Gaura Purnima 2010 Frequently Asked Question’s

celebrating the secret avatar’s mission about new vrindaban

Question: How was New Vrindaban
founded? When did Srila Prabhupada
first visit?
Answer: New Vrindaban was founded
by Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples on a
landlocked pioneer farmstead two miles
off the main county road. The original
property encompassed 130 acres and was
inaccessible by motor vehicle. The devo-
tees lived in a dilapidated one room log
cabin, fetched water from a hand dug
well and gathered firewood by hand. The
winters were very harsh and many of the
early settlers would return to the cities.
Srila Prabhupada’s first visit was in June
1969. To the delight of the devotee pio-

G aur Purnima festival in New Vrindaban
Community is a very special occasion. It
joyfully commemorates the appearance of Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533) who is
the combined manifestation of Radha and
Krishna. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is some-
times referred to as a “hidden incarnation.”
His existence in Kali-yuga is considered hid-
den because unlike the other avatars, the
Channa (secret) avatar does not reveal Him-
self as an incarnation. Rather, He displays his
pastimes in the guise of His own devotee.
The word Chaitanya means “consciousness or
life-force” and Mahaprabhu means “the great
master.” Those who attend the Gaur Purnima
festival are joining Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s
sankirtan army and spreading the Hare
Krishna Maha Mantra around the globe.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Himself, inundat-
ed the entire Indian subcontinent with the
chanting of the holy name 524 years ago. The
second reason why Gaur Purnima is so special neers, he stayed for 30 some days, giving
is that it heralds in the beginning of Spring, darshan and outlining the mission of his
the season in which New Vrindaban comes to first rural Krishna conscious community.
life, hosting thousands of pilgrims and guests.
Soon fresh grass will reappear in the pastures.
Help us shake-off the dreariness of winter
and call in the new season by bringing your
family and friends to this spirited festival.
We will dance, sing, feast and cry
out for the mercy of the Kali-yuga avatar
to bless us with love of God. There will be
dramas, video presentations, special activi-
ties for children and congregational chant-
ing around New Vrindaban’s Holy sites.
This year’s festival falls officially on Sunday,
February 28th. We will begin celebrating,
however, on Saturday afternoon, February We are on
27th with bhajans and special classes, cul-
minating in a big feast in the early evening.
Plan to spend the whole weekend but be
sure to make room reservations in advance. Search for “New Vrindaban” fans page

Congratulations to our donors!

M any heart felt thanks to New Vrindaban’s pilgrims and visi-
tors who have donated to the Holy Dhama. Without your
support, none of this would be possible. New Vrindaban Today is
happy to announce that our traditional printed hard copy list of
bi-monthly donors is now visible on-line at www.newvrindaban.
com. The move from print to digital recognition serves two pur-
poses. First, it opens up our humble newsletter for more news,
Space that used to be gobbled-up by hundreds of hard to read do-
nor names is now freed-up for information. Secondly, by posting
your names on our website, more web-visitors can appreciate your
generosity and send you their blessings and prayers. It’s win-win
when Krishna is in the center.
 Cow Campaign mooo-ving along !
T hanks to the generosity of
Indian families across North
America and Mother India, the
2010 annual goraksha-seva fund
raiser is clipping along at a record
pace. If you haven’t taken the time
to donate yet, please do so. Our
2010 goal is $150,000. In Decem-
ber 09, the month we mailed out
our cow brochure and return enve-
lope, $50,000 poured in but more
is needed.” This really helps us set
goals and make plans,” explained
chief cow herder Ranaka Das. Since 1980,
Ranaka has been steadily managing the
cows, the pasturing grounds, the hay
fields and the flotilla of farm equipment
required to care for Lord Krishna’s favorite
animal. Keep in mind, that your dona-
tion not only protects New Vrindaban’s
herd but it sends a message worldwide
that reverberates with students, parents,
policy makers and environmental
enthusiasts. “Cows are not what’s
for dinner,!” exclaimed Chait-
anya Bhagavat, the cowherd boy
who milks the herd daily. “The
cows and bulls are the emblem
of goodness and the path of
Dharma,” he added. In the past
eight weeks, Chaitanya Bhagavat
delivered two new calves named
Vrndavani and Manjari. Both are
healthy brown Swiss heifers who
will grow up free and protected
from the butcher’s blade. For information
on how to promote goraksha-seva, contact
Parampara Das at (304) 843-1600 ext.
107 or e-mail param@newvrindaban.com

Kumbh Mela Devotee Profile

maha jal available soon
Brikasanga Prabhu, a disciple of Srila
“Bathing in the Ganges on the most auspicious day of Kumbh Prabhupada, joined ISKCON in 1972.
Mela was like basking in nectar,” exclaimed one fortunate par- In San Francisco, he helped construct
ticipant. Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival with the Rathyatra carts and then journeyed
millions of people attending will be held in Haridwar this year. with the Radha Damodar traveling
There the sacred river Ganges flows from the Himalayas. The pu- sankirtan party serving as bus driver
rification of the soul one normally benefits when bathing in the and head pujari. In 1984, Brikasanga
Holy Ganges is even more potent on Kumbh Mela. Srila Prabhu- settled in New Vrindaban where he
pada, the founder acharya of ISKCON, attended Kumbh Melas now supports his family by driving a
several times with his disciples, using the opportunity to perform truck. Brikasanga’s real love, however, is the cows. Voluntarily,
the chanting of the Holy Names. New Vrindaban is happy to he visits the barn twice daily, checking on frozen water feeders
announce that it will begin distributing Kumbh Mela Maha Jal and feeding out hay. His loving care of the elderly cows and oxen
sometime in mid February 2010. The sacred nectar will be read- is wonderful. When a sick or old cow or oxen “goes down” and
ily available to pilgrims visiting New Vrindaban Dhama as well can no longer get up to eat or drink, Brikasanga is there to give
as to those who prefer ordering over phone. Details can be found them what they need to be comfortable as death approaches. He
at www.newvrindaban.com provides a warm bed of straw, Deity garlands, water from a baby
bottle, Maha Prasadam from the altar and even a CD tape of
Srila Prabhupada chanting the Maha Mantra. “Sri Sri Radha
Vrindaban Chandra
are so kind to give me
this service,” he re-
cently said. On your
next visit to New Vr-
indaban, please take a
moment to seek out
the association of this
great soul. Brikasanga
Das ki jaya!
 Ramnavami Celebration Festival of Inspiration
marks 10 year anniversary
N ew Vrindaban Community is again privileged to host the
2010 edition of the Festival of Inspiration on May 5th,
6th, and 7th. The landmark event has grown into the largest
devotee gathering in North America. Festival coordinal, Malati
Devi Dasi, noted that all New Vrindaban’s housing accommoda-
tions are already reserved—namely the Palace Lodge, the temple
guest rooms and the cottages. “Don’t be discouraged,” Malati
said, “Ample lodging is still available in the neighboring towns
and cities.” Keynote speakers, workshop presentations, nightly
entertainment, delicious vegetarian cuisine and great network-
ing opportunities highlight the three-day gala event with dev-
otees from around the globe. E-mail inquiries may be sent to
servingkrishna@aol.com or call 304-845-9591 for more details.

K rishna is Bhagvan (God), the source of all reality, but he has

many other manifestations to accommodate the diverse senti-
ments of His devotees. Ram’s appearance as the perfect king, Lord
Ramchandra, will be celebrated on Saturday, March 27th. Lord
Ram’s fame and pastimes are heralded by his devotees for hundreds
of thousands of years. Accompanied by his entourage, Sita, Laksh-
man, and the monkey warrior Hanuman, Lord Ram established the
kingdom of Ramaraj in the city of Ayodhya. Because Kali-yug is the
age of increased sinful activity it’s a time when society’s natural lead-
ers plunder the citizens and behave immorally. Ram exhibited all the
qualities of a perfect leader, one who is capable of providing protec-
tion for the innocent while vanquishing the demons like Ravan. We
may wonder why Krishna allows the demoniac to gain such strength?
The answer is that the material world is basically an arrangement to
accommodate people who want to forget God. It is not a place where
one wants to linger. That’s why attending festivals like Ramnavami
are important tools for escaping the clutches of Kali-yug. Simulta-
neously, we benefit by hearing the pastimes of Ram, by obtaining
the blessings of sages and by receiving religious instruction. Lord
Ram is our eternal leader. He is our shelter and refuge. He is Krishna
manifesting His ability to rule His creation with justice and integrity.
Please come celebrate this holy occasion with us. The Ramnavami Chant & Be Happy
festivities will begin early in the morning (mangal arati) and continue Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
throughout the day. See our website, for festival details and lodging. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

BIRTHDAYS . WEDDINGS . ANNIVERSARIES

SPECIAL OCCASIONS . PASSING AWAY . CELEBRATIONS
Celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries in Vedic traditional style and evoke the blessings of Lord Krishna.
Choose from the options below:
❏ Ad Space and Puja $1001 ❏ Nitya Seva $501 ❏ A Sunday Feast $351 ❏ Feeding Brahmanas $151 ❏ Raj Bhoga $151
(for advertisements in print media / (full day of New Vrindaban (You will be feeding sumptuous (Feeding the priests of temple with (for Sri Radha Vrindaban-
special Pooja offering on your behalf) seva) prasadam to 100+ people) variety of preparations) chandra)

❏ Feed a Cow $61 ❏ Pushpa Seva $31 ❏ Other $_______________

(for one month) (to purchase flowers for deities) (for any other service)

Name:_________________________________________ For details call at: 304 843 1600 or E-mail at: mail@newvrindaban.com
Occasion:_________________ Date:_________________ Make checks payable to ISKCON New Vrindaban
 Nonprofit
Organization
US Postage
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YOUR FREE FULL COLOR COPY! Wheeling, WV
Rd 1 Box 319 Moundsville, WV 26041 Permit #840
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

FEBRUARY
2010 VOL # 1

This Issue: gaura purnima | festival of inspiration | cow campaign | kumbh mela jal and more...

Newsletter Financial Vaishnava Sri Krishna

Staff Report Calendar Janmashtami 2010
Amalaki Ekadasi Mark your calendars!
Nityodita Das February 24th
Chief Editor Jan / Feb 2010
Income
Gaura Purnima
February 28th
Rupanuga Das Book Distribution....................$1,678.00
Parampara Das Food Service..............................$848.62
Papamochani Ekadasi
Managing Editors Rental......................................$6296.00
March 11th
Maha Kalash Abhishek
Puja Service / Donation..........13,870.00 Sponsorship Program!
Other......................................$7,312.00
$ 30,004.62 Ram Navami
Shyam Pandey Expenses March 24th
Please reserve your Kalash and room
in advance as sponsorship is limited.
Graphics & Layout Deity Worship.........................$2,081.19
Administration........................$7,642.00  Kamada Ekadasi Saturday, August 28th
Maintenance.........................$11,808.55 March 26th Wednesday, Sept. 1st (actual day)
Jaya Murari Das Utilities...................................$6,523.00
Saturday, September 4th
Photography Food.........................................$658.97
Total Expense $ 28,713.71
Balaram Rasayatra Sunday, September 5th
March 29th
For further information
Resident Devotees This report does not reflect sale of assets
Varuthini Ekadasi Call 304-843-1600 ext. 102,103,107
Articles & Stories April 9th or visit our website.