MESSAGE FROM KIRTAN MINISTER
I am extremely delighted to present to you the very first edition of our monthly Kirtan Ministry Newsletter, entitled ‘Kirtan World’
At the 2020 ISKCON Annual General Meeting in Mayapur, a resolution was passed to reconstitute the “World Holy Name Committee to the ISKCON “Harinam Sankirtan Ministry.” The first major event organised by this committee was the World Holy Name Festival between 17 to 23 September 2020. Senior devotees from all over the world participated, and successfully established harinama-sankirtana as the yuga-dharma of this age. In keeping with this concept, the vision of this Kirtan Ministry is, “Chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra should be enthusiastically embraced as a prominent means of spiritual awakening to promote peace and unity throughout the World.” It is with this purpose in mind that we have embarked on presenting our first Newsletter.In this newsletter you will find activities that have taken place, upcoming events, inspirational moments, japa affirmation, interesting facts and much more. This introductory edition covers events and activities that took place from December 2020, as well as some events in January 2021 and we sincerely hope you enjoy reading it. The Kirtan Ministry and ISKCON centres around the world ushered in the new year with chanting and kirtan. The amazing spirit of chanting was not damped, even by the COVID-19 pandemic. On the contrary the Kirtan Ministry used this global, virtual space to permeate the chanting of the holy name throughout the world with great vigour. The ‘Chant with Humanity’ program was a selfless effort encouraging people to chant the holy names of the Lord for the welfare of humanity at large, especially during these pandemic times.
The newsletter brings to focus Padayatra which is described as a ”walking festival’ and its principal purpose is to bring the holy name to more and more towns and villages. All India Padayatra who have walked around 200000 kilometres is known as the ‘mother of all Padayatras.’ Be inspired to go on Padayatra by reading about the momentous occasion where they were lauded in Dwaraka upon the completion of their historic six Pan-Indian tour.
We hope that with every issue you will be enthused to interact and participate in the activities which will be co-ordinated by a Kirtan Ministry team. By reading Kirtan World, you are sure to experience a spiritual awakening which will draw you closer to the Lord. In these uncertain times chanting of the holy names is the only way, so please keep up the chanting spirit and let us make 2021 a memorable chanting-filled year.
My best wishes upon you all and may you all develop a taste for chanting the holy names of God. Spread and share Kirtan World with all.
Lokanath Swami
ISKCON Kirtan Minister
OUR INSPIRATION
"Wherever you chant Hare Krsna, they may hear or they may not hear, it is auspicious for them. So we are sending our men for street sankirtana. It doesn't matter whether people are eager to hear it or not, but it is auspicious."
~ Srila Prabhupada, New York, April 19, 1973
GBC RESOLUTION
The World Holy Name Committee is hereby reconstituted as the ISKCON Harinam Sankirtan Ministry. The Ministry may be expanded to add additional members. The service description of the individual members will be decided by the Ministry. The Minister shall be His Holiness Lokanath Swami.
EVERY TOWN AND VILLAGE
10TH
JAN
12 Hour Kirtan for HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja
ISKCON Kirtan Ministry and JSSS Worldwide organised a 12 hour Kirtan festival for the recovery of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja and others affected by Covid 19.
This was a true team collaboration between the leadership team of the Kirtan Ministry and JSSS Worldwide (Jayapataka Swami Maharaja’s Disciples Network). We had 12 hours of Kirtan by well known kirtaniyas and sannyasis from all over the world such as Sacinandana Swami, Lokanath Swami, Bhakti Dhir Damodara Swami, Sundara Caitanya Goswami Maharaja, Swarupa Damodara Dasa, Caitanya Cintamani Devi Dasi, Sangita Devi Dasi, just to name a few. A heartfelt thank you to them for offering their kirtans for the recovery of Jayapataka Swami Maharaja.
It was aired on ISKCON Kirtan Ministry Facebook page (like the page to keep up with kirtan www.bit.ly/ISKCONKirtanMinistryFB) and also on the Hare Krishna TV Youtube page thanks to Parampara Vani Prabhu (Subscribe via the link www.bit.ly/HareKrsnaTV).
And finally thank you to all of you joined in online! We will be hosting kirtan on a monthly basis so please keep an eye out for the next one.
Jagannatha Kirtanananda Dasa
6TH
JAN
All India Padayatra Starts its 7th Round
All India Padayatra had started in 1976 and after a break again commenced on Radhastami, 2 September 1984 from Dwaraka. His Holiness Jayapataka Swami wrote: “The Padayatra is full of new enthusiasm. We’re not sure what to expect. We’ve made our plan, but will we succeed? Some say no, we won’t last. But we have started on our way, and every hundred kilometres crossed gives us new confidence we’ll make it.” (Padayatra Newsletter, Vol 3, No. 2-3). All India Padayatra have been walking nonstop for 36 years.January 6, 2021 marked the beginning of the grand march of All India Padayatra on their 7th round of the whole of India. It was a very auspicious and most memorable day in life of a padayatri. Our spiritual master Lokanath Maharaja addressed us online. “I could not come to Dwaraka to encourage you all, but my heart is there with you. Today so many ISKCON Padayatras are going on, but this All India Padayatra is the mother of all Padayatras. You are doing a glorious service.”
Padayatra India had sponsored the construction of a 60 foot high Prabhupada memorial gate in Dwaraka. Padayatra completed their journey around the whole of India, arriving back at Dwaraka on 18 March 1988. At that time there was a grand welcome at this memorial main gate which everyone has to pass through to enter Dwaraka dhama. Since then All India Padayatra always come back to Dwaraka every few years.
Route : Dwaraka- Khambalia -Jamanagar-Rajkot
To read more about padayatra please visit our official padayatra site www.padayatra.com
Official Facebook page: ISKCON’s Padayatra worldwide
Acarya Dasa
[Padayatra leader]
1ST
JAN
Travelling Sankirtan Party at Bharuch
The Travelling Sankirtana Party in India, co-ordinated by Sitaram Prabhu started a series of sankirtans from 24 November 2020. In the month of December, they successfully travelled through many places in the state of Gujarat.Caitanya Avatar Prabhu, the leader navigated of the travelling Sankirtan through several towns and cities. These included places like Chikli, Sachin, Bardoli, Kadodra, Udhna, Ankleshwar, Baruch, Karjan, Padra, Vadodra, Akota, Halol, Kalol, Godhra - This they have accomplished with a single bus. Given the success of the program, plans are being made to procure more busses.
Other participants in the group include Nimai Chandra Prabhu, Manu Maharaja Prabhu, Anuradha Swarup Prabhu, Ishan Gaur Prabhu, Sachinandan Prabhu, Jhanudwipa Nitai Prabhu, Bhavamay Nityanand Prabhu, Sandesh, Narada Pancaratra Prabhu, Madhur Kanai Prabhu, Mahat Krishna Prabhu, Mahaprabhu Ram Prabhu, and about fifteen others. This makes up the team of about 30 Kirtaniyas.
The main purpose of this group is no different to that envisaged by Srila Prabhupada - Harinam Sankirtan and the distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books in every town and village. Yet another vision derived from the mission statement which is to inspire other ISKCON temples to go out on Harinam Sankirtan and book distribution more regularly.
This is an enthusiastic group of devotees whose future plans are simply in line with the mission of Srila Prabhupada. They wish to continue with Harinam Sankirtan and book distribution and travel to other states of India.
Madhavi Gauri Devi Dasi
1ST
JAN
Chant for Humanity
ISKCON Mayapur organised a program for New Year titled Chant for Humanity. Needless to say, 2020 had left the entire world in anxiety. The mood was to usher in 2021 with all round auspiciousness. What could be more auspicious than to enter 2021 chanting of the holy names of the Lord.The organisers had come up with an innovative concept whereby with the help of software all participants had an opportunity to chant with Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada's voice could be heard in the background while the letters of the maha-mantra popped up in sync with Srila Prabhupada’s chanting. When one mantra was done a count appeared in the top right corner taking you to 108 times indicating that 1 round had been completed. The program also took a very inspiring and interesting format - kirtana was followed by a class and then a japa session. In this way the holy name gave endless pleasure to the devotees in many different forms.
Dinanukampa Dasi
31ST
DEC
New Year’s Eve Kirtan!
Kirtan Ministry organised a New Year’s Eve Kirtan Mela with six hours of back to back, soul stirring kirtan by leading sannyasi kirtaniyas. We bid farewell to 2020 in true ISKCON sadhu sanga style, in the glorious association of BB Govinda Maharaja, Sacinandana Maharaja, Bhaktimarga Maharaja, Lokanath Maharaja, Bhakti Ananta Krishna Goswami Maharaja and Sundara Caitanya Goswami Maharaja. Together, one hour after another they led us into 2021 chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There could have been no better way than to step, or rather dance into 2021.
This entire program was broadcasted non-stop, for 24hrs, starting at 6pm IST on 31 December 2020, on ISKCON Kirtan Ministry Facebook Page, Kirtan Fest Global Online Facebook Group, Mayapur TV & ISKCON desire tree - Hare Krsna TV Youtube Channel.
No matter where you were ISKCON Kirtan Ministry was at your side welcoming in 2021 with kirtan and special new year blessings for you.
Govind Charan Dasa
25TH
DEC
The Balaji Procession by ISKCON NVCC Pune
ISKCON Pune celebrated the auspicious occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadasi, with great fervour on 25 December 2020 from 6p.m. - 8p.m.
From His beautifully decorated palanquin, Lord Balaji was regally placed to give darshan to the huge crowd which had gathered at the massive six acre campus of ISKCON NVCC. The Grand palanquin procession of Lord Balaji along with his eternal consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, attracted many devotees.
The whole campus reverberated with loud chants of the Lord’s holy names which was accompanied by the graceful dancing of the devotees. The atmosphere was infused with ecstasy. Enthusiastic kirtan was led by Radheshyam Prabhu, the Temple President of ISKCON NVCC, Pune.
The two hour long procession was the beginning of a 24 hour kirtan in temple hall on this day of Moksada Ekadasi
Govind Charan Dasa
25TH
DEC
A Village Enlivens to the Chanting of Maha-mantra
A small Indian village, Mirgesar in the Indian State of Rajasthan houses a small temple of Sri Sri Radha Gopala. On 25 December 2020, the auspicious occasion of Gita Jayanti the villagers took up two glorious activities - chanting the maha-mantra and distributing books.
The day commenced with the reading of Bhagavad-Gita in which 15 ladies participated. This was followed by book distribution. Our team is extremely elated because after this endeavour each and every house in Mirgesar has its own copy of Bhagavad-Gita. The entire day was divided into one hour slots where a devotee led the chanting of the maha-mantra.
A big New Year’s Eve Harinam Sankirtan program welcomed in 2021 with the chanting of the holy names. They also plan to conduct Harinam Sankirtan on every Ekadasi.
The small village with big plans to spread and glorify the holy names of the Lord.
Akinchan Bhakta Dasa
HAPPENING NOW
24/7 Akhanda Sankirtan (Kirtan / Japathon) for the recovery of HH Jayapataka Swami and others effected by Covid. Click the link to join now www.bit.ly/akhandasankirtan
UPCOMING EVENTS
24th
JAN
Putrada Ekadasi. Join us for 24 hrs of interactive Japa, Kirtan and class
29-31st
JAN
SRAVANAM KIRTANAM RETREAT
Developing right mood for kirtan
Memories of HG Aindra Prabhu
Kirtan Ettiquette & Mridanga Worshop
Vrindavan Parikrama and Katha
History of Major Revolutions Through Spiritual Music
Music in Srimad Bhagavatam
Govardhan Eco village is holding this retreat with Gauranga Prabhu, Chaitanya Charan Prabhu, Madhav Prabhu and more. For Registrations : +91 8448444280, +91 9653458578
KIRTAN SAFETY
ISKCON Kirtan Ministry recommends responsible kirtan during the COVID crisis.
JAPA AFFIRMATION "I organise my life to make Japa the most important activity of my day."
~ Mahatma Das
~ Mahatma Das
DID YOU KNOW? Kirtan has the power to attract Lord Caitanya and His associates to personally manifest. Some years after the departure of Lord
Caitanya, a great festival was held in Kethuri (Bangladesh). As Narottama Das Thakur's beautifully sung kirtan reached a climax, Lord Caitanya and His associations suddenly
appeared and began dancing in the kirtan!
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