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iskcon pune todayNewsletter Vol 12 / Issue: 1 (Monthly) / January 2014 / Price: ` 1/-

200 kids participate in the first Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra in NVCC200 kids participate in the first Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra in NVCCISKCON NVCC recently witnessed the first grand festival for Krishna’s Kingdom kids. �e occasion was the celebration of the most awaited Sri Jagannath-Baldev-Subhadra Ratha Yatra by the kids, for the kids! Over 200 kids from four to thirteen years across 10 Krishna's Kingdom centers in Pune city participated with teachers and parents.

Kids began festival preparations weeks in advance. �e Rath was assembled entirely by Teenage Voice Boys, who are themselves ex-KK kids. �ey hosted a colourful canopy of silken cloth atop a cart, that majestically rose 20 feet high. On the eve of the Rath yatra, the elder kids decorated the pandal with patakas, banners, posters, garlands and whatever decorative items they could find! �ey also made flags and banners

to be carried during the procession. All the children reached NVCC early morning, dressed in colourful traditional attire, escorted by parents. One team helped with the rangoli designs and another made a flower rangoli carpet along the procession path, circumambulating the main temple. Holding flags and banners of auspicious signs of the Vaishnava tilak, Sudarshan chakra, the smiling Lord Jagannath, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, they appeared like little angels ready to lead everyone to the abode of Lord Jagannath.

Each child and KK teacher offered bhoga to Lord Jagannath. �e blissful sound of mridangas, kartals and roaring kirtan could be heard all over. As soon as the arati commenced, all the children had loving darshan of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by

elder brother Baldev and sister Subhadra. Surely, Lord Jagannath has showered His unlimited blessings seeing the enthusiastic service and devotional attitude of the kids.

One boy, dressed as the King, arrived in royal robes and performed the service of ‘�e Lords Sweeper’ with a golden broom. It is traditional in Jagannath Puri that the King of Puri would come to sweep the floor in front of the Rath cart, to declare himself to be an insignificant servant of the Supreme Lord by performing the menial service of sweeping. Maharaja Prataparudra, during the times of Lord Caitanya 500 years ago, did the same and it is followed even till date. �e Rath finally began to move, pulled by the enthusiastic crowd, right from a three year old toddler upto sixty five years old grandparents. A brahmacari party

led a roaring kirtan and each and everyone joined with enthusiasm, pulling the ropes. After the procession, the kids enjoyed their Jagannath tattoos, gift card and delicious mahaprasadam.

Rasasundari Devi, who heads the KK centres in Pune alongwith Manjiri Gopi Devi planned the Rathyatra for children of all KK centers of Pune. "�e event was successful due to the untiring efforts of all wonderful and talented teachers of Krishna’s Kingdom funschool and dedication of even small kids," said Manjiri Gopi Devi, who heads the NVCC KK centre. "�e highlight is that every child could personally serve the Lord in some way. �e best way to develop character and devotion in children is to personally celebrate our spiritual culture," said Ramsevak das brahmacari, Co-ordinator for KK activities at NVCC.

ISKCON Pune Today | January 2014

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Communicating with Our ChildrenSeminar for Parents �e second parenting seminar for all parents of Krishna’s Kingdom kids was held on 17th November, 2013. �e topic "Communicating with Our Children" was presented by Radhika Devi, a counsellor for devotees for over 20 years in Pune and author of 15 books on value education for children. She received her education in Coventry near London and holds a Masters' degree in Higher Education.

�e seminar began with a skit with the theme, "How would you react on hearing the news that your child lost a costly wristwatch you gifted him on his birthday?" Radhika Devi explained various ways to

�e 3rd Bhagavad Gita Pradnya Shodh Pariksha campaign is underway, with over 100 schools participating from all over Maharashtra. Over 15,000 students from Vth to Xth standard have enrolled and thousands more are expected to join in the coming months. "�e Gita Contest is the perfect way to instill moral and spiritual values in children. By studying the Gita, these children will grow up to be responsible citizens with noble values and character. With so much negativity and vulgarity spreading in society through every media channel and newspaper, it is time to wake up and protect our children before it is too late," informed Varadraj das and Sunder Shyam das, who are coordinating the massive effort. Students enrolling will be presented with Bhagavad Gita As It Is and a booklet of questions. Exam will be conducted during July-2014. Let us join hands in preserving and spreading our glorious spiritual culture! To assist in the effort or enrol, contact 8308819263.

handle the situation and the impact of the reaction of parents on the child. She pointed out that discipline and sense of responsibility should be inculcated in children, and demonstrated ways of imparting these qualities properly.

She stressed on developing right approach to dealing with the feelings of the child. Parents were given tips on how to handle the situation when children do something wrong. She explained the importance of organizing ourselves first and then insisting on the child to follow. "It is important to see from the child's viewpoint and not impose our expectations on them. While we

provide after the physical aspects of children like schooling, clothes, food and entertainment, we often miss out on the emotional aspects like understanding their feelings. A healthy emotional environment for children means to balance our criticism and advice to them, allow them to express their feelings and struggle by giving them time and affection. Give them space to think, then they will develop better understanding and differentiate between good and bad."

Parents expressed their appreciation and requested Krishna's Kingdom teachers to regularly organize such seminars. After the seminar, parents and children participated in singing Damodarashtakam and offered ghee lamp to Sri Damodar, followed by sumptuous Krishna prasad.

--- Manjiri Gopi Devi

Over 15,000 students enrol for Gita Pradnya Shodh Pariksha

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�e annual Srimad Bhagavat Katha Mahotsava was held from November 25, 2013 to December 1, 2013 at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Swargate. �is was the 12th consecutive year the katha was held from its inception, thus completing a tapa i.e. a period of 12 years. Over 1,800 eager devotees and wellwishers attended the first day, braving heavy rains that flooded the streets of Pune. �e audience was drenched from head to toe, not by rainwater, but by the nectarine showers of Krishna Katha narrated by His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj!

Maharaj narrated pastimes of Devahuti and the sage Kardama from the third canto of Srimad Bhagavat. As the katha progressed, the audience swelled in numbers, eager to understand deeply the timeless

message and wisdom of the Bhagavat.

�e beautiful vigraha forms of Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada presided over the festival, blessing everyone with �eir merciful glances. HH Rama Govind Swami Maharaj and other senior devotees were present for the festival. Several devotees from Russia came to hear Maharaj's lucid yet deeply transforming explanations of Srimad Bhagavat.

In addition to hearing of the divine message of the Bhagavat, everyone got to witness a series of various festivals. Deepotsava - the festival of lamps, pushya-abhisheka - bathing the deities with flowers,

jhulan-yatra - the swing festival of Radha-Krishna, Balaji-yajna - fire sacrifice for Lord Balaji, chappan-bhoga - offering of 56 iterms for Lord Jagannath and rath yatra - the famed chariot festival of Lord Jagannath-Baladev-Subhadra were all celebrated in a grand style. �e shower of festivals created a blissful devotional atmosphere.

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj's sweet kirtans and katha, along with a dedicated team of brahmacaris and grhasthas who spontaneously, lovingly offered their services, contributed to the grand success of the 12th Bhagavat Katha Mahotsav.

--- Kanai Krishna dasBE Mech, Govt. College of Engineering, Pune

12th Bhagavat Katha Saptah attracts over 3,500 Puneites

Abhishek by: Mayor - Mrs. Chanchala Kodre.Abhishek by: Mayor - Mrs. Chanchala Kodre.

iskcon pune todayRNI Res. No. 72522/2000 No. L/RNP/PNCE/M-136/2012-2014Published on 2nd Jan, 2014

From:Editor,

ISKCON PUNE TODAY4, TARAPORE ROAD, CAMP, PUNE - 411001 (MS)Phone: 020-41033222, 41033234

Registered NewspaperISKCON PUNE TODAYPosted at GPO, PuneOn 5th, 6th & 7th of every monthTo,

Page 4 ISKCON PUNE TODAY / January 2014

4, Tarapore Rd, Next to Dastur Boys School, Camp, Pune | Phone: 020-41033210 / 22 Mobile: 9225545984 | Email: nvcc@iskconpune.in | www.iskconpune.in

International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessFounder Acharya : His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

“ISKCON PUNE TODAY” monthly magazine is printed and published by Radheshyam Das for the owner ISKCON-Pune Br. Printed at Yashraj Printers, 5 - Gulmohar Manor, Nagar Road, Pune 6 & Published at 4, Tarapore Road, Camp, Pune 411001. Editor - Mr. Kiran Shinde

for December 2013 - Shri Chan-der Moryani, MD Saraswati Samadhan llp“I was introduced to the devo-tees in 1997 and ever since been attracted to the serving the Deities. My understanding is that 'everything is owned by the Lord, so it is our duty to offer

Him whatever we have'. I feel blessed in getting this opportunity to serve the Lord in personal way.”

for January 2014 - Shri Sunil M. Vanarse, MD Reshmika Miner-als & Chemicals Ltd.“Seeing so many devotees selflessly and tirelessly engaged in Lord’s service inspired me to contribute to this unique seva. The Deities in

both temples are so attractive. I experience peace of mind, a higher pleasure in my life and feel blessed each time I visit the temple for darshan”.

ISKCON Pune devotees offer their gratitude to the Vigraha Sevak and their family members for this magnanimous service. We pray to the Lordships for bestowing Their choicest mercy & blessings upon them.

Sri Radha -Krishna Vigraha Seva

Lord Krishna speaks to Uddav: “One who offers the Deity gifts of land, markets, cities and villages so that the regular daily worship and special festivals of the Deity may go on continually will achieve

opulence equal to My own.” (SB 11.27.51)

Obtain the blessed opportunity of direct service to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Vrindachandra and Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari.

Regular expenditure for Deities at ISKCON temples in Kondhwa and Camp include:

• Flowers, fruits, milk, ghee, grocery & vegetables @ Rs. 5 Lacs monthly

• Festival dress and jewelery @ Rs. 5 Lacs per festival

Contributors will be blessed as Sri Radha-Krishna Vigraha Sevak.

Sri Radha -KrishnaVigraha Sevak