This announcement will be updated regularly. One of the grandest public programs in Vaisnava history is taking shape quickly, with some astounding events in the works. Start making plans now to join thousands of fellow devotees in February.

Announcing: Prabhupad Festival, Mumbai

"Global Krishna: Prabhupad's legacy lives!"

Cross Maidan February 12 - 20, 2005

A grand-scale Prabhupad festival will be celebrated this winter in the same manner as the 1971 Cross Maidan pandal, on 7-1/2 acres in the very heart of downtown Mumbai.

The goals of this festival are

(1) In the 108th year after Prabhupad's birth, to re-affirm Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad's pre-eminence as the single greatest Indian-born spiritual messenger of modern times.

Over the past 33 years, the consciousness and worship of Radha and Krishna have increased greatly all over India. Yet the names Bhaktivedanta Swami and Prabhupad remain unfamiliar to many citizens. The name ISKCON is well recognized, but has been lumped with other Hindu societies as just another religious institution. Other personalities dominate the pubic image as great torchbearers of Hinduism, while the real hero responsible for single-handedly reviving the spiritual life of India in its purest form and spreading it all over the world, has been largely forgotten.

(2) To inspire a cultural renaissance among Indian youth and to become the preferred spiritual guides for India's new generations.

Thousands of young Indians, including a great many high-IQ students and young professionals, are being attracted to Krishna Consciousness, especially in Mumbai.

(3) To bring together ISKCON devotees from all parts of the globe in a joyous celebration for Srila Prabhupad. From Mumbai, devotees can travel onwards to the Mayapur Festival in early March.

In 2004, the Deity installation gathering in Mayapur was a major eye-opener. To have so many thousands of global ISKCON devotees assembled in one place was a blissful experience beyond compare.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad's 108th Year. Prabhupad's Children 33 Years Later.

The format of the 1971 event will be followed in all respects.

• Each day one of Prabhupad's most advanced disciples from around the world will give morning and evening lectures, just as Prabhupad did back in '71.
• International devotees will perform kirtans under the leadership of famous kirtan leaders.
• Beautiful Radha-Krishna Deities will be housed and worshiped around the clock.
• A Vedic Global Village tent will be constructed, where the public can view large-screen videos and check out displays and presentations by individual temples from different parts of the world.
• Drama groups will stage performances.
• A Life of Prabhupad photo display, dioramas, book stalls and information booths will surround the main pandal tent.
• Krishna prasadam will be distributed throughout the day.

Public Impact:

In the heart of India's most populous city, there is a ready-made audience of many thousands of people per day. A widespread advertising campaign will be launched to insure large public participation. Media coverage will be extensive.

"By the Grace of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha and Krishna our recent festival in Cross Maidan Exhibition Ground has been counted a grand success, and quite noticeably the spirit of bhakti has been actively revived in Bombay. My blessings go especially to all of you who have joined with us in service." —A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, April, 1971.

"On behalf of those who were blessed to witness Srila Prabhupad's wondrous pastimes conceiving, organizing, managing, and starring in the 1971 Cross Maidan event, I am appealing to all devotees, especially the old Bombay hands, to help us make this 2005 show a similar resounding success!" —Shyamasundar das, 33 years later.

Contributions, inquiries, or ideas can be addressed to

Shyamasundara1967.ACBSP@pamho.net Telephone: +91-22-2369-7228
ISKCON Radha-Gopinath Mandir
7, K.M.Munshi Marg,
Chowpatty, Mumbai India 400 007

Co-Chairmen, Prabhupad Festival:
H.H. Radhanath Swami
H.H. Giriraj Swami
Shyamasundar das

Hare Krishna!

© dipika.org Dec. 2, 2004