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ISKCON New Talavan Community

Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Temple President: His Grace Yogindra Vandana das Adhikari
31492 Anner Road • Carriere, Mississippi 39426 • 601 749-9460 •

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Please always chant:

Hare Krsna
Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna
Hare Hare

Hare Rama
Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare

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New Talavan Times gives you the latest news about our wonderful spiritual community, including our cow protection program, Vedic Gurukula (Children’s school), our 30^th Anniversary Celebration, Srila Prabhupada Tirtha Memorial, devotee profiles, spiritual festivals and much more. To subscribe click below:

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Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Sincerely,

Yogindra das

Temple President,
ISKCON New Talavan Community
Founder-Acharya: HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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Current Issue May 2008

NEW TALAVAN TIMES

April-May Newsletter -2008

Reporter- Yogindra vandana das

Typist- Yogi

Editing- Candrabhanu das

Layout and Design- Ramatoshan das

\ Apology

\ Ramanami and Indrayumna Maharaja

\ Praladha, the yoga studios and a reunion

\ Bhir Krishna Swami- Jazz fest, Sunday feast and NVC seminars

\ Ranchor Krishna's alternative band, “bridging the gap”

\ Babe and Joe- another house gathering

\ The return of Jose and the Cowmobile

\ Bhaktamarg Maharaja visiting

\ Rama and Christy- tying the knot

c Apology d

Dear Prabhus,

I can't believe I left off the name of one of our most dear Adoptacow donors, Kadamba and Ranadhir Prabhus from Visalia, Ca., in the last newsletter. They have faithfully served mother cow and father bull at New Talavana for several years and are certainly in the greater circle of donor ship. Our hats are off to them. They always keep us in their holy prayers and care for their adopted cow they named Burfy. They especially like the Mongal artik maha prasadam burfy we offer Sri Sri Radha and Krishna every morning at 4 AM. We also owe an apology to a few prabhus we did not mention for the property tax campaign in our last newsletter.

They are:

Donald Harmon $100

Dwija Hari $100

Balaram/ Mritravinda $100

Sankirtan $100

Gaura/Vrndy $100

Praladha/ Manorupa $100

Kaivalya $108

Narayana $ 50

Thank all the Prabhus for protecting Lord Krishna's cows and bulls and for paying the county property taxes. All glories to your service.

c Ramanami and Indrayumna Maharaja d

In February Indrayumna Maharaja's secretary called saying Maharaja could visit us on April 14th and 15th. Of course we were delighted, but when she called back to cancel I lamented that we had scheduled Maharaja for a Ramanami program on Monday the 14th. We politely said good bye, and later I learned that Ramanami was actually Sunday the 13th. When Maharaja heard we were doing Ramanami on the 14th he decided to come. His secretary called me, and despite knowing the real date, I told her we were certainly doing the Ramanami program on Mon. the 14th. I did not want the devotees to miss Maharaja's association. What an evening it was! Our dear God brother, Vedanta Krit Prabhu, and his wife, Nrisinga laksmi, hosted Maharaja and his servant Gaurahari Prabhu. Maharaja arrived at the temple during artik, and despite asking him to finish leading artik he allowed me to finish. He then proceeded to sing the prayers to Lord Nrisingadeva that all Iskcon temples sing after artik. The curtain remained open for 45 minutes; then the pujari closed the curtain and undressed and redressed the deities in their pajamas. Maharaja just continued the sweetest bhajan the entire time, and the curtains opened for the final artik of the day. The devotees were in ecstasy. Everyone was getting a good taste for the holy name. After artik the bhajan gradually came to a close. Maharaja spoke briefly, but we requested him to speak more, since many of the guests would not be at our programs the next day. Maharaja spoke about detachment from the temporary affairs of the material world and attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Afterwards he signed books that people purchased from him, while all the guest and devotees ate the Ramanami feast. The next morning Maharaja was a boat load of Krishna consciousness at the Srimad Bhagavatam class. Naturally everyone stayed after class to show appreciation and to offer him contributions to continue his sankirtana mission around the world. Finally he retired for breakfast and writing. In the evening we went to New Orleans where the devotees had gathered for the appearance anniversary of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami. After Artik, Maharaja gave a potent discourse about the spiritual master and how much he appreciated the efforts of His grace Srila Jayapataka Swami to carry on his spiritual master's mission all over the world. I left that night after taking leave from Indrayumna Swami and asking him to mercifully return again. The New Orleans devotees got him to the airport early the next morning to fly to Gainesville, Fl. We pray for his grace's protection as he travels and preaches the yuga dharma around the world.

c Praladha at the yoga studios and a reunion d

His grace Praladha Nrisinga Prabhu and his dear wife Manorupa Prabhavi usually visit us once a year and minister Krishna consciousness to the people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in New Orleans. They do this through astrology and ayurveda lectures and chanting at the local yoga studios and other alternative health places used for gatherings and services. They do an excellent job, and Praladha has been able to create a small following of sincere devotees and new age practitioners. At many of the events we cater prasadam from the temple. The people paid $10 pre plate. Praladha also sells many of Srila Prabhupada's "Bhagavad Gita As it is" and other books about reincarnation and vegetarian cooking. Manorupa and Praladha Prabhus also give much time and energy to directly help the temple by performing kirtans and giving classes and also counseling devotees who need help or have an interest in astrology or ayurveda. I humbly beg them to continue preaching in this area since it does so much to help us develop Krishna conscious in this area of the world. This was exemplified by the bhakta vriksha reunion we had at Babe and Joe's home. Around 20 sincere people from past contacts and current contacts attended to chant the maha mantra, eat prasadam and listen to Praladha expound on the science of Krsna consciousness.

c His Holiness Bhir Krishna Maharaja at the Jazz fest and New Talavana d

HH BK Goswami, as we lovingly call him, has assisted the devotees in New Orleans to develop the New Orleans Jazz Festival into a major preaching event at our temple, which just happens to be strategically situated on a main thoroughfare to and from the festival grounds. The devotees set up a stage and tables and chairs and a prasadam booth. As people come and go they take prasadam and see and listen to some Krishna conscious entertainment. Several of Maharaja's disciples came from his North Caroline temple to help with the entertainment and preaching activities, and New Talavana devotees also pitched in. Many people derived much Krishna conscious benefit Thursday through Sunday for two weeks in a row. In between the festival days Maharaja came to New Talavana and gave a beautiful audio visual presentation on pilgrimage to the holiest of holy places, Govardhana Hill. The crowd sat spellbound as Maharaja took us around the hill with his slide presentation and an artist’s painting of the hill with all its holy sites. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it was nectar in the morning and learning seminars in the evening. HH BK Goswami always attends Srila Prabhupada's full morning program and gives classes full of amritha and devotional information. Afterwards we ate together with other disciples of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples, and then Maharaja met with devotees wanting to speak with him. Of course we arranged time for his communications, rest and exercise needs. After dinner we went to the newly constructed Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund Community Building where Maharaja conducted seminars on Empathic Communications, a process of listening to people and understanding their feelings and needs and communicating that to them. Unique to this process is that it lets participants expose their fallibility by expressing their own feelings and needs to their associates while teaching people indirectly to empathize with one another. Of course this is just an extremely concise description of the process. Maharaja generally takes a week or more to teach people in general and devotees the basics, but he did his best to condense it for us in 2 two hour periods. If you would like to know more about it please visit Bir Krishna Goswami's website at www.bkgoswami.com and click on the required link. The devotees at New Talavana found the usefulness of empathic communications to be very helpful for relationships with one another and people in general. After Wednesday morning breakfast Maharaja returned to New Orleans for an evening housing meeting and a festival. After the second week of Jazz fest HH Bir Krishna moved on to other preaching fields, but remains easily accessible over the internet.

c Ranchor Krishna's alternative band, “bridging the gap” d

On Wednesday, May 7th , Sughosh, Subal, Dharani and I drove up to Columbia, Ms. to perform a fire yajana in Ranchor Krishna's new home and to see his newly constructed music studio for producing alternative, neo western and eastern classical, heavy metal and other forms of music with subtle Krsna conscious words. After a simple yajana and dynamic bhajan we talked and then enjoyed a feast while continuing the conversation. Ranchor is looking for a drummer for the new band. Please contact him at ronojiva@yahoo.com .

c Babe and Joe- another house gathering d

Our dear friends and well wishers, Bhaktas Joe and Babe, again invited ourselves and their friends to their home to engage in hearing and chanting the mahamantra and discussing spiritual realization. Everyone brought a vegetarian preparation, and Babe offered it to Guru and Gauranga. After a dynamic bhajan lead by Sughosh on the harmonium and Subal on the drums and discussion lead by the old herbalist Dwibhuja we all ate together and continued our talks. I had to slip out early since the next morning I had to be up by 3 AM to open the temple and wake the Deities.

c The return of Jose and the Cowmobile d

Several years ago Mr. Jose Castile visited New Talavana to shot video of our cows being milked by hand. He was contacted by a European group interested in small farms utilizing hand milking. I forget how he found out about us, but he called me, and we arranged for him to get the footage. As you know, everything went digital, and the same group employed Jose to come back again to shoot our milking operation in digital format. No one deserves the exposure more than New Talavan’s genuine gopi, Jayanthisakhi Devi Prabhvi. She grew up at New Talavana learning how to take care of the cows form Rohita and Dwibhuja Prabhus. She attended our gurukula and later earned a degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in geology. She has milked the cows twice daily for many years and keeps of all the records concerning birth and history. She also takes responsibility for medical needs and feed. Jose has been at the milk barn every day for a week getting as much footage as he needs. Hopefully people will take advantage of this and learn a thing or two about milk and milking. Speaking of cows and milk, that reminds me of an additional content. His Grace Tapan Misra Prabhu, an old and dear friend of mine, who served His Grace Jayananda Prabhu back in 1975, has invested his time and energy to try and promote New Talavana's cow protection program by developing an idea to advertise it with an automobile designed like a cow called the "Cow mobile". After consultation with Nilinikanta Prabhu, an Iskcon devotee astrologer, he sponsored a feast at New Talavana on an auspicious day in his chart to inaugurate the project. Traveling here from his home in Meteria, Louisiana, he engaged me in requesting our beloved Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Radha Radhakanta to give Their blessings for this project. He then made and audio visual presentation to a small gathering of local devotees, and afterwards we all enjoyed a feast cooked by Mother Gaura and Ramatoshan Prabhus. Tapan is a very sincere bhakta and always has our welfare in mind. This project is his baby for promoting cow protection at New Talavana, and we bless him to do his best to accomplish it. As he always has our welfare in mind, similarly I cannot but be ever grateful to him for kindly helping me grow Srila Prabhupada's New Talavana project by maintaining our website, thinking of ways for us to produce income and now the cow mobile. Please give him your blessings to succeed in this grand endeavor. It will not be easy. He does not have an unlimited cash flow to work with and has to figure out everything out from beginning to end. So be merciful and bless him with sufficient intelligence and power to accomplish this grand task.

c Bhaktamarg Swami Coming! d

His Holiness Bhaktamarg Maharaja will arrive in New Talavana May 14th and stay until the morning of May 18th. During this time he will train actors and produce a drama for Nrisinga Caturdasi- the appearance of Lord Nrisingadeva, the half man half lion incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He will give Srimad Bhagavatam class each morning and will go on a picnic with the devotees on Saturday, May 17th. That evening his drama will be staged in the New Talavana pavilion after the sundhar artik at 6PM. Please attend and give Maharaja your attention. He is only coming here for our benefit, and we should be ready to fulfill his every desire. Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!!!!!!!!!!!

c RAMA and CHRISTY Tie the Knot d

If you have not heard, the son of one of the largest book distributors in the world, Her Grace Mohanasini, and her dear husband, Mahendranatha Prabhus, both disciples of Srila Prabhupada, will get married at New Talavana on Sunday, May 25th at 2:30 PM in the New Talavana temple room. The bride to be is Christy Townsend-Smith the daughter of Arvind and Nancy Smith and Christopher and Karen Townsend. Since it falls on Sunday directly after our Sunday feast program, we will make simple prasadam for the feast program and serve out at 1:30 PM. Everyone will be invited to stay for the wedding which will last from 2:30 till 4 PM. Afterwards a huge multi menu feast will be served at the reception under the New Talavana pavilion. There will be live bhajans performed by Sughosh, Subal and other gurukulies. Please attend and give your blessings that they may have a long and Krishna conscious relationship pleasing guru and Gauranga.

Well folks, that is it for this newsletter. I hope everyone remembers the Supreme Personality of Godhead and does not forget Him during happiness or distress. With Him in mind may all of you go back home back to Godhead as His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada so much wanted for everyone's ultimate good. THANK YOU........MUCHAS GRACIAS................!

Sincerely,

Yogindra vandana das Adhikari

Temple President

ISKCON New Talavana

PS: Please help illuminate and cool Their Lordships! We need to install a new chandelier in the alcove in front of the deities and replace five, worn out, temple ceiling fans. Two fans are for over the deities and 3 for the kirtan hall. All of the items will be purchased from Home Dept. The cost is $450.00 for the chandelier and $200.00 each for the fans with light attachment. Please send your check to ISKCON at 31492 Anner Road, Carriere, MS 39426, or just go online to www.newtalavana.org ,and click on the link for adoptacow.

You can donate via pay pal, and specify what it is for.

Thank you sincerely.

NEW TALAVAN TIMES

February/March -2008

Nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

Srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

Namas te sarasvte deve gaura-vani-pracarine

Nirvisesa-sunyavadi pascatya-desa-tarine

All glories to Srila Prabhupada- our light and guide in this dark age of Kali Yuga

I humbly submit a condensed overview of March for our newsletter content and hope our readers will take pleasure in hearing a little about the events that have generated from the Hearts of the Supreme Lord’s devotees and help shape the future of Iskcon New Talavana- Mississippi, USA.

Sincerely, Yogindra Vandana dasa Adhikari

For your information the newsletter staff is as follows:

Writer: Yogindra Vandana dasa Adhikari

Typist- Hari dasa

Editor – Candrabhanu dasa

Computer and layout- Ramatoshan dasa

1- Gaura Purnima

2- Herb Fest

3- FFL

4- Mean bull on the loose!

5- Electricity bill

6- Property tax collections

7- Visit by Bhasu Gosh and devotees from Houston and Atlanta

8- Sunday feast sponsorships and guests

9- Land projects

10- Adopt a cow donors

11- Ramnavami, Jazz fest/BK Goswami/ Japa Workshop

12- Cowmobile update

13- Drama Workshop

� GAUR PURNIMA ™

This newsletter we will start at the end of the month and work backwards. The blessed appearance day celebration of The Supreme Personality of Godhead’s most magnanimous incarnation, Lord Visvambhara/Nimai Pandit/ Gaur Hari was an act of great team work between all the community members, whether young or old, male or female, full time sevakas and devotees living outside.

Everyone came together to glorify The Lord of Kaliyuga who plays like a devotee in divine love with the Lord of all –Bhagavan Sri Krsna!

The local devotees cleaned the grounds and pavilion and decorated the temple room and pavilion. Locals were contacted, and the priest prepared for an abhiseka-a bathing ceremony of the merciful deity form of The Lord. Cooks worked long hours and cleaners cleaned after them. People came and heard the conch shells and saw the Lord’s Deity form being worshiped by His devotees. Kirtaniyas sang, drummers drummed, and we all danced to the rhythms and swooned to the melodies. The priest offered incense, fire and holy water, and everyone brought gifts of money, flowers, jewelry, cloth, food and poetry.

A new curtain was sponsored by Ashok Amrita- Srila Prabhupada’s first Bengali disciple.

Mother Gaura purchased the material and created a curtain. Jagavallabha installed the new curtain rod, Ashok financed, and Gaura Mataji purchased. She also cooked the feast with the able assistance of her children.

The good ladies, Mothers Bhaktidhana and Syama dressed, and Maharani and Mahalaxmi decorated the altar while Sridevi organized and directed the drama. Sankirtan played a leading role and so did Bhakta Bill from Oregon, and the gurukulis did all the rest.

Wow! What a week, what a day, what a night!

Hari dasa and Hari Narayan and Maharani cleaned everything up afterwards. Ashok gave the flowers, Kalindi made the vases, and Haridvani stringed together the garlands. Maharani went to Mayapur and arranged the new outfit. and Ashok sponsored it!

The theme of the outfit was love and hearts of love. Divyaratna and Haladhara brought the outfit home from the holy dhama to the Lord’s home at New Talavana.

It was a loving team effort, and I’ve only named a few. We weren’t as plentiful as the monkeys who built the bridge to Lanka for Lord Rama, but we loved the same Lord in a different incarnation.

This reminds me of His Grace of fame and adventure, that soul who spreads the chanting and culture of Lord Krsna’s Holy name- Indradyumna Swami -who will be with us soon for Lord Ramachandra’s appearance day, Monday April 14^th beginning at 6pm arotik. He is an ocean of mercy and most worth seeing and hearing, so please plan to attend the temple that evening.

� HERB FEST ™

The final weekend of the month was a grand finale. This was the 15^th year we have helped cater this festival which has grown into the largest event in the Mississippi coastal town of Ocean Springs. Food For Life sponsored the bhoga, and Gaura and Maharani cooked. Yogi delivered and served. Dwibhuja was a major guest speaker, since he has been empowered by the Supreme Lord to teach herbology. Bhaktin Linda was a key festival organizer. We catered Friday to a national group of speakers and local Mississippians interested in this alternative source of wellness. Saturday and Sunday we and a few other caterers fed the crowd as everyone for miles around came to the garden and herb show. Only at our booth could they purchase both food and Krsna prema. Many said that’s the only reason they come. Believe me it is true.

� FOOD FOR LIFE ™

Maharani and Kaivalya went to the infamous 9^th ward of New Orleans which was bulldozed after Katrina.We regularly distribute prasadam there to relief workers. They were hoping to see the film star Brad Pitt and take a picture of him next to the FFL van, but he was early and they were late. Still the show goes on, and we continue to feed the needy our spiritual food.

� MEAN BULL ON THE LOOSE! ™

I’m not kidding! We have a young Jersey bull who isn’t so big, but his meanness makes up for it. When he was just a young guy he attacked Naikatma who had just joined the army medical corps. Naikatma is Nityos brother, who’s an army ranger. Naikatma’s dad beat the baby bull off with a stick, and the bull turned and sideswiped Sastra’s truck with his horns! When he got bigger, we put him in with another bull. We would usually just mosey in and out of the pen, because the bulls are generally all docile. But a few months ago Bhakta Scott was moving some materials, and suddenly this particular Jersey turned and attacked him! He was knocked to the ground, gored in the chest and hit on his side! Scott yelled for help as the bull stood over him until Ramtoshan came and beat him away with a large stick. Scott was rushed to the hospital by Narayan and recovered after 2 months at home with a hairline crack in his chest bone. A few weeks later Nanda Suta was moving another bull and thought he was safe when suddenly this same mean fellow knocked him to the ground like lightning! Nanda grabbed his horns to keep from being gored, and the devotees came to his rescue beating the bull on the nose to drive him away. Nanda was on crutches for 2 weeks. The same guy also went for Jayanti, our cowherd gopi, but she was too smart for him. We have decided that this bull will be better off as an ox, as we generally do not have this type of problem.

�ELECTRICITY BILL ™

As you all know, prices are only going higher including the farm’s electric bill. Time for wind, solar and oxen power! Unfortunately, we are not there yet and must pay for the bills at 27 separate meters. A few are paid by devotees using the electricity at the cabins they reside in. The largest consumption is the temple kitchen, which is almost $400 every month followed by the men’s ashram which is $240. The temple room is $120, my home $150 and the pump and security lights $120. The other meters run as low as $25 if no kilowatt hours were burned to under $100.

We heat the temple with a wood burning stove, but we use LP to cook. Most devotees use electric or LP water heaters. LP is around $2.50 a gallon. Suggestions and donations for alternative forms of energy are most welcome!

� MORE TEAM WORK! ™

You have almost done it! Again we have proven to be good citizens or donors to our county’s tax structure which pays for roads, education, policing etc…This year, after some fortunate negotiation, we paid $6000. The devotees responsible for securing Lord Krsna’s land for ISKCON (non-payment means the land is eventually sold to satisfy the tax debt) are as follows:

� VISITORS ™

We had a few visitors from out of state. First was Bhasu Ghosh, Iskcon’s temple president in Boroda, Gujarat in India. He stopped on his way from LA on route to Florida. Three families from Houston, Texas visited. Nadia, an initiated devotee from our Houston temple, came with his wife and daughter along with Krsna Batura and his wife, Vijaylaxmi, and 2 daughters. It was a return trip for Krsna and family who enjoyed their services here last year.

Finally, Mother Sukanya’s relatives from Houston visited her. We need to plan to build a guest facility, but until then we will do whatever we can to treat our guests like Royalty- at least that is the ideal!

� SUNDAY FEAST SPONSORS AND GUESTS ™

Mr. and Mrs. Ashok Kumar sponsored our Sunday feast on March 9^th for their son, Visaad’s, birthday. Mother Gaura made the birthday cake, and Maharani organized the feast. Everyone was jolly, and the happy occasion was very Krsna conscious!

The next week our dear friends from Pensacola, Lela and Ramamohan Rao visited us and sponsored the Sunday feast on behalf of Ram’s dear mother, Yamuna. Maharani cooked the Prasad which was certainly accepted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

If you would like to sponsor the Sunday feast and feed all the local Vaisnavas and our guests, just send a check for $301 to Iskcon New Talavana, 31492 Anner Road, Carriere, MS

39426.

Please include a note letting us know your desire for this donation, with the names of those on behalf of which you are sponsoring. This is a great opportunity.

Our dear Dr. Lakshmi Dojak sponsored a puja to Lord Narasimhadeva in gratitude for her dear father Vasudeva Ramchandra Rao’s recovery from heart surgery. He is now chanting Hare Krsna and has become an Iskcon life member. You can also become an Iskcon life member. Just contact Yogindra via email: talavan@hughes.net or call 601-749-9460 or our mailing address mentioned in the previous paragraph.

One Friday, Bhakta Heath from Columbus Mississippi paid us a visit to taste prasadam and discuss Krsna consciousness. We really had a good time. Heath was influenced by the great musician, George Harrison, and had taken up chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra and following our principles of morality. Heath purchased an arm full of books and went to share his good fortune with friends in Gulfport.

Sunday he returned for the feast program before heading home. I am sure he will always remember the experience, and now he is on our electronic mailing list and should be reading this! Welcome Bhakta Heath!

� LAND PROJECTS ™

The temple management board and legal board of directors has been spending time upgrading our plans to facilitate future vaisnava homesteads. We have agreed to open up all the land behind Varaha’s kirtan hall and Nabadwip’s home for sale and Giri Govardhan-Lord Krsna’s young bulldozer driver has been clearing the woods and making a road. This land runs completely around Bhakta Roy and Juanita’s estate and is approachable from both county roads that pass through New Talavana. It consists of around 150 acres of pristine wood and pasture land. A well and septic tank system is required for water and septic services.

We will announce this more formally. Any time guests visit they express interested in purchasing a plot for a summer cottage. We are also making suitable arrangements for leases and full time devotees serving the temple. We want all the devotees to have the opportunity to facilitate their needs at New Talavana.

If you would like more information on this development please contact Vedanta Krt, Candrabhanu, Dwibhuja or Bhaktidhana.

� ADOPT A COW CAMPAIGN ™

The annual adopt-a-cow capital campaign has produced enough income for us to grow hay pasture. I thank all the participants. They are as fallows:

Chattelle Jakson --- Gold sponsorship

Caitanya & Jayshree Bhatt --- Gold sponsorship

Narain Srivastava --- silver sponsorship

Sapana Dixit --- silver sponsorship

S Krishna --- silver sponsorship

Vitthallbi Mistry --- Silver sponsorship, Plus $ 251.00 toward cow

medical expanses and $ 201.00 toward

temple expanses .

Dave Ehler --- Platinum sponsorship

Carl Cerco --- one week of grain

Kanwal Ahuja --- one week of grain

Krishna Seth --- feeding jaggery

Sraddha & M.B. Kumar --- one week of grain

Gail Cusmait --- one week of grain

Rangalera --- one week of grain

Ron & Liz Cox --- feeding jaggery

Prabhu Desai --- one week of grain

Nityo Grenham --- online contribution

Jeffery Walters --- $ 250.00 on time contribution

Quein Jones --- feeding jaggery

Ramakant Das --- one week of grain

Amy Miller& students ---$ 51.00 on time contribution

Dharni Parikh --- one day of grain

Leela Rao --- $ 101.00 (for Yamuna, the cow)

Samuel Walker --- $ 200.00 online contribution

Ravi Ramrarine ---$ 300.00 online contribution

Bhaktavatsala Thuammala --- one week of grain

Ram & Krishna Kumar --- two weeks of grain

Sanjaya Shah --- $ 25.00 online contribution

Lilly Mcphee ---$ 25.00 online contribution

Sanjaya Sampath --- one week of grain

Kessav & Subda Eduuganti --- two weeks of grain

I thank all of you and also ask for your prays for the program’s success.

� RAMNAVAMI ™

Last but not least is an advertisement to entice everyone within traveling distance to attend our Ramnavami program beginning with 6pm arati on Monday April 14^th. The guest speaker is HH Indradyumna Swami. He has sacrificed his life to teach and promote Vedic culture. Yearly he masterminds a professional presentation of Vedic art, music and culture in lively and interesting ways to people all over the world. Maharaj is a storehouse of Krsna prema and solely dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s mood of giving everyone Krsna consciousness.

Please take this opportunity to see and hear him, thus uplifting your own Krsna consciousness.

The final weekend of April and the first weekend of May is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival. It is a huge event that takes place in the city fairgrounds located within walking distance of our New Orleans temple. Every year the devotees turn the front of the temple into a stage and entertain and feed the people coming and going from the Jazz Fest since thousands of people park in the local neighborhood. HH Bir Krsna Goswami has promoted this cultural event from the start and generally takes an active role in it. He will be at our New Orleans temple for the Jazz Fest activities for both weekends. The week between the 2 weekends, Maharaj will conduct a non violent communication seminar at New Talavana to develop a higher appreciation for one another and life in general. The times will be announced, but please put this into your daily planner, it is not to be missed!

Later the final weekend of May we are planning a japa workshop hosted by HG Ravindra Svarupa and HG Mahatma das. It is an intensive japa meditation experience, and everyone seriously involved in Krsna consciousness can take advantage of this opportunity. Although it may not be once in a lifetime, it is rare that we have this chance in New Orleans and New Talavana. All the locals should take advantage and participate. Please contact Bhaktin Joy in New Orleans or Yogindra at New Talavana –talavan@hughes.net or office phone 601- 798- 9460.

� COW MOBILE ™

The unveiling and inauguration of the secret “Cow-Mobile” will be held at the New Talavana Temple room at 11am on April 25^th. This is the most suitable time for starting the project, and we will begin by taking the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Radha Kanta and Sri Sri GaurNitai. Everyone is invited. There will be a slide show presentation and feast after the noon arati.

Contact Yogi for further info

� Four Day Drama workshop with H H Bhaktimarg Swami ™

It is our pleasure to announce that after some time Hari dasa has secured a visit from Bhaktimarg Maharaj that will commence on Wednesday the 14^th May up until Sunday 18^th May which is Lord Narasimadev’s appearance day. Maharaj is known all over the world for this love of two things: drama and walking. Maharaj has walked across Canada three times, and Hari dasa has arranged that he cross the Emerald Isle of Ireland this summer. For our purposes Maharaj is coming to help us with our drama performances from the acting to the directing. He will accept anyone interested and needs around twelve devotees from the age of eight upwards to learn and perform a play called “Canto 10”. The performance will be on Saturday 17^th May in the evening and will be part of a big social event that will include dance, the play, kirtan, a class on the Canada walks as well as a gorgeous western style feast. During his stay Maharaj will give all the Bhagvatam classes and one in New Orleans on Friday 16^th (and maybe a Harinam) and he will also be going out for long japa walks and anyone is welcome. Unfortunately for the budget Maharaj is not walking but flying in from Toronto. Therefore, we will need some help with the ticket costs, so we are appealing for help in this regard. If you wish to be involved and /or help with the ticket costs please contact either Yogindra prabhu or Hari dasa.

NEW TALAVAN TIMES

January-February -2008

\ LORD JAGANNATHA MARDI GRAS RATHA YATRA

\ ADOPT A COW ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

\ DONORS

\ GITA JAYANTI

\ DVD

\ COW MOBILE

\ CHRISTMAS BOOK DISTRIBUTION MARATHON

\ USM STUDENTS AND TEACHER VISIT

\ INDRADYUMNA MAHARAJ VISIT

\ GOMATHA , GURUKULA AND KRSNA MURTHY

\ FESTIVALS

\ NEW BABY

\ COMMUNITY WORK DAYS

DEAR READERS,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
January was cool and wet some days and warm and sunny on others. Parampara had cut and stacked up much wood before xmas, but that time is long gone. Narayan brought in a new load, however, to keep the temple room warm.

1) MARDI GRAS

The biggest event was the annual Jagannatha Mardi Gras Ratha Yatra. Because Mardi Gras is based on the Christian holy day of Easter, it falls on a different date each year. This year it was early February, and Gaura purnima is March 21^st. When Mardi Gras is early and Gaura Purnima is late in March, His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaj always attends this most unusual Ratha Yatra. This year was no exception.

When Maharaj comes, so do many of his disciples, friends and supporters. The devotees riding on the Jagannatha cart must pay a fee plus bring throws and wear the required costumes. This year we dressed as cows. The costumes were simple: white, brown or black sweatshirts and a cow mask. The usual throws are beads and stuffed animals.

We Krishnaize the event by throwing Jagannath dolls, roasted peanuts in a pack with a Maha Mantra card within, incense offered to the Lord and a few books, since the direct distribution of religious or political literature is not allowed. The fee was only $25 per person, adults and children alike.

Each year Drumilla prabhu solicits contributions from devotees in town to help with the cost. This year’s breakdown is as follows:

Ananta Gopal ………………………...$50.00

Dik Pal ………………………………$21.00

Mahamantra ………………………... $20.00

Ramakeli ……………………………. $20.00

Drumilla ……………………………...$300.00

Mr. Bill (hat salesman) ……………... $300.00

Divya Gopal ………………………… $50.00

Bhaja Govinda ……………………… $25.00

Sarva Tarak …………………………. $25.00

Janaka Rsi …………………………... $25.00

Kalindi ……………………………… $50.00

Kaivalya ……………………………. $30.00

Payonidhi …………………………... $50.00

Syama ……………………………… $50.00

Deano ……………………………… $50.00

Mohanasini ………………………… $108.00

Birom …………………………….. …$21.00

Anonymous ………………………......$821.00

Devala Rishi (free hats for throws)...... $850.00

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TOTAL…………………………… $ 2850.00

Thank you Drumilla prabhu; you are very dear to us!

The costs of the parade was as follows:

Parade fees ……………………….$ 450.00
Insurance…………………………. $ 550.00
Electronics for sound system ……..$ 551.00
Tire repair ………………………..$ 181.25
Paint ………………………………$ 54.00
Connecting leads ………………….$ 8.54
Ratha Yatra throws ……………… $ 600.00
Inverter …………………………...$ 175.00
Jagannatha Throws ……………….$ 200.00
Peanuts ……………………………$100.00
Books ……………………………..$300.00

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Total……………………………. $ 3169.79

Other donors and volunteers were absolutely essential:

Jayanti Sakhi- cart design and décor

Bhakta Scott, Narayan, Jaya, PJ, Giri and Dharani- cart repair, carpentry, installing décor, clean up etc…

Krsna Sundar – sound system

Jayapatni Gopi $100 for peanuts and purchasing them

New Orleans temple –breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinking water for the devotees on the cart. They also supplied Pujaris on the cart to worship Lord Jagannath.

Maharani – Jagannatha dolls from India

Kalindi- for helping Jayanti

And extra large special thanx of love and gratitude to Bushaya prabhu who took 3 days off work to pull the cart at his own expense and risk. This is usually $750 expense.

The most thanks have to go you Lord Jagannatha for bringing everyone there and back safely and providing the most sublime weather.

Jagannatha Swami, Lord Baladeva and Lady Subhadra ki jaya!

Next year we hope to make it even better. Bushaya prabhu is heading a team to collect funds and rebuild the cart. Neal Duncan, Jayanti and Jaya’s dad, has offered to buy new tires. Please be ready and save your throws for next time!

Jayapataka Maharaj made a suggestion that those children who ride be at least 12 years old since it is a long, strenuous day. We must consider what to do, because when he is not there the number of riders is much fewer. Therefore, mothers and children help fill up spaces. We are making a committee to discuss these issues. Thanks for hearing and thanks to all participants!

Last but not least Jayapatni Gopi had a great idea to make coconuts look like Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra and hand them to people. Coconuts are a special feature of the Mardi Gras Zulu parade.

2) ADOPT A COW ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

We recently mailed out our largest capital fund raising campaign of the year, the annual adopt a cow program. This program has been financing the cow protection service since 1999. There are several key, steady donors who have really helped us maintain over the past years:

Drs. Balasubramaniam, Vittabhai Mistry, Krsnan from Memphis, Gokula Ranjana prabhu, Sterling art, Chatelli Jacobson and family, Darlyn and Todd brown, Dr. Kumar from Baton Rouge, the Joshis from S.C, Dr. Ram & Leela Rao from Pensacola, Bharat and Riten Patel, Kadamba & Ranadhir Prabhus from CA., and many others.

God bless them all who help us to protect Mother Cow and Father Bull; may they receive the necessary shelter in this world of duality.

3)DONORS

Let me take a moment or two to give appreciation to our January donors, it is by your grace that the temple remains financially solvent. Let us also thank all the devotees who live here and close by and who give their time and their lives to carry out all the necessary devotional services for Guru and Krsna. God bless all of you!

4) GITA JAYANTI

In December we conducted a Gita jayanti ceremony for the distribution of Lord Krsna’s Bhagavad Gita. Thank you to those devotees who took advantage and purchased Gitas to distribute or allowed us the nectar of distribution. Three prabhus came to mind- Dr and Mrs. Kumar from Oil City PA, Mahabala Nitai from Chicago and Vitthabbhai Mistri from Austin Texas.

All glories to those devotees who distribute the divine words of Bhagavan Sri Krsna!

5) NEW TALAVAN DVD

We still have DVDs available of the 2007 Go Puja Mela Cow festival. It costs $10 and shipping is free. You can also go to www.news.iskcon and click on New Talavan Story and see a 9 min video for free!

6) THE COW MOBILE

Our web master Tapan Mishra prabhu is making a humble attempt to promote an idea for marketing our cow protection program. He wants to design and build a cow mobile! Naturally he will require financing to purchase fiberglass. Yajanavallabha has considered donating a used cab that the New Orleans temple gave him to be used for the frame. HG Malati dasi GBC for New Vrindaban recommended one donor for a vehicle. Tapan’s idea is to distribute prasadam (milk sweets) and information from this unique and attractive cow mobile, the perverted reflection of which might be the infamous Oscar Meyer weiner mobile! Check out www.cowmobile.org (under construction coming soon).

7) XMAS BOOK DISTRIBUTION MARATHON

New Talavan has placed #2 in the famous Xmas marathon in N. America. Of course, the infallible New Dwaraka was #1, but we whipped all the others! For the year, we were not so lucky, but we did place #6. So we were in the top 10!

Gopal Bhatta and the spiritual strategic team requested the NA temples to focus on implementing strategic plans to improve and maintain Srila Prabhupadas book distribution. This and 4 other initiatives were focused on in 2007 and reported on at the January 2008 NA GBC meeting in Dallas.

We were not so successful with the book distribution strategic planning primarily due to a shortage of youth who have more time to follow up on implementing ideas. HG Vaisesika prabhu, the NA book distribution minister, has successfully developed many ideas for devotees to distribute books. One is the “smart box” which is simply a display box for our books with a locked place to put payment. These are distributed in Indian stores, convenience stores and other types of shops, offices and service places. This is one idea I think we could easily put into action. Since myself, Mohanasini and Drumilla are all growing older we must develop other means to maintain distribution.

Would you like to join this team and help us? Sign up today! Just send me an email asking me to contact you. My address is: talavan@hughes.net

8) USM STUDENTS AND TEACHER VISIT

On Sunday, Feb. 10^th we were visited by a sociology class from the University of Southern Mississippi. The class was concerned with cultural diversity and spiritual communities in the South. Naturally we pointed out that our community was fully devoted to Lord Krsna, and there are some unique features:

1) We are vegetarians, The community is devoted to providing protection for their cows and bulls and utilizing the by-products such as milk and dung. We are devoted to trying to grow our own food.

2) We prohibit intoxication including tea and coffee, although herbal teas and decaf are okay

3) Strictly family orientated-no sex outside of marriage.

4) No gambling or speculation. We conform to the scriptures and let them guide our lives.

5) Chanting the Mahamantra is our life and soul

They listened, asked a few questions and took Prasad. By Lord Krsna’s grace the weather was great and the devotees kind, soft spoken, intelligent and friendly.

9) INDRADYUMNA MAHARAJ VISITING SOON

By the grace of the Lord’s devotee we are expecting His Holiness Indradyumna Maharaj to visit us on Ramnavami Monday, April 14^th. It is an evening program. I pray to all the readers and Sri Krsna that we satisfy the transcendental desires of HH Indradyumna Maharaj so that his preaching is more and more successful. The following day’s (Tuesday) program is not yet decided, but there is a possibility of a New Orleans temple program or a home program. Maharaj will leave Wednesday morning April 16^th for the next stop in his adventurous life in devotional service.

10) GURUKULA , MURTHI AND GOMATHA

The school, cows and deities are ecstatic! The fortunate children of local devotees receive good education and Krsna consciousness. How lucky can one be!

The cows live an austere peaceful life with all their friends and relatives…protected by man, not killed and abused. Our deities are served and worshipped, not left in a closet or box to collect dust or thought of as statues or mythological figures. May Lord Krsna protect this fortunate scenario and allow us to eternally serve His devotees!

11) FESTIVALS

Nityananda prabhu’s appearance day is Monday Feb. 18^th. We will observe a bathing ceremony beginning at 5pm followed by 6pm arotik, 6.45 class and 7.30 prasad.

Monday Feb. 25^th is Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s appearance. We will begin with evening arotik at 6pm, 6.30pm Gurupuja and flower offering, class and finish with prasad at 7.30pm.

Friday March 21^st is the appearance day of Lord Krsna’s incarnation of our time- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Devotees will fast and cook an Ekadasi type feast. We will celebrate with a bathing ceremony at 5pm, arotik at 6pm, class at 7pm and feast at 7.30pm

April 14^th Monday is the appearance of Lord Ramachandra. HH Indradyumna Maharaj will be here as mentioned before. Our program will start at 5pm with an abhiseka, followed by arotik, class and feast.

We hope that this finds everyone healthy and looking forward towards spring. It has been a cool winter interspaced with some warm days. Everyone had come down with the flu, yet life on the farm forces one to wake the deities, cook for Them, milk the cows, preach, grow food, take care of The Lord’s families and chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra.