Grand Diwali & Govardhan Puja Festival Celebrations at ISKCON of Silicon Valley this Weekend (Nov 2nd & 3rd 2013)

Dear Friends

Hope this meets you well. We wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali!

Diwali is always the most sought after festival of the year. In ancient times, Diwali was first observed by the citizens of Ayodhya to celebrate the return of their king, Lord Ramachandra, an incarnation of Krishna. The joyful day on which Lord Rama returned from 14 years of exile became known as Diwali. In another era, this was also the day when Lord Krishna performed His childhood pastime of breaking the pots of yogurt and letting Himself be bound by Mother Yashoda. Diwali is also the time when families and friends get together to strengthen their bonding and fill their lives with auspiciousness.

We, at the ISKCON of Silicon Valley (ISV), will be celebrating the Diwali festival with pomp and show and with great happiness, we extend an heartfelt invitation to all of you to join us to express our devotion and offer Puja to our beloved Sri Sri Laxmi Narasimha Deities . The Diwali Darshan of The Lordships' Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan, Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Laxmi Narasimhadeva will be open throughout the day. Welcome the new year by inviting the Lord back into your hearts and experience the essence of Diwali here at ISV!

CLASSES AT ISV THIS WEEK

       Wednesday, October 30 2013

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Have you heard the popular phrase, "Have an attitude for gratitude" ? The feeling of gratitude is wonderful. Join us for a thought provoking seminar on the importance and expression of gratitude in our lives. 

Speaker: H.G. Gandharvika Radha Dasi

Venue: ISKCON of Silicon Valley

1965 Latham Street Mountain View CA 94040

Time: 6.00 – 8.00pm

Discourse will be followed by Arotik and Prasadam

Friday, November 1 2013

NATURE'S IQ: Special Movie Night & Telugu Gita Class by ISVWOOD

ISVWOOD presents the Movie Night + Telugu Gita Class

Venue – ISKCON of Silicon Valley

7-7:30 pm - Discourse on "Diwali Puja" in Telugu - by Sri Krishna Purusottam Das
7:30 - 8:30 pm - Arotik & Damodarastakam
8:30 - 9:30 pm - Movie night + Prasadam - Smart Animals Challenge Darwin
Entry Free - $5 per person, $10 per family (Entry Free for Kids), Prasadam included.
 
Nature`s I.Q.
Smart Animals Challenge Darwin
http://naturesiqfilm.com/
Total hours - 58 Mins
 
Insects, birds and mammals carry out most of their behavior in a predetermined, instinctive way. But where do their mysterious, complicated behavioral patterns come from?
Nature`s I.Q.: Extraordinary Animal Behavior, a book by two young scholars, Istvan Tasi and Balazs Hornyanszky, published by Torchlight,
received the prestigious award for Best Scientfic Book in 2009 from USA Book News. Presenting dozens of behavioral examples, and adapting the book`s basic idea to the screen with compelling visuals and footage of animals in the wild, Nature`s I.Q. the documentary intends to entice the audience to question what they thought, and were taught, to be unshakeable truth. Meet the deceptive hunters, the cunning bluffers, the unlikely partners, the champions of timing, and the remarkable wanderers of the sky, and be prepared to witness that nature can be more unfathomable than contemporary science allows for.

Saturday, November 2 2013

THE GLORIOUS RETURN OF LORD RAMA TO AYODHYA

The glorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya along with divine consort, Mother Sita and brother, Lakshmana was celebrated by joyously by the residents of Ayodhya by lighting lamps all over the kingdom which in the absence of Lord Rama was filled with darkness. This day marks Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated for years together to glorify this wonderful pastime. 

Speaker: H.G Damodar Vamsidhari Das

Venue: ISKCON of Silicon Valley

1965 Latham Street Mountain View CA 94040

7.30 – 10.00am: Brahma Samhita Recitation & Discourse on "The Glorious Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya"

10.00 am: Guru Puja followed by Prasadam

Saturday, November 02 2013

GRAND DIWALI MELA 

3:00 - 9:00 PM

Start a new year with a loving offering to Sri Sri Laxmi Narasimhadeva and may all auspicious be showered on you on this day of the "Festival of Lights'. While lighting the earthen lamps this Diwali, let us also light our heart with divine wisdom and love.

FEATURES OF THE FESTIVAL:

• Special Laxmi Narasimha Puja and Abhishek offered by devotees using a special hand designed plate (Diwali Thali decorated with rhinestones and gems) consisting of the Puja paraphernalia including a silver coin, sweets, marigold flower etc. 
• Blissful Bhajans & Kirtans
• Delicious Prasadam & Mouth Watering Snacks 
• Diwali Mela & Gift Shop
• Special Damodar Arati and singing of Damodarastakam 

Get Special Blessings of Sri Sri Lakshmi and Narshinga deva on occasion of Diwali. We have limited 50 Pure Silver coins having Lakshmi ji  hat will be offered to ISV lordships. It is very auspicious to buy precious metal on Diwali and you can get one of the offering combination ( offer valid for first 50 devotees only)

•  One Lakshmi Silver Coin with Puja Thali and Small Sweet box, 1 BG, 1 Krsna Book - $108
  
•  One Lakshmi Silver Coin with Puja Thali and Big Sweet Box + 5 BG - $151
  
• One Lakshmi Silver Coin with Puja Thali and Big Sweet Box + 1  BG  Book case and Tile in BG Mystery Wall- $201
  

Sunday, November 03 2013

GOVARDHAN PUJA & ANNAKUTA FESTIVAL

The day after Diwali is called Annakuta, or Govardhana Puja. Govardhana Puja, Go-Puja and Annakuta are all connected with the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavan. On this day, a small hill of sweets is made from food prepared by the devotees, which is then offered to the Deities, and subsequently distributed to everyone. This is known as the "Annakuta" ceremony. 

The Govardhan Puja is one of the most traditional festivals observed by the ISKCON of Silicon Valley every year and this year we intend to celebrate it with huge festivities at our new venue in Mountain View. We invite all of you to join us for this beautiful festival on Sunday, November 3rd 2013.

SCHEDULE

7:30am Darshan Aarti

8:30am Discourse on Srimad Bhagavatam

9:30am Preparing Govardhan Hill (Devotees & Kids are welcome to join)

10:00am Bhajans

10:30am Discourse on the "Significance of Govardhan Puja"

11:30am Acknowledgement & Announcements

12:00pm Govardhan Puja & Sri Radha Madan Mohan Aarti

12:30pm Prasadam

Sunday Evening Program

4:00 Kirtan & Bhajan Evenings

5:15pm CHAD Skit

5:30pm Gaura Aarti

6:00pm Damodarastakam

6:30pm Light Prasadam

We look forward for your association this weekend to celebrate the auspicious Diwali & Govardhan Puja Festival together and invoke the divine mercy of Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan and Sri Sri Laxmi Narasimhadeva. 

In case you are unable to make it, you can also join us through audio conference or watch live broadcast. The details are available at www.IskconSiliconValley.com

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