Thousands join Hindu celebrations
{From BBC News Article, August 26, 2005}
"The largest gathering of Hindus outside India is due to take place with 75,000 people set to take part.
Celebrations marking the 5,000-year-old festival of Janmashtami are to take place at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple in Watford, Herts.
The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon. Organisers have erected 20 marquees on 77 acres near the temple, where plays and dancing will be held.
Although the festival starts at midday, the crux of the celebrations will be at midnight, the official time of Lord Krishna's birth. Until then, many Hindus will fast all day.
The free festival, which runs until Sunday, is being overseen by 800 organisers who have spent the last month preparing for the event. Co-ordinator Ranesh Kallidai said: "It is an amazing festival full of colour and warmth."
ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor ...wait, this is Watford?
London Rathayatra 2005 ...wait, this is London?
Hindu g'od' pulled through the streets of London on a cart
Photo 6
In light of the Hare Krishna temple 'Celebration', we recommend a brief look at the following before getting excited about this 'spiritual' movement.
Apologetics Index - Hare Krishna
Watchman Fellowship - Hare Krishna / ISKCON
Hare Krishna News Tracker - ReligionNewsBlog.com
Betrayal Of The Spirit - My Life Behind the Headlines of the Hare Krishna Movement
by Nori J. Muster
Betrayal Of The Spirit (Table of Contents)
Betrayal of the Spirit - Back Flap excerpt
"Betrayal of the Spirit details drug dealing, weapons stockpiling, deceptive fund raising, child abuse, and murder within ISKCON, as well as the dynamics of schisims that forced some 95 percent of the group's original members to leave". [Exerpted from back flap of Betrayal of the Spirit by Nori J Muster (former ISKCON member).
Upon doing some simple research on the Hare Krishna movement as well as personally interviewing Hare Krishna devotees on the streets of Edinburgh, we highly encourage the general public to take a closer look before getting involved with this organization. The history of this movement as well as its 'leaders' have a track record blackened with legal issues, extreme abuses and destroyed lives.
For instance, "The ISKCON or Hare Krishna community has been under federal investigation. Over the years there have been many reports in the Los Angeles Times and other papers on alleged criminal activity at the sect’s various headquarters. The investigative news show "West 57th Street," on October 31, 1987, reported allegations concerning the murder of former members, wife beating, child molesting, and the sale of illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin at one location".
Caveat emptor - Let the buyer beware! This is not inciting religious hatred, it is simply researching and publishing what the general public do not know about the Hare Krishna movement.
