Preaching
- Preaching Is The Essence (Srila Prabhupada)
ISKCON Coventry has been most fortunate to receive the mercy of numerous sannyasi’s
and visiting preachers coming to the temple! This invigorates and enthuses
devotees resulting in active preaching!
Home to Home Satsangs
Devotees of the congregation are regularly involved in home to home preaching where they have been invited to
present Krishna Consciousness to new families and peform kirtan with them. Devotees have been called out
to homes far and wide starting from Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton and as far as London preaching to Sikh,
Muslim and Christian backgrounds! The after effects of ecstatic and uplifting kirtans and thoughtful
deep philosophy leaves families feeling great warmth and happiness from the association of devotees and holy name!
Maha Harinams
Every year devotees hold a maha harinam in Coventry City Centre at Christmas time and on major festivals such as Janamashtami, Gaura Purnima, Nityanandas Appearance day and Nirjal Ekadasi!
Other harinams have included surrounding areas as Nuneaton and Rugby and at a Sikh Nagar Kirtan held in 2007.
Mataji’s Satsangs
Every month the Mataji’s of the temple arrange satsang at various homes and at the temple where they discuss Krishna Katha and read from Bhagavad Gita & Caitanya Caritamrita. They share realisations, perform kirtans and then honour prasadam together. Thereafter some of the Mataji’s sleep over at the temple and perform mangal arti service from waking the Lordships, performing mangala arti, making bhoga offerings, dressing the Deities and shringar arti. These mata ji satsanga’s has brought the devotees closer together in sharing new experiences and helping one another in their sadhana and spiritual life.
Outreach
There are two nama hattas in the surrounding areas where devotees hold weekly satsangs. Rugby nama hatta is celebrating its 7th year anniversary this 2009 and Clifford park nama hatta has been active for 3 years.
The biggest outreach programme in Rugby has been Festival of India held in a public park in the town centre. KC philosophy was presented through dramas, a stage show, songs, kirtans, talks by HH Krishna Das Swami Maharaj, books stalls, Multimedia DVD tent, displays and free prasadam distribution. For 3 years running this event has been a huge success with over 400 people attending as well as devotees from the midlands and London. Gita Jayanti Festival is also performed attracting many of the residents of Rugby. A yagya is performed with recitation of the whole Bhagavad Gita.
Clifford Park nama hatta has weekly satsangs where classes and kirtans are given by devotees and initiated youth.
Both nama hattas are growing nicely and interest of Krishna Consciousness philosophy is growing amongst the members.
International Preaching In Bharat
Devotees also go to Tirath Yatra every year visiting Sri Vrindavan Dham, Mayapur Dham & Jagannath Puri Dham. They also visit Punjab where Srila Prabhupadas Books are being distributed as harinams are performed in the streets and villages of Punjab!
The local Punjabis enjoyed the sounds of the traditional dhol with the mahamantra being sung and couldn’t help but join the devotees in dancing to the holy name!
University Preaching Warwick University & Coventry University
The youth group of the temple are actively involved in organising fortnightly programs for students at Warwick Ksoc where prasadam and book distribution takes place. They are welcomed with inquisitive and inquiring students who appreciate the deep philosophy presented to them. Visit the Warwick Ksoc website for more information.
Youth Programmes
The temple has around 25 youth members who regularly attend and hold satsangs and preaching programmes. One of our most successful events was a Youth Conference where senior devotees of the temple gave workshops and presentations to youth from all over the midlands area. This proved to be a very enthusiastic event with a lot of interaction and profound guidance given by the seniors on spiritual life..
There are over 10 initiated youth serving at the temple as pujaris, cooks, preachers, book distributors and kirtaneers who are also involved in preaching programmes at surrounding nama hattas and at Warwick and Coventry University.
Kirtan at Ramdevs Yoga at RICOH arena
ISKCON Coventry devotees had a great chance to share the holy name with hundreds of people at the RICOH
Arena in 2008 where Ramdev’s Yoga was taking place. On the last day of the yoga course, various groups
were invited to perform an item for the grand finale. Jumping up to the chance the devotees performed a lively
harinam inside the arena to which the crowds gave a positive response!
Click here to watch this video!
Drama & Studio Group
Golden Age Studios, KOV
The youth of ISKCON Coventry have been involved in performing dramas at major festivals from a very young age. Trained by temple president, Haridas Prabhu, who is also a scriptwriter, director and musical composer, the drama group have given audience to crowds of over 700 people! Many famous dramas include Ram leela, The Boatman, Genie In a Bottle, The Senses, Dhruv Maharaj, Go Mata and many others.
The most popular of all was Krishna Of Vrindavan held in October 2004 at the Royal Spa Centre in Leamington with a cast of over 30 characters reminiscing the pastimes of Lord Krishna from when He was born and up to killing King Kansa. (online review see Girls Night Out at http://www.vconline.biz/)
