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March 2024
ISKCON of Arizona Newsletter
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Tucson devotees on harinama-sankirtana in Tempe after the Chandler temple's annual Rathayatra parade. | |
Greetings & Namaste,
This month's calendar signals two huge festivals, Shiva Ratri and Gaura Purnima.
Shiva Ratri marks the advent of Lord Shiva. Revered by worshipers for easily granting material boons, Krishna's devotees praise him for a deeper reason: his trance of devotion for Krishna, the Supreme Person. The festival is as freewheeling as the beings Lord Shiva shelters--fun for the whole family.
Gaura Purnima marks the advent of Lord Chaitanya, the "Golden Avatar" who appeared in India some five hundred years ago to popularize the chanting of God's names as the easiest way to realize one's blissful relationship with the Supreme. Come chant and dance to your heart's content, then feast with us under the rising full moon.
Yours in service,
Sandamini Devi
sandamini108@gmail.com
| Beautiful butterfly in the garden | |
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Best March Days for
Meditation and Fasting
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Vijaya Ekadasi
Wednesday, March 6th
(fasting from grains & beans)
Shiva Ratri
Amavasya (New Moon)
Saturday, March 9th
Big temple festival!
Amalaki Ekadasi
Wednesday, March 20th
(fasting from grains & beans)
Appearance Day
of Lord Chaitanya
Gaura Purnima (Full Moon)
Sunday, March 24th
Special temple festival
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Long Line at Govinda's during Tucson's Annual Gem Show
Another year, another successful Tucson Gem Show.
Tens of thousands of people descend on Tucson from around the world annually, buying and selling costly gems, minerals, jewelry and a host of other goods.
Guests from India, China & Switzerland stayed with us as everyone enjoyed honoring tasty prasadam amid the exhilarating atmosphere.
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Phoenix Rathayatra
At Phoenix's Steele Park on Saturday, February 10th, the Rathayatra festival attracted many devotees and friends, who had traveled to the city despite the unattractive forecast for the day.
Colorful chariots, stage performances, display booths, a wide variety of prasadam treats, plus a free prasadam feast delighted the festival-goers.
Though a bit chilly for Phoenix, the day was sunny and not a drop of rain fell from the sky.
Jaya Jagannath!
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Bhakta Raj Showing
his Wares at the
Gem Show.
Bhakta Raj, one of the founders of Phoenix ISKCON and one of our longtime devotees from Nepal, helps support the Tucson temple and his family by selling gems, stones, crystals, and more.
The show is always an exciting time for us in Tucson as we meet people from all over the world, get to share our culture with them, and invite them to taste Govinda's blessed prasadam.
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Major Festivals This Month! | |
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Click HERE to see the poster
A $108 donation nets donors a Rudraksha & Lapis Mala Necklace & bathing the Shiva Lingam.
CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR
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Featuring a special concert by the
Infinite Compassion Orchestra.
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Maha Shiva Ratri
Saturday, March 9th
5 to 8 pm
Join us for this lively celebration featuring Indian dances, a Fire Show, Temple Ceremonies, Kids Activities, a Free Feast & more!
.Don't miss this family friendly event!
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Advent of Lord Chaitanya,
the Golden Avatar.
Click HERE to see the poster
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Lord Chaitanya and His Sankirtana Party chanting Hare Krishna. | |
Gaura Purnima
Sunday, March 24th
5pm to 8 pm
Bhajans, Slideshow, Abhisheka, Arati & Feast
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Architecture Design Submitted for Pre-approval | |
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The design is "Rajasthan meets the Southwest," by
the renowned architect
John Maddocks.
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We submitted the design to the City of Tucson for approval. To accomodate the guesthouses and devotee rooms, we have to change the zoning for our residential property from R1 to R2, which takes three to five months. Meanwhile we continue to design the temple gardens & dining area. | |
Highlights of February in Review | |
Special guest Chitsukananda Prabhu gave a powerful kirtan and talk at the Krishna Cove, where we have programs every Thursday at 6:30 pm. | |
Tucson devotees journeyed to Phoenix for the Rathayatra Festival, eager to chant the holy names of Krishna in public. | Our devotees at the preaching center at Radha Prans & Annupama's house in Tempe, directly across from Arizona State University. A very successful program by this empowered family of vaisnavas. | | |
Become a Monthly Donor at the Temple | |
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"The question is not how much of our money we should give to God, but how much of God's money we should keep for ourselves.”
(John Wesley, Founder of Methodism)
Your tithing dollars help maintain your temple and pay regular monthly expenses:
electric, gas, water, vegetables, grains, flowers, yard maintenance & insurance.
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When you come to the temple any day of the week and see the beautiful darshan, the refreshing gardens, free breakfast and feast prasadam, remember that this is possible because of our regular monthly donors.
It is a privilege and responsibility to support your local Krishna temple. Become a tither today. Choose an amount you feel comfortable giving each month.
Click here to sign up!
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The Sunday Feast & Festival | |
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Feeding guests prasadam
(food offered to God) benefits everyone. Both the givers and the receivers get the mercy!
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Join us each Sunday for an evening of musical meditation, topical philosophy, an ancient worship ceremony, and an
8-course vegetarian feast.
ALL FREE!
5:30 pm - Bhajans
6 pm - Topical talk
6:30 pm - Worship ceremony
7 pm - Announcements
7:10 pm - Feast
PLUS! New Sunday School
for kids from 5:15 to 6:30 pm in the Cove!
March's Sunday Speakers
March 3rd - Kirtan Yajna Prabhu
March 10th - Special guest Charu Prabhu from Spanish Fork, Utah
March 17th - Dhiro Datta Prabhu
March 24th - Gaura Purnima Festival
March 31st - Kirtanesvara Prabhu
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Sponsor the Sunday Feast for an upcoming birthday, anniversary, or special day in the name of a loved one. Donations are tax deductible.
Sunday Feast Sponsorship for 75-100 plates is $151.
SPONSOR HERE
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Krishna's Home Update: Inspection Time | | |
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Krishna's Home
News Update
Please take a look at our March one-page newsletter to see the Home's progress.
Click HERE to read.
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Krishna's Home Care Tucson
514 E. Blacklidge Dr. (just one block west of the temple across 1st Ave) krishnashome.org
At left, the new gazebo out in the spacious back yard
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Feeding the Unhoused on Tucson's Southside | |
Kirtan Radio Show in Tucson | | |
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Kirtan Cafe is on the air
with kirtans, bhajans & more!
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The show is hosted
by Krishna-nama dasa
(pictured to the left)
from our Tucson community.
SHOWTIMES
Monday & Friday 3-5 pm
Sunday 8-10 am
KMKR-LP 99.9 FM
Or listen online at
https://xerocraft.org/pages/listen
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Govinda's Vegan/Veggie Restaurant | |
Check out our ever-changing menu and new offerings. | |
India Night every Tuesday.
Delicious, mildly spicy Indian cuisine.
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Govinda's Self-Serve
All-You-Care-To-Eat Hours:
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Lunch - Wednesday through Saturday 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner - Tuesday through Saturday
5 pm to 8 pm
Sunday Brunch - 11 am to 2:30 pm
Closed Mondays
See the menu on Govinda's webpage: iskcontucson.org/govindas
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Govinda's guest quote of the month: Love this clean peaceful space.
Nothing like blessed Indian vegan food!
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Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers who helped so much during the Gem Show: Murli, Aggey, Melissa, Chris, Mary Sachi, Laurie, Alex, and our Food for LIfe helpers. And to the teens serving our Sunday Feast, you rock!
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Would you like to volunteer your
devotional service at the temple?
If you are an experienced carpenter, electrician, plumber, painter, gardener, HVAC person (the list goes on), we would deeply appreciate your advice about some maintenance and repair projects we've started. Please contact Sandamini at 520-250-0299
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Income/expense Tracker: Please click to view the Monthly Financial Statement on our Seva webpage - iskcontucson.org/seva
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Check out this clip about Finding Teachers in
The World Around Us...
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Authentic Indian
Cuisine Catering!
All varieties and quantities of Indian foods for parties, dinners, weddings, and banquets. All main Indian dishes cooked by Master Chef Kul Sharma. To book call Kul at 520-891-8083.
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"Spring is a season universally liked because it is neither too hot nor too cold and the flowers and trees blossom and flourish. In spring there are also many ceremonies commemorating Krsna's pastimes; therefore this is considered to be the most joyful of all seasons, and it is the representative of the Supreme Lord, Krsna."
Bhagavad-gita 10.36 purport)
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From Srimad-Bhagavatam commentary: | |
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"Madhava normally indicates Krsna to be 'the Lord, who is the consort of the goddess of fortune, Laksmi.' This name also implies that Lord Krsna descended in the dynasty of Madhu. Since the spring season is also known as Madhava, it is understood that as soon as Lord Krsna entered the Vrndavana forest, it automatically exhibited all the opulences of spring, becoming filled with flowers, breezes and a celestial atmosphere. Another reason Lord Krsna is known as Madhava is that He enjoys His pastimes in madhu, the taste of conjugal love."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.2 purport)
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Perform a sacred ceremony.
Have your home, car, business, or family blessed and protected
with the help and guidance of our experienced temple priest, Kirtan Yajna Prabhu. You may call him at (520) 288-1775, or email
pkeshavraj@gmail.com
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