01/10/05 Serving the Devotees at Govindadwipa - All devotees are important, but on Govindadwipa, our Maha Mantra dasi is the backbone (and the front bone and the side bone and…) of the puja on Inis Rath. She is responsible for 2,555 aratis and 1,825 bhoga offerings to our Divine Lordships every year. She rises at 2.30 every morning and spends all her time serving Their Lordships, saving for Them, making Their wonderful outfits, and organising Their wonderful festivals. To help her continue her service we have been negotiating with the Housing Executive to see if we can get a grant to renovate her cottage and the adjoining one, occupied by our other pujaris Dina Tarini and Dharmi prabhus. Caitainya Chandradoya prabhu has lent his very expert architectural assistance with numerous drawings, which are required by the grant authority, therefore, we are very close to securing a grant of £40,000 on the property. There is still some work to be done, but the indications are positive. Hallelujah! Not quite... The total cost of renovation (which has to be done to Housing Executive standard) is £78,000, a shortfall of £38,000. Enter our expert negotiator Prahlada Prabhu. Prahlada has managed to slice £10,000 off the estimate of the builder and we now need £28,000 to complete the task. Maha Mantra dasi has dedicated her life to the service of our wonderful Deities. She is not complaining about her living conditions, but they desparately need improving. What can we do to alleviate this situation? How can we get our main pujari a more reasonable living condition? I am open to advice and help on this. If you have some ideas or would like to contribute then please get in touch with me. Thank you. Manu das Adhikary

01/10/05 Govindadwipa unveils the wonderful Giriraj Gazebo -
The latest addition to our parikrama path this year was the Govindadwipa Giriraja Gazebo. This is a beautiful summer house beside our pond ‘Radha Kund’ and it enhouses pictures around Govardhana Hill. Many devotees worked hard. The main computerised information was done by Karunesvari, Janmastami and Ananda Hari Prabhus. The artwork was carried out at back break speed by Bhadra and Gopagana Prabhus. It was officially opened Dina Bandhu prabhu cutting the ribbon on Radha Govindas birthday, and it has since then proven to be a nice place to chant or read in. Plans are already there to have more of these Gazebos at different places on the parikrama path. Next year is Radha Govindas 20th birthday, if someone would like to offer Them the next gazebo please contact Maha Mantra. Dina Bandu Prabhu and Maha Mantra dasi cut
the ribbon and officially open ‘Giriraj gazebo’ Maha Mantra dasi

01/10/05 Education within the Krishna Conscious community -
ISKCON is an educational mission. We have regular Bhagavatam lectures in our temple, japa workshops, and more recently a new Bhakti Sastri course. A new devotee, Bhakta Sean, has availed of our educational services at the temple over the last few months. After being guided toward our temple by Bhakta Derek, Sean moved in full time to the temple in July. He spent the next few months learning about spiritual life under the guidance of Sri Rupa, Camasa Muni, and Prahlada prabhus. Last week, he took the illustrious step of joining our book distribution party consisting of veterans Purusa Prabhu and Bhakta Dave. Sean will spend the next few months experiencing the challenges of this service, one which is very dear to ISKCON’s founder, Srila Prabhupada. Afterwards he will attend a systematic study course in Vaisnavism at one of our temples in Europe. We would like to thank Bhakta Sean for his wonderful service attitude during his stay here and wish him the very best for the future.
Manu das Adhikary

01/10/05 Govindadwipa Income Update - Can you help? - Our direct debit Patrons have been a great success in bringing much needed support to Govindadwipa accounting for 15% of the income to Govindadwipa. Govindas Restaurant makes up another 10%. 20% is made up of (a) Donation box (b) Ferry charges (c) Guest rooms (d) Festivals or weddings (e) One off donations (f) Festival sponsors.
The remaining 55% falls on myself. The weight of this has become too heavy on my personal finances and health, therefore, by the end of the year I will be reducing my donation to 25%. And by the end of 2006 I will be able to donate a maximum of 10%. Therefore, we need to increase the percentages from other areas, whilst also looking at reducing all aspects of expenditure. A small committee consisting of Gopagana, Karunesvari and I, with help from others, are setting about to achieve the necessary changes. Any help/advice/contributions or proposals are very welcome and any information required by anyone is freely available. Thank you for your time and support. Manu das Adhikary

01/10/05 Bhakta Vilnus - Loved & Missed by all - It was with great sadness we received the news of Vilnus prabhu leaving his body. His passing occurred just before Radhastami therefore we had Radharani’s feast in his honour and prayed throughout the day and during kirtans for his benefit. Vilnus came to Govindadwipa in the early nineties with his wife Laila and daughter Visnu Priya. Their second daughter Manini was born during their stay at Govindadwipa.
They are an attractive family and any reporters who visited the island would often interview them. When they moved out of the temple we did business together and I have to say he was the nicest person I ever worked with. We shared many jokes, chanted together and always maintained a very friendly spiritual bond. Everyone I spoke to about Vilnus remembered him for his friendliness, warmth and especially his inoffensive nature. Although we hadn’t seen Vilnus so much in recent years the overall feeling among devotees was of a great sense of loss. Vilnus and his family have been an integral part of the community for many years and we would like to thank Vilnus for all the various services he provided during his life. Our blessings go out to his young family and wife Laila as we pray for their comfort in this difficult time.

01/10/05 Sri Sri Radha Govinda CD available now - Jayadeva Das together with Jamuna Priya, Gerry Sllattery and Mark Haley have produced a Cd comprising of 3 beautiful tracks that are dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Govinda and their selfless devotees. Copies are available from Maha Mantra dasi for £15/20 euros

01/10/05 Thanks and Congratulations from Govindadwipa - Thanks to Bhakta George from Hungary who spent a couple of months here as our gardener. We wish him well and would be happy to see him return. Thanks to Brihat Mridanga for helping us to start and maintain a systematic study of the Bhagavad-gita through the Bhakti Sastri course. The classes for the course are every Sunday 10am-12.30pm and anyone is welcome. Thanks to our visitors Indradyumna Swami, Dina Bandhu Prabhu, Kavichandra Maharaja and Radhanatha Swami who all blessed us with their wisdom in Krishna Consciousness. We hope to welcome them back again next year. Thanks to Sri Rupa prabhu and Satya devi dasi for their services to the devotees and Sri Sri Radha Govinda during their stay in the temple. And Congratulations on their recent marriage. Congratulations to Murli Priya and Haridas on the birth of Their baby daughter Lalita.

15/09/05 World Cup Football Tournament - Haribol prabhus,
As part of my work I sit on a Cultural Diversity Forum in Fermanagh. This year we are working to support the many people from other cultures that are moving to the county for many reasons, work, relationships, change of life etc. As such we needed to distribute important information about health, welfare, education, housing etc. However we wanted to make it fun and lively to encourage everyone to get invovled in community activities. The other aim is to promote cultural tolerance and to be pro-active in workign to maintain the safety of individuals and deterr racism or discrimination. As such there will be a WORLD CUP held in Enniskillen on 23rd October 2005. ISKCON will field a team to play against any other registered teams from different nations i.e. Poland, Latvia etc. There will be a family fun day and also food available, some of which will of course be prasadam. We will have face-painting, bouncy castle, and a portable music stage on the day. Devotees are invited to get involved either by fielding a team (preferably of one nationality i.e India) and of course Govindadwipa who can field a team as ISKCON. We are also looking for some nice Bhajana singers who can play traditional instruments and sing in their own language. One thing to note is that there will be a limit on how much Maha Mantra that can be sung on stage, although anyone wishing to do demonstrations of harmonium, mrdanga etc. can do so at a designated spot. If interested, please contact me at the following e-mail: anne.fvb@gmail.com ONLY ABOUT THIS EVENT otherwise use my devotee inbox.
Submitted by Ananda Maya dasi

14/07/05 Govindadwipa Receives EU Funding - Suggestions Requested Dear devotees and friends and well-wishers of Krishna,
The Govindadwipa temple received some funding for the new eco sanitary system from Peace II EU awards. We received £53,000 and £10,000 from Fermanagh district council. We are currently working on a new application for further funding. We have 3 ideas that we are currently interested in; 1. Improved access. This is an idea to concrete the roads on Geaglum and the island. 2. A new guest house facility and conference room. 3. An art studio and theme park. This would renovate the old boat house on the island and we would find a sculptor from somewhere (India?) to create murti's (sculptors) of Krishna's pastimes on the parikrama path. Of course nothing is guaranteed but we can try to make this a successful fundraising venture. If any devotee's have further suggestions you can contact Camasa Muni camasamu@yahoo.co.uk.

11/07/05 BT Swami Pushapa Samadhi at Govindadwipa -
Plans are underway to install a pushpa samadhi in honor of HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaha at Govindadwipa. (See the locations section for details). There will be a maha festival in 2-3 months time on the island to commemorate this event. Donations towards the cost of the samadhi are welcome, please contact hari - zac_laurent@yahoo.com or manu - manu.sdg@pamho.net / 00353868582392 if you wish to contribute something.

26/04/05 Govinda's vegetarian food and Krishna Consciousness in Galway - Govinda's vegetarian food is available at the St. Nicholas Market in Galway both Saturday and Sunday every week.
We have been running a Hare Krishna evening with kirtan, japa, arati ceremony and Bhagavad Gita discussion every second Sunday Bindu Yoga Centre Riverwood 34 Nuns Island Galway 6.30 - 8.30pm - check with Govinda's food stall, St. Nicholas Market or Galway Advertiser for dates, change of venue etc. tel. 087 6804683 or 093 41490 for directions etc also email maharanirns@eircom.net
We are in great need of people to come on Harinam with us on the Sundays between programs usually beginning 6-6.30.

12/05/05 Certified child protection training at Govindadwipa - I've been speaking with Govindadwipa temple authorities and several interested devotees regarding certified Child Protection Training. If interested we were considering delivering the training over two days at Govindadvipa, subject to sufficient numbers. The Keeping Safe programme is the government accredited programme for Child Protection Awareness both North and South Ireland and is a full two days to complete. The participants cover both general Child Protection Awareness and dealing with 'field trips & residentials'. It is a double Certificate course. It will not run unless sufficient numbers book and bookings must be paid in advance. At present we are just gauging the interest level and preferences for training. Anyone interested can contact me direct and I'll keep interested parties updated regarding the proposed dates, cost etc. Submitted by Ananda Maya dasi

04/03/05 Positions Vacant at Govindadwipa - Databases: We require a person to set up a database of our congregations' names, contact information and occupation. This person would need to set up database fill in information and train one or more temple members how to maintain it. Please contact shelinasunderani@hotmail.com or call 0787 0965 741. Receptionists: Job share most suitable. For example 9-1 or 2-5 Monday to Sunday, chose days that are most suitable. Duties include answering telephone, taking messages, and general office duties. Please contact Bhakta Tim on 6772 1512
Gardeners / Poly tunnel erectors and maintainers. Help is required for erection and regular maintenance of garden and tunnels. One off or regular help is welcomed. Please contact Manu (00353) 086 858 2392. Guest Master/s: We require a guest master/s who can look after guests on Saturdays. Hours from 11-4pm. Duties include answering telephone, picking up guests in boat or arranging barge pick up, showing guests around temple and distribution of prasadam (sanctified food).Would suit couple. Training will be given. Contact shelinasunderani@hotmail.com or call 0787 0965 741. Kitchen Cleaners: Job includes washing pots and floor. Sunday, after feast, from 4pm - 6pm. Contact Sri Rupa on 6772 1512. Kitchen Knives for Radharani's Kitchen: We would like to replace our existing blunt set of 12 knives to a new batch of small hand held knives, with a blade no longer than 5". (Kitchen devils' brand of vegetable or paring knives are the best.) Please give directly to Maha Mantra devi dasi or place as your offering on the altar.

04/03/04 Freshly Baked Bread at Govindas Bakery - Bread and apple pies available. All made with hand ground organic flour. Chose from the varieties below. Text or call me for your order or special requests on 07980 960899 Malati Priya. Yeast bread: plain wheat loaf, wheat loaf with raisins or wheat loaf with fennel seeds. No yeast, plain wheat loaf, wheat rye mix loaf, and rye loaf. Sour dough bread available in any variety. All breads are approx. £4.50 or €6.
04/03/04 Sri Sri Radha Govinda Deity Update - Many thanks to those who contributed towards Radha Govindas India shopping fund. Due to the renovations of the Deity and pujari rooms the Deity account was emptied but unbelievably target of £2000 was reached at the last minute and many new items and outfit cloth was purchased in Vrndavana.

04/03/04 Visiting Govindadwipa in County Fermanagh - The new guest wing allows you to break free from the stresses of modern life and indulge in healthy living and the practice of bhakti-yoga. Call Tim to book your room on 6772 1512. How to get there - From Dublin:- take the N3 upto Belturbet. Then head toward Enniskillen. Take a right at Teemore and follow the signs to Geaglum Quay and Inis Rath Island. Allow 2 hours for journey. From Belfast: Take M1 and A4 towards Enniskillen. Turn off at Lisnaskea/Maguires Bridge. On Lisnaskea main street turn right towards Derrylin (B127) Follow signs for Inis Rath Island (right turn after you cross second bridge) Allow approx 2 hours for journey. The temple is open Monday - Sunday. You are advised to call before you arrive to arrange a boat/ferry to pick you up. Sunday is the ideal time to visit and enjoy our Sunday feast program which includes Arati ceremony at 12.30, class at 1.30-2.30, vegetarian feast at 3.30pm. Ferry crossings are at 12 noon, 12.30 and 4pm. Please plan your arrival/departures at these times. Ferry charge is £3/4.50 euro per return journey. Concessions apply to children. Please give money to boat/barge driver or place in donation box in temple. Please note residents, those with service and patrons are free.

04/03/04 Thanks and Goodluck from Govindadwipa - We would like to welcome Champalata to the island. Thanks to Dharmi, Dina Tarini, Rasa Rasika & Madhunitai (from Italy), Syamamayi, Gaura Hari, and Campakalata for their service during the month of Kartikk.
We sincerely hope to welcome Rasa Rasika and family back to Ireland in the near future. Thanks to Janie Crone for her input and facilitation during the meetings this winter. We wish to thank Pandu for the vital services he performs to the residents of the island. He recently moved to Derrylin and despite his work commitments he continues to do his service, for which we are most grateful. Jai Nitai Gauranga! Special thanks to Syamananda das for organising the festivals in 2004. We wish him the best with his new restaurant in Dublin, Radha Govindas. Manu das Adhikary

04/03/04 Radha Govindas: Delicious Vegetarian Cuisine in Dublin - Radha Govindas pure vegetarian restaurant is located in the very heart of the City Centre beside Easons, in front of the Luas line, just four doors from O'Connell Street. The restaurant caters for a slightly more formal style of vegetarian dining with its waiter service and fabulous range of delicious vegetarian cuisine and vegan specialities. The restaurant is open from 12 until 9 Monday through Saturday.

04/03/04 Samskara's and Auspicious Rites in The Vaisnava Tradition at Govindadwipa - Here is list of some Vaisnava rites, which we can perform for you: 1. Avahana - An auspicious fire sacrifice for any celebrated occasion 2. Vastu Purusa Homa - The rite which is performed before beginning construction of a house, shop or any building, and then again after its completion 3. Vivaha Karma - Marriage 4. Simantonayanam - Rite for removing all obstacle's during pregnancy 5. Sosyanti Homa - Rite for safe delivery
6. Jata Karma - Birth ceremony 7. Niskramanam - Taking the child to the Temple for first time 8. Nama Karana - Name giving ceremony
9. Paustika Karma - Ceremony for continued health of the child 10. Anna Prasana - First grains ceremony 11. Cuda Karanam - Hair cutting ceremony 12. Janma Tithi - Birthday 13. Antyesthi Kriya - Funeral rite. For more details contact Dharmi by email: Dharmidas@volny.cz. 04/03/04 Back to Godhead Magazine: The Magazine of the Hare Krishna Movement - Each issue of Back to Godhead has colourful photos and informative articles on topics such as: 1. techniques of mantra meditation 2. how the spiritual knowledge of the Vedas can bring peace, satisfaction and success in your life 3. recipes for a karma-free diet 4. news of Hare Krishna projects worldwide 5. clear explanations of Vedic science and cosmology 
6. Krishna conscious perspectives on current affairs …and more. You can subscribe for 6 issues per year for £18 or €28. Payment for BTG subscriptions need to be received by mid-April in order to receive the next (May/June) issue. Send your full postal address and money to Shelina Sunderani, 22 Umgola Heights, Armagh, BT60 4EH, Northern Ireland. Sterling cheques to be made out to Shelina Sunderani and Euro cheques to Kevin Boyle. Thanks.