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Krishna Janmashtami 2014 will take place at Radha Madhav Dham Austin on Sat, Aug 16, 2014 from 5pm - midnight

A Krishna Janmashtami 2014 Kids Costume Contest is just one small part of an exciting lineup of devotional programs throughout the evening at Radha Madhav Dham Austin, founded by Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj. There is something for everyone at one of America's biggest devotional events, which is a year shy of one quarter century in the running. 

A highlight is the abhishek and jhulan (swinging) ceremony of baby Krishna where everyone will get a chance to push baby Krishna on a beautiful, and lavishly decorated swing during his birthday celebration 2014. There will also be ecstatic chanting of Krishna Janmashtami kirtans and bhajans, written by Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, during the Krishna Janmashtami 2014 kirtan program inside the beautiful Radha Madhav Dham temple. Another highlight for many is a special arti to baby Krishna at midnight. 

An out-of-this world sumptuous vegetarian feast will be served by satsangees of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, to all during the program. The full lineup of events according to Radha Madhav Dham website and the official Krishna Janmashtami 2014 RSVP page is as follows:

Outdoors program for Krishna Janmashtami 2014 at Radha Madhav Dham Austin

1. 5:00pm - Mahaprasad served in the Dining hall
2. 5:30pm - Kids Activity and Food Booths Open
3. 7:00pm - Special Kids Program on Outdoor Stage
   Kids will meet Saints & Gods from Krishna Avatar to hear stories of Krishna)
4. 7:30pm - Kids Costume Contest begins - see below for more information
   Prizes for all participating kids and special prizes for the contest winners)
5. 8:15pm - Kids Outdoor Program concludes

1. 6:00pm: Chanting inside temple begins
2. 7:15pm: Special discourse on Krishna Janmashtmi 2014
3. 7:45pm: Abhishek & Swinging of baby Lord Krishna
4. 8:15pm: Bal Krishna themed dances & leela performances
5. 9:30pm: Chanting inside prayer hall continues
6. 12:00am: Sing Arti to Baby Krishna at Midnight

Everyone who is planning to attend Krishna Janmashtami 2014 in Austin is request to JOIN the official Krishna Janmashtami 2014 RSVP page on facebook and invite others, and not to forget to bring your kids is costume! 

The most important part of Krishna Janmashtami 2014, according to one Radha Madhav Dham spokesperson, is to make it your own, and create your own memories with Krishna that will last a lifetime.

On Sunday August 17th, there will be a grand celebration of Nand Mahostav.

In New York, Swami Nikhilanand Ji will be present during Krishna Janmashtami New York Block Party on August 17th. Krishna's Birthday 2014 in New York will take place at Radha Govind Dham New York. There is also a facebook RSVP page which everyone is requested to Join.

Radha Madhav Dham launched "Kripalu Kids" last month

We had 27 youth attend. We opened up the conversation by asking the youth about their experiences coming to Radha Madhav Dham and what they knew about Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj. Many of the youth expressed that they love coming to Radha Madhav Dham and have been coming for many years and all are attending the Shiksha School of Indian Arts and Culture. We asked the youth to describe what 'bhakti' means to them also. 

Divine compositions of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj

Sunday afternoons after lunch the youth eet in the prayer hall and have a 'devotional jam session' and get an opportunity to express their love for God and Guru by singing and playing on instruments to the Divine compositions of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj.

For those who like to express themselves artistically or poetically, they will be given a chance to write and draw and express their love in those ways as well. They all agreed they would like to have dance, bhajan, art and writing competitions in the near future.

In addition, one of the college students attending came forward and asked to facilitate the 'Kripalu Kids meetings. She will be using "Always Remember" quotes from Prem Ras Madira and helping the youth apply Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj's timeless teachings to their daily lives.

We ended the meeting with a very fun game of hitting the pinata and gathering up lots of candy and prizes.

Pictures are available at Radha Madhav Dham facebook.
Jai Shree Radhey!
Brajrani
Sujata
Gopal Das

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.

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!