The Supreme Personality of Godhead has manifest at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, benedicting the entire world through the sound vibration of the Govindam prayers. With great delight, we played the video link provided by HG Urmila devi dasi (see right). The Quicktime clip shows Olympic skaters Anastasia Grebenkina and Vazgen Azroyan, who skated for Armenia to the tune of "Govindam". The Govindam prayers are famous at Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON temples around the world, and it was amazing to watch these Olympic skaters move across the ice to this transcendental song.

The wedding took place at the home of friends, Trivikram and Sumukhi of the Krishna community in Works Road just south of Katikati on Friday, January 27. Around 100 guests attended the colourful ceremony and a large canvas pavilion covered the fire pit, and altar.

Rama, a fine arts graduate of Whitecliff College in Auckland, wore red, the traditional bride's colour, and her sari was elaborately embroidered with gold. Rahul, who works for an IT company in Auckland, wore a cream dhoti (traditional devotional robe).

The two-hour long ceremony was conducted by Prana das, head teacher of the Hare Krishna school in Auckland. The ceremony was focused around the fire pit which Rahul and Rama circled seven times, after part of Rama’s sari was tied to Rahul’s chada (scarf). The knot was tied by Bhakti Marga, the brides mother, signifying her approval of the union. Rahul painted his bride's forehead with a fine red line, and as the ceremony drew to a close, the couple made a sacrifice of puffed rice, tipped into the fire.

ISKCON Auckland has decided to approach Krishna devotees in New Zealand and across the world in order to raise NZD 1 million dollars to make the new Radha Giridhari Temple, Auckland, debt-free.

The website for fund raising, www.iskconnz.com/1million, was launched at the temple by a project team member, Mrs. Lakshmi Patel, with a 15-minute multimedia presentation.

(Appearance day of Sri Krsna Caitanya) – 15th March

namo maha-vadanyaya krsna prema pradaya te krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya who is more magnanimous than any other avatara, even Krsna Himself, because He is bestowing freely what no one else has ever given – pure love of Krsna.”

Nimananda and Suchitra have also recently opened a new factory in Kelston, Auckland, where they prepare and package bhuja, paneer and sweets for wholesale distribution.

They have named their new venture “Gopal’s Sweets & Snacks”.

The Department for Education and Skills has given the go-ahead for a new primary school for Hindu children in north-west London.