Tomorrow is Radhastami, perhaps the most important of all celebrations for the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, who cherish manjari-bhava, the heart's feeling of an identity as Radha's maidservant, as their all in all. We observe vrata, fasting as on Ekadasis; abhiseka, a bathing ceremony, takes place in the afternoon.

Remember Radha, call for the shelter of her feet; sing songs describing her birth, sing songs crying out for her service! Place a beautiful painting of her on a separate dais, worship her and drown her in streams of flowers, and bathe her with tears of love.

bhajAmi rAdhAm aravinda-netrAM
smarAmi rAdhAM madhura-smitAsyAm |
vadAmi rAdhAM karuNa-bharArdrAM
tato mamAnyAsti gatir na kApi ||


Some beautiful tidbits of reading for the occasion:

• Radhastami-lila and other narrations
• Radha's birth and early years

I would also like to attach an image of my Giridhari from last year's celebration:



~ Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe! ~

I have a lot of catching up to do after returning to Finland apologies to everyone who are waiting for replies to their messages and comments. We are moving to Vrindavan mid-September, so it's not like the show is over after a very intense and fulfilling two week program in the U.S. either...

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On August 15th, we had a beautiful program at Jyoti Mandir, Encinitas, CA, themed "An Evening at Sacred Vrindavan".

The program, with an audience of 31 guests, was a blend of narrative and kirtan. The audience participation was overwhelming I don't think I saw a single individual who would have just sat around in the audience...

The following is a recording of the event (22.9 MB): Download

Sri Radhe Radhe!

I'd like to cordially welcome everyone to attend the following two events, the first at Enicitas, CA, near San Diego, and the second at Long Beach.

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"An Evening in Sacred Vrindavan"August 15th - 7:00pm

Location: Jyoti Mandir200 Coneflower St. at Sunflower, Encinitas, CA Phone: 323/559/5181

Accompanied with narration and songs, the audience will embark on a journey to the sacred land of Vrindavan, the abode of Radha and Krishna. The event begins with mangalacharan, an invocation for auspiciousness, followed by an introduction to Vrindavan. The songs, works of medieval Bengali poets, describe the arati-ceremony of Radha and Krishna in the evening in Vrindavan and are sung in traditional call-response style. Following a brief talk on the magical nature of the great mantra of Krishna's names, the event ends with Maha-Mantra kirtan. Please see www.jyotimandir.org for more info.

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"Sri Krishna Janmastami"August 16th - 7:30pm to 10:00pm

Location: Franz, Adriana and Giovanni's
69 Granada Ave, Long Beach, 90803, CA

We humbly request that you come and celebrate the appearance of the Divine Cowherd Boy, (Sri Vrajendranandana Krishna) with Kirtan, Abhishek and a talk by Sri Madhavananda Das. Thank You!

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Program for the 17th is still open -- good ideas and invitations are most welcome!