As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Welcome to the New Toronto Hare Krishna Blog!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday Feast Recordings - August 30, 2009
The Sunday Feast recording can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monthly Sankirtan Festival (MSF) - This Weekend!
After the flurry of amazing festivals like Balarama Jayanti, Janmastami and Radhastami, it is time to go out on Sankirtan! The GTA Sankirtan Team is very happy to invite everyone to the Monthly Sankirtan Festival (MSF) on this coming Saturday, August 29th (a.k.a Sankirtan Saturday!)
Sankirtan is a Sanskrit term which means the congregational chanting and sharing of the names and glories of Krishna, which is the recommended process for spiritual success. In the Hare Krishna tradition, sankirtan is associated with sharing our spiritual culture with the public via the timeless books, translated by Srila Prabhupada.
Sankirtan is a Sanskrit term which means the congregational chanting and sharing of the names and glories of Krishna, which is the recommended process for spiritual success. In the Hare Krishna tradition, sankirtan is associated with sharing our spiritual culture with the public via the timeless books, translated by Srila Prabhupada.
Part of the MSF initiative is to bring everyone together, and so in that spirit the MSF will begin with the morning program at the Toronto Hare Krishna temple at 4:30am on July 25, 2009. The program will include a morning worship ceremony, some time for mantra mediation and will include a discourse that will discuss the benefits of sankirtan. A short seminar on the practicalities of how to distribute books will follow, and by 11am we should hit the streets and stay out until 2pm. This will be followed by a Maha-Harinama, ecstatic singing and dancing right in the heart of Downtown Toronto till 2:30pm!
Please sign up on the form below and don't hesitate to contact us with any comments or questions at toronto.sankirtan@gmail.com.
Click here to register for the Monthly Sankirtan Festival!
Radhastami Deity Darshan
A full festival report and photo gallery will be posted shortly. In the mean time please enjoy the stunning darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira Chora Gopinatha. Click below for full Deity gallery.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Radhastami Recordings - August 27, 2009
The recording for the Radhastami Celebrations can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly Sunday live web broadcasts and festivals are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly Sunday live web broadcasts and festivals are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Birthday Gifts for Shrimati Radharani!
The Hare Krishna Temple warmly invites you and your family to join us this Thursday, August 27th for Radhastami celebrations - celebrating the appearance of Srimati Radharani! Festivities will commence at 6:00pm and will include wonderful kirtan, bhajans, a discourse about Srimati Radharani and yummy prasadam. As an annual tradition, the highlight of the evening will be when we open gifts for Srimati Radharani that have been brought by the assembled devotees.If you and your family feel inclined, you are welcome to bring a gift for Their Lordships. Some humble suggestions from our beloved pujari department for gifts for the Deities include jewelry (necklaces, earrings, tikkas, hair ornaments, tiaras, rings, and bracelets), pure sandalwood oil, cleaning supplies for the altar (marble cleaner, wood polish, brass and silver polish, laundry soap), as well as items for Radharani's Kitchen. Gifts can be placed on the altar and will be unwrapped and shown to the Deities during the program. Of course donations of any kind are always warmly accepted!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday Feast Recordings - August 23, 2009
The recording for this week's Sunday Feast can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
ISKCON Toronto Celebrates Janmastami!
In a blur of colour, excitement and vibrance, ISKCON Toronto's 2009 Janmastami celebrations brought smiles and jubilance to so many assembled devotees.
Janmastami marks the appearance anniversary of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At the Hare Krishna Center celebrations began before dawn as devotees gathered to greet the deities at Mangala Arati, the first darshan on this auspicious day! This was followed by an eventful morning program. One of the highlights was when the altar doors reopened and their lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Cora Gopinatha gave their first darshan in their brand new outfit and stood majestically on their flower-bedecked altar! Throughout the day the many people who visited the temple got a glimpse of the fury of activity involved in the preparations for the main festivities.
The evening program was kicked of with rapturous kirtan which set the tone for the festivities! Other features included bhajans, classical dances, discourses and more! As a very special presentation the new paintings for the Temple room were unveiled as the pastimes they depict were explained. Additionaally, two brand new dramas, directed by H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami were presented during the evening's festivities! During the second drama “Nandulal”, the audience was treated to see H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami play the role of Bilvmangala Thakur.
The countdown to midnight was kicked-off with the abhisheka (bathing ceremony) as the Temple was resounding with wonderful rocking kirtans. The Temple room as well as the balcony was packed to full capacity as the crowd awaited the opening of the altar doors. At the stroke of midnight, the Deity doors were swung open and the Deities were revealed in their pushpa (flower) outfits!
Please Enjoy this video presentation summarizing this year's Janmastami celebrations. Click here to see Janmastami Deity photos. Click here for Janmastami kirtan recordings.
The festivites did not end here! The following day devotees observed the appearance anniversary of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada— celebrated as Vyasa Puja (“worship of the spiritual master”) by his disciples and followers. Click here for photos of Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja.
Janmastami marks the appearance anniversary of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At the Hare Krishna Center celebrations began before dawn as devotees gathered to greet the deities at Mangala Arati, the first darshan on this auspicious day! This was followed by an eventful morning program. One of the highlights was when the altar doors reopened and their lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Cora Gopinatha gave their first darshan in their brand new outfit and stood majestically on their flower-bedecked altar! Throughout the day the many people who visited the temple got a glimpse of the fury of activity involved in the preparations for the main festivities.
The evening program was kicked of with rapturous kirtan which set the tone for the festivities! Other features included bhajans, classical dances, discourses and more! As a very special presentation the new paintings for the Temple room were unveiled as the pastimes they depict were explained. Additionaally, two brand new dramas, directed by H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami were presented during the evening's festivities! During the second drama “Nandulal”, the audience was treated to see H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami play the role of Bilvmangala Thakur.
The countdown to midnight was kicked-off with the abhisheka (bathing ceremony) as the Temple was resounding with wonderful rocking kirtans. The Temple room as well as the balcony was packed to full capacity as the crowd awaited the opening of the altar doors. At the stroke of midnight, the Deity doors were swung open and the Deities were revealed in their pushpa (flower) outfits!
Please Enjoy this video presentation summarizing this year's Janmastami celebrations. Click here to see Janmastami Deity photos. Click here for Janmastami kirtan recordings.
The festivites did not end here! The following day devotees observed the appearance anniversary of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada— celebrated as Vyasa Puja (“worship of the spiritual master”) by his disciples and followers. Click here for photos of Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Janamastmi 2009 Recordings!!!
As a special treat to the followers of the ISKCON Toronto Blog, we would like to present audio recordings from this year's Janamastmi! The links below are in order of when they happened. To access the recordings, simply click on the play button below the name.
Gaura Arati and Nrsimha Pranams - Shastyna
Lecture - His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami
Madhurastakam - Women's Bhajan Group (led by Subhadra Devi Dasi)
Kirtan - Dhira Grahi Das
Lecture - Rupanuga Das
Midnight Kirtan - Ajamila Das
Recordings can be downloaded from the folder below.
Sri Krishna Janamastmi Ki Jai!!!!!!
Gaura Arati and Nrsimha Pranams - Shastyna
Lecture - His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami
Madhurastakam - Women's Bhajan Group (led by Subhadra Devi Dasi)
Kirtan - Dhira Grahi Das
Lecture - Rupanuga Das
Midnight Kirtan - Ajamila Das
Recordings can be downloaded from the folder below.
Sri Krishna Janamastmi Ki Jai!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Gopinath's Kids Camp returns for the Third Year on August 22nd!
With the end of the holiday season just around the corner, and with a beautiful weather outside, this calls for some fun in the park, great food and games with friends!ISKCON Toronto is providing just that and more and especially for the younger congregational members with the third annual Gopinath's Kids Camp!
This year, the third annual Gopinath's Kids Camp will be held on Saturday, August 22nd from 8:30am-6:30pm, for kids aged 6-14 years. The purpose of this one-day camp is to provide an opportunity to ignite the spiritual spark in the children while doing fun and interactive activities that they enjoy.
In addition to outdoor games, some of the primary activities being planned for the day are Mantra Meditation Sessions, fun cooking classes, learning how to play different musical instruments, guided Temple Tour, sumptuous prasadam and many fond memories.
All this and much more for registration fees of only $25!
Click here to register your children now!!
For further information, please feel free to contact us at info@torontokrishna.com or psenatoronto@gmail.com. You can also contact Shyama-Mohini dasi at 416.844.2937 or Mahasundari Madhavi dasi at 647.284.7010. We look forward to seeing all our enthusiastic younger devotees at the Gopinath's Kids Camp this year on August 22nd!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday Feast Recordings - August 16, 2009
The recording for this week's Sunday Feast can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Janmastami Pictures ... Sneak Preview!
A full festival report and photo gallery will be posted shortly, in the mean time please enjoy the stunning midnight darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira Chora Gopinatha in this year's flower dress.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Janmastami is Here!!! Official Schedule!
Tonight is the big night! One of the biggest festivals of the year, Sri Krishna Janmastami is here and we hope everyone is going to be able to make it with their friends and family! The following is the official schedule for the evening (subject to change):
6:00pm - Arati
6:30pm - Welcome & Announcements
6:40pm - Class: Pastimes of Lord Krishna
7:15pm - Classical Dance Performance
7:35pm - Bhajan: Madhurastakam
8:00pm - Arati
8:40pm - Class: Pastimes of Lord Krishna
9:10pm - Special Unveiling!
9:30pm - Drama: "The Telemarketer"
9:40pm - ISKCON Toronto Presentation
10:15pm - Drama: "Nandulal"
11:15pm - Abhisheka
12:00am - Unveiling of Deities in Their Flower Outfits / Midnight Arati
12:30am - Prasadam!
Please note, prasadam will be served in the Dining Hall from 6:00pm onwards. The full feast will be served after midnight. Parking is also available on Pears Ave.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebrations!
Preparations are underway and ISKCON Toronto is gearing up for what will surely be an unforgettable festival! Sri Krsna Janmastami falls on Thursday, August 13, 2009 and will be celebrated in a big way at the Hare Krishna Temple (243 Avenue Road - click here for a map).
The evening program will be full of kirtan, bhajans, dances, discourses and more! As a very special presentation two brand new dramas, directed by H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami will be presented during the evening's festivities! It will truly be something not to be missed. The countdown to midnight will kick-off with an abhisheka and the temple will be resounding with wonderful rocking kirtan, at the stroke of midnight, the Deity doors will open and the Deities will be revealed in their pushpa (flower) outfits!
The evening program will be full of kirtan, bhajans, dances, discourses and more! As a very special presentation two brand new dramas, directed by H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami will be presented during the evening's festivities! It will truly be something not to be missed. The countdown to midnight will kick-off with an abhisheka and the temple will be resounding with wonderful rocking kirtan, at the stroke of midnight, the Deity doors will open and the Deities will be revealed in their pushpa (flower) outfits!
A detailed schedule will be posted shortly.
Parking:
An underground parking garage has been arranged for festival attendees. The parking lot is located on Pears Avenue, a 2-3 minute walk from the temple. Click here for a detailed view.
Krishna Janmastami Kalash Abhisheka!
At this year's Janmastami Festival on August 13th, kalash sponsors will receive the rare opportunity to personally bathe Their Lordships on this auspicious occasion. Sponsor a silver Kalash for $301 and as a personal gift donors will get to keep the Maha Kalash in remembrance of this special occasion. Please contact Subuddhi devi dasi or Keshava das at 416-922-5415 for more information.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sunday Feast Recordings - August 9, 2009
The recording for this week's Sunday Feast can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lord Balarama's Appearance Day Recordings
The recording for Lord Balarama's Appearance Day Celebrations can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly Sunday live web broadcasts and festivals are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly Sunday live web broadcasts and festivals are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Lord Balarama's Appearance day Celebrated With Ecstatic Kirtans!
Lord Balarama, who is Lord Krishna's older brother, has a very special place in our hearts. Yesterday, devotees at the Hare Krishna Temple celebrated His appearance day as well as the last day of the Jhulan-Yatra festival. Many devotees enthusiastically dressed in blue to honour Lord Balarama.
Glorifying Lord Balarama in his lecture, Rupanuga das stressed that just as Lord Balarama pulled the River Yamuna with his plough, similarly we must pray that the plough of the Holy Name of Krsna bring our consciousness to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
The theme of the evening's celebrations was to appreciate Lord Balarama through the Holy Name. Devotees then had the good fortune to pull the beautifully decorated swing (jhulan) to celebrate the last day of the Jhulan-Yatra festival as Dhira Grahi das led a beautiful kirtan. Everyone danced jubilantly as the mrdangas, who are a representation of Lord Balarama, and the Holy Name continue to vibrate through the temple room all evening.
The theme of diving deeper into the holy name continued with the 8pm arati led by Ajamil das which had the entire temple room dancing and hoping for more! The program concluded with a grand feast for the pleasure of Lord Balarama and his devotees.
As devotees enjoyed the delicious prasadam, the anticipation for the festivities for Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebrations could be seen! We hope those who came out tonight enjoyed the program, and for those who weren't able to make it out for the program, please enjoy some beautiful pictures from this appearance day celebrations for Lord Balarama.
We look forward to seeing you all at Janmastami on August 13, 2009!
Glorifying Lord Balarama in his lecture, Rupanuga das stressed that just as Lord Balarama pulled the River Yamuna with his plough, similarly we must pray that the plough of the Holy Name of Krsna bring our consciousness to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.
The theme of the evening's celebrations was to appreciate Lord Balarama through the Holy Name. Devotees then had the good fortune to pull the beautifully decorated swing (jhulan) to celebrate the last day of the Jhulan-Yatra festival as Dhira Grahi das led a beautiful kirtan. Everyone danced jubilantly as the mrdangas, who are a representation of Lord Balarama, and the Holy Name continue to vibrate through the temple room all evening.
The theme of diving deeper into the holy name continued with the 8pm arati led by Ajamil das which had the entire temple room dancing and hoping for more! The program concluded with a grand feast for the pleasure of Lord Balarama and his devotees.
As devotees enjoyed the delicious prasadam, the anticipation for the festivities for Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebrations could be seen! We hope those who came out tonight enjoyed the program, and for those who weren't able to make it out for the program, please enjoy some beautiful pictures from this appearance day celebrations for Lord Balarama.
We look forward to seeing you all at Janmastami on August 13, 2009!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Lord Balarama's Appearance Day Celebrations
A warm invitation goes out to your and your family to join us this Wednesday, August 5th, as we celebrate the auspicious appearance day (birthday) of Lord Balarama, Lord Krishna's older brother! Lord Balarama symbolizes strength and compassion and we invite you to take part in the celebrations at the Hare Krishna Temple. Our schedule for the evening will be:6:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Arati
6:30 pm - 6:35 pm - Welcome and Announcements
6:35 pm - 7:25 pm - Class about Lord Balarama
7:25 pm - 8:00 pm - Jhulan Yatra - Swing Festival with the deities
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Arati
8:30 pm - Free Prasadam (Vegetarian Feast) for All!
After Lord Balarama's appearance day, the countdown for Sri Krishna Janmashtami starts, the biggest birthday bash in town for Lord Krishna. This year, Janmashtami falls on August 13th. As always, we will be having exciting activities on August 13th. More information about what to expect will be coming your way soon!
We are also requesting those who plan to attend the festival to try to dress in blue to honour Lord Balarama! Come and celebrate the glories of Lord Balarama amidst great fun and festivities at the Hare Krishna Temple this Wednesday!
Sunday Feast Recordings - August 2nd, 2009
The recording for this week's Sunday Feast can be viewed by clicking the image below.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
As a reminder, the recordings from our weekly live web broadcasts are stored on our ISKCON Toronto Video Archive Blog.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Memories of Festival of India 2009!
The 37th Annual Festival of India took place on July 18-19, 2009 bringing a splash of colour to the city even though Toronto was paralyzed by a civic strike. Although the civic strike forced a change in location from the much loved Centre Island to a vacant space at Yonge and Queens Quay, spirits were high as thousands came to take part in the Hare Krishna Temple's biggest spiritual bash!
It is difficult to capture the entire festival in a few words, so we thought of letting visuals do the trick! These two presentations are courtesy of Kumari Photo and Design, our official photographers and videographers for the festival! On behalf of the Festival of India Organizing Committee, we would like to thank Sangeeta, Monty and Rishi for the amazing photographs and video!
We hope these presentations bring back some amazing memories of the festival! (PS: Click here to see what Toronto Star had to say about our festival!)
It is difficult to capture the entire festival in a few words, so we thought of letting visuals do the trick! These two presentations are courtesy of Kumari Photo and Design, our official photographers and videographers for the festival! On behalf of the Festival of India Organizing Committee, we would like to thank Sangeeta, Monty and Rishi for the amazing photographs and video!
We hope these presentations bring back some amazing memories of the festival! (PS: Click here to see what Toronto Star had to say about our festival!)
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