In the lead-up to the 40th anniversary of the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple—founded by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada—the devotees gathered in celebration of Narasimha Chaturdasi, a sacred festival in the Vaishnava tradition.
The day was marked by vibrant worship, a traditional fire ceremony (havan), a drama illustrating the meaning behind the festival, and a thought-provoking address by guest speaker S.B. Keshava Swami, who travelled from London to attend the celebration. In his talk, he encouraged devotees to uplift the world through meaningful and mindful speech, stating: “The head should be like an ice factory and the mouth should be like a sweet factory.”
The teachings of the Hare Krishna movement and the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple are deeply rooted in love, service and compassion. Rohini Naidu, a 27-year-old devotee, shared: “Loving God should be a very expressive, very happy thing. You shouldn’t be restrained—you should share the love.”
Smita Krishna Das reflected on the temple’s peaceful atmosphere amidst the bustle of everyday life: “This temple is an oasis in the middle of a very, very busy place, where people are absorbed in their businesses and lives. It offers a refuge for those seeking to understand the deeper truths of life and attain peace—and this is where they’ll find it.”
For 28-year-old Gitanjali Devi Dasi, the temple is more than a place of worship—it is home. “I was raised in the Vaishnava tradition, so the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is my home, and those who live and serve there are like family to me.”
That family spirit was felt throughout the celebrations, where people live, learn, pray, and work together in joyful service. Attendee Wade Gounden echoed these sentiments, saying: “For me, the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is like a home away from home. It’s one of my favourite places in the world—for both its beauty and its essence. It feels like it was built with magic. It clears the mind, calms the nerves, and brings me peace.”
Gaura Bhumi Devi Dasi, a temple resident, gifted writer, and storyteller who took part in the fire ceremony, shared her personal reflections: “It was a moment filled with gratitude. Even as a resident, with the busyness of daily life, you can sometimes get caught up in the grind. Festivals like these help redirect my energy, refocus my consciousness, and remind me of what I’m really here to do—the purpose of my existence.”
