Under the shelter of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja
Welcome to the SVA Family! Hare Krishna.
We’re excited to share all the wonderful highlights from this month at Miami’s best spot for celebrating, enjoying great food, and cultivating an uplifted spiritual community. Thank you for being here.
Heartfelt Gratitude.
With your ongoing support, Didi’s new routines have been successfully implemented into the temple, helping her thrive on her wellness journey and feel more energized than ever. We are deeply grateful for your continued support. You are invited to tune to SVA’s Facebook page to catch her at Friday night kirtan, classes, and at the many auspicious celebrations throughout the month.
Friday Night Kirtan
Every Friday at 6:30pm
Join us every Friday night for a heart-filling, soul-nourishing, transcendental meditation — Kirtan. Come as you are and experience the essence of yoga through mantra meditation, ancient spiritual music, and ecstatic dance before our Divine Deities, Radha-Raman Bihari. A delicious vegan and vegetarian Prasadam (blessed food) meal tops off the night, along with an array of transcendental books and art available in our gift shop. Everyone leaves nourished in body, mind, and soul. Always free and open to all.
Friday Night Extravaganza LIVE
Tulsi Devi Worship
Daily
“Make your life magical by taking a Tulsi Devi plant home and caring for and worshiping her. She has come from the spiritual world to bless you with her association and service.” – Srimati Syamarani Devi Dasi Didi.
mūlam aṅkuraṇam patram skandhaḥ kṣīraḥ sura-drumāḥ gandho rasaḥ phalaṁ nātha sarvaṁ bhadrāya kalpate
“By merely seeing, touching, remembering, or bowing before the Tulasi plant, one achieves all auspiciousness.” (Skanda Purana, Uttarakhand, 25.16)
Come to SVA any day to pick up a Tulasi Devi plant for your own home worship.
Sripad Bhaktivendanta Vana Goswami Maharaja
Aug. 7
In a rare turn of events, Sripad Bhaktivedanta Vana Goswami Maharaja returned to Miami shortly after his last visit, filling our hearts once more. Though his stay lasted only 24 hours, Maharaja’s deep spiritual insights (Hari-katha) and sweet kirtan left us feeling nourished and uplifted. Don’t miss the highlights— his airport arrival, the Hari-katha live stream, and his bittersweet farewell captured below!
Sripad Bhakti Brihad-vrati Maharaja
Aug. 8 – 12
We were honored to welcome Sripad Bhakti Brihad-vrati Maharaja this month. With a lifetime of deep spiritual devotion, Maharaja now travels the world, sharing the transcendental knowledge of our bhakti lineage. During his visit to SVA, he imparted spiritual wisdom, led transcendental kirtans, and, through his humility and spiritual strength, uplifted us all.
Srila Bhakti Bibuddha Bodhayan Maharaja
Aug 10, 11, 12 at 6:30pm
Miami welcomed Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Maharaja for his second visit of the year. Over the course of three days, he delivered nectarean Hari-katha at the Siva Lingam Mandir, where SVA was invited by the temple leaders to participate. On the final day, we had the privilege of celebrating Srila Maharaja’s birthday. With great humility, he personally handed out cake prasadam and spiritual art to everyone, followed by lively Kirtan and a joyful feast of prasadam.
Kirtan and Class at Shiva Lingam Madir
Wellness Center Meet & Greet
Aug. 11
During Srimati Syamarani Didi’s stay at the Hippocrates Wellness Center, a meet and greet was held there for those curious to learn more about her and her life-long devotion to Bhakti. The event featured enlightening discussions on Bhakti-yoga, spiritual art, and kirtan. Participants enjoyed a dance session and an introductory talk by Srimati Syamarani Didi. In such a healing environment, nourishment for the soul by association with Vaishnavas, kirtan headed by Janardana das and Mahaprabhu das, and distribution of transcendental books, art, and prasadam added the perfect finishing touch.
Jhulana-Yatra
Aug. 15, 16, 17
Every year there is a five day festival called Jhulana-yatra, at which time the vijaya-vigraha (small) Deities of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna are swung by devotees all over the world. This year we observed this sweet swing pastime, sung bhajans (devotional songs), and heard of the deeper significance of the festival.
This is the main bhajan we sing during Jhulana-yatra:
“Radhe jhulana padharo jhuka aye badara
Jhuka aye badara, ghir aye badara”
(Oh Radhika, go and sit in the swing. Low rain clouds have filled the sky.)
Visit the links below to have the almost full experience!
Friday Night Ending with Jhulana-Yatra
Radhe Jhulana Padharo bhajan sung the Kirtaniyas
Srila Rupa Goswami Conference
Aug. 16, 17, 18
This year’s Srila Rupa Goswami Conference was full of profound discourses and discussions, as we dove into the life and teaching of the crest jewel of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, our Srila Rupa Goswami.
Over 10 speakers shared slivers of Srila Rupa Goswami’s teachings. Our beloved Sivananda Das, who had flown in from Los Angeles for the occasion, spoke beautifully at the Sunday program, which was followed by a blissful kirtan and an opulent prasadam Feast.
Below are the 3 days of conference, streamed!
Srila Rupa Goswami Conference Day 1-3
Janmastami
Aug. 26
Krishna’s Appearance Day at Sacred Vedic Arts Center was truly unforgettable. After an inspiring class, we performed an Abhishek ceremony (bathing ceremony with five sacred substances). We danced in ecstasy, chanting the Lord’s holy names until midnight, and joyfully broke our day-long fast with a sumptuous Ekadasi feast that was lovingly prepared for the Lord.
Words can’t fully capture the magic of this special day… Watch the reel below to experience it yourself.
FIU “F1rst Night”
Aug. 26, Janmastami
What could be more auspicious than a student’s first day of classes starting on Krishna’s birthday? This year, FIU’s “F1rst Night” festival was alive with Harinam, transcendental books, delicious prasadam (mercy) desserts, and vibrant spiritual artwork as SVA teamed up with the Bhakti Yoga Club for an unforgettable night of outreach. The evening lit up with fireworks as students joyfully chanted, feasted, and dove into deep, transcendental conversations at our table. Every student left with something special— whether it was books, pieces of art, a taste of prasadam, and a new hope in life.
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s Appearance Day
Aug. 27, 28
In the esteemed presence of two senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada, Srimati Syamarani Didi and Sripad Radhashyam Prabhu, we commemorated the auspicious Appearance Day of Srila A.C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada. This occasion provided us an opportunity to reflect upon his divine pastimes, his remarkable life, and his profound humility. We appreciated how the message and legacy of his Divine Grace are invaluable, showcasing his boundless mercy and the compassion of our Sampradaya (lineage of spiritual masters), and all who are empowered by the Holy Names.
Where would we be without you Srila Prabhupada? Didi shares her take in the below livestream.
Prabhupada Pastimes with Didi and Friends
Vishwambhar shares how Srila Prabhupada transformed his life:
Prasadam Distribution
3 times a week
As usual, this month we had the opportunity to distribute several hundred vegan and vegetarian prasadam (mercy) meals to the underserved in our surrounding community.
Srila Prabhupada has said, “We have to see that nobody goes hungry within a 10-mile radius. The temple is the house of God. God is everyone’s father, Krishna is everyone’s father. So in the presence of the father, the son doesn’t go hungry. So we have to make an arrangement that people get fed.” (In Prabhupada’s Conversations: New Vrindaban 1974) (pp. 45-46)
Through our spiritual master’s mercy and inspiration, SVA continues to regularly share the love of our teachers and Deities through this distribution.
Friday Night Kirtan
Aug. 30
What a way to end the month! The celebration at SVA doesn’t stop. On this occasion, Srimati Syamarani Didi began giving a brief introductory class, followed by her engaging presence as we sang and danced throughout the night. The energy was incredible and continues to be vibrant on subsequent Friday nights. We hope you can join us soon.
Harinama Sankirtana
Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Join us for our heart-rending Harinama Sankirtanas around the city of Miami. We’re out and about throughout the week at Miami Beach, the Design District, Midtown, and Legions Park Farmers Market every Saturday.
harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā
‘For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.’(CC Ādi 7.76)
Transcendental Book Distribution
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
“These books aren’t just ordinary books; they are transcendental personalities,” Srila Gurudev said. “Books are the basis, preaching is the essence, utility is the principle, and purity is the force.” (Srila Prabhupada. February 25, 1977. Mayapur)
At Sacred Vedic Arts, we are honored to share the mercy flowing from our spiritual masters in the form of these sacred texts. Our diverse community embraces the abundance of books, art, and spiritual sound vibrations, all passed down through a lineage of self-realized Yogic masters, carrying the essence of the spiritual world.
Testimonies from our new Friends
Curious? Find your copies at our center:
Find everything you need on our site!
Seva Opportunities at SVA
Daily
Our center offers an array of volunteering or seva (service) opportunities. Performed with love, our skills, talents, and personal propensities can be engaged in the service to Krishna, which expands all people and beings everywhere. We offer the engagement of services to our community in the form of cooking spiritual food, making garlands, playing instruments, singing, dancing, handy work, decorating, constructing, and a plethora of other activities. You are welcome to join us in serving the South Florida community through prasadam distribution, programs at local shelters and jails, and in hosting educational and spiritual programs.
If you would like to get involved, find all our information on our website and socials.
Books of the Month
“Sri Guru and His Grace”
“Guru Devatatma”
Interested in a physical copy? You’re welcome to visit our center in the Miami Design District for your personal copy.
We especially extend our thanks to all of you for supporting and encouraging us, and also participating in our services. You are a great boon to us.
We look forward to bringing you news of exciting developments and initiatives in the upcoming weeks. We hope and pray to keep serving you all with love. We want to hear from you and stay in touch with you.
If you would like to donate to Sacred Vedic Arts, your contribution makes a meaningful difference and we deeply appreciate your generosity. Sacred Vedic Arts is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations to SVA are charitable contributions that can be deducted from federal income tax.