Category Archives: News and Views

New London Centre, New Service Opportunities

(for optimal viewing please play at full screen)

 

One of Srila Gurudev Srila Govinda Maharaj’s last wishes has now become a reality: a beautiful temple building has at last manifested by his divine grace near Heathrow Airport. This is in addition to the established Temple in Green Street, East London, blessed by Srila Gurudev’s lotus feet on several occasions. 
 
Built in 1847, this newly acquired, charming and spacious property is of historic importance. Located in the West of London, it is only about 5 minutes drive from the airport. Srila Acharya Maharaj envisions it as a dynamic preaching centre as well as a transit centre convenient for devotees passing through Heathrow Airport.
 
The New London Centre of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math is already taking shape nicely. The project is headed by Saraswati Devi Dasi and Lalita Madhava Prabhu, who are happy to give you more information about the various service opportunities available (see our address and contact information at the bottom of the page).

Special mention must go to Sripad Bharati Maharaj, Sripad Nyasi Maharaj, Lalita Madhava Prabhu, Aditinandana Prabhu, Uddharan Prabhu, Lavanya Mayi Devi Dasi, Sachidevi Devi Dasi, Rasamayi Pandita Devi Dasi and Jaya Shree Devi Dasi for their generous monetary contributions and tireless efforts in making this a reality.

There is great opportunity for seva here at this time, with so much to do.
 We are very pleased to have received permission to change the legal use of the building from it’s earlier designation as an office. We are now busy making it more suitable for the devotees’ use and for public gatherings. We have just completed an extension to the kitchen, the big hall has been freshly painted, the garden tidied up and a complete makeover of one of the public toilets, including the installation of a shower.  A special room for Srila Acharya Maharaj has been refurbished and decorated and awaits His Divine Grace’s visit.
We plan to instal a disabled toilet and four additional en-suit bathrooms. All the refurbishment is enthusiastically being done by the devotees.

A beautiful temple room is now established. Mention must also go to Sripad Avadhuta Maharaj for providing the beautiful furniture from Jodhpur, including a simhasan, etc., which ornaments the building.

Daily programmes are now taking place at the new centre, and all major festivals will be celebrated here to cater for devotees and newcomers from the local area. We have recently started a Vaishnava children and youth programme with the aim of educating and nourishing the younger generation, preparing them as the future preachers and leaders of our divine Mission. More preaching activities are presently being planned and organised.

There is so much service opportunity available on a daily basis. Many hands make light work, and when it comes to devotees serving together, the more the merrier… So please get in touch if you feel that you’re able to help in any capacity. Additionally, at present we are eagerly seeking funds to cover the cost of the project, so any service donations are very much welcomed.

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, London.
Greville House, Hazelmere Close,
Feltham, London TW14 9PX

Tel: 020 8890 9525
Mobile: 07554446739 (Saraswati Devi Dasi)
Email: londonmath.chapter@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj visits the London Math 14-19 December 2010

(for optimal viewing please play at full screen)

Glastonbury Festival Fundraising Event

 All Glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Shyamasundar<br />  - The Deities of the London Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math-<br /> to whom this service is offered.
All Glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Shyamasundar - The Deities of the London Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math - to whom this service is offered
Ritu Raj Prabhu from Venezuela and Giridhari Prabhu from Hungary pack the bus with all the things necessary<br /> for a week's stay at Glastonbury festival.
Ritu Raj Prabhu from Venezuela and Giridhari Prabhu from Hungary pack the bus with all the things necessary for a week's stay at Glastonbury festival.
 Glastonbury festival is celebrating its 40th birthday, running annually since 1970.
Glastonbury festival is celebrating its 40th birthday, running annually since 1970.
There is a marvellous team of international devotees participating in this year's fundraising activities at this festival.
There is a marvellous team of international devotees participating in this year's fundraising activities at this festival.
Dandakaranya Prabhu from Wales is the team's fabulous cook!
Dandakaranya Prabhu from Wales is the team's fabulous cook!
Saraswati DD (right) from Venezuela leads the team of therapists. On the left is Malini DD from Malta, practising Ayurvedic Massage and Indian Head Massage.
Saraswati DD (right) from Venezuela leads the team of therapists. On the left is Malini DD from Malta, practising Ayurvedic Massage and Indian Head Massage.
Giridhari Prabhu from Hungary is the Thai Massage expert.
Giridhari Prabhu from Hungary is the Thai Massage expert.
Radharani Dasi from Mexico practises Oriental Massage.
Radharani Dasi from Mexico practises Oriental Massage.
Ritu Raj Prabhu from Venezuela also does Oriental Massage.
Ritu Raj Prabhu from Venezuela also does Oriental Massage.
As does Lalita Madhava Prabhu from Singapore/UK.
As does Lalita Madhava Prabhu from Singapore/UK.
Rasamoy Pandita DD from Holland is the Hostess/Receptionist, who plans the therapists work.
Rasamoy Pandita DD from Holland is the Hostess/Receptionist, who plans the therapists work.
 And Lavanya DD is the event organiser and collector.
And Lavanya DD is the event organiser and collector.
Inside the festival grounds, we are allocated a strategeous spot in the Healing Fields, in the Green Fields area.
Inside the festival grounds, we are allocated a strategic spot in the Healing Fields, in the Green Fields area.
We arrive on Monday, and after a long drive pitch all the tents.
We arrive on Monday, and after a long drive pitch all the tents.
The festival organisers allocate a lovely dome for us as the massage tent, and we set up a Temple tent just beside it.
The festival organisers allocate a lovely dome for us as the massage tent, and we set up a Temple tent just beside it.
 Our beautiful Temple tent is very inviting as a spiritual refuge for all.
Our beautiful Temple tent is very inviting as a spiritual refuge for all.
 Our guardians watch over us and the mahamantra is displayed to inspire all guests and to identify us as servitors of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Our guardians watch over us and the Mahamantra is displayed to inspire all guests and to identify us as servitors of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.
 Words of wisdom are displayed to provide inspiration to all seekers.
Words of wisdom are displayed to provide inspiration to all seekers.

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Guests attend our programme...
Guests attend our programme...
and they participate happily.
and they participate happily.
 Lalita Madhava Prabhu and Rasamoy Pandita DD organise a book distribution and preaching initiative.
Lalita Madhava Prabhu and Rasamoy Pandita DD organise a book distribution and preaching initiative.
Sometimes a massage patient would enquire about who we were and what we did so an opportunity would arise to share more about our Mission.
Sometimes a massage patient would enquire about who we were and what we did so an opportunity would arise to share more about our Mission.
Sometimes Malini DD would hit the preaching field.
Sometimes Malini DD would hit the preaching field.
All devotees participate in Sankirttan activities as opportunities arise, and prasadam is freely distributed.
All devotees participate in Sankirttan activities as opportunities arise, and prasadam is freely distributed.
Behind the scenes Dandakaranya Prabhu is the star of the kirtchen.
Behind the scenes Dandakaranya Prabhu is the star of the kirtchen.
His preparations are irresistable to everyone!
His preparations are irresistable to everyone!
The cake table turned into another successful fund-raising venture.
The cake table turned into another successful fund-raising venture.
"The cakes are THIS good!" says Giridhari Prabhu!
"The cakes are THIS good!" says Giridhari Prabhu!
The main fundraising activity, however, is the performance of holistic healing therapies, which has crowds gathering outside the tent.
The main fundraising activity, however, is the performance of holistic healing therapies, which has crowds gathering outside the tent.
Some people wait up to two hours for their turn, until Rasamoy Pandita begins to organise the half-hour time slots so people could go away and return for their appointment.
Some people wait up to two hours for their turn, until Rasamoy Pandita begins to organise the half-hour time slots so people could go away and return for their appointment.
Various holistic healing techniques are practised by the devotees - here Thai Massage is demonstrated.
Various holistic healing techniques are practised by the devotees - here Thai Massage is demonstrated.
The devotees become expert at giving their healing touch
The devotees become expert at giving their healing touch

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After hours the devotees enjoy exchanging and learning from each other.
After hours the devotees enjoy exchanging and learning from each other.
Day after day for five days, all the devotees endeavour to give their healing services for 9 hours a day or more.
Day after day for five days, all the devotees endeavour to give their healing services for 9 hours a day or more.
And they have enough enthusiasm to go around the festival to sell cakes afterwards...
And they have enough enthusiasm to go around the festival to sell cakes afterwards...

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The festival grounds are huge... 8 km in circumferance and containing approximately 200,000 people!
The festival grounds are huge... 8 km in circumferance and containing approximately 200,000 people!
This ancient stone circle is within the grounds.
This ancient stone circle is within the grounds.
The place is strewn with an array of sculptures and artifacts.
The place is strewn with an array of sculptures and artifacts.

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Many large tents host stages for music, theatre and all kinds of entertainment.
Many large tents host stages for music, theatre and all kinds of entertainment.
And there are shops selling all kinds of objects imaginable.
And there are shops selling all kinds of objects imaginable.
Everything possible is done in such a fashion as to create a magical atmosphere.
Everything possible is done in such a fashion as to create a magical atmosphere.
But to the devotees, nothing compares to the joys of serving Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Shyamasundar!
But to the devotees, nothing compares to the joys of serving Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Shyamasundar!

Sripad Janardan Maharaj visits the London Math 14-21 May 2010

(for optimal viewing please play at full screen)

“Young people today!”

By Lavanya Mayi Devi Dasi (London Math Temple Manager)

This summer holidays has seen the return of our very dedicated younger devotees to the temple for more seva activities. Lavanya Prabha, Nadiarani, Dhanistha, Premanandini, Ganga, Chaitanya, Anu Krishna and Balaram have all shown us how to surrender to Srila Gurudev and give their energy and time for the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. All up for Mangal Arati, joining for the morning program: kirttans and Scripture readings, garland making, cleaning the Math, assisting in the kitchen, chanting japa, mrdanga classes and more, then after lunch they go to the park, woods, swimming or an outing to museums, cinema, etc., then returning for the evening program and class. On Tuesday evenings Sripad Nyasi Maharaj gives a wonderful Bhagavad-gita class which they all love.
Other activities included sewing classes from Lilavati didi and making decorations for the festivals. These God brothers and sisters have lots of fun together and we are all inspiried by their natural attraction to devotional life. A lovely example happened on Sunday—they worked hard all morning and then at Prasadam time I told them to sit and let others serve, “NO” they all said as one, “we want to do more.”

Srila Govinda Maharaj’s sweet mercy—ki jaya!

Srila Guru Maharaj’s sweet seva—ki jaya!

(for optimal viewing please play at full screen)