Srila Prabhupada 30th Anniversary Festival

In July 2005, New Talavan celebrated the 30th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's visit in 1975.

Pure devotees of the Lord like Srila Prabhupada are holy places personified, because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always with them in their hearts. By their association, sinful persons are freed from sinful reactions, and therefore wherever a pure devotee goes is a sacred place of pilgrimage. The importance of holy places is due to the presence of such pure devotees.

Therefore Srila Prabhupada's visit to New Talavan elevated it to the status of a tirtha, or holy place of pilgrimage. Devotees who take shelter at New Talavan, or who simply come and visit, gain the spiritual benefit of association with the purifying power of a great saintly person, due to Srila Prabhupada's mercy.

The purpose of celebrating Srila Prabhupada's visit to New Talavan is therefore to help people become aware of the spiritual value of association with a pure devotee of the Lord.

Program

Thursday July 28th—30th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's appearance in New Orleans according to the Vedic calendar

11 AM—Srila Prabhupada arrives at New Orleans Airport and receives the Key to the City from the Mayor

Noon—Srila Prabhupada arrives at New Orleans temple:

Reception

Greeting the Deities

Abhisheka

Bhoga Offering

Puspanjali

Guru-puja

Prabhupada-smaranam: Srila Prabhupada's disciples who were present in 1975 will give their personal memories of Srila Prabhupada's arrival.

1:30 PM—Jayapataka Maharaja inaugurates the Festival

Yogindra Vandana Prabhu welcomes all the dignitaries and guests

Yogindra announces the schedule details, introduces festival staff

Programs with festival contacts distributed to all guests

2 PM—Class by Jayapataka Maharaja

3-5 PM—One of the world's greatest feasts!

5 PM—Srila Prabhupada darshan: recording of Srila Prabhupada's room conversation in New Orleans. Transcripts will be provided and slide of Srila Prabhupada's visit will be shown.

6 PM—Arati

6:45 PM—Awards ceremony honoring New Sankirtan Puri's past Temple Presidents, GBCs and Directors

9 PM—Mango shake and puffed rice prasadam

Friday July 29th—30th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's visit to New Talavan according to the Vedic calendar

4:30 AM—Mangal-arati

5:30 AM—Srila Prabhupada leaves for New Talavan

7 AM—Srila Prabhupada Arrives at New Talavan

Greeting

Deity Greeting

Guru-puja

8 AM—Recording of Srila Prabhupada's Srimad-Bhagavatam class at New Talavan. Transcripts will be provided.

9 AM—Breakfast prasadam

10:30—Abhisheka

Noon—Arati

1 PM—Srila Prabhupada-smaranam: Srila Prabhupada's disciples who were present in 1975 remember his visit to New Talavan.

3 PM—Another one of the world's greatest feasts!

5 PM—Tour of New Talavan with Srila Prabhupada

The farm building

Bullock-cart procession of Srila Prabhupada's walk. Recording of the walk conversation will be played. Transcripts will be provided.

7 PM—Arati

7:30 PM—Awards ceremony honoring New Talavan devotees and donors

Prabhupada-smaranam

Drama: Krsna and His Friends in the Talavan Forest

Prabhupada-smaranam (continued)

Gurukulis' Dance

Slide show

9 PM—Light prasadam and fireworks!

Saturday, June 30th

4:30 AM—Mangal-arati

7 AM—Deity greeting, Guru-puja

7:45 AM—Panel discussion: ISKCON farm communities and self-sufficiency

9 AM—Breakfast Prasadam

10:30 AM—Swimming!

1:30 PM—Lunch prasadam

3 PM—Leave for New Orleans

5 PM—Maha-Harinam in French Quarter

7 PM—Cultural Program

8 PM—Bhagavat-Katha

9 PM—Huge feast!

Sunday, July 31st—30th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's appearance in New Orleans according to the Western calendar

4:30 AM—Mangal-arati

7 AM—Deity greeting, Guru-puja

7:45 AM—Srimad-Bhagavatam Class

9 AM—Breakfast Prasadam

10:30 AM—Swimming at New Talavan
Noon—Arati, Class and Sunday Feast at New Talavan
5:30 PM—Arati, Class and Sunday Feast at New Orleans

Totally ecstatic festival photo album

See Festival Video Previews

Program