TEMPLE ACTIVITIES

Like any personal relationship, we have to cultivate our relationship with the Lord. If there’s someone walking down the street we want to get to know, we can’t do it by just watching them walk by each day. We have to engage in conversation with them, inquire as to who they are, and begin to do nice things for them. That way a relationship can develop. In the same way, we have to progressively develop our relationship with Krsna via the various devotional processes. If we just take darshan without offering direct service, we can’t get the full benefit. Fortunately, Srila Prabhupada has taught us the many wonderful ways we can engage in that service mood by chanting to the Deities, bringing them gifts, helping to make their environment beautiful, hearing about Their Pastimes, etc., etc. The road may be long, but it’s so sweet to walk down.

Food for Life was born more than 30 years ago, elderly Indian Swami, known as A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In 1974 when watching a group of village children fighting with dogs over scraps of food, the Swami became upset and told his students, “No one within ten miles of a temple should go hungry… I want you to immediately begin serving food.” [4] In response to his plea, members of ISKCON and volunteers around the world were inspired to expand that original effort into a global network of kitchens, cafes, vans, and mobile services, all providing free food, and establishing daily delivery routes in many large cities around the world. Since that day, Food for Life has grown into the world’s largest vegan/vegetarian food relief program.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada emphasized to spread the Vedic Knowledge amongst masses. He taught us how to know the God and by taking His shelter only we can live joyous life.

He also emphasized to establish glorious temples all over the world for spreading vedic knowledge. For this purpose, he went to America in 1965 at the age of 69 and established the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS (ISKCON) in 1966.

He devoted himself in such a manner that during 12 years of efforts, he established 108 temples and other preaching centers worldwide.

In the end of the 19th century there was a severe drought in some areas of Maharastra and Gujarat. Many died and hundreds of children became helpless orphans. A group of philanthropic Vaishnavas along with a British patron named Lady Northcote formed a trust and opened an orphanage called Lady Northcote Hindu Orphanage.

In 1986 Srinatji Prabhu (N.D.Desai) was unexpectedly given the position of the managing trustee of the orphanage. After some time, due to corruption in the previous management, the care of the children was given to our devotees. Both the congregation and the brahmacaris served together to care for the children. Gradually it became a gurukula. Many of the children have become devotees, and now grown up have graduated college or have careers. Many work at Bhaktivedanta Hospital. About a dozen got initiated. One of the orphans Rupa Raghunath Prabhu eventually became the head pujari of Radha Gopinath temple. And another Rupa Goswami Prabhu became the head pujari of Pune Temple. Rasik Murari Prabhu is working in Pune Patrons department and Mathuradev Prabhu is working in the Hospital Administration department.