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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
By offering our foodstuffs to Krsna with love & devotion, Krsna says he will accept & it becomes spiritually purified because he is the supreme pure. So love & devotion to Krsna is the purifying agent & nullifies all bad effects of this age of Kali yuga

710128 - Letter to Edith written from Allahabad

My Dear Edith,

Please accept my blessings, presently I am touring India and so have just now received your letter dated 3d August, 1970 and am replying it herewith.

We are presently in the age; called Kali yuga, or the age of quarrel and dissention where man is very shortlived and not so very intelligent, But the most regrettable characteristic of this age, is that man has forgotten God. He is claiming God is dead or I am god, etc. Just try to understand how much degraded this age is. One of the anomolies,- of this Kali yuga is that our foodstuffs have been grown with so many chemicals, etc. Actually nothing in this Kali yuga is pure. The soil is polluted, the air, so many things as well as man's motives, but by firmly establishing our Krishna Consciousness Movement all over the world, such unfavorable conditions can be terminated.

That is our program. So for the present we must tolerate such conditions. Actually, these are material considerations only. By offering our foodstuffs to Krishna with love and devotion, Krishna says he wiil accept and it becomes spiritually purified because he is the supreme pure. So love and devotion to Krishna is the purifying agent and nullifies all the bad effects of this age of Kali yuga. Simply let as offer to Krishna with love and devotion and chant the -Hare Krishna Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare) and our very existence will become purified.

Presently we have established one center of our International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Chicago. The address is as follows 2210 N. Halsted Ave. Chicago. Please visit there and if you have any further questions the devotees there will gladly answer them.

Hoping this will meet you in good health.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/adb

Edith Greene1833 N. Orehard St.Chicago, Ill. 60614

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

Vyasa-puja Book Team Releases Details Regarding Submissions for the 2025 Edition
Vyasa-puja Book Team Releases Details Regarding Submissions for the 2025 Edition

The Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book team, made up of Ananda Tirtha Das, Praghosa Das, Satya Medha Gauranga Das, and Kaisori Devi Dasi, has issued a call for submissions for the 2025 Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book.

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TOVP Announces Grand Opening Schedule for Srila Prabhupada’s Legacy Museum
TOVP Announces Grand Opening Schedule for Srila Prabhupada’s Legacy Museum

The TOVP Team is pleased to provide the schedule for the historic Grand Opening of the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum on February 18, 2025. All devotees are invited to attend this auspicious occasion glorifying ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada either personally or online on Mayapur TV or the TOVP YouTube Channel.

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SB Keshava Swami Addresses Parliamentary Leaders in Australia on the Paradoxes of Our Time
SB Keshava Swami Addresses Parliamentary Leaders in Australia on the Paradoxes of Our Time

ISKCON Melbourne released a video of Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami’s presentation to a select audience at the Parliament in Victoria on February 6, 2025.

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ISKCON Detroit Hosts 7th Annual Bhagavad-gita Sloka Recitation Competition
ISKCON Detroit Hosts 7th Annual Bhagavad-gita Sloka Recitation Competition

On January 19th, ISKCON Detroit – The Devasadana Mandir hosted the 7th annual Bhagavad Gita Sloka Recitation Competition. This program provides children, ages 4-18, with an opportunity to memorize verses and learn about the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

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Embark on an Unforgettable Spiritual Adventure with Nimai’s Adventures Camp
Embark on an Unforgettable Spiritual Adventure with Nimai’s Adventures Camp

On February 22nd-23rd, 2025, Mandakini Devi Dasi, the author of the children’s book Nimai’s Adventures, will offer a virtual camp for children online. Mandakini Publications’ free, interactive camp is designed to immerse young hearts in the extraordinary life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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An American Monarchy?
An American Monarchy?

When speaking about the function of a Vedic monarchy, Srila Prabhupada explained, “The king is to see to the welfare of the citizens from all angles of social, political, economic and spiritual upliftment” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.49 purport).

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Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi: Blending Bhakti and Art to Inspire
Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi: Blending Bhakti and Art to Inspire

Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi is a Bhakti-based artist, graphic designer, and muralist whose work bridges the worlds of devotion and creative expression. Originally from Russia, she has made her home in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, where she has contributed to numerous projects that enhance the spiritual ambiance of her community. Her art, spanning book illustrations to Bhagavad-gita-inspired greeting cards, reflects her steadfast dedication to combining aesthetics with spiritual depth.

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ISKCON Dublin’s 2024 Book Marathon: A Record-Breaking Spiritual Success
ISKCON Dublin’s 2024 Book Marathon: A Record-Breaking Spiritual Success

ISKCON Dublin recently concluded its participation in the 2024 Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon, surpassing expectations with a total of 12,781 books distributed across Ireland. The initiative, which took place throughout December, saw devotees tirelessly engaging in the sacred mission of sharing spiritual knowledge through the distribution of Bhagavad-gitas and other Vedic literature.

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Indian Art Comes to Life in Madrid: MOSA’s “Mystic Paths” Opens at Museo de Antropología
Indian Art Comes to Life in Madrid: MOSA’s “Mystic Paths” Opens at Museo de Antropología

On January 30, 2025, the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) opened a new exhibit entitled “Mystic Paths: Living Traditions of Indian Art from MOSA” at the Museo de Antropología of Madrid in Spain’s capital. Over 150 special guests, including many professors, intellectuals, and artists from the area, attended the opening.

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Gopala-Raya Das: Leading the Charge for Book Distribution in the UK
Gopala-Raya Das: Leading the Charge for Book Distribution in the UK

For Gopala-Raya Das, book distribution is more than a duty; it is a central theme in his spiritual journey. His recent appointment as Sankirtan Leader in his yatra – Swansea, Wales, and as Chair of the ISKCON UK Book Distribution Committee is a natural extension of his lifelong dedication to sharing Krishna consciousness.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

Joyful Hearts Unite in Love and Harmony, February 8
Joyful Hearts Unite in Love and Harmony, February 8

By Dandavats Staff Writer

Prasadam distribution at Mahakumbh. What is illicit sex by HH Gour Govinda Swami. Grand Opening of the Srila Prabhupada Legacy Museum in the TOVP. Nityananda Trayodasi. Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Free Write Journal. How Worthy Of Being Loved Am I. Varahadeva's Appearance Day. Appearance of Sri Varahadeva. Vyasa-puja Book 2025. SB Keshava Swami Addresses Parliamentary Leaders in Australia. Super Ecstatic Kirtan. Nityanandastakam

...

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Appearance of Sri Varahadeva
Appearance of Sri Varahadeva

By Hari-sauri dasa

There are different incarnations or appearances of Lord Varahadev. Previously the white boar incarnation has been described. The one that is in the Bhagavatam as we receive it is the story about the red incarnation and His fight with the demon Hiranyaksha. So it is an interesting history and one that is very instructive for the devotees because it is a narrative of people feeling sorry. The history is Diti was feeling unusually lusty. She was feeling impelled to the point where she los...

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Varahadeva’s Appearance Day
Varahadeva’s Appearance Day

By Bhakti Gauravani Goswami

Srila Prabhupada spoke about this in 1977. This is exactly 40 years ago in Bhubaneshwar, right? He spoke about Varaha’s appearance. He said “Ramadi murti su kala niyamena.” Krishna, the original adi pursua, is taking various forms. Ramadi murtisu, especially three Ramas, Parasuram, Balaram and Dasarathi Rama. Rama means enjoyment. Krishna’s enjoyment does not mean that when Krishna appeared as a boar he was suffering. Everything is “Anada- cinmaya-rasa- pratibhavitabhih,” every second is imbued and permeated with ever...

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Krishna’s Grace Illuminates Hearts, Bringing Love, Harmony, and Happiness, February 7
Krishna’s Grace Illuminates Hearts, Bringing Love, Harmony, and Happiness, February 7

By Dandavats Staff Writer

The Flowing Hair Of Lord Krishna. Walk through fire. The King who had four wives... The Highest Compassion. Yudhisthira Maharaja. Our lives with Krishna in the center! 7th Annual Bhagavad-gita Sloka Recitation Competition. The magnificence of Sri Ramanujacharya. Bhaimi Ekadashi. The spirit of the Bhagavad Gita. Our Srila Prabhupada by HG Malati Devi. Srimad-Bhagavatam Class by HG Brahmatirtha Prabhu .Nandini Radha Mataji: Always Remember Krishna and never forget Him

...

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Lord Nityananda Appearance Day
Lord Nityananda Appearance Day

By Radhanath Swami

Lord Nityananda - The epitome of Compassion. So Lord Nityananda, he was in the sublime mood. Although he was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he took the most humble position in order to satisfy Lord Gaurasundara. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Patitapavana Avatara. That means He came especially to claim the most fallen and sinful of all living beings. And there is nothing that satisfies Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu more than distributing love of god to another. Therefore lord Nityananda, he would go on both banks of the Ganges and he would ap...

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Appearance Anniversary of Sri Nityananda Prabhu
Appearance Anniversary of Sri Nityananda Prabhu

By Bhakti Charu Swami

May Sri Nityananda Rama be the object of my constant remembrance. Sankarsana, Sesa Naga and the Visnus who lie on the Karana Ocean, Garbha Ocean and ocean of milk are His plenary portions and the portions of His plenary portions

...

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“Walk through fire”
“Walk through fire”

By HH Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami

Increase the quality of your chanting. Increase the quantity of your chanting. Read more Srimad Bhagavatam. Read Caitanya Caritamrita. Read prayers. Acaryas have written so many prayers. Read prayers of acaryas. Pray to Krishna. Krishna will hear you, when you read the prayers of acaryas - He hears you. When you speak in your own words: “Krishna, help. Krishna, save me”, Krishna will hear you. ...

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The Highest Compassion
The Highest Compassion

By Niranjana Swami

The word "Acarya" in Founder-Acarya means that Srila Prabhupada is the ultimate teacher by his own example in ISKCON. Being a perfect teacher by example, therefore, everything he does is instructive because, as followers, we are meant to aspire to strictly follow his example. Prabhupada would oftentimes speak about the difference between following in the footsteps and imitating. He would say that following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas means that we follo...

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Causeless mercy of Krishna
Causeless mercy of Krishna

By Girish Sarin

Each single verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam tastes like transcendental condensed milk of a Surabhi cow mixed with kesar, simply delicious and a nectar most satisfying to even conditioned souls (although it is meant to be tasted by paramhansas – liberated souls). No wonder that, along with Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam is the specific scripture meant for kali-yuga. O my Lord, because You are endowed with causeless mercy, all opulences, all prowess and all glories, strength and transcendental qualit...

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Illuminating Hearts Worldwide with Spiritual Teachings and Bliss, February 5
Illuminating Hearts Worldwide with Spiritual Teachings and Bliss, February 5

By Dandavats Staff Writer

Advaita Acarya - HH SB Keshava Swami. Gambhira Pilgrimage. Give credit to the person who created the wonderful brain of the scientist! Blending Bhakti and Art to Inspire. Sulalita Devi Dasi: Refining Creativity Through Devotion. Causeless mercy of Krishna. Kashi Vishvanatha: Shiva-linga of Light. Freedom from Material Bondage. Authentic Chanting / Japa Inspirations. Holi Festival photos. Students motivated by Govardhan Ecovillage visit. HH Kavicandra Swami: My Nigeria Yatra experience

...

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True Happiness: Transcending Illusions with Bhakti, February 6
True Happiness: Transcending Illusions with Bhakti, February 6

By Dandavats Staff Writer

Cooking for Krishna at ISKCON Salem. Bhakti vs. Illusion: Finding Lasting Happiness. Awakening Faith: The Power of Devotion. When the King is a pure devotee of the Lord. Remember Krishna Always: The Key to Liberation. Inhabitants of the most pious planets - the Jana, Tapas and Satya lokas. Material Joy or Maya? Discover Real Happiness. SADHU SANGA RETREAT in Goa. Ask Mahāprabhu to Steal Your Heart & Give It Back With Kṛṣṇa Prema. Mayapur Mellows. Padayatra's new initiative

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Divine Stories and Teachings to Uplift Souls, February 4
Divine Stories and Teachings to Uplift Souls, February 4

By Dandavats Staff Writer

Sat Sanga - Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta - HH Krishna Kshetra Swami. Organized Religion: Devil's Work or Divine Necessity? Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings. Chosen People Or People Who Choose? Adwaita Saptami 2025 - Mayapur (photos). Law of gravitation is the potency of the Lord. Lord Nityananda. Indian Art Comes to Life in Madrid. Bhagavad-Gita Class - HH Trivikram Swami. Psycology in Krishna Consciousness. Appearance of Sri Advaita Acarya - Kripamoya Dasa

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Chosen People Or People Who Choose?
Chosen People Or People Who Choose?

By Drutakarma dasa

The question is this: Does God choose certain individuals or groups for salvation? In other words, are there chosen people? And, alternatively, are certain persons selected for condemnation? The technical term for the matter under discussion is predestination, a word which implies that our final destination, be it heaven or hell, is programmed into our souls from the beginning of our existence. Thus the question of predestination is closely connected with the concep...

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Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings
Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings

By Dayananda Dasa

Alex said that he didn’t want to offend me, but he had noticed that many people who see the Hare Krishna chanting groups don’t understand what we’re doing. He asked, “How is that welfare, if they don’t understand?” I explained that the effect of the chanting doesn’t depend on our understanding. I used the example of a medicine we take to cure a disease. We swallow the pills, but we don’t need to know how they act. After some time, the medicine takes effect, and the disease goes ...

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Spreading Joy Through Devotion and Spiritual Awakening, February 2
Spreading Joy Through Devotion and Spiritual Awakening, February 2

By Dandavats Staff Writer

The Glory of The Holy Names. Discovering Pure Devotion. Book Distribution Program at Michigan's Largest Mall. Krishna House Releases Inspiring New Video. Sri Advaita Acarya - Appearance. Vasant Panchami. Free Write Journal. In Touch With Eternity (Almost). Chanting with Feelings. How Studying Science Strengthened My Faith. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. Meditating on the most benevolent smile of Lord Sri Hari. The pure mode of goodness. King Chitraketu's Journey

...

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Organized Religion: Devil’s Work or Divine Necessity?
Organized Religion: Devil’s Work or Divine Necessity?

By Kripamoya Dasa

The Devil always likes to help saints ‘organize’ religion, and organized religion can be problematic. But without human structures, the saint’s messages and good public works may not endure over the next three generations. For thousands of years, whenever saintly people have searched for a good spot to live, they’ve chosen places of tranquility, far removed from the noise and clamor of the town. In a quiet place, undisturbed by distraction or temptation, surr...

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Celebrating Krishna Consciousness Through Teachings and History, February 3
Celebrating Krishna Consciousness Through Teachings and History, February 3

By Dandavats Staff Writer

Vasant Pancami by HG Mukunda Datta Prabhu. The British public can't get enough "Hare Krishna"! Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita. Vaishnavis Worldwide: Stories of Service & Devotion. New Bhaktivedanta Eye Hospital at Barsana. Lecture by HG Hansarupa Prabhu - NYC. The Beauty of Krishna. Jambavati's Humility: Lessons from Krishna's Queens. Panihati - On The Bank Of The Ganges. HH Radhanath Swami's Class in ISKCON Prayagraj

...

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In Touch With Eternity (Almost)
In Touch With Eternity (Almost)

By Vishakha Devi Dasi

Longevity attracts me because I’m an eternal spiritual being, an imperishable soul. In my natural state I don’t transmigrate. So, since I’m not meant to be helplessly, traumatically dragged from one body to another, I crave permanence in this life. But I don’t really want the permanence of a giant Sequoia. Although by comparison to mine, the length of its life is awe-inspiring, to stand in one place, immobile and incommunicative, would be awful. I’m not ...

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Chanting with Feelings
Chanting with Feelings

By Niranjana Swami

And that is the activity of Lord Hari, when that fear is taken away by remembrance of the Lord. Lord Hari is the ‘One who takes away’, but He also takes away our fear because generally, it’s the fear which is the cause of so much anxiety. As Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, ‘fear’ means to not know what lays in the future. That’s why we fear. “If I do this, what’s going to happen? If I get on the plane, is it going to land?” Fear comes from the anticipa...

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Prasadam Distribution at Mahakumbh
Prasadam Distribution at Mahakumbh

HH Radhanath Swami at Mahakumbh Prayagraj 2025 distributing Prasadam.

Watch Now

 

 

 

 

 

TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

TOVP Urgent Call To Action: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum is Looking for Prabhupada Tadiya to Open in February, 2025
TOVP Urgent Call To Action: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum is Looking for Prabhupada Tadiya to Open in February, 2025

The TOVP A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum is now scheduled to open it’s first 1000 sq. ft. section in February, 2025 in what is now the current residence of Srila Prabhupada’s TOVP murti. The next phase will expand to 6000 sq. ft., and finally be completed at a huge 21,000 sq. ft..

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TOVP Main Wing Diamonds of the Dome Campaign
TOVP Main Wing Diamonds of the Dome Campaign

The Nrsimhadeva Wing was opened with a grand ceremony in March, 2024, with 432 beautiful, gold-leafed, diamond-like coffers mounted onto 1700 steel brackets inside the 82ft (25m) high dome. They are acoustically designed to reduce excess echoing in the hall during kirtan. Now is the opportunity to sponsor the 432 coffers being installed into the main wing dome above the altar of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and the Guru Parampara.

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Ray Cappo from the band 'Shelter' Experiences the TOVP
Ray Cappo from the band 'Shelter' Experiences the TOVP

Ray Cappo is well known in the music world for creating the hardcore rock-style band Shelter. He recently visited the TOVP. Step into a world with him where the stars align with ancient wisdom. Discover a unique planetarium in West Bengal that goes beyond the celestial wonders of the night sky. Delve into the Vedic teachings and witness the planets as our ancestors did, through the lens of profound spiritual understanding.

Watch Now

TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present
TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present

A lecture by Dr. Richard L. Thompson (Sadaputa Dasa)

Sound Vibration and Its Manifestations

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3, Chapter 12, Text 47 Alachua, Florida, December 27, 1995 Modern science considers sound vibration as mechanical waves. Vedic literature presents a definition that appears to transcend that by considering matter manifesting from energy identified with sound. Thompson examines the Puranic concept of sound by using three examples drawn from contemporary natural science – quantum mechanics, virtual reality, and the workings of the inner ear. He proposes that information expressed via a Vedic understanding of sound, may be fundamental to the manifestation of the cosmos.

Listen Now

 

 

 

 

Srila Prabhupada: 
founderacharya.com, vanipedia.org

The official ISKCON website: iskcon.org,

Find your nearest temple: centres.iskcon.org

ISKCON leadership: gbc.iskcon.org

Education such ar Bhakti-shastri, Bhaktivaibhava etc: Mayapur Institute, Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education, Bhaktivedanta College Europe

News: news.iskcon.org, dandavats.com,

BBT books: bbt.org, krishna.com, vanisource.org, vedabase.com, bbtmedia.com

World Sankirtan Newsletter: wsnl.net/wsnhome.htm

Temple of Vedic Planetarium: tovp.org

Deity Worship and courses: deityworship.com, Mayapur Academy 

Inspiration & Sadhana: 
mayapur.tv, iskcondesiretree.com

Vaishnava Calendars: 
ISKCON GBC Vaishnava Calendar Comitee, GCAL (Gaurabda Calendar, a program for calculation of the calendar for vaisnavas, according Gaudiya-Vaisnava tradition.)

These dates and timings are for Sri Mayapur Dhama. Find timings for your location at the Vaishnava Calendar links.

February 9, 2025 (Sunday)
Varaha Dvadasi: Appearance of Lord Varahadeva (Fasting is done yesterday, today is feast)

February 10, 2025 (Monday)
Nityananda Trayodasi: Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu (Fast till noon)

February 12, 2025 (Wednesday)
Sri Krsna Madhura Utsava Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura — Appearance

February 13, 2025 (Thursday)
Kumbha Sankranti (Sun enters Aquarius on 12 Feb, 21:42 Local Mayapur Time)

February 17, 2025 (Monday)
Sri Purusottama Das Thakura — Disappearance

Address: ISKCON GBC Office
P.O. Sri Mayapur, Nadia, WB 741313, India

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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