SEVA · PREACHING · OUTREACH

# Activities & Services

A comprehensive portfolio of spiritual activities, humanitarian programs, and community engagement initiatives designed to awaken the dormant love of God in every heart and serve the material and spiritual needs of society through the practice of Bhakti Yoga.

Core Programs

## Preaching & Spiritual Education Programs

Every program is designed with one ultimate purpose — to reconnect the eternal individual soul with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, through the authorized process of Bhakti Yoga as taught by Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati.

### Systematic Bhagavad Gita Courses

The flagship educational program of the Gaudiya Mission under Sadananda Das's guidance is the systematic, verse-by-verse study of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Unlike casual reading groups, these courses follow a structured 18-module curriculum corresponding to the 18 chapters of the Gita, with each module spanning multiple weeks of intensive study. Participants engage with the original Sanskrit verses, word-for-word translations, literary translations, and Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's illuminating purports (commentaries). The course incorporates historical context — the devastating Battle of Kurukshetra fought approximately 5,000 years ago — while drawing timeless parallels to contemporary life challenges. Advanced modules explore the philosophical nuances of Sankhya Yoga (analytical study of the material and spiritual), Karma Yoga (action in devotion), Jnana Yoga (transcendental knowledge), and the ultimate conclusion of Bhagavad Gita — unconditional surrender to Lord Krishna through Bhakti. Over 3,000 individuals have completed these courses since their inception.

### Srimad Bhagavatam Discourses

The Srimad Bhagavatam, often called the "ripened fruit of the Vedic literature," is studied in morning sessions that follow the ancient tradition of daily scriptural recitation. This massive 18,000-verse text, spanning 12 cantos, narrates the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krishna and His various incarnations while systematically presenting the complete science of God-realization. Sadananda Das's discourses on the Bhagavatam are renowned for their depth, clarity, and practical applicability, drawing connections between 5,000-year-old narratives and contemporary existential questions. These morning classes, typically held between 7:30 and 8:30 AM, attract a dedicated community of regular attendees who structure their entire day around this spiritual practice, demonstrating the transformative power of regular scriptural engagement.

### Sankirtan — The Congregational Chanting Movement

Following the prophecy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that "in every town and village of the world, My name will be heard," the Sankirtan program sends teams of trained devotees into the streets, markets, colleges, and neighborhoods of Mysore and surrounding districts to distribute Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's books and chant the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra in congregational gatherings. This is not mere proselytizing but a profound act of spiritual mercy — sharing the transcendental sound vibration that has the power to purify the consciousness of both the chanters and the listeners. Thousands of copies of Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and other devotional literature are distributed annually, each book serving as a spiritual time bomb that can transform the reader's life at any point in the future.

### Home Program Network (Nama Hatta)

Recognizing that not everyone can regularly visit the temple, the Nama Hatta program brings the temple experience directly to people's homes. A network of over 50 home programs across Mysore, Mandya, Chamrajanagar, and surrounding towns hosts weekly gatherings where families and neighbors come together for kirtan (devotional singing), philosophical discussion, prasadam (sanctified food), and fellowship. These intimate gatherings, typically held in living rooms and community halls, create a supportive spiritual ecosystem where householders can practice Krishna Consciousness within the context of their family and professional lives. Each Nama Hatta group is led by a trained facilitator who guides participants through a structured program of spiritual practice, gradually deepening their understanding and commitment.

Temple Programs

## Daily Temple Activities & Festivals

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### Daily Deity Worship (Archana)

The temple's daily schedule revolves around the loving worship of the installed deities, following the meticulous standards established by Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati based on the Pancharatra Vidhi (Vaishnava worship procedures codified by Narada Muni). Beginning with Mangala Arati at 4:30 AM, when the deities are awakened with the offering of ghee lamps, flowers, and devotional songs, the day unfolds through a series of increasingly elaborate worship ceremonies: Dhupa Arati, Shringar Arati, Rajbhog Arati, Sandhya Arati, and the final Shayana Arati at 8:30 PM. Each ceremony involves the preparation and offering of fresh food (bhoga) made from pure vegetarian ingredients cooked with devotion, the dressing of deities in exquisite garments and ornaments, and the offering of flower garlands prepared from fragrant seasonal blooms. This unbroken daily cycle of worship creates a powerfully sanctified atmosphere that visitors describe as palpably spiritual and deeply transformative.

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### Grand Festival Celebrations

the Gaudiya Mission celebrates over 30 major Vaishnava festivals annually, each providing a unique opportunity for the community to experience the bliss of devotional service on an expanded scale. Sri Krishna Janmashtami (the appearance day of Lord Krishna) attracts over 25,000 devotees. The Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) processes through the historic streets of Mysore. Gaura Purnima, Govardhan Puja, Radhashtami, Nrisimha Chaturdashi, and Vyasa Puja are celebrated with elaborate deity worship, cultural programs, massive prasadam distribution, and spiritual discourses.

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### Cultural & Dramatic Performances

The temple hosts regular cultural programs including Vaishnava drama productions depicting episodes from the Srimad Bhagavatam and Mahabharata, classical music concerts featuring devotional compositions by great acharyas, dance performances in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi styles portraying Krishna's divine pastimes, and art exhibitions showcasing traditional and contemporary spiritual art. These cultural programs serve as powerful outreach tools, attracting audiences who may not ordinarily visit a temple but are drawn to artistic and cultural expressions of India's spiritual heritage.

Outreach & Humanitarian

## Youth Engagement & Charitable Services

### VOICE — Youth Empowerment Program

VOICE (Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture, and Education) is the Gaudiya Mission's premier youth engagement initiative, specifically designed for college students and young professionals aged 17 to 30. In a world where young people face unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and existential confusion, VOICE provides a transformative alternative — a structured program that combines ancient Vedic wisdom with contemporary life skills to help young people discover their deeper identity, develop strong character, build meaningful relationships, and find lasting purpose beyond the fleeting promises of material success. Weekly sessions include interactive workshops on stress management through mantra meditation, seminars on Vedic time management, personality development through the study of the Bhagavad Gita's character archetypes, and adventure retreats that combine outdoor activities with spiritual practice. Over 2,000 young people have participated in VOICE programs, with many describing it as the single most important influence in their personal and professional development.

### Annadana Seva — Massive Food Relief

Guided by the Vedic principle that no one within the vicinity of a Vaishnava temple should go hungry, the Gaudiya Mission's Annadana Seva (food distribution) program serves thousands of plates of nutritious, sanctified vegetarian food (Krishna Prasadam) daily. The program operates through multiple channels: the daily free lunch program at the temple that serves hundreds of visitors regardless of their background, the Akshaya Patra-inspired midday meal scheme that provides freshly cooked meals to students in government schools, special food relief drives during natural disasters and emergencies, and massive prasadam distribution during festival days when over 50,000 plates may be served in a single event. Each meal is prepared with love and devotion, offered first to Lord Krishna, and then distributed as His sacred remnants — transforming the simple act of eating into a spiritual experience that nourishes both body and soul.

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### Medical Camps & Wellness

Regular health camps organized in collaboration with medical institutions provide free medical check-ups, health screenings, and Ayurvedic wellness consultations to underprivileged communities. These camps integrate modern medical care with traditional Vedic health practices, offering a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being.

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### Book Distribution Marathon

The annual book distribution marathon (December–January) mobilizes devotees to distribute Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's books across Mysore region. Thousands of Bhagavad Gita copies reach homes, offices, schools, and hospitals — each book carrying the potential to transform a life and connect a soul with Lord Krishna's eternal message.

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### Eco-Spiritual Initiatives

Programs promoting environmental stewardship based on the Vedic understanding of nature as God's energy (prakriti) include organic farming workshops, tree planting drives, cow protection awareness, and sustainable living seminars. These initiatives demonstrate how spiritual consciousness naturally leads to ecological responsibility and simple living, high thinking.

GET INVOLVED

## Participate in the Devotional Movement

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer, there is a place for you in this divine movement. Every act of service, however small, when offered with devotion, brings one closer to the ultimate goal of life — pure love of God.

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🦚 HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE ✦ HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE 🦚
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