18th Annual New Braj Harikatha Festival June 18th – 24th, 2013
Here in New Braj we have arranged to host our yearly Harikatha Festival around the same time that Srila Gurudeva would annually bless us with his sweet harikatha and physical presence. The festival last year was a grand success with over 400 devotees attending each weekend day for the Annakuta Maha Mahaotsava-Govardhana Puja Festival, Srila Gurudeva remembrances, wonderful harikatha, ecstatic kirtans, drama plays, and so many wonderful activities.
We would now like to invite all of you to attend and join us in New Braj in honouring His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, and all of our Rupanuga Guru Varga.
Srila Gurudeva said many times that the harikatha in New Braj was on such a high level that these festivals would be talked about for a thousand years. He has given us so many things. So what a wonderful opportunity it will be to serve, remember, and glorify Srila Gurudeva by gathering together in this special place that he mercifully established in the western world.
There will be daily arati and darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and all the beautiful Thakurjis of New Braj, classes and harikatha three times a day, ecstatic kirtans, drama plays, seminars, Annakuta Maha Mahotsava worship of Sri Giriraja-Govardhana, and much more, including of course delicious maha prasadam three times a day.
Also the festival this year will take place during the auspicious time period of Snanyatra (bathing of Lord Jagannath), the Cida Dahi Mahotsava (chipped rice festival) of Ragunatha das Gosvami at Panihati, the appearance day of Srimati Gangamata Gosvamini, Ganga Dasahara (worship of Ganga devi) and the disappearance days of Sri Baladeva Vidyabusnana Gosvami, Sri Syamananda Prabhu, Sri Sridhara Pandit and Sri Mukunda Datta. Please expect to hear wonderful harikatha on all of these topics.
Schedule of Events and Daily Programs:
Tuesday June 18th through Monday June 24th, 2013
- Mangala arati 5:30 am
- Bhajans
- Morning walk 6:30 am *
- Morning class 7:30 am
- Breakfast prasadam 8:30 am
- Mid morning class 11:00 am
- Midday arati 1:00 pm
- Lunch prasadam 1:30 pm
- Afternoon children classes 3:30 pm
- Bhajans, video highlights and evening class 5:30 pm
- Music and dramas
- Evening arati
- Evening prasadam 8:30 pm
*Morning walks where Srila Gurudeva took his daily morning walk.
Many of Srila Gurudeva’s sannyasis and traveling preachers will be joining us to lead the harikatha and bhajans including:
Sripad Bhakivedanta Madhava Maharaja, Sripad Bhakivedanta Vana Maharaja, Srimati Uma Didi, Srimati Syamarani didi, Sripad Bhakivedanta Padmanabha Maharaja, Sripad Bhakivedanta Bhagavat Maharaja, Sripad Bhakivedanta Damodara Maharaja, Sripad Bhakivedanta Sajjan Maharaja, Sriman Brajanatha prabhu, Srimati Vrinda didi, Sriman Kishori Mohan prabhu and Srimati Sudevi didi, and the Kirtaniyas (Sriman Vijay Krsna prabhu, Sarasvati didi, Rasika didi, Nitai Prema prabhu and many others). Several more Preachers are yet to finalize their travel plans.
We will announce additional speakers in future postings.
Special Events
Saturday Morning June 22nd, 2013
Annakuta Maha Mahotasava – Govardhana Puja
(We will slot in workshops, extra classes, performances, and nagar sankirtan as we arrange them. Watch this space for updates!)
Please visit New Braj on Facebook and on our website www.newbraj.com
Annakuta Maha Mahotasava – Govardhana Puja Festival
Every year Srila Gurudeva personally conducted the worship of Sri Giriraj-Govardhana in New Braj. For this years Annakuta Maha Mahotsava we will follow in Srila Gurudeva’s footsteps and do our best to please Sri Giriraj-Govardhana. This will take place on Saturday June 22nd, 2013.This ecstatic festival is held in the same way as the Annakuta Maha Mohatsava Festival during Braja Mandala Parikrama in India. During the 17th Annual New Braj Festival in 2012, over 800 preparations were offered to Sri Giriraj-Govardhana and this year there is enthusiasm to do many more!
The festival kitchens will be dedicated to cooking for the 500+ devotees and guests that will be attending and cannot spare any ingredients.
All devotees and guests are requested to please bring their own ingredients for preparing their offerings for Giriraj-Govardhana. Some ideas of things to bring are dried fruits, nuts, candy, ready-made pie crusts, coconut, condensed milk, sugar, flour, and spices. Cake, muffin, and cookie mixes are also great. Perishable ingredients such as milk, butter, fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the Badger Store (five minutes from festival site) or in Woodlake, Exeter, Three Rivers, and Visalia (35 to 55 minute drive). It is wonderful for everyone to participate in this Annakuta Maha Mahotsava and as always there are cooking facilities available in devotee’s homes. Those without transportation can give a list of ingredients to the local devotees who will go to Visalia on Friday morning, but space is limited. Planning in advance what you would like to offer to Giriraj-Govardhana and bringing some things with you will save yourself and the organizers time, and help the festival run smoothly. Some ingredients for offerings will be available on Friday and Saturday at a table set up by the book booth and registration area.
Sponsor a Feast Preparation
Any devotees who would like to sponsor a preparation for the Annakuta Maha Mahotsava feast or any other meal please contact Manjuvasini didi. manjuvasinidasi@yahoo.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (559) 337-2448.
The average cost per preparation is $100 – $200. You may sponsor one of the regular preps such as halava, puris, or sweet-rice, etc., or speak to Manjuvasini didi about a special request.
Move to New Braj
Contact us through Facebook or our website for information.
Check with local devotees for available rentals and real estate properties.
Contact Information
This year Govindarupini Didi will be handling our correspondence and forwarding emails to the appropriate persons, if necessary. Please send your inquiries to:
Govindrupini Didi: govindarupini@yahoo.com
Nanda Gopal dasa: (858) 232-6902, nandagopal119@gmail.com
New Braj Center (559) 337-2403
New Braj Website: newbraj.com
Facebook: New Braj
Transportation to the Festival Site
The best way is to contact other devotees and guests* through Facebook or our website, who own cars or who are renting vehicles and then carpool to the festival site. We really appreciate your help with this. For those who need assistance for ride coordination from Visalia, please contact: govindarupini@yahoo.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (a donation of $20.00 per person for gas will be appreciated for the transportation) if any rides become available from the Fresno Airport a donation of $40 per person will be appreciated. This is a very limited seva that we can provide and pickups will be coordinated with other arriving guests. There will be only one pickup per day and we will do our best to facilitate this. It is possible that you could have to wait or even spend the night in town if you arrive too late in the day.
* If you can help by offering rides from Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Fresno or Visalia please post your schedule to our New Braj Facebook page.
- Please remember that this is a devotional gathering: NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED.
- Parents will need to have children supervised at all times.
- For safety and health reasons, and community serenity, Please no dogs allowed on the festival site!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration Fee includes 3 meals per day and free camping.
(Devotees and guests must depart on the morning of June 26th, 2013).
To help us serve you better
If it’s not possible to register prior to the festival please R.S.V.P through our New Braj Facebook page or the contact email addresses to help us better estimate the number of devotees that will be attending the programs. Thank you.
Booth space
If you are interested in Booth Space for distributing devotional items such as clothes, beads, boks, art, etc. please contact nandagopal119@gmail.com for more information and availability.
Early Registration Discount Fee:
Book before May 31st, 2013 and save!
Donation:
ADULTS: $16 PER DAY
CHILDREN: $12 PER DAY (10 AND UNDER)
(Children 4 yrs. and under: FREE)
Optional: arrive one day early
If you want to arrive one day early there will be afternoon and evening Hari Katha and prasadam. Please add in $10.00 to your pre-registration form for early arrival (Monday June 17th, 2013).
Registration after May 31st, 2013:
Donation:
ADULTS: $20 PER DAY
CHILDREN: $15.00 PER DAY (10 AND UNDER)
(Children 4 yrs. and under: FREE)
If you want to arrive one day early there will be afternoon and evening Harikatha and prasadam. Please add in $10.00 to your pre-registration form for early arrival (Monday June 17th, 2013).
Registration Form Instructions
1. Please complete the appropriate registration section below.
2. Fill in your name and address, and tell us whether you will be camping on-site.
3. Mail the registration form with payment of money order or cashiers check to the address at the bottom of this page.
PRE-REGISTRATION DISCOUNT SECTION if paid by May 31st, 2013.
The entire festival is 7 days and 7 nights (June 18th through June 24th, 2013)
Devotees may arrive on June 17th, 2013 and set up their campsites and camp that day for a donation of $10 per person. Lunch and evening prasadam will be served to registered guests on that day. For those pre-registering please add the $10 to your payment if you plan to arrive on June 17th, 2013.
Pre-Register by May 31st, 2013 and receive the following discount, please enclose:
Number of Adults _____x $16 = ______ number of days = $_______
Number of CHILDREN (10 and under) ___ x $12 = ___number of days = $_______
Early arrival additional day Number of persons ___ x $10.00 = $_______
Grand Total = $_______
Number of children (4 and under) to attend: FREE______
Name and Address
Name: _____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
City: _______________________________________
Phone: (____) ___-_______
Email:______________________________________
Country: ______________
Camping: [ ] Please check the box if you would like to camp on-site (please bring your own tent and bedding*) * it can be chilly at night so be sure to bring some warm clothing and bedding.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
REGISTRATION SECTION – after May 31st, 2013 (the entire festival is 7 days and one additional day at $10 per person if you plan to arrive on June 17th, 2013).
Number of Adults ___ x $20 x ____number of days = $_______
Number of CHILDREN (10 and under) ___ x $15 = ___number of days = $_______
Early arrival additional days per person____ x $10 = ____
Grand Total = $_______
Number of children (4 and under) to attend: FREE______
Name and Address
Name: _____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
City: _______________________________________
Phone: (____) ___-_______
Email:______________________________________
Country: ______________
Camping: [ ] Please check the box if you would like to camp on-site (please bring your own tent and bedding*) * it can be chilly at night so be sure to bring some warm clothing and bedding.
Payment Information and Mailing Address:
* Please fill out appropriate sections in the form above along with the names of everyone in your party and send a cashiers check or money order to:
New Braj
PO Box 155
Three Rivers. CA 93271
USA
To use Pay Pal please send payments to newbrajsevateam@gmail.com
or use the button below
Please also send a copy of your registration forms by email or letter with your payments.
Thanks and we look forward to seeing you all soon.
Aspiring for service to Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas,
New Braj Seva Team
Accommodations in New Braj
Free on-site camping with outdoor bathrooms and warm showers, bring your own tent, sleeping mats and warm bedding (nights can be chilly)
Motels and rental properties in the surrounding areas.
The Seven Circles Retreat Motel in Badger is generally full but may have some availability. Please feel free to contact them at 559-337-0211 to book a room or be added to their waiting list.
The Snowline Lodge is located approximately 30 minutes from Badger and as of now has some availability. Please call for pricing.
Snowline Lodge, Dunlap CA 93621
44139 E Kings Canyon Rd Dunlap, CA 93621 559-336-2300.
Cyndissnowline.net Snowlinelodge.com
Vacation rentals in the area can be booked thru VRBO (Vacation rentals by owner) at www.vrbo.com.
Badger Creek Vacation Rentals
Still some availability
Contact: Amelia
Website http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/california/gold-country-high-sierra/sequoia-kings-canyon/badger
Also Contact: Rick Preston, heyrick@unwiredbb.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , ph# 559-336-2406
Motels are also located in Three Rivers, Visalia, Exeter and are approx. 45 -60 minutes from Badger. Three Rivers is closest and the most scenic. The lowest prices start at $59 at the Western Holiday Lodge in Three Rivers and $65 per night at the Visalia Super 8 Motel. Weekly rates may help get a discount at some of the motels. Try and book early as availability is limited and prices are subject to change.
Three Rivers Motels
Western Holiday Lodge
www.westernholidaylodge.com
40105 Sierra Dr. Hwy 198
Three Rivers, CA 93271
(559) 561-4119 Starting Rate: $ 59
Sierra Lodge
www.sierra-lodge.com
43175 Sierra Drive
Three Rivers, CA 93271-9706
(559) 561-3681
Starting Rate: $85
Best Western Exeter Inn & Suites
805 S Kaweah Avenue, Exeter, California 93221-9361
Starting Rate $79 Phone: 559/592-8118
www.bwexeterinn.com/
Sequoia Motel in Three Rivers
sequoiamotel.com
43000 Sierra Drive
Three Rivers, CA 93271 (559) 561-4453
Starting Rate: $82
Sequoia Village Inn
www.sequoiavillageinn.com
45971 Sierra Drive
Three Rivers, CA 93271
(559) 561-3652
Starting Rate: $81
Buckeye Tree Lodge
www.buckeyetreelodge.com
46000 Sierra Drive
Three Rivers, CA 93271-9626
(559) 561-5900
Starting Rate: $81
Americas Best Value Lazy J Ranch Three Rivers
39625 Sierra Dr, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9734
Starting Rate: $105 559-561-4449
Comfort Inn and Suites Sequoia Kings Canyon
40820 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers, CA 93271
Starting Rate: $117 559-561-9000
Visalia Motels
Super 8 Visalia
4801 West Noble Ave, Visalia, CA 93277 – (559) 627-2885
Starting Rate: $65
Econo Lodge Sequoia Area
1400 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277 -(559) 732-66417
Starting Rate: $63
Comfort Inn And Suites Visalia
9300 W. Airport Drive, Visalia, CA 93277 – (559) 651-3700
Starting Rate: $75
Comfort Suites Visalia
210 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 – (559) -738 1700
Starting Rate: $80
Visalia Marriott At The Convention Center
300 South Court, Visalia, CA 93291-6214 – (559) 636-7600
Starting Rate: $81
Fairfield Inn Visalia
140 South Akers Street, Visalia, CA 93291
$109 to $119 per night
Starting Rate: $85 (group rate) (559) 636-7600
Contact: Assistant Genral Manager, Sabrina Catanho
Holiday Inn Visalia-Hotel And Conf Center
9000 W Airport Dr, Visalia, CA 93277
Starting Rate: $89 – (559) 651-5000
La Quinta Inn And Suites Visalia/Sequoia Gateway
5438 West Cypress Ave, Visalia, CA 93277
Starting Rate: $94 – (559) 739-9800
Hampton Inn Visalia
4747 W. Noble Ave, Visalia, CA 93277
Starting Rate: $95 – (559) 732-3900
If you plan to stay at a motel please arrange your own accommodation ASAP.
RV Rentals
Some devotes like to rent RV’s for the week. There is no extra power or water hook ups for RV’s on the festival site so please get the type that have battery power or find a suitable location with power hook ups.
Visalia Area RV Rentals
www.rvrentalsofamerica.com/visalia-ca-rv-rental.aspx
866.726.5669
Classic Charter
PO Box 288
Visalia, CA
(661) 861-9200
Cummings RV Rental
2925 Dayton
Visalia, CA
(559) 331-0319
Fresno Area RV Rentals
Cruise America
Clovis / Fresno 1-800 671 8042
Clovis Truck Rental
707 Jefferson Avenue
Clovis, California, 93612
(559) 299-9603
G Marty Enterprises
342 West Goshen Avenue
Clovis, CA – (559) 593-5401
Golden State RV Rentals-
1780 West Sierra Avenue
Fresno, CA- (559) 907-0307
Paul Evert’s RV Country
www.rvcountry.com
3633 South Maple Avenue
Fresno, CA 93725-2482
(559) 486-1000
Weather: Badger is about 3,200 feet elevation above sea level. Weather can change from being really warm to being really cold in one day. Please bring clothing and sleeping gear (if camping) for 45F, (7C) degrees lows at night. If it warms up, highs can be from 85F to 95F, (30C-35C).
DIRECTIONS TO FESTIVAL SITE
Through Visalia, CA from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Southern California
1. Use Googlemaps.com for directions from LAX or SFO to Prince Mart (service station, petro pumps) turn off at “33423 Sierra Drive, Lemon Cove, CA 93244-1701″.
2. At this point click the add destination button to add a 3rd destination of final address: 51869 Eshom Valley Drive, Badger, CA 93603.
Note in steps 1 and 2 above, if you just add final destination without Prince Mart address, you will be taken on a wild goose chase. We cannot vouch for other maps services such as Yahoo, MapQuest, etc or GPS live instructions. The above route is the straightest but still has a fair amount of curves.
A summary of the above instructions: from Hwy 99 at Visalia exit, Take Hwy 198 EAST through Lemon Cove. Just after passing through Lemon Cove, turn left immediately past the Prince Mart Gas Station/store (on left) onto Hwy 216. Approximately a half mile up, cross the Kaweah River Bridge and take an immediate right onto Dry Creek Drive (aka J-21). Proceed for approx. 16 miles, then you will reach a fork, bear to the right onto Stagecoach Road. Continue 2 miles and then turn left onto Eshom Valley Drive to 51869 Eshom Valley Drive, about 6/10 of a mile down from Stagecoach Road on the right hand side of the road. Please watch for signs to help you enter the Festival Site. The Festival site is at Srila Gurudeva’s New Braj Center.
Driving time is approximately four hours (260 miles) from LA airport and about five hours (320 miles) from the San Francisco airport.
Maps
- LAX to Festival (through Visalia)
- SFO to Festival (through Visalia)
Through Fresno, CA from San Francisco Bay Area or Northern California
The above set of directions through Visalia, CA is the straightest way. If you are coming from the north and don’t mind a few more curves, you can go through Fresno, CA and save mileage, gas, and time.
1. Use Googlemaps.com for directions from SFO, Bay Area, or Northern California address including Fresno Airport (FAT) to final destination: 51869 Eshom Valley Drive, Badger, CA 93603.
2. Once on Hogback Rd. or Eshom Valley Drive, ignore the “Turn to Stay on” instructions as they are just curves in the road. You might want to still make note of the mileage.
We cannot guarantee other map services or GPS instructions.
Maps
- SFO to Festival (through Fresno)
- Fresno to Festival
- Visalia to Festival
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