September 19  , 2023

ISKCON Alachua Hare Krishna Temple, Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Temple Newsletter

Our Deities at ISKCON Alachua Temple

Hare Krishna! Radhastami Festival is this Friday. Check the full schedule below. Thursday is Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara's Boat Festival. Learn about the Bhakti Recovery Group seminar coming up. Memorial Service for His Grace Bhutabhavana Das is October 1. Read Samapriya's ode to the departed Vaishnavas. Gator Harinam and Homecoming parade details below. Read on...

 

Radhastami

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

On Thursday, September 21, at 6:00 p.m., come for the Radha-Krishna Boat

Festival and pull Sri Sri Radhe Shyam in Their swan boat around the fountain.


On Friday, September 22, 2023, join in celebrating Radhastami, the auspicious appearance day of Srimati Radharani.


tapta-kanchana-gaurangi

radhe vrindavaneshvari

vrishabhanu-sute devi

pranamami hari-priye


"O Srimati Radharani, I offer my respects to You whose bodily complexion is like molten gold. O Goddess, You are the queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and are very dear to Lord Krishna".


Here is the schedule:

Fasting until noon

4:30 AM Mangala Arati

7:20 AM Guru Puja

8:00 AM Deity Greeting, new outfit

8:00 AM Chanting of the Sri Radhika Stava

8:30 AM Reading and class

9:30 AM Bhajans and abhisheka by temple pujaris

All day Deity viewing until curtains close 2:00-4:15 PM for dressing / new outfit

1:00 PM Radha's feast

5:00 PM Children's play under the pavilion "Radharani Talks to the Bumblebee".

5:30 PM Radha Sahasra-nama-stotra Fire Yajna

6:30 PM Sundara Arati, kirtan, and walk through darshan

7:00 PM Birthday Cake and Ice Cream served outside


CLICK HERE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION FOR THE RADHASTAMI FESTIVAL

 

Children's Play: "Srimati Radharani Speaks to the Bumblebee"

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting
 

Sri Radhastami Serve Out

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

Dear Devotees, 


We are making a plan for a fast moving feast serve-out under the pavilion that will keep you under some shade for most of the time. There will be four lines and we will cook extra so no one has to worry about not getting a full plate.


Because it is the hottest time of the day, please consider wearing a hat, or carrying an umbrella, to mitigate direct sunlight on your head. We will have large containers of ice water and you might want to bring your water bottle and please remember to stay hydrated.


We will not be ready to serve the feast until 1:00 pm so plan accordingly.


 

Memorial and Feast for His Grace

Bhutabhavana Dasa

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

We will be celebrating Bhutabhavana prabhu’s life at the Alachua Temple on Sunday, October 1st, 2023, 1-4pm. The Sunday feast is being sponsored in his honor.


His Grace Bhutabhavana prabhu departed from this world on September 15th, 2023 at 2:31pm EDT. He was surrounded by Srila Prabhupada chanting, his loving family, and Rtadvaja Swami.

Please pray that his soul continues its journey to rejoin Srila Prabhupada

to continue his service. In 1970 Bhutabhavana first heard of the devotees from his sister. She told him about the people in the orange robes in downtown Detroit so he checked them out and he first went to the Detroit

temple. He hitchhiked across the country and joined the Los Angeles temple. He was initiated in May 1971. He served in several North American yatras and even had a two week stint on the Radha Damodara bus. But his direct instruction from Srila Prabhupada is what moved him the most, that is, he should preach in Africa. Srila Prabhupada had him sent to Nairobi Kenya in 1971. After returning to the States and serving in several places he returned to Africa in 1980 This time serving in Lagos Nigeria. After attending the 1982 Mayapura Gaura Purnima Festival he returned to Nairobi Kenya where I was and we married in 1982. We have four sons

Dattatreya, Devananda, Dhanvantari and Dhananjaya. All these D's named by their father.

Bhutabhavana was very grateful to Srila Prabhupada and chanting Hare Krsna was his life.

(written by Shaktimata dasi)


Learn about this wonderful devotee. Join us for the Memorial on Sunday, October 1st. It will also be streamed Live on


Alachua YouTube www.youtube.com/alachuatemple


Alachua Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/329240564079194.


Use the Zoom Link below if you cannot attend in person and would like to speak. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6706942056

 

Poem For the Departed Devotees    

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

The Harvest

by Samapriya dd


When the seeds of devotion have all been sown,

And everything planted has already grown,

When there’s not much left for which to atone,

To the ways of the world you are not much prone,

It is time for the harvest from Mother Earth’s womb,

for the fruits and flowers are now all in bloom.

There’s been a plan from the very start,

to abound in faith and strength of heart.

To place yourself as one of the sheep,

of the perfect master whose bounty you’ll reap.

Now is the time, the harvest has arrived,

gathering souls like blossoms in the field.

On the words of their guru is how they survived,

while others stood proudly, they bowed down and kneeled.

To the Lord’s own abode these bhaktas depart,

on the wings of their love and devotion.

Like the water that’s held in the footprint of a calf,

they cross the material ocean.

 

Flower Cooler For Krishna

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

For many years our dedicated pujari team has asked for a walk-in cooler dedicated just for flowers, for vase making, garland making, and storage. Sharing limited space with produce and grains in the kitchen cooler is less than ideal.

We are making that happen for this year on Radhastami day.

Please consider making a donation for this much needed improvement for our deity seva.

Shed, Insulation, Air conditioning, Flooring, Electrical hook ups total $9000

Please click here to make a contribution

 

Bhakti Recovery Group Comes to Alachua

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

Sat Sept 23 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sun Sept 24 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Hosted at the Krishna.com offices, 13921 NW 146th Ave Alachua FL

At the heart of spiritual progress is reform of character, yet devotees are human too.


When we fall below our own standards, feel embarrassed by our behavior, the ability to admit that, and have others admit that to us, is an act of true love and compassion.


A quiet yet powerful revolution is taking place within the safe and confidential walls of the Bhakti Recovery Group (BRG)—a significant development in devotee care.


BRG combines Bhakti with the Twelve-Step Recovery Program which has been recognized over the past half century for its effectiveness in overcoming compulsions and addictive behaviors such as alcoholism, sex addiction, co-dependency, eating disorders, drugs, and gambling.

For many it has been the entry point to acknowledging the existence of a higher power and entering new depths on their spiritual path.


Here is an ideal opportunity to learn more about this proven program and plans for developing ongoing meetings for our community.

Hosted by Namamrita Das, with keynote speaker Jiva G, founder of the Bhakti Recovery Group, and a talk on the role of recovery in ISKCON history by author Yogesvara Das.



For more details about what BRG has to offer, please visit:

https://iskconnews.org/rise-of-the-bhakti-recovery-group/https://iskconnews.org/bhakti-recovery-group-expands-service-with-special-events-in-

https://www.bhaktirecoverygroup.com/

"learn more details about this seminar here https://iskconnews.org/bhakti-recovery-group-expands-service-with-special-events-in-us/"

 

BMA Florida Chapter at Alachua

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

Introducing the Bhaktivedanta Medical Association (BMA) Florida Chapter

at Alachua. The BMA, a global healthcare committee, was formed by the

GBC in response to a need for educating and providing guidance to

devotees all over the world in the areas of physical, mental and spiritual

well-being. The Florida Chapter at Alachua was formed as a result of the

Devotee Care training and initiative in the summer of 2023.


Our goal is to provide information, education, and resources related to

health promotion for the well-being of our community. In that vein, we will

begin by having a monthly booth at the ISKCON Alachua Sunday feast.

There will be a different theme each month. For the inaugural month, our

theme will be Ayurveda. Come to the booth and ask the experts anything

you want to know about Ayurveda such as:


Why do you need Ayurveda?

How can Ayurveda help you?


Come and check us out on:

24 Sunday, September 2023

5-6:30 pm EDT


Booth on ISKCON Alachua Temple grounds near the pavilion.

 


Upcoming Gator Football Harinams

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

The harinams are at the stadium, Gate 7. The harinam party leaves from the Krishna House 2 hours before game time. It leaves the stadium at game time. Gametimes for games after Sep. 23 have not yet been determined.


 Sep. 23 Leave Krishna House at 5:00 AM

 


2023 Homecoming Parade Rath Yatra

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

The Homecoming Rath Yatra Parade is on Friday, Oct 6th


11:30am - Parking at Krishna House and walking to Rath Cart location is near Norman Field/Garage (different from previous years), 1210 SW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 is about a mile walk. 

12:00pm - Rath Yatra starts

1:00pm - Rath Yatra ends at 210 SE 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32601 where we will have prasad and shuttles back to Krishna House. 


It will be hot so best if devotees wear hats and sunscreen. We will have water with us as during the Rath Yatra and Lunch Prasad at the end of the parade. 


Here is the is the Rath yatra route. Also, like every year UF has asked us not to hand out any food or any promotional material like books etc. during the parade.

 

Bhadra Campaign

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting

The Bhadra Campaign is inspired by Srila Prabhupada's 1977 letter “I want that every respectable person has a full set of Bhāgavatam and Caitanya-caritāmṛta in his home.”

To help His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada fulfill this desire, this year's goal for our temple is to distribute 200 Srimad Bhagavatam sets, please take part:

Your donation will be deposited during Purushottama month into the temple book fund, and the sets of Srimad Bhagavatams will be purchased on the Bhadra Purnima. Now that's a real win-win-win!!

For further details, please contact srivrndavanadd@gmail.com  or nandini.kishori@gmail.com 



To read more about Purushottama month click here

 

Join the Bhadra Purnima Reading Yajna!

Join in live on Zoom  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6706942056  Monday-Saturday— 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and read along from Srimad Bhagavatam now through September 28. Or follow along on www.youtube.com/alachuatemple

Contact Lilesvari Devi Dasi (425-577-3390) with questions, and if you might like to lead the reading at any time.

 

Srimad Bhagavatam Online Courses

Outreach Preaching and Hospitality Meeting
 

Navigating COVID and Flu Season: Temple Guidelines for a Safe and Spiritual Community

Covid and flus are making their way through our community. If you test positive for Covid here are the CDC guidelines we follow at the temple for when and how long to isolate.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

If you are coughing or feverish you should stay home and rest anyway. If you need Prasad let the temple know and we will arrange something for you.

If you are symptomatic but going out please wear a mask, especially in crowded areas like temple kirtans during festivals. Everything is live-streamed at our temple including the fire yajnas and kirtans. Take care, of yourself and your friends and loved ones.

 

Our New and Improved Website is LIVE!

Samapriya
 

The NRR Community Directory is now happening!

New Raman Reti Community Directory

by Mahamaya-devi dasi


Your participation is super important because our goal is to include every family, every devotee in the community. We’re collecting information in a new way for this directory asking everyone to complete a survey—just one per family. This is how we will collect the same information found in the previous directories.


And THANK YOU to the 200 or so families or individual devotees who have already filled out the survey!


If you arrived in Alachua since our last directory in 2018, PLEASE be sure to fill out the survey.  


Long-Time Residents: Yes, you need to fill out the survey too! Click here to fill out the survey.

The new directory will be especially wonderful if your family photo is included. Putting the name and the face together is the best part, isn’t it? Email your family photo to: 2022NRRCommunityDirectory@gmail.com.

Class Schedule & Vaishnava Calendar

Week of Sept 19, 2023


WED 20, Ram Govinda Dasa, SB 3.2.9

THU 21, Puskara Dasa SB 3.2.10

FRI 22, Kalakantha Dasa Special Class Radhastami

SAT 23, Pundarika Vidyanidhi Dasa, CC Madhya 20.373-374    

SUN 24, Srila Prabhupada class (recording) with interactive questions by Karnapurna Dasa Morning Lecture

Tamohara Dasa, Sunday Feast Lecture 

MON 25, Mitrasena Dasa, SB 3.2.11

TUE 26, Dharmaraj Dev Dasa, Special Class

Appearance Vamanadeva / App Jiva Goswami

WED 27, Krishna Abishek Dasa, Special Class

Appearance Bhaktivinoda Thakura


Temple Quick Links

Thank You Our Monthly Donors!

Please Join Them in Supporting Your Temple.

Tithe - image courtesy of Shutterstock.com. Used under license.

Your tithing dollars help maintain your temple and pay regular monthly expenses like electricity, gas, water, bhoga expenses, flowers and yard maintenance.

When you come to the temple any day of any week and see the beautiful darshan, the refreshing gardens, breakfast, lunch, and feast prasadunderstand that this is possible because of our regular monthly tithing donors.

We rely on the generous support of our congregation and well-wishers to support Krishna's temple. Please choose an amount you feel comfortable giving each month and become a tither today!

If you prefer to give your time, we have many service opportunities in the deity department, kitchen department, outreach, Eco Farm, organic gardening, grounds maintenance and more. Connect with the department heads here.

 

Harinama Every Friday

A decades-old tradition

Harinama Sankirtana and Book Distribution by ISKCON Alachua devotees

Join us Fridays from 4:00–5:30 PM at 13th and University in Gainesville

 

Govinda's Gifts Online and at the Temple

Govinda's Gifts

Come shop at Govinda's Gifts! We are receiving new items every week. Our hours are: Mon. - Sat.: 10 am - 3 pm / Sun.: 10 am - 1 pm & 4 pm - 8 pm.

Visit our online store at: https://www.facebook.com/govindasgiftsalachua

 

Join our What's App List for Temple Updates

Dear Alachua / Gainesville / North Florida devotees, please join our ISKCON Alachua Temple WhatsApp broadcast list so we can communicate with you in a timely manner, messaging you with important temple announcements and last-minute event updates.

  1. Install WhatsApp on your cell phone (if you haven't already.)
  2. Add the temple's WhatsApp number 352-922-0252 to your phone's Contacts, naming the contact "ISKCON Alachua WhatsApp" or similar.
  3. Open WhatsApp, find the temple contact you just created, and text us (from within WhatsApp) a message with your full name, location (nearest town or city), and a request to be added.
 

Resources

Click on links in blue below.

 

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Newsletter Staff

Editor-in-Chief: Mukhya Devi Dasi

Technical assistance: Manorama Dasa

Article submission deadline: 1:00 p.m. Fridays

Send articles and photos to contact@alachuatemple.com.

The editors reserve the right to exclude or edit submissions.


Dedicated to our ISKCON Founder-Acharya

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 


Chant...

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

... and be happy

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Questions? Contact us today at 1-386-462-2017

Email: contact@alachuatemple.com

Website: www.alachuatemple.com

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ISKCON Alachua Temple

17306 NW 112th Blvd. 

Alachua, FL 32615