Diwali Greetings and Sri Govardhan Puja/Annakut Festival- Welcome to ISV!

WEEKLY UPDATES: OCT 24 - OCT 31, 2016 Dear Friends, Hope this meets you all well. We wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali 2016! Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, marks the Hindu New Year, and is associated with many of the Supreme Lord’s pastimes on earth. Diwali is the best known of Vedic holidays and is today marked by events in places as varied as ISKCON temples and America’s White House. This day is most notable because it marks the return of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Krishna, to his kingdom of Ayodhya, after his defeat of the evil king Ravana. Rama was welcomed by all the citizens who lit lamps or dipas illuminating the sky for his joyous return. It also marks a day during Lord Krishna’s advent when He dispatched the demoniac Narakasura. The day after Diwali is called Govardhan Puja and with the mercy of Lord Krsna, we celebrate it with pomp and show every year. Therefore while lighting the earthen lamps this Diwali, let us also light our heart with divine wisdom and love! We extend a warm welcome to you and your family to join us for the classes and events this week at ISV! “The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” (Bhagavad-gita 10.9).  This week we have: Wednesday: "An Evening of Kirtan"  - Special Kartika month Kirtans Saturday : "Nectar of Devotion - Special Seminar Series: Part 1" - Presentation by H.G Srivas Pandit Das          Sunday:   "Illuminate Your Heart this Diwali" - Sunday Feast Talk by H.G Sundarananda Das Monday:   "Sri Govardhan Puja" Festival Celebrations Watch us Live! 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.   OCT 26, WEDNESDAY : AN EVENING OF KIRTAN Join us tonight for a special Kirtan chants event led by our own in-house musicians. Open you heart, chant the holy names and experience divine bliss! 6:00pm: "An Evening of Kirtan" - Special Kartika Month Kirtans 7:30pm: Sandhya Arati, Damodarastakam followed by Prasadam   OCT 29, SATURDAY: NECTAR OF DEVOTION SEMINAR We cannot be happy without satisfying our fundamental desire to love. Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu (also known as Nectar of Devotion) is a Vaishnava classic written by Srila Rupa Goswami that analyzes the various stages of bhakti (devotion) as a methodical practice resulting in love of God. Rupa Goswami uses a metaphor comparing an ocean (sindhu) to a devotional relationship with God. The title of the book conveys that loving relationships are enjoyable like sweet nectar and deep like an ocean. However, devotion is truly only meant for the supreme beloved, Krishna. This is a special seminar series which will help us deep dive into understanding the divine intricacies of spiritual love and develop an intimate relationship with Sri Krsna.  7.30am: "Nectar of Devotion Seminar Series : Part 1" -  Presentation by H.G Srivas Pandit Das 10:00am: Guru puja followed by Prasadam   OCT 30, SUNDAY: DIWALI SPECIAL LECTURE Please accept our heartfelt Diwali wishes to you and your family! Apart from being a historical reality, Diwali also has immense relevance to our lives. Historically, the importance of Diwali is not the lighting of lamps, but the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. So our celebration of Diwali will remain incomplete if we continue to restrict ourselves to lighting lamps. Then how can we welcome the Lord back into our hearts and experience the essence of Diwali? Join us as we hear the glories of Lord Ramachandra and the significance of Diwali this Sunday evening at ISV. Therefore while lighting the earthen lamps this Diwali, let us also light our heart with divine wisdom and love! We cordially welcome to our Sunday feast program this week which includes Kirtan, Krishna Katha, Arotik and delicious prasadam! 4:00pm: "Illuminate Your Heart this Diwali" - Sunday feast talk by H.G Sundarananda Das 6.00pm: Damodarastakam, Sandhya Arotik followed by Announcements and Prasadam If you would like to sponsor a Sunday Feast, to commemorate a special occasion (like birthday or wedding anniversary) or just in general, please write to us at isvconnect@gmail.com. We will offer the bhoga to the Deities and serve prasadam to all the devotees in your name. Donation amount for the Sunday Feast is $301 only   OCT 31, MONDAY: SRI GOVARDHAN PUJA Govardhana Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali to commemorate the pastime of Lord Sri Krishna lifting the Govardhana Hill to protect the residents of Vrindavana from the wrath of Indra. At ISV, 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.  We cordially welcome to join us for this beautiful and sweet ceremony which includes Kirtan, Krishna Katha, Arotik and delicious prasadam! 5:30pm: Bhajans & Talk on "The Glories of Govardhana" by H.G Pusta Krsna Das 7.30pm: Giriraja/Sandhya Arotik & Parikrama of Govardhana Hill 8.00pm: Damodarashtakam followed by Acknowledgements and Prasadam   BHAGAVAD GITA AS IT IS - Chapter A Day (CHAD) CHAD is a worldwide alliance of devotees who chant at least one chapter of Bhagavad-gita As It Is every day. Please join us everyday @ 5:45am. Online Meeting Link: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/sanatanagandharvika Dial-In Number (United States): (563) 999-2090, Access Code: 123936 Email: recite.chad@gmail.com   KIRTAN MELLOWS AT YOUR HOME We often have melodious hari kirtan and bhajans at devotees' homes in the bay area. Below are a couple of sample videos of the blissful program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCgwx4P-sw  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6isiWMLFGc If you would like to experience the sweet taste of holy names, please indicate your interest via this form http://goo.gl/forms/i01lk6drf3. A volunteer will send you an evite when a Kirtan Mellows event would be scheduled near you.  VEDIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN Vedic Academy offers Sunday School for kids from age group 3 - 15 yrs every Sunday from 4 - 6pm where kids learn about Vedic Culture, Slokas, Stories & Lessons from Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam etc., Bhajans and participate in Arts & Crafts, Dramas and much more. For more information, please visit www.vedic-academy.org  or send an email to vedicacademy108@gmail.com or call 408 718 1588 SUBCRIBE TO VEDIC WISDOM -  NECTAR DROPS In this world of fast paced technology and racing schedules, the elite and comman man alike need droplets of refreshing wisdom to protect their peace, spirituality, and happiness. Vedic Nectar Drops, an initiative of ISV, aims to meet this goal by sending weekly droplets out to all subscribers to keep their weeks inspired and refreshed. If you are interested in receiving every week, please send an email to vedicstudygroup@gmail.com   ISKCON of Silicon Valley 1965 Latham Street  Mountain View CA 94040 Email: isvconnect@gmail.com Ph: 650 336 7993 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iskconsv/  You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to ISV Connect! Like Forward Preferences  |  Unsubscribe