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Special 3-day lecture series in Dallas with Swami Nikhilanand Ji, pracaharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Basics of Hinduism for Families
A Class for the Whole Family with Swami Nikhilanand

Date: Friday & Saturday, Sept 26 & 27; 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sunday, Sept 28: 30:30 pm - 5:30 pm (snacks and dinner will be provided)

Day 1: Hinduism Explains Everything; a general overview of Hindu philosophy
Day 2: Is it Logical to Believe in God?; remove your doubts about the existence of God
Day 3: Using Hindu Principles to Develop the Positive Potential of the Mind; understanding one's mind and how to become a better person

- Appropriate for ages 6 & up, but younger children may also attend
- Worksheets and study material provided
- Questions and discussion encouraged
- Class concludes with a fun game of Jeopardy

Location: Goyal Residence, 9020 Roundbluff Road, Plano, TX 75025

Please RSVP to Deepali Goyal at 972-849-0166 or dipsgupta@yahoo.com

Swami Nikhilanand was first exposed to Hinduism at the age of 25. Since then, he has spent the last 15 years studying the philosophy of the Sanskrit scriptures and practicing bhakti under the guidance of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj). He resides at the largest Hindu ashram in the U.S., Radha Madhav Dham, in Austin, TX.

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.

Vrindavan Times News reports: Queens New York to get first ever Krishna Janmashtami 2014 Block Party 

Vrindavan Times News: Block parties have been popular phenomenon for large events in New York city, but for the first time on August 17th 2014, the entire Hillside Avenue Block in Glen Oaks will be reserved for one of the largest Krishna Janmashatami 2014 celebrations led by Swami Nikhilanand Ji, disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

The massive event of Krishna's Birthday in New York is being organized by New York Hindu Temple, Radha Govind Dham.

Some of the attractions include Live 2014 Bhajans, Food, Dandiya Dances 2014, Best-Dressed Krishna Contest, Krishna Janmashtami 2014 Pravachan by Swami Nikhilanand, disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

Outdoor Krishna Janmashtami 2014 programs led by Swami Nikhilanand, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj

• A massive kirtan 2014 party led by acclaimed singer Anuradha Khanna
• Kirtan and Krishna Janmashtami 2014 speech by Swami Nikhilanand
• Dances and performances
• Best-dressed Krishna contest
• Raas Garba (Dandiya) party

• Arti
• Dinner prasad
• Kirtan up till midnight

One of the unique features of the New York Krishna Janmashtami 2014 celebrations which is proving most popular, is the best-dressed Krishna contest where the public is invited to dress as Shree Krishna and receive an award for being the best! To enter Best-Dressed Krishna Contest: Call Santosh Gera at (718) 807-1101

Meaning and Story of Krishna Janmashtami 2014 (Birthday of Krishna)

A Divine breeze permeated the entire brahmand with the descension of supreme God Krishna. His mother Deoki saw Him in His absolute Divine glory, lovingly smiling and standing in front of her in His full youthful form. In the meantime celestial gods and goddesses along with Brahma and Shiv came, sang homage to Krishna and returned to their abodes. Krishna then became like a day-old baby.

Deoki and Vasudeo were imprisoned by the demon Kans, the King of Mathura, because a celestial warning had informed him that the eighth son of Deoki would be his destroyer. But when Krishna appeared, a tiny touch of His Divine power shattered the defense system of the jail: locks broke, watchmen went into deep sleep, gates opened and all the restrictions were eliminated. The flooding Yamuna river gave way to Vasudeo so that he could safely transport baby Krishna to his relative Nand Baba's house which was in Gokul and on the other side of river Yamuna. Thus, Krishna first descended in Mathura and on the same night He came to Gokul. He appeared on the eighth waning moon night of bhadon (August) in Rohini Nakchatra (asterism) in 3228 BC.

The next day, at the house of Nand Baba and Yashoda all the Brajwasis came together to join the most joyous celebration of Krishna's birthday. God Shiv also came rushing to Gokul to see the innocent loving smile of baby Krishna, and, in this way, from the very first morning of His descension on the earth planet, His playful Divine loving leelas started. From that day on, every day in Braj was a joyous celebration and every moment in Braj was an experience of Krishna's ever-new and ever-increasing love that encharmed the heart of every Brajwasi.

A similar experience is expected to be evoked at Radha Govind Dham New York Janmashtami 2014 Block Party in Hillside Avenue, Glen Oaks.

More info is available via the RGDNY website and the official Janmashtami 2014 event page.

Radha Madhav Dham's popular Gita Class, which was recently led by Swami Nikhilanand Ji, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, in Fremont California, has been featured in India West.

The Fremont Hindu Temple hosted a Family Gita Class during the first week of summer holidays that was attended by over 200 parents and children throughout the 7-day course. The unique kid-friendly class was taught by Swami Nikhilanand, a travelling sanyasi teacher and disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who is based at Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, TX.

Instead of a traditional lecture format, the lessons of the Bhagwad Gita were taught by Swami Nikhilanand, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, in an interactive style that encouraged questions from both kids and adults, and allowed them to take notes on the main points. Kids and teenagers opened up and freely asked the questions which had been burning inside them, but had never had the chance to ask. Questions like, "How do I know God really exists?" and "Why did God put us here?" were asked and answered. Kids and parents also enjoyed the game of Jeopardy that concluded each day's class and gave them a chance to test their knowledge on the Gita.

It was obvious to all in attendance that through understanding the philosophy of the Bhagwad Gita, kids developed pride in Hinduism, and parents commented that the discussions didn't end when the family left the mandir - conversations with their kids at home the whole week revolved around various topics that had been covered in the class. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the next Family Gita Class.

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