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By – Jagjeevan Das (Jagdish Prasad) 
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna Movement is now inching to complete 50 years of its existence in July 2016. The history of ISKCON had marked its inception from 1965, when a 69 year-old spiritual teacher (A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder Acarya) had made his way to the West amongst the hippies of New York’s Lower East Side from India. Preaching from a tiny storefront, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupada started the movement of Krishna consciousness revolutionizing lives of tens of thousands in US and worldwide. Being a golden Jubilee year, Hare Krishna devotees from all across the globe are endeavouring to organise various celebrations to mark this jubilant event.
In 2015 the New Zealand Hare Krishna devotees had organized a grand celebration marking the 50th anniversary of arrival of our Founder-Acarya A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada to the west (United States) by welcoming several NZ dignitaries. This event also marked the birth of Krishna consciousness movement outside India. This year the celebrations continue as we commemorate the actual incorporation of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1966 hence it’s our 50th Birthday!
Over the last half-century or so, Hare Krishna devotees have become well-known throughout the world for their joyful and remarkable presentations of the ancient Vedic wisdom and Vaishnava culture of India. Here in New Zealand we are equally famous for our music, singing, dancing and incredible vegetarian food coupled with our sublime philosophy. We share these with general crowd at all our temples throughout NZ through our weekly programs along with “Food for Life” programs that go on simultaneously.
The Hare Krishna devotees are very excited to continue developing this community for the rest of eternity and we aim to facilitate this mood through continued participation in community events such as various Christmas Parades, Diwali festivals and other public events by close cooperation and interaction with various community leaders at all levels.
In the above delight, we would therefore be honoured if you would join us at our 50th birthday celebrations at 11.30am on Sunday 5th June 2016, to be held at our Temple, 105 Newlands Road, Newlands, Wellington and aggrandize the event further. Look forward to hearing soon from you at your earliest convenience.
Jagjeevan Das (Jagdish Prasad)
Temple President
Celebrating ISKCON’s 50th Birthday: Programme Outline
Saturday 4 June 2016
2.00pm Auckland devotees arriving in Wellington
105 Newlands Road, Newlands, Wellington, New Zealand Phone: +64 4 478 4108 | Fax: +64 4 472 2234 | Email: info@iskconwellington.org.nz | www.iskconwellington.org.nz
2.00 to 3.00 pm Lunch for guests at Higher Taste Restaurant, Old Bank Arcade, Corner Customhouse Quay and Hunter Street, or 233-235 Lambton Quay.
Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Phone 04 472 2233.
3.00 to 4.00 pm Check in to hotels/motels and devotee homes
4.00 to 4.30 pm Gather at Higher Taste Restaurant
4.30 to 6.00pm Harinam
Ø Group 1 – Starting from OBA through Willis Street to Manners Street to Courtney place to City Square.
Ø Group 2 – Starting from OBA though Lambton Quay to Parliament to Railway Station to Ferry Terminal back to City Square.
Ø Group 3 – Sit down kirtan in the City Square
6.30 pm to 9.00pm Kirtan Mela (Refer lead singers list attached)
9.00 pm to 10.00 pm Prasadam
Sunday 4 June 2016
4.30 am Maha Mangal Arti
7.30 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class
8.30 am Prasadam breakfast
10.00 am to 11.30 am Kirtan (Auckland team)
11.30am to 12.00midday Offerings and guest speakers addresses
12.00 to 1.00 pm Abhishek ceremony for Srila Prabhupada
1.00 to 2.00 pm Kirtan (Wellington team)
2.00 pm Prasadam Lunch
3.30 pm to 6.30 pm Sightseeing and possible cruise (1 van will returns to Auckland)
8.00 pm Prasadam Dinner
Monday 6 June 2016
6.00 am All guests depart for Auckland