Worldwide Activities of Krishna Consciousness
 
New Temple for  ISKCON in New Leicester
 
Leicester, England: Fifteen months before ISKCON had lost its Thoresby Street temple in a gas leak explosion. After struggling for months by holding festivals in rented halls, they finally got a new temple in 31 Granby Street. The new temple formerly belonged to HSBC Bank. The edifice is around 15,000 square feet in size, and its Victorian Gothic architecture features large stained glass windows and intricately carved brickwork and ceilings.
 
Ratha-yatra Celebrations
 
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh: ISKCON Nellore organized its first Ratha-yatra of Lord Jagannatha on January 21, 2012. The parade went along a 5-km route. Over 10,000 packets of prasada were distributed. 
 
Mumbai: Ratha-yatras in various parts of Mumbai were organized during the month of January. On January 7, at Dadar’s Shivaji park, more than hundred thousand people attended the celebrations. Several stalls distributing devotional literature and explaining the principles of Krishna consciousness were put up.
 
On January 14, the suburb of Ghatkopar saw its second Ratha-yatra starting from Tilak grounds. More than 45000 people attended.
 
On January 15, ISKCON Juhu organized the Festival of Chariots. The festivities lasted for three consecutive days, and many senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada spoke during the event.
 
BTG Tamil Receives an Award
 
Chennai, TN: On January 30, Bhagavad-darisanam, the Tamil edition of Back to Godhead, received the Shivaji award for its outstanding performance in the magazine field. This award is given to various participants who have excelled in the field of cinema, social service, culture and arts, natural health, and spirituality among various others. BTG Tamil was recognized for its clear spiritual message directed towards the betterment of the human society.
 
Last Disciple of Bhaktisiddanta Thakura Passes Away
 
Kolkata, WB: Srila Bhaktikumud Santa Gosvami Maharaja, the last disciple of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, left this world on January 7, 2012. He was suffering from respiratory problems. His body was brought to the Gaudiya MaTha in Behala, Kolkata, and was placed in front of the Deities, where he was offered arati and puspanjali. His samadhi will be placed at Sri Gauranga Matha in Keshihari, WB.
 
Contributed by Madhava Smullen, Manish Goel and Sri Giridhari Dasa.