Damodara in the Northern Region of Malaysia

BY YADUVHIR KRSNA DASA

SEBERANG JAYA, MALAYSIA – The devotees at the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre (BCC) got caught up with “Damodara Fever” and worked together to organize Damodara House Program and Harinam. For the first time, Damodara Harinam was introduced to the district of Seberang Perai which comprises Hujung Batu, Bagan Dalam, Kampung Manis, Taman Inderawasih, Kampung Bagan Serai and Mak Mandin. BCC managed to visit 616 houses and 4,679 people had the opportunity to offer ghee lamp to Lord Damodara.

Official Statement of ISKCON regarding the Terrorists Attacks in Mumbai, India

BY ISKCON Governing Body Commission
Ministry of Communications

It is with great shock, outrage, and sorrow that members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, (ISKCON), have learned of the horrific terrorists attacks in Mumbai, India, against hundreds of innocent people.

We thoroughly condemn such acts of violence as being in violation of all principles of law, religion, morality and human decency.

Our prayers and sympathies go out to all of the victims and their families. We also pray for Lord Krishna’s blessing for those in the police forces, medical fields and others who have sacrificed to protect those in danger and those who have been harmed.

Canadians caught up in Mumbai terror attacks

BY BRADLEY BOUZANE AND BECKY RYNOR, CANWEST NEWS SERVICE

PUNDIT PARANJPE / REUTERS – People duck as gunshots are fired from inside the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai, Nov. 27, 2008. Indian commandos freed hostages from the Taj Mahal hotel on Thursday but battled on with gun-toting Islamist

A middle-aged Canadian couple on a spiritual pilgrimage to India were forced to barricade themselves in their smoke-filled Mumbai hotel room while terrorists outside rampaged through the city core, their daughter said from Kelowna, B.C., Thursday.

“They were on the 16th floor and had to smash out the window because there was lots of soot and smoke coming through the air conditioning,” Maya Koftinoff said of her parents, Larry, 56, and Bernie, 52. “I would imagine they’d be shaken up, but they were calming me down.”

Vedic wedding for Srimati Tulasi Maharani and Salagrama

BY JEYANTHY PILLAI

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – A full fledged vedic wedding was conducted for Tulasi Maharani and Salagrama in ISKCON KL on the last day of of the Damodara month. Complete with exchange of garlands, Saptapadi to tying of the mangal sutra, this auspicious event brought a glorious end to the Damodara Month celebration here.

PM: Yoga for Exercise can go ahead

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Muslims can continue practising yoga as long as no elements of worship or mantras are involved, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

Furthermore, the premier underscored the fact that yoga is good for health.

He also urged all quarters to understand the content of the yoga fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council and not twist facts which could cause confusion among the public.

“I wish to state that a physical regime with no elements of worship can continue, meaning, it is not banned. I believe that Muslims are not easily swayed into polytheism,” he told Bernama.

Damodara Nagar Sankirtan

BY RAMANANADA GAURA DASA

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – The Harinam Sankirtan Ministry of Iskcon KL organised the Maha Damodara Harinam on Sunday 16th November 2008. Harinams were conducted in different locations around Klang Valley. A total of 34 Harinam teams and 736 homes were visited on that day. 140 devotees participated in Rawang and approximately 90 devotees went around Klang Valley. Many first timers joined us, and judging by their response, it’s definitely not the last for them.

We made it!! Results as at 21/11/2008

BY JEYANTHY PILLAI

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – After what seemed an impossible and arduous task, the Malaysian congregation actually  surpassed their target. In an unprecedented move, all branches of ISKCON Malaysia throughout the country came together in a consolidated team effort and achieved an outstanding performance surpassing the goal of 100,000 participants and 5,000 homes set for this Damodara Program this year. The results are still pouring in as the Karttik month only ends on 27th November 2008. The Damodara Program started on the 15th October 2008 and continues for six weeks going into the Karttik month.

ISKCON Port Dickson to the rescue

BY CHANDRAN

PORT DICKSON, MALAYSIA – During the first day of the Damodara programme, Rasika prabhu from Iskcon KL received a call from one of the listeners of Minnal FM talk show. This caller was from Jelebu, Kuala Klawang town in  Negri Sembilan. His name is Velayutham. He is a chemical engineer who studied in Japan and owns his own shampoo, soap and metal stain removing chemical factory in this town. He has been running this business for a few years, supplying his products to east coast and FELDA schemes.

One night as he was driving back home after delivering his stock of products, he was listening to the Damodara Festival Program on the Minnal FM talk show. He immediately pulled his car to the side of the road and listened ardently. The talk excited him and without wasting time,  he called the contact number given in the talk show. He was directed to Rasika prabhu.

ISKCON Kulim – Damodara Programs 2008 as at 13/11/2008

ISKCON Alor Star – Damodara Programs 2008 as at 13/11/2008

ISKCON Taiping – Damodara Programs 2008 as at 13/11/2008

ISKCON KL – Damodara Programs 2008 as at 13/11/2008

Damodara in Orphanages

BY SHOBNA SHREE

BANDAR TASIK SELATAN, KUALA LUMPUR (29/11/2008) – The ladies division of the Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture and Education (V.O.I.C.E) organized a Damodara Orphanage Program in Senbhagavalli Ashram. This event was coordinated and led by Bhaktin Rohyini. The program was organized to provide an opportunity for the children to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara and also to show our love and support to the underprivileged children.

Joy as Sri Damodara visits Balakong

BY SRIVAS CAITANYA DASA

BALAKONG, MALAYSIA (15/10/2008) – Ushering the festival of lights this year, the Balakong Damodara House Caroling team brought joy to the residents of Taman Sri Timah Balakong with melodious kirtans glorifying the sweet Lord.

Carrying ghee lamps, mrndnga, kartals, mini-altar, Vrindavan Bhajan CDs and prasadam, the team including Harshitha (2 years) and Mardhini (3years), walked through the streets of Taman Sri Timah to give an opportunity to the residents to offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara in this auspicious month.

Oh Damodara, you have come? You have come just for me?

BY KASTHURI BHAI

RAWANG, MALAYSIA (16/11/2008) – As soon as we entered the house, we called on all the family members to gather in the living room to show the ghee lamp. “Is there anyone else in the house?’
“Yeah my grandma but she’s bed ridden for the past one year, she’s unable to walk” We carried on with the ghee lamp offering. Suddenly heard someone screaming,  “Krishna! Krishna!”

We saw an old lady running toward us, to the place where we placed little Lord Damodara on a table and she fell down right in front of Lord Damodar, crying while saying “Krishna! Krishna! Vanthuttiya, vanthuttiya (Krishna, Krishna,you have come?), enakkaga vanthiya (You have come just for me?) She sobbed.