January 2023 Newsletter

January 2023

ISKCON of Arizona Newsletter

Expanding the turtle population

in the Koi pond.

Greetings & Namaste,

Just to the right of this column, we always list the month's best days for meditation and fasting. They usually include two days called Ekadasi, which falls eleven days after the full moon and eleven days after the new moon.

But this month you'll notice we have three Ekadasis--in other words, a spiritual bonus! India's sages say Ekadasi is a great day to deepen one's spirituality. Plus you may see some surprises at our buffet.

So check us out this month, blessed with three Ekadasis. That only happens once in a blue moon.

Yours in service,

Sandamini Devi

[email protected]

Happy New Year to all

Best January Days for

Meditation and Fasting

New Year's Day Fire Ceremony

Sunday, January 1st

10:30 to 11:30 am

Putrada Ekadasi

Monday, January 2nd

(fasting from grains & beans)

Purnima - Full Moon

Friday, January 6th

Sat-tila Ekadasi

Tuesday, January 17th

(fasting from grains & beans)

Bhaimi Ekadasi

Tuesday, January 31st

(fasting from grains & beans)

Sharing Knowledge

Many of Govinda's guests happily receive

Srila Prabhupada's books.

Recent Activities

Hridayananda Maharaja Visits Tucson

Scholar, author, spiritual master, and traveling monk Hridayananda Maharaja visited our community in early December, blessing us with two classes plus a home program at Divya & Damodara's house nearby.

Whenever Maharaja visits, he challenges us to think more deeply about a wide variety of subjects. He was on his way to Gainesville, Florida, where he recently purchased a manor house for the Bhaktivedanta Institute, the scientific branch of our Krishna consciousness movement.

Devotees Participate in the 4th Ave. Street Fair

In the spring and fall, Tucson goes all out to put on a great street fair, where hundreds of artisans show their wares to tens of thousands of attendees---and we are right in the middle of it.

Dancing and chanting our way through the crowds, we bring joy to the tired shoppers by helping them glimpse a higher happiness. We're already looking forward to the spring fair in April 2023.

Feeding the Houseless in Tucson for Ten Years

For ten years now, our temple community has been feeding the houseless every third Monday of the month at the Southside Presbyterian Church's

Crossroads Mission.

Hot or cold, rain or shine, we prepare a fresh, six-course feast and personally serve it to the needy at 7:30 am. Anyone is welcome to help us cook or serve, or join the melodic chanting we bring to create a joyful spiritual mood.

Join us at Govinda's for a New Year's Vegan Meal - Open Noon to 5 pm.

Organic Bar B Q Seitan, Nut & Veggie Loaf

Vegetable Chow Mein, Rainbow Chard with Organic Tempeh, Mashed Potato & Cashew Gravy

Vegetable Bean Soup & Basmati Rice

Dinner Rolls, Black Forest Cake

Chocolate Almond Mousse & Salad Bar

$19.99 for Adults, $9.99 for kids 4-12 yrs

No reservations necessary!

Join us for a New Year's Nava Graha Ceremony

(Honoring the 9 Planets)

To usher in 2023 with peace, fortune, abundance, and divine well-being, join us Sunday, New Year's Day, from 10:30 to 11:30 am for this sacred fire ceremony. Sponsors who donate $21 or more will receive a front-row seat.

DONATE HERE

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

January Sunday Talk Lineup

Jan. 1st - No talk on New Year's; Govinda's open noon to 5 pm.

Jan. 8th - Suresvara Prabhu

Jan. 15th - Kirtan Yajna Prabhu

Jan. 22nd - Ganga Mantri Prabhu

Jan 29th - Dhiro Datta Prabhu

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
flowers
yard maintenance

When you come to the temple any day of any week and see the beautiful darshan, the refreshing gardens, breakfast, lunch, and feast prasad, 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 y our 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 January newsletter to see the home's progress and the steps being taken to finish the construction. Click HERE to read.

The interior is finished. Wi-Fi has been installed for continuous kirtan, classes, and seminars, which will be broadcast in each room.

There will be a temple room, a quiet japa area, and landscaped grounds for exercise and honoring prasadam.

All donations to the project are tax-deductible!

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

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. Thank you Sunil, Damayanti, Lila, Yogi Devi, Madhav Michael & Madhav. Way to go!!!

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

for the month of November 2022.

Check out this video by Sivarama Swami,

"This is What Life Is About.”

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

"Most people in India are still inclined to bathe in the Ganges, and there are many places where they can do so. At Prayāga (Allahabad), many thousands of people gather during the month of January to bathe in the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā."

(From Srila Prabhupada's purport to SB 5.17.9)

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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