The ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry is pleased to invite you to the First Bhakti Vrksa Convention for Leaders: Moving to the Future with Bhakti Vrksa on August 18th and 19th of 2012 in Sri Mayapur Dham, India.

It has been a learning curve, but after the idea was introduced 15 years ago we can safely say: Bhakti-vriksha works!

May 14 being the last day of Chandan Yatra, Sri Radha-Madhava is dressed in golden outfit and anointed with chandan all over His body and small Madhava dressed as bumble bee and Srimati Radharani has been offered flower dress. We thank Anusuya Vidya Mandala ( Girls Gurukul) for blessing us with 20 different veshas of Sri Radha-Madhava, depicting various pastimes.

On the evening of Thursday 3rd May the Netron Nilinam (eye opening ceremony) and the Shayan Adhivas (welcoming/blessing of the Deity) were performed for Sri Simantini Devi and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Just before the Adhivas started there was a big storm that left a cooling breeze blowing throughout the whole ceremony.

LEAP is a new mainstream film about Radhananth Swami and one of his disciples, and the choices that they make on their journey of surrender to Krishna. It is an adventure into ISKCON and its world headquarters but also a film about religious experience in general. The film documents the story of Keshava Madhava Das, a Finnish tram driver and a disciple of Radhanath Swami.

They day after our annual Nrisimha Chaturdasi festival, we had a special program in Rajapur Jagannath Temple. We are very happy to announce to the whole community of devotees, the completion of construction of a small but very important temple for Srimati Simantini Devi at Sri Jagannath Mandir compound in Rajapur, Sri Mayapur dham.

We have now posted many amazing photos of the Nrisimha Caturdasi festivities, including over 300 pictures of the abhisek. The day began with great classes given by HH Bhanu Maharaj and HH Jayapataka Maharaj, on the wonderful pastimes of Lord. This year we didn't get to have the fortune of a drama like we did last year, but the darshan was amazing.

In three days the most glorious Lord Nrisimhadeva will have his appearance day festival in Sri Mayapur Dham. Devotees from all over the world will come to celebrate the most auspicious event. There will be a Maha-Yajna, along with a Maha-Abhishek, and Maha-Arati. Devotees will then feast on Lord Narahari's maha-prasadam.

Our Simantini Devi Project at Rajapur has reached a completion and the installation ceremony will be taking place on the 6th of May 2012. We are requesting all the Brahmin Initiated devotees to come and take part in the Maha Abhisek, where you will have an opportunity to personally bathe Sri Simantini de vi and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

Yesterday marks the beginning of 21 day long Candan Yatra festival. Sri Sri Radha-Madhava , Sri Nrsimhadeva and Sri Pancha-tattva become decorated with beautiful chandan. Big Madhava, small Madhava, Giriraj, Sri Prahlad-Nrsimhadeva are totally covered with chandan while Sri Pancha -tattva deities, Srimati Radharani and Astasakhis are anointed with sandalwood pulp in their foreheads.

The dark moon night of the month of Vaisakha is the time when Sri Gadadhara pandit appeared and also left the world. In the Gaur-ganoddesa-dipika, it is described that that person who in Vraja was the daughter of Sri Vrsabhanu Raja, namely Srimati Radharani, is now celebrated as Sri Gadadhara Pandita.