By Gokulananda das
Prabhus and Matajis – Dandavats. I hope you are well. On behalf of our ISKCON MONTREAL Community, we would like to offer you and your temple’s entire community this invitation to please come join us for our special 50th anniversary of ISKCON Canadian GRAND FESTIVAL -to be held here in Montreal from Sept.2 to 5 -2016. We are also hoping to attract many of our movement’s empowered preachers to come and contribute according to each one’s special area of expertise.
(please see more details below).
Montreal, January 31st- 2016
It has now become a tradition here at our Montreal temple – for close to 10 years now – to have a yearly festival in honor of Srila Prabhupada, usually held during the first weekend of Sept. For this very popular festival we have hosted many stalwart followers of Srila Prabhupada such as Guru Das, Srutikirti, Yadubhara and Vishaka, Yogeswara, Puskar, Ranjit etc.
And – for the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s founding of our ISKCON society – we are also planning an even bigger celebration for 2016. So your presence would be greatly appreciated to share with our whole community your very unique devotional expertise, thus enhancing our sharing of Srila Prabhupada’s glorious legacy.
Also this historic event will focus on Srila Prabhupada’s prolonged stay here in Montreal for the entire summer of 1968. And we have already received confirmations to also take part from some of the pioneers of both the San Francisco and London temples – such as Shyamsundar, Guru das and Malati, Significantly they had also received special training from Srila Prabhupada during their visit here in August 1968, which memories they will surely share with us. So please consider joining us for this very significant and memorable event. Upon receiving your consent, we would be happy to pursue this arrangement to cover all your travel costs etc.
Thus we hopefully await your positive reply. Thank you – Hare Krishna!
– your eager servant, Gokulananda das -on behalf of the ISKCON Montreal Community. gokul1008@yahoo.com cell: 438-876-1008.
The GRAND ALL- CANADA FESTIVAL – to honor SRILA PRABHUPADA and the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON – will be held here in Montreal on the Labor Day weekend of Friday Sept. 2nd to Monday Sept.5th. – 2016
Friday Sept.2nd – an evening gathering at the temple to inaugurate the festival, with our special guests of honor: Shyamsundar, Guru das, Malati etc. (these three have already confirmed).
Sat. Sept.3rd – a special all day BHAKTIVEDANTA EXPO – a grand event for the general public – celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s miraculous life as a world teacher, with an attractive FoodFair, and multiple workshops – all to showcase ISKCON ‘ s amazing diversity and variegated contributions to mankind’s betterment. During this Bhaktivedanta Expo, there could be workshops (and accompanying booths) of these various Portfolios (or whichever other themes they wish to share):
1. Sacred Land of India by HH Indradyumna Swami
2. Varnashrama Dharma & Cow Protection by HH Bhakti Raghava Swami
3. Eco Village by HH Sivarama Swami
4. Sacred Texts & Philosophy by HH Bhakti Caru Swami
5. Perfect Questions Perfect Answers by HH Gopal Krishna Goswami
6. Forbidden Archeology by HG Drutakarma Prabhu (Michael Cremo)
7. Chant & Be Happy by HH Sacinandan Swami
8. ISKCON & Beatles by HG Guru Das Prabhu & Shyamsundar Prabhu
9. New Vrindavan Community by HG Malati DD
10. Drama by HH Bhakti Marg Swami
11. Temple of Vedic Planetarium by Indresh Prabhu
For this special event we will also invite many VIPs – including our newly-elected prime-minister Justin Trudeau , plus a couple of the local Members of Parliament, and the Mayor of Montreal. We are hopeful to get their confirmation soon – to be announced as soon as we know more.
Sunday Sept.4th – A special elaborate evening program at the temple, starting with a Kirtan Fest 4 – 6 p.m., followed by a special Maha-abhisek, then culminating with the remembrances – from 6 to 8 p.m. – by our guests of honor (including Shivaram Swami), centered on Srila Prabhupada’s miraculous achievements and his major impact on the course of history etc.
Monday Sept. 5th – A maha-harinam in downtown Montreal – of 3-4 harinam parties all converging on the exact place of residence of Srila Prabhupada during his prolonged stay in the summer of 1968. We are attempting to also have a special commemorative plaque inaugurated at this historic place.
p.s. Accommodations for visiting devotees will be in the homes of our members, plus at one of our members’ quality hotel in downtown Montreal.