on past trends and the favorable disposition of the Queens/Richmond Hill community, we are expecting a significantly large attendance. Direct disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who have pledged their attendance include, H.H Romapada Swami ( GBC NY), H.H. Chandrasekhar Maharaja, and Ravindra Svarupa, Bushara, Maheshvara (P.A.), Maheshvara (NY), and Saruttama Prabhus. All other devotees are being asked to make a special effort to attend. Kirtanyas! Please walk with your instruments and rested voices; you know what you have to do! Don't ask answers!!! For any further information you may contact Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mandir Temple President Sunanda das (917 604 1085 / sunandanadas@hotmail.com) or Jamuna das (718 641 3378).
Taiping Ratha Yatra
by Yaduraj Krishna Dasa
Posted June 15, 2008
Please be invited to attend Taiping, Malaysia 11th Annual Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival on 19th July 2008 which promised to be filled with wonderful and spiritual atmosphere.The Chariot processions of Their Lordships Sri Sri Jaganath,Baladeva and Subhadra and the flower Float of HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness,ISKCON shall start at 5.30pm from TNC Sri Thandayuthabani Murugan Temple and shall end at Taiping Town Hall by 7.30pm.
This year procession is expected to be full of ecstacy with the presence of Kirtan Maestro His Holiness Lokanath Swami who will certainly get the whole crowd along the tune of The Holy Names.Devotees will also be thrilled with Chinese Lion Dance during the procession. Many wonderful events are scheduled at the Town Hall such as Cultural Performances, Children Colouring Contest, Chant Hare Krishna 108X & Win A Gift, Free Gopi Dot Facial Decoration, Multi Media Presentation, Vedic Exhibition, Prasadam Sale and sumptuous Vegetarian Dinner for all.
For more information ,Please contact Yaduraj Krishna Dasa at yuwaraja.marathanmuthu@fairchildsemi.com or yadurajpvs@yahoo.com
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Candan-Yatra Festival
by Muraru Sevaka Farm
Posted July 13, 2008
Click Here for a larger image.
Toronto Ratha Yatra 2008
by ISKCON Toronto
Posted June 29, 2008
Click Here For The Article
Gita Nagari Ratha Yatra
by Tamal Krsna dasa
Posted June 25, 2008
You are all invited take part in this year's Gita Nagari Ratha Yatra. Please join us as we dance with Lord Jagannatha through the hills of Pennsylvania. There will be lots of entertainment, kirtans, a shopping bazaar, and of course, prasadam. For more information, please call 717.527.4101 or 717.320.2926.
Strolling of the Heifers Parade
by Lalita Madhava dasi
Posted June 17, 2008
This past weekend Brattleboro, Vermont celebrated the "Strolling of the Heifers" parade and festival. Named tongue-in-cheek after the "Running of the Bulls" in Pamplona, the festival honors the significance of the dairy industry in Southern Vermont's agricultural economy. Dovetailing our own Vaishnava tradition of cow protection, Vermont devotees distributed opulent Krishna prasadam, expertly prepared by Sundarakara Prabhu and friends, at Govinda's Prasadam Booth.
Some pictures from the Festival:
Sundarkara (the brains of the operation, wearing the green T-shirt), Jack, Rob, Marty and Radha-ramana cook on location and serve out. (Not shown are Haley and photographer Dola Yatra d.d., who also helped with preparation and serve out.)
Not present at the festival but there in spirit was longtime Brattleboro-area devotee Kanai dasa, pictured here with his beautiful ox team, Doby and Gray. Kanai Prabhu says, "I have kept cows and bulls for 28 years, since I first moved to Vermont back in 1974. I was very much looking to please Srila Prabhupada, so since he was always stressing cow protection, one of the first things I did was get a calf. I have had cattle ever since. My first team of oxen were born here on the property and lived to the ripe old age of 25 & 26 years old."
Lalita Madhava dasi
Click Here for a larger image.
Click Here for a larger image.
The 2nd Annual 24 Hour Kirtan Festival
by Ananda Tirtha
Posted June 13, 2008
Come to New Vrindaban, USA, June 21-22, 2008
Join a worldwide sanga of devotees and spend a weekend immersed in the
nectar of the holy name. Featuring many of the best kirtaniyas in the US and
abroad, and with a host of senior devotees expected such as Sivarama Swami,
Radhanath Swami, Niranjana Swami, Candramauli Swami, Amiyavilasa Swami,
Varsana Swami, Bada Hari Das, Madhava Das, and more.
No Seminars. No Festival Fee. No Playing Around. Only Chanting.
Please join in as this is an experience that you will never forget.
For lodging call 1-304-843-1600 ext 111.
To help financially support this event or volunteer contact: ATD@pamho.net
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