February 2023 Newsletter

February 2023

ISKCON of Arizona Newsletter

Stunning Tucson sunrise

outside our gate.

Greetings & Namaste,

Now that Tucson's Gem Show is in full swing, many of our guests at Govinda's prefer to dine in our temple room, curious about our spiritual yoga culture.

We tell them the best way to know us is to come to our biggest festival this month, called Shiva Ratri, on Sunday, February 19th.

The Gem Show will be over by then, but sticking around for Shiva Ratri is well worth it. Live music, Indian dances, a Fire Show, Kids' Activities, a free feast and much more (see below). The perfect ending to this year's Gem Show season.

We look forward to seeing you at the festival. Be blessed, be well.

Yours in service,

Sandamini Devi

[email protected]

Best February Days for

Meditation and Fasting

Appearance Day of

Lord Nityananda

Thursday, February 2nd

(fasting till noon)

Purnima - Full Moon

Sunday, February 5th

Appearance Day of

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

Friday, February 10th

(fasting till noon)

Vijaya Ekadasi

Thursday, February 16th

(fasting from grains & beans)

Maha Shiva Ratri Festival

Sunday, February 19th

(5 to 8 pm)

Sharing Sacred Knowledge

Govinda's guests receive

Srila Prabhupada's books.

Recent Activities

2023 Off to a

Blessed Start

Every year on January 1st, we hold a "Nava Graha," a sacred ceremony seeking the blessings of the nine planets for a fortunate new year. We ask that all obstacles to spiritual awakening be removed for the coming year so peace and prosperity may prevail throughout our beleaguered planet.

Right after the sacrifice, sure enough, it rained. Message sent, message heard!

Welcome Gem Show Visitors & Winter Guests!

Every winter Tucson overflows with visitors who've come to town for the Gem Show. It's a great opportunity for us to host groups from all over the world and meet so many curious folks who walk through our doors.

After the marathon rush we're ready for a good rest, but we'll be buzzing about it all this year, anticipating the next Gem Show.

Weekend Chanting at St. Phillips Art Market

Shoppers at one of Tucson's premier art markets are now treated to the sounds of chanting from our local devotees. On Saturdays & Sundays from 11 am to noon, you will find us on the southwest corner of the market.

The market organizer appreciates the mellow, spiritual atmosphere we bring, soothing the mood of the shoppers. We're only too happy to oblige.

Next Festival

Featuring the Infinite Compassion Band, 5 to 6 pm, on the main stage

Maha Shiva Ratri

Sunday, Feb. 19th

5 to 8 pm

Join us for the Night of Lord Shiva.

Experience Live Music, Indian Dance, a Fire Show, Kids' Activities, Abhishekam, and a Prasadam Feast.

Sponsor the festival and receive a Rukraksha and gem mala. Bathe the Shiva Lingam for $108.

DONATE HERE

Aneka Raaman, ASU student, pilot & musician, to perform on Shiva Ratri.

Bharat-Natyam Dancer Aneka Raaman, Kathak Dancer Sohini, and Odissi Dancer Auhona Shil will all be performing on the main stage.

Feeding guests prasadam

(food offered to God) benefits everyone!

Sunday Feast Sponsorship

Sponsoring our Sunday feasts is a wonderful way to receive the blessings of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. Your sponsorship may honor a loved one, mark a birthday, an anniversary, or some other special occasion. To make an offering, use the link below to identify who or what you're honoring plus the date of your sponsorship. Your donation is tax deductible.

Click Here To Sponsor

the Sunday Feast

The Sunday Feast & Festival

Join us each Sunday for an evening of musical meditation, topical philosophy, an ancient worship ceremony, and an

8-course vegetarian feast.

ALL FREE!

5:30 pm - Bhajans

6 pm - Topical talk

6:30 pm - Worship ceremony

7 pm - Announcements

7:10 pm - Feast

February Sunday Talk Lineup

Feb. 5th - Ganga Mantri Prabhu

Feb. 12th - Dhiro Datta Prabhu

Feb. 19th - Maha Shiva Ratri Festival 5 to 8 pm

Feb. 26th - Lavanga Mataji

Support Your Temple

Maintain Your Temple with a Monthly Tithe

"The question is not how much of our money we should give to God, but how much of God's money we should keep for ourselves.”

Your tithing dollars help maintain your temple and pay regular monthly expenses:

electric
gas
water
bhoga expenses (produce)
flowers for Deities & vases
yard & property maintenance

When you come to the temple any day of any week and see the beautiful darshan, the refreshing gardens, breakfast, lunch, and feast prasadam, understand that this is possible because of our generous regular monthly tithing donors.

It is your privilege and responsibility to support Krishna's temple. Become a tither today. Choose an amount you feel comfortable giving each month.

Set up your monthly contribution at Pledge 2023!

Or give a one-time donation through PayPal HERE.

If you are not in a position to become a sustaining member, a one-time donation is also a big help. All donations are much appreciated and are tax deductible!

Assisted Living Update

Krishna's Home

News Update

Please take a look at our latest one-page February newsletter to see the home's progress. The interior is finished and we are putting on the tiles for the roof . Click HERE to read.

The interior is finished. Now we are working on furnishings for the home and landscaping.

We have a go fund me to supply the finishing touches. Please consider donating to finish this much needed project. All donations to the project are tax-deductible!

Govinda's Vegan/Veggie Restaurant

Welcome Gem Show & Winter Visitors! Govinda's Self-serve

All-You-Care-To-Eat Hours:

Lunch - Wednesday through Saturday 11:30 am to 2:30 pm

Dinner - Tuesday through Saturday

5 pm to 8 pm

Sunday Brunch - 11 am to 2:30 pm

Closed Mondays

February Menu Click Here

Check out our web site at www.GovindasOfTucson.com

Many thanks to all our donors & volunteers who steadily help at the temple each week. You contribute so much by your presence and service. The extra load for the gem show coudld not be met without your help. Thank you Amy, Mary, Eric, Sunil, Lila, Yogi Devi, Madhav Michael, Madhav, Ethan & Nik.

Income/expense Tracker: Please click to view our temple financial statement

for the month of December 2022.

Check out this video by Vaisesika Das,

"How to Cultivate a Peaceful Mind.”

Authentic Indian

Cuisine Catering!

All varieties and quantities of Indian foods for parties, dinners, weddings, and banquets. All main Indian dishes cooked by

Master Chef Kul Sharma.

520-891-8083

"So today is Nityānanda Prabhu's appearance day. We shall always pray Nityānanda Prabhu, 'Kindly keep me under Your shelter... I am very...unhappy. Under the shelter of Your lotus feet I shall be happy.' And that is real happiness."

(From a talk on Lord Nityānanda Prabhu's Appearance Day, February 2, 1977, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India)

From Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is...

"According to Vedic injunction, one has to take his bath early in the morning even during the month of Māgha (January-February). It is very cold at that time, but in spite of that a man who abides by the religious principles does not hesitate to take his bath.

(From Srila Prabhupada's purport to Bg 2.14)

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