March 2014 Archives

Bhagavad Gita Saptah is an 8-day series given by Swami Nikhilanand Ji, sanyasi disciple and pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, at Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, Texas. These Bhagavad Gita English lectures were given during Holi 2014 at Radha Madhav Dham temple. 

Shreemad Bhagavad Gita is a Divine discourse spoken by Lord Krishna Himself (The Song of God). The Bhagavad Gita reveals the purpose and goal of human existence. It is also the most popular of all the Hindu scriptures, all of which are eternal and reproduced on the Earth planet at regular intervals, merely for the guidance of the souls.

Gain a deeper understanding of the Bhagava Gita. Learn to apply the practical and simple teachings, which Bhagwan Shree Krishna Himself taught to Arjun 5,000 years ago, into your everyday life. Find practical answers to your life questions; discover the real meaning of human existence, based on the teachings of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

Exciting News: Swami Nikhilanand is presenting Family Gita Class - A class for kids, youth and parents at Canoga Park High School, Topanga, California during Spring Break, April 13th - 19th 2014. For more information, visit the website at www.GitaClass.Weebly.com/, or call Ravinder Soni at 323-861-1417.

8-Part Bhagavad Gita lectures by Swami Nikhilanand, pracaharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

March 28th 2014 (Indo American News and Voice of Asia): A Magical Experience of Colors at Radha Madhav Dham. It was a beautiful day at Radha Madhav Dham, the US ashram of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, on March 15 2014, where over 4000 people gathered to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi 2014 despite weather forecasts of thunderstorms and tornadoes. Although the day started with showers in the morning, it stopped by 2 PM when the actual festivities began. The festival of Holi 2014 marks the onset of spring, and is celebrated in unique 'Braj' style at Radha Madhav Dham every year.

People assembled on the grounds of the Ashram, founded by Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, and enjoyed the tastes, sights and sounds of India as they were greeted by peacocks, deer and singing birds. Throngs of people flocked around the food booths eager to taste the delectable Indian dishes like freshly made dosas, paav bhaji, chhole bhature, chaat, samose mango lassi and hot jalebis, not to mention delicately spiced hot chai for a cold rainy day.

Inside the prayer hall, the deities of Radha and Krishna looked stunning in special Holi 2014 Shringar (adornments) that included charming hues of holi powder on their cheeks, beautifully decorated pichkaris placed at their feet, painting a colorful depiction of the festival of Holi that originated in the land of Braj (Vrindavan) in India, 5000 years ago.

Programs throughout the day included Swami Nikhilanand ji's (a sanyasi disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj) explanation of the spiritual significance of "Braj Style" Holi, spectacular enactment of the legendary story of young Prahalad's victory over Holika and Hiryanakashipu and a cultural program showcasing children's performances of folk and classical Indian dances.

Around 6 PM, people started gathering at the Maharas Mandal to play with colors. Loud cries of "Ho Ho Ho Ho Holi Hai" were heard from the grounds. The atmosphere quickly turned exuberant and joyful colors of spring could be seen flying everywhere creating clouds of pink, purple, blue and red hues in the air. A live band played the saxophone and guitar on ancient Braj tunes and got everyone dancing in excitement and merriment. People from all walks of life, young and old, Indian and Western, and devotees of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, opened their hearts in sharing the joy and celebrating the human values of compassion, forgiveness and love, that underlies the spirit of Holi.

A Magical Experience of Colors at Radha Madhav Dham

In the words of a visitor, Holi 2014 at Radha Madhav Dham, the US ashram of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, was a magical experience that will be remembered for a long time to come. "Thank you for allowing Gabriel and me to be a part of Holi. It was a very magical experience for both of us. Gabriel is still talking about it"- Facebook comment by Lynn Peach

For further information on this Holi event, check out our facebook page for event photos at www.facebook.com/RadhaMadhavDham.

Register at www.GitaClass.Weebly.com
Download flyer here.

Family Gita Class - A class for kids, youth and parents at Canoga Park High School, Topanga, California, with Swami Nikhilanand disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

When:
Spring Break Program
Sunday - Saturday
April 13th - 19th
7:00 - 8:30 pm

Venue: Canoga Park High School
6580 Topanga Canyon Blvd.,
Canoga Park,
California 91303

Swami Nikhilanand, a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, will present this unique 7-day Bhagavad Gita course in Canoga Park, California during this year's spring break, from April 13th to 19th. The fun and interactive format will allow the whole family to learn the most important topics of the Bhagavad Gita one chapter at a time. The course, held daily in the evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, is unique because it allows adults and children (age 6 & up) to learn the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita together in the same class. This is possible due to the innovative format which encourages questions and allows the interest of the students to drive the direction of the class.

Kids get to have their long-standing questions about Hinduism answered, and clear doubts and confusions about Hindu philosophy. This helps them to grow pride in Hinduism and feel comfortable being Hindu. It is fascinating for adults to watch how quickly youth and kids are able to grasp the concepts of the Bhagavad Gita. Although adults freely participate in question and answer sessions and discussions with Swami Nikhilanand, they are particularly inspired by the childrens' insightful questions.

Swami Nikhilanand, who resides at the largest Hindu ashram in North America, Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, Texas, has developed his series of Family Gita Classes over the last decade of teaching in Hindu Mandirs across the U.S., in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles. He has refined the format to appeal to both young and old by focusing on the highlights of each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (one chapter is covered each day) with emphasis on how to live the philosophy in your daily life. Worksheets are provided for those who wish to have a summary in note form of the day's topics. Each day also includes tips on meditation for all ages, a quiz on the day's material in the form of a friendly game of Jeopardy, arti, and dinner prasad. Asked what the most impressive thing about the classes is, Swami Nikhilanand replied, 

"It's the way the kids want to come back day after day. They are the ones pulling their parents to get there on time so they don't miss anything. Just bring them for one day and you'll see. That is my challenge to parents."

The Family Gita Class is a free program and will be held at the Canoga Park High School at 6580 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Canoga Park, CA 91303. The school provides free parking. For more information, visit the website at www.GitaClass.Weebly.com, or call Ravinder Soni at 323-861-1417.

See one visitors account of Radha Madhav Dham Austin Holi here.

Despite days of severe weather warnings of tornadoes and thunderstorms, scattered showers throughout the night before and the morning of, over 4,500 people came out to celebrate Braj style Holi 2014 at Radha Madhav Dham.

The rain stopped as soon as the festivities began around 2 pm in the afternoon. People started streaming into the temple, sat through Holi 2014 sankirtan and were mesmerized by special Holi shringar of Radha Krishna.

As they strolled outside, they enjoyed a mini-mela (traditional Indian fair) atmosphere serving variety of freshly prepared Indian food, offering train rides around ashram grounds, presenting items and information from different vendors, and buzzing with numerous kids' games and activities.

Against all odds, the clouds started scattering around 3:30 pm just before the start of a carefully prepared cultural program showcasing children's performances of folk and classical Indian dances. Swami Nikhilanand Ji explained the crowd the spiritual significance of Holi 2014, devotion of Prahlad and the charm of Braj style Holi played by Radha Krishna.

The cultural program concluded with a beautiful enactment of the Prahlad leela which was meticulously prepared by the devotees and thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd.

By now, the clouds had scattered, the sun was out and colors of Holi 2014 at Radha Madhav Dham started flying at the Maharas Mandal.

Swami Nikhilanand's Bhagavad Gita lecture series begins at Radha Madhav Dham

Note: Swami Nikhilanand's 7-day Bhagavad Gita saptah lecture series began yesterday. These special lectures are based on the teachings of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Watch first Bhagavad Gita lecture here, follow the series at Radha Madhav Dham youtube!