ISKCON Chandigarh Report

THE WORLD HOLY NAMES WEEK was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the devotees of ISKCON, Chandigarh. A number of programs were organized by the devotees to commemorate the week. The celebrations filled the hearts of devotees with great joy and also gave opportunity to so many people to get introduced to holy name and chant the holy names of the Lord
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare".

Hari Nama Sankirtan
In the evening on 4th September for the 50th-year Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's Sannyasa a 3 hour mega Sankirtan was organized in the most happening part of the city, Sector 17 Plaza. In this, more than 200 devotees of the congregation, temple and the local chapter of ISKCON Youth Forum participated. The visitors to Plaza, needless to say, were pleasantly surprised by this and joined the Sankirtan. Hundreds of people chanted the holy name, which is all-purifying. People were appreciating the dancing youths and enthusiastic devotees and the efforts of ISKCON. Over 1000 packets of Prasad & 3000 pamphlets regarding the importance of Holy Name were distributed. Various newspapers covered this and many newspapers carried pictures & stories of the event in their editions next day.

Internet Sankirtan Party
We made the arrangement on 5th September from 5pm to 8pm in our temple for all the devotees to hear and participate in Internet Sankirtan. More than 50 devotees came and participated by chanting the holy names of Lord. We also used the projector to show them picture of the deities of different ISKCON temples during the kirtan. Many senior devotees from ISKCON Ujjain, South Africa, Vrindavan and sanyasis like H.H. Lokanath Swami led the kirtan.

Japathon
Every evening a Japathon table was set up in front of the temple hall with beads, pledge form. A devotee was there at the table to encourage people to participate in Japathon. Many people chanted Hare Krishna Mahamantra 108 times with bead in a specially built place marked with 108 numbers on which they can chant one mantra standing on one number and then go forward and like this completing 108 times of Mahamantra. Out of them 460 people filled the pledge form and promised to chant Mahamantra daily or at least for the period of World Holy Names Week.

Street Kirtan
We have conducted a Street Kirtan with 10 young devotees on 8th September in Fragrance Garden. This is one of the most beautiful and most visited gardens in Chandigarh. Many people heard the Mahamantra and participated in chanting Holy Name.

Special Class on Importance of Holy Name
On 6th September (Sunday) a program was held in the morning from 4.30am to 9am in which more than 100 devotees were there. There was Mangal Arati, Japa, Guru Puja and two special classes, one in the morning and another in the evening by H.G. Nand Maharaj Prabhu (Temple Co -President) on the importance of Holy name. In the evening over 800 people attended the programme in the temple. Significance & glories of the Holy Name were told and full prasdam was served to all the visitors.

Hence by the mercy of Sri Guru & Gouranga uncountable number of people got the benefit of chanting Holy Name on the special occasion of World Holy Name Week through the loving efforts of ISKCON Chandigarh devotees.