"One of Srila Prabhupada’s repeated instructions to his followers was to read his books. And we can see practically that the more our devotees study Srila Prabhupada’s books while practicing the process of Krishna consciousness, the more they develop enthusiasm to preach Krishna consciousness. Most of our devotees study Srila Prabhupada’s books nicely when they are helped through some study program or course.

On 24th of July, Bengali course on deity worship, which included archana, deity dressing, cooking and on yajna procedures began at Mayapur Academy. Inaugurating the course, HG Jananivasa Prabhu welcomed the students and spoke on the importance of learning to worship the deities according to the standards of deity worship. He said that Mayapur Academy has been started on the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, who stressed on the importance of having a proper manual and standards set for deity worship. Around 40 students from Mayapur, Siliguri, Howrah and various regions around Bengal has enrolled for the course.

His Holiness Lokanath Swami’s 61st Vyasa Puja celebration was held on the auspicious day of Sayana ekadasi and the busy day of the return Rathayatra. It was the first time Lokanath Swami’s Vyasa Puja was held publicly in Sri Dham Mayapur and over 200 guests attended. The event was graced by 35 gurukula boys from the Bhaktivedanta Academy, Mayapur.

With great pleasure, we invite devotees worldwide to participate in the annual 2010 Jhulan Yatra Festival at Sri Dham Mayapur. Jhulan is one of the eternal Astaka Lila pastimes that Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Their associates perform daily in Gokul Vrindavan.  Each year we, the Mayapur Gurukula Alumnae & Mayapur Community Youth organize the Jhulan yatra festival for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Madhava under the guidance of H.G. Jananivas prabhu & H.G. Pankajanghri prabhu.

To the ecstatic beats of Pandu vijaya, Lord Jaganantha, Baladeva and Subhdra devi were carried from Gundica Mandir and mounted Their divine chariots, blessing the thousands and thousands of visitors with Their merciful glance and opportunity to pull Their Chariots. Scriptures states that just by pulling the ratha or even following the ratha, one attains great spiritual benefit. Bahuda Jathra or Return Ratha Yatra is the festival when Lord Jagannath after spending a week in Gundica ( sundrachal) returns  to Nilachal.

Mayapur Sankirtan department has purchased two new buses to distribute more books of Srila Prabhupada. On the auspicious day of Bahuda Ratha Yatra, the inauguration of buses took place with the blessings of HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami, HH Gauranga Prem Swami , HG Jananivas prabhu and other devotees. Mayapur Sankirtan department ranks top in the world book distribution scores and devotees are so committed to distribute books far and wide in the  eastern India taking up several austerities for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.

Mayapur devotees expressed their grief, sadness and shared their deep realizations and the wonderful qualities of Sriman Aindra prabhu at the Smrti Sabha – memorial function held in the honor of Sriman Aindra Prabhu. HG Jananinvas prabhu, HG Yasoda Dulal prabhu, HG Gita Nagari prabhu, HG Narugopal prabhu, HG Hrimati mataji and many others glorified Aindra prabhu’s austerity, his excellence in deity service and his deep attachement to the holy names and kirtan.

Devotees ecstatically pulled the chariots of Sri Jagannath , Baladeva and Subhadradevi  from Rajapur to Sri Mayapur.  Though it was raining heavily since morning, still thousands and thousands of enthusiastic pilgrims flocked Sri Mayapur and Rajapur temple.  After the inauguration of  chariots by  Bengali silver screen actor Abhishek and other dignitaries of the region,  the devotees started pulling the chariots. Marching infront of the procession were a musical band,

The day prior to Ratha Yatra is Gundica Marjana- cleaning of Gundica temple takes place  to welcome Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed Gundica Marjana with great jubilation. By cleaning the Lord’s temple, one’s mind becomes purified. “In this way all the quarters of the Gundica temple were completely cleansed and cleared. All quarters were cool and spotless, like one’s cleansed and pacified mind.” In Mayapur, devotees enthusiastically cleaned Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Mandir.

11th July was the disappearance day of Sri Gadadhara Pandita and also of Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura. In Mayapur, all  the Vaisnava acaryas  appearance and disappearance day festivals are observed in such a way that throughout the day, you can remain absorbed in the pastimes of these great personalities. During the morning Srimad Bhagavatham class, HG Jananivas prabhu spoke on the glories of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura. At noon, there was bhoga offering, pushpanjali, arti & prasada distribution.