Rama Navami Maha Harinam 2009 – Ampang

By Rasika Murari Das

Ampang was chosen as the location this year to perform the auspicious Rama Navami maha harinam on 28th March 2009. About 30 devotees gathered at the Sri Athi Sankarar Thirumadam ashram at approximately 5.30 pm. The leaders for the maha harinam were each provided with a bag containing prasadam, Sri Jaganath Mandir Kuala Lumpur invitation cards, maha mantra cards, books, Srila Prabhupada brochures as well as a contact book to record the details of favorable prospects.

After a short briefing on the contents of the maha harinam bag, schedule, methodology of the maha harinam and proposed routes, the leaders and their enthusiastic group of devotees fanned out to their respective designated areas to distributes the Lord’s mercy via the maha mantra and the transcendental pastimes of Lord Ramachandra.

A majority of the house owners were receptive to the devotees and welcomed them into their homes to hear the sweet pastimes of Lord Ramachandra .The devotees reciprocated by extending invitations to Sri Jaganath Mandir Kuala Lumpur for the Rama Navami celebration that was to be held on April 4th 2009. Interestingly, there were house owners who initially allowed access to enter their homes, albeit reluctantly but later expressed their appreciation for our teams? sharing of the maha mantra, books, pastime stories and the bhajans that were sung. Many were inquiring on various topics of interest; demonstrating first-hand the eternal quest of every soul in matters pertaining to the Supreme Lord. The devotees managed to call on 40 homes, distributing approximately 30 books and 180 packets of prasadam to the fortunate residents in Ampang.

Devotees regrouped in the ashram at approximately 7.15 pm for an enlightening class by HG Gaura Chandra prabhu. After the class, devotees shared their experiences and expressed their joy in having participated in the maha harinam before proceeding to enjoy the simple yet delicious prasadam; which marked the end of the Rama Navami Maha Harinam for the day.

Harinam Sankirtan ki jai !

Palanquin Precession @ Taiping

By Bhaktin Shobna Shree

Chinese New Year Eve Palanquin
25 January 2009, Taman Kami D,

Taiping- ISKCON Taiping Yatra organized a Chinese New Year Eve Palanquin in Taman Kami D, Taiping, Perak and this event was coordinated by HG Yaduraj Krsna dasa, the president of Taiping Yatra. About 35 devotees attended the procession. The event was organized to provide an opportunity for the local community to benefit from the countless mercy of Their Lordships, Sacisuta Nitaichand.
The event started off with arati accompanied by bhajan recited by the devotees in one of the houses. The procession then commenced at around 10.45am in a light drizzle that did not dampen the spirits. The prasadam team was positioned right behind the procession to distribute prasadam to households. We only managed to visit a few houses as heavy rain soon drenched us all to the skin.
Everyone then took shelter in one of the homes. Despite being drenched to the skin, the congregation did not let up on the ecstatic kirtan and it went on for more than half an hour, in time when the heavy rain slowed to a drizzle. The procession then continued throughout the residential area of Taman Kami D. We returned to Taiping Bhaktivedanta Ashram at around 1.30pm, where sumptuous prasadam awaited the devotees.
In all, about 200 households were fortunate to receive dharsan of Their Lordships Sacisuta Nitaichand and about 500 packets of prasadam were distributed. We fervently believe that this event has changed forever the perception of the local communities towards ISKCON devotees as their warm welcome, friendly smiles and body language in paying homage to their Lordships were an experience worth repeating many times over.
We would like to thank the organizers; residents of Taman Kami D and
everyone else who helped us bring their Lordships to homes and for
contributing to the success of this event.

Pictures link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.srivas/TaipingPalanquin2009?authkey=EJro1bopkZ4

Thaipusam Harinam

By Rasika Murari Dasa

The Maha Harinam at Thaipusam
Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

8 February 2009, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur- The Maha Harinam for Thaipusam started at approximately 9.00am with almost 50 enthusiastic devotees at the ISKCON booth; located near to the Hanuman temple. The devotees included the VOICE students, Harinam Council members, SJMKL congregation devotees as well as Bengoli devotees. The maha harinam kicked off with His Grace Vishnu Caitanya prabhu leading the kirtan team from the ISKCON booth towards the Batu Caves Balaji temple.

The moment the kirtan started, all eyes were on the devotees as passers by and others looked curiously. The kirtan party proceeded to the entrance of the temple and started performing ecstatic kirtan for about 20 minutes. Every one in the temple from children to teenagers and adults looked with curiosity while others were simply enjoying the kirtan. The atmosphere was made even more beautiful as the pictures that adorned the temple walls were actually pictures from ISKCON, depicting the many past-times of Sri Krsna as articulated in the Bhagavad Gita.

The kirtan party then moved on to the Hanuman temple for about 15 minutes before proceeding towards the main road. The invitation cards, which encompass the Maha Mantra and the location map to Sri Jaganath Mandir Kuala Lumpur, were distributed to interested individuals.

His Grace Srivas Caitanya prabhu then took over the helm from His Grace Vishnu Caitanya prabhu to lead the kirtan along the main road, adjacent to the entrance of the Batu Caves temple. The nectar of the holy names was freely flowing to every fortunate soul present as the kirtan party maneuvered skillfully among the crowds.

Despite the scorching heat, the devotees continued enthusiastically while negotiating the crowds back from the main entrance of the Batu Caves towards the ISKCON booth. At this juncture, His Grace Ramananda Gaura prabhu led the euphoric kirtan. The kirtan party reached the ISKCON booth after an hour of blissful kirtan in the Batu Caves. Every devotee who was in the kirtan party was delighted at the opportunity and overjoyed at the experience of distributing the nectar of the holy name to many fortunate souls.

The Harinam Council members and VOICE then continued the kirtan for another hour at the Batu Caves Balaji temple, savoring every blissful
moment while spreading the mercy of the holy names to countless bystanders and anyone else who were fortunate enough to be there to hear the holy name.

Another wonderful day in the unlimited blissful nectar of harinam sankirtan.

Harinam sankirtan ki Jai !

Click Link Below for Thaipusam Harinam Pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.srivas/ThaipusamHarinam2009?authkey=xFEy34GCIrE