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Archive for San Jose

Special Saturday in San Jose with Madhusudan Maharaj

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Thursday, November 27th, 2014 in Events | Comments (0)
Sushila devi dasi

14th Anniversary of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Tuesday, November 4th, 2014 in Deities, Events | Comments (0)
Kumkum Didi speaking in San Jose

Sushila devi dasiDear Friend of the Ashram,

Thursday will be  the 14th anniversary of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar’s arrival and installation in the current San Jose Seva Ashram on East Saint James Street. On behalf of Kumkum Devi I invite you to please join the devotees at 5:30 pm for an evening festival and feast celebrating this happy occasion. Srila Janardan Maharaj will be leading the special celebration. We hope to see you there.

Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi



Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar on the San Jose Seva Ashram altar
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundarjiu

14th Anniversary
of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar

~
Thursday, November 6, 2014
5:30 pm in San Jose

For great videos and articles about this occasion, click here.

Srila Acharya Maharaj’s Skype Darshan in San Jose

Posted by Kumkum Devi Dasi on Thursday, August 15th, 2013 in Events | Comments (0)
Kumkum Didi speaking in San Jose

Special Speaker in San Jose: Janardan Maharaj on July 13

Posted by Kumkum Devi Dasi on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 in Events | Comments (0)
Kumkum Didi speaking in San Jose

Morning Darshan with Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar

Posted by Kumkum Devi Dasi on Wednesday, March 20th, 2013 in Events | Comments (0)
Kumkum Didi speaking in San Jose

Kumkum Didi speaking in San JoseAll glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Dear devotees and friends,

Please join us in San Jose for morning darshan with Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar on Saturdays from 6:30-9 am.

6:30 am Mangal Aroti
7:00 am Morning Kirtans
8:00 am Class on the holy scriptures: Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita and Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat

“The Supreme Lord is not part of this world. Rather, all universes exist within a part of Him. Still, by His inconceivable power, He lives like us, or comes near us, to accept our service. The attempt of a tiny soul to measure His power is simply a laughing matter. It is for this reason that Sri Chaitanaydev advised souls to practice jnana-shunya-bhakti [‘knowledge’-free devotion].”

~Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami’s homage to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram
269 East Saint James St.
San Jose, CA 95112

Gauranga sundar am darshanSri Gauranga Sundarjiu on His beautiful altar

 

Open Bhagavad-gita class and discussion Fridays in San Jose

Posted by Kumkum Devi Dasi on Sunday, February 17th, 2013 in Events | Comments (0)
Kumkum Didi speaking in San Jose

Cover of Bhagavad-gita

*Practical and tangible approach to reality
*Enhanced lessons for the modern practitioner
*Mahatma Gandhi: “My spiritual dictionary”

Srimad Bhagavad-gita class and discussion
Fridays at 6:30 pm

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram

269 East Saint James St.
between N. 6th St. and N. 7th St.
San Jose, CA  95112
(408) 288-6360
(408) 655-3004

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mamma namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo si me
“Think of me always, devote yourself to Me, worship Me and bow to Me, and surely you will come to Me.  I promise you this, because you are dear to Me.”
–Srimad Bhagavad-gita 18.65

 

Sriman Gaurangasundar’s Installation Festival in San Jose

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Sushila devi dasi

November 28, 2012

Sriman Gaurangasundarjiu on the altar in San Jose

On Rasapurnima day in the year 2000, the divine deity form of Sriman Gaurangasundar (Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) who had already been in California many years, and was being worshiped at the Soquel Seva Ashram, was installed in what Srila Govinda Maharaj called “His own home” on St. James St. in San Jose. Srimati Kumkum Didi made all the arrangements for purchasing and remodeling the beautiful Victorian house to fulfill Srila Govinda Maharaj’s desire that there would be a temple in San Jose. These twelve years she has maintained the Ashram and the Lord’s daily worship with the dedicated help of many gentle and honorable Vaishnavas.

Here are some photographs from the lovely evening program held to commemorate and celebrate the fortunate day when Sriman Gaurangasundar arrived at the temple for the first time. That day He arrived on a palenquin in a grand parade from 17th St. with jubilant devotees chanting the Holy Name in sankirtan. Srila Govinda Maharaj personally oversaw every detail of the arrangements for the altar, the offerings, and altogether every aspect of the Lord’s worship.

Related links:

Letter by Kumkum Didi in 2000
This day in 2002
Photo report by Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi
Photo report from Srila Gurudev’s word tour in 2005


24 November 2007 thumb San Jose, USA. Talks by Srila Govinda Maharaj and Sripad Goswami Maharaj during the Anniversary Celebration of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar’s Auspicious arrival at the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram.
Video captured and prepared by Vaidehi Devi Dasi:
32+ minutes, 63 MB ‘mov’ video

[Show as slideshow]
01-gaurangasundar-san-jose All glories to His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!
02-gaurangasundar-san-jose All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundarjiu!

03-gaurangasundar-san-jose All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram and Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu (right to left)
04-gaurangasundar-san-jose Srila Janardan Maharaj just had just returned from Brazil

05-gaurangasundar-san-jose And Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu just returned from China
06-gaurangasundar-san-jose They were happy to see one another again

07-gaurangasundar-san-jose As well as Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu, who just returned from India
08-gaurangasundar-san-jose Srila Janardan Maharaj shared news of his trip to Brazil and of Srila Trivikram Maharaj

09-gaurangasundar-san-jose And then news about the devotees in China
10-gaurangasundar-san-jose Then Janardan Maharaj told the story of Srila Govinda Maharaj's first trips to San Jose

12-gaurangasundar-san-jose As well as Sri Gaurangasundar's glories and the history of this Ashram in San Jose
13-gaurangasundar-san-jose Today was the 12th anniversary of Sri Gaurangasundar's installation in this Ashram

14-gaurangasundar-san-jose Here are Sita, Vidura Krishna Prabhu, Srimati Kumkum Didi, and Vimala Didi
15-gaurangasundar-san-jose Divyashakti Didi and Swarnangii Didi

16-gaurangasundar-san-jose Shatrughna Prabhu, who recently travelled with Janardan Maharaj to China, and Vrinda Didi
17-gaurangasundar-san-jose Braja Mohini Didi making flower garlands

18-gaurangasundar-san-jose With Laksmipriya Didi
19-gaurangasundar-san-jose

20-gaurangasundar-san-jose
21-gaurangasundar-san-jose Ramananda Prabhu and Shyama Gopa Prabhu

22-gaurangasundar-san-jose On the right: Ashok Kumar. On the left: Venkatesh Chembrolu, son of Srila Acarya Maharaj's disciples, Hanuman and Sita. We're always happy when they can come.
23-gaurangasundar-san-jose Lavanika and Nabh

24-gaurangasundar-san-jose A happy reunion for all the honorable vaishnavas returning from their travels
25-gaurangasundar-san-jose Swarnangii Didi and Kumkum Didi, who has made all the arrangements for this temple and Sri Gaurangasundar's service

26-gaurangasundar-san-jose
27-gaurangasundar-san-jose Jairam Prabhu on the left and Premanidhi Prabhu on the right

28-gaurangasundar-san-jose Anukrishna Didi fortunately received Srila Janardan Maharaj's prasadam
29-gaurangasundar-san-jose Jairam Prabhu with Sangita Didi discuss the upcoming Kathak dance concert that they are organizing as a fundraiser for the temple

30-gaurangasundar-san-jose The girls
31-gaurangasundar-san-jose Lalita Didi and Shatrugna Prabhu

32-gaurangasundar-san-jose Shyama Gopa Prabhu with Jananivas
33-gaurangasundar-san-jose

34-gaurangasundar-san-jose The honorable kitchen crew hard at work
35-gaurangasundar-san-jose

36-gaurangasundar-san-jose Abha Didi made puff pastries
37-gaurangasundar-san-jose Nandarani Didi makes wonderful dahl and vegetable dishes

38-gaurangasundar-san-jose
39-gaurangasundar-san-jose Sridhar Prabhu hard at work washing the Lord's pots

40-gaurangasundar-san-jose Lilashakti Didi, another of Sri Gaurangasundar's dedicated servitors
41-gaurangasundar-san-jose The devotees prepare to honor the sumptuous prasadam

42-gaurangasundar-san-jose
43-gaurangasundar-san-jose Mahaprasadam ki jay!

Anu Krishna Devi Dasi’s Initiation in San Jose

Posted by Kumkum Devi Dasi on Thursday, July 12th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Kumkum Didi speaking in San Jose
Kumkum Didi speaking in San JoseAll glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Dandabat pranam to the feet of all the vaisnavas,

Young Allie got the fortune of meeting Srimati Govinda Nandini several months ago.  She was very attracted to Govinda Nandini’s enthusiastic preaching and common-sense friendship, and frequently came to the temple to talk with her and attend our programs. When Govinda Nandini moved to Salt Lake City, Allie found that she seriously missed the association and decided to attend whenever she could and also to increase her service connection.  Her natural, sincere inquiries became vital to her happiness and she found herself seeking how to extend Krishna consciousness to friends and acquaintances.

Around the first of June, she wrote to Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, asking for initiation, and he accepted her as his disciple.  Because of his travel, it took a while to decide on a date for the ceremony.  He chanted on beads which were shipped to our temple in San Jose, and all worked out for a connection by Skype on the evening of July 4th.  By the great assistance of Nimai Chandra Prabhu, Srila Acharyadev spoke to her about the significance of this change in her fortune and instructed her how to chant on her beads.  He said that, on the order of Srila Govinda Maharaj, he is giving this connection to her.

Srila Acharya Maharaj said that to make quick progress, know the nama-aparadha and avoid them; when devotees wonder why they are not experiencing taste, this is what they must consider.  He also was very re-assuring that we can get devotion if we want it. He gave the example of a child who is crying when his mother and father leave him and becomes happy when they give him a chocolate bar, although he could get anything from his loving parents. We mustn’t be satisfied to get material happiness from our Lord. If we pray for pure devotion, we will get it. Sri Ramananda prayed for pure devotion and Krishna gave it to him, while his brother prayed for material things and he was awarded salary, comforts, etc.

He finally told her to contact him any time, with any question; saying she is now his daughter.  He said to be satisfied only with talks of Krishna, service to Krishna, and eating only Krishna prasad.

Srimati Anu Krishna Devi Dasi ki jaya!

In service,
Kumkum

[Show as slideshow]
01-gauranga-sundar-mahaprabhu-san-jose All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundar!
02-gauranga-sundar-mahaprabhu-san-jose-2 The beautiful altar of Sriman Gaurangasundar

03-anu-krishna-initiation-kumkum-san-jose Srimati Kumkum Didi
04-anu-krishna-initiation And Allie and Elise

05-anu-krishna-initiation Allie connects with Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj on skype
06-acharya-maharaj-skype-san-jose-2 Srila Acharyadev looks happy

07-acharya-maharaj-skype-san-jose-3 He gives her beautiful instructions
08-acharya-maharaj-skype-san-jose About chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra

09-anu-kishna-initiation Anu Krishna Didi ki jaya!
10-anu-krishna-initiation Anu Krishna Didi on the right, with her friend Elise

11-anu-krishna-initiation-san-jose The basket of beautiful offerings that a disciple presents to the spiritual master at the time of harinam initiation

All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundar!
All glories to Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj ki jaya!
All glories to Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj ki jaya!
All glories to Srimati Kumkum Didi and Anu Krishna Didi!

San Jose Nagarsankirtan

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Sunday, March 18th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Braja Mohini didi
March 3, 2012

In anticipation of the Sri Gaura Purnima festival, Braja Mohini didi inspired a group of devotees to go out and chant the holy name in downtown San Jose.

Photos by Braja Mohini didi:

[Show as slideshow]
01-san-jose-nagarsankirtan The devotees gather together in front of the San Jose Ashram
02-san-jose-nagarsankirtan It is a lovely day to walk and chant with family and friends...

03-san-jose-nagarsankirtan so everyone gets going
04-san-jose-nagarsankirtan Kids lead the way

05-san-jose-nagarsankirtan The group heads to the heart of downtown San Jose
06-san-jose-nagarsankirtan Here they pass San Jose city hall

07-san-jose-nagarsankirtan And continue into the light
08-san-jose-nagarsankirtan "hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare, hare rama, hare rama, rama rama, hare hare"

09-san-jose-nagarsankirtan Kumaris Anuradha and Shyamamohini
10-san-jose-nagarsankirtan Shyamamohini gives out an invitation to the upcoming festival

11-san-jose-nagarsankirtan Kumari Anjali was also part of the group
12-san-jose-nagarsankirtan All the girls spontaneously pose for the camera

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
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