During a visit to Los Angeles for a political function, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Congresswoman from Hawaii, addressed a crowd of about four thousand devotees and members of the public at the L.A. Rathayatra festival on August 4th.
1,500 to 2,000 people are expected at the festival over the two days, when the largely devotee-owned Watseka Ave alongside the temple will be turned into a sort of block party, with colorful tents and stalls, and lanterns strung everywhere.
Various news media trucks and vans follow the parade and this year KTLA/CBS TV took a televised interview with Svavasa Das, temple president, at the finish of the procession. They asked him to describe the meaning and purpose of the Ratha-yatra parade for an broadcast throughout the western U.S. on the evening news.
Jaya Chaitanya Das, 30, recently went from being a hip-hop producer to ISKCON’s top book distributor in the U.S., selling 85,000 of Srila Prabhupada’s books in one year. Now, he has come up with an innovative new program that shows young Americans today may be more interested in staying in ISKCON’s brahmachari ashrams than we might think.
On Saturday January 14th, Sura Das of ISKCON Los Angeles was invited to speak at Culver City’s 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Culver City Hall. Sura serves as the secretary and treasurer of the Interfaith Council of West Los Angeles, and represents ISKCON Los Angeles on the Council. This theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was “Peaceful Warriors for Positive Change.”
The 40th Annual LA Rathayatra was a spectacular event for the body mind and soul.
It was a truly uplifting and festive time for ISKCON of Los Angeles from August 4th to 7th recently, with celebrations for both the 40th anniversary of the city’s Rathayatra festival, and the 50th anniversary of ISKCON in full swing. There was a kirtan mela with international kirtaniyas, a series of seminars and video presentations, a tour of places where Prabhupada frequented in LA, and the biggest Rathayatra festival yet.
Born in New York City, Amala-bhakta Swami worked in motion pictures in California before beginning a search for the true purpose of life. Moving back to New York in 1957, he studied and then began teaching ashtanga yoga, establishing his own yoga center and amassing a following of 400 disciples. In 1976 he moved to Los Angeles to join the ISKCON temple there and receive initiation from Srila Prabhupada.
“What gets measured gets improved,” says Vaisesika Das, quoting leadership expert Robin S. Sharma. “Just by becoming aware of how many times they’re doing it, and how many times others are doing it, devotees will naturally become encouraged to do it more.” The Kirtan Party program isn’t just interested in increasing the quantity of kirtan parties going out, however.
A ban on soliciting donations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) does not tread on Hare Krishna members' free speech rights, the 9th Circuit ruled Wednesday. A city ordinance forbids the immediate solicitation of money at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), including the terminals, the parking lots, and adjacent sidewalks.
On July 13th, the American Nick Mom TV Channel featured 7 year old Gauri, daughter of Bal Gopal Das and Lalita Sundari Dasi, residents of ISKCON New Dwaraka Dham, Los Angeles. The television show called Take Me To Your Mother was exploring how different children from all walks of life celebrated their birthdays.
Devotees from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Laguna Beach gathered at ISKCON’s Escondido farm to celebrate “Maha Govardhana Puja.” Govardhana Puja, the celebration of the day when Lord Krishna displayed His divine powers by lifting the sacred Govardhana Hill, was previously held at each individual temple. But the three neighboring communities got together for a follow-up festival, too; a unique tradition with an interesting history.
A video summary of the event by Yasodeva Das.
Authorities were blocked this week from finally being able to enforce a 13-year-old city ordinance that bans solicitors from seeking donations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), officials said Friday.
Hare Krishna movement has been stopped from seeking donations at the Los Angeles International Airport by a US court. The court allowed the Los Angeles Police to enforce a 13-year-old municipal ordinance, which would prevent members of the movement from seeking donations at the airport.
ISKCON devotees received a “Second Place for Marching Units” award for their participation in LA’s annual Kingdom Day Parade at a ceremony at the Radisson Hotel near downtown Los Angeles this February 13th.