After a few months break, I have been reunited with my secretary, who has been on a break in India. This means that our posts will be regular once again.

Over the last few months we have been busy at Hare Krsna Valley. One of our major activities has been chopping wood in preparation for the winter months. A group of our friends came down from Melbourne to help us out over a week end with the wood chop, and they were rewarded with a lovely feast cooked by my wife Veda Priya.

We have been visited by many friends, including my wife’s old school friend, Kerin, who took advantage of our laundry sink to bath her daughter Isabella.

Our market garden is going well, producing a large variety of vegetables. We will keep you updated with it’s progress in the next few weeks.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

It is that time of the year when I visit the Holy Places in the auspicious month of Karttik. I will be visiting Mayapur, Puri and Vrindavana with a group of enthusiastic devotees.

Karttik is the holiest month in the lunar calendar. It usually overlaps with the months October & November in the English calendar. Karttik Month, also known as Damodar Maas, is described in the scriptures as the best among months for performing spiritual activities.

When I get an opportunity I will try to keep you posted with photographs of my visit.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

On the weekend we catered for the Birregurra Festival, a small town 15 minutes from Hare Krishna Valley, which is attended by thousands of people every year. Some people told us that they wait the entire year to taste our cauliflower pakoras. As usual, our tent was the most popular food vendor at the festival.

One of our helpers at the festival, Gargan, had an interesting experience with live reptiles at the Snakebusters tent. He said this was one of the highlights of his stay in Australia.

My brother Christian is making great progress in the building of his house, with the rammed earth walls and steel frames all going up in the last week.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

On Friday night we had our monthly home programme in Geelong at Munish and Monika’s new home, which was attended by 40 guests. On the weekend we hosted a retreat with His Grace Bhurijana Prabhu which attracted 80 guests who enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere in the peaceful environment of Hare Krishna Valley.

The weather was magnificent, which allowed for everyone to take advantage of being outdoors playing games and bush walking. In between lectures, the guests enjoyed acting in dramas in the Temple room.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

This week at Hare Krishna Valley we hosted our second Bhakti Yoga cooking retreat with our world famous Hare Krishna chef Kurma dasa. As usual, our guests were delighted with the cultural presentation of our Krishna Conscious lifestyle.

They all went away feeling enlightened, relaxed and educated in the various aspects of our way of life including vegetarian cooking, yoga and congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

This week at Hare Krishna Valley we were visited by members of the Golden Plains Shire Council who were brought to us by a Leader Design Group called “Two and You”. They were a very intelligent and interesting group, who found Hare Krishna Valley an inspiring project which is setting an example for the world in “Simple Living and Higher Thinking”.

Unfortunately, our farm mascot, Bhima the dog, ran in front of the farm vehicle and broke his leg. We were helped by a friend of ours who is a vet, and now Bhima will spend the next 8 weeks recuperating and recovering from his injury. Please send him your prayers.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

This week at Hare Krishna Valley my brother Christian laid the foundation for his house, which he will begin work on and hopefully complete in the next 12 months. The weather showed its usual unpredictable nature, with rain one day and sunshine the next.

On my day off, my wife and I went for an 8 km walk from the top of Erskine falls down to Lorne, which took four and a half hours including a lunch break. The scenery was exquisite, and I would highly recommend this walk to anyone.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

This week at Hare Krishna Valley we received a visit from the volunteers and staff of the Torquay Information Centre, who came to orientate themselves with what we have to offer. They especially enjoyed the lunch, which included cauliflower pakoras (deep fried cauliflower in batter).

On Saturday night we hosted a festival at the farm for the birthday of Krishna’s elder brother, Lord Balarama. This was attended by our regulars, who were able to experience a special drink named Varuni juice which we prepare only once a year. As I am very fond of this beverage, I managed to consume 3 and a half cups, and finished the night feeling very blissful.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

This week at Hare Krishna Valley it was a week of maintenance, with focus on filling all the potholes in the road on the farm. We also cleared a lot of the dead branches away from the side of the road, and added them to our bonfire pile which we will light soon. However, Derek and Veda managed to bog the car when they drove into the paddock to off load the branches. Fortunately, Manigriva was able to tow them out with the tractor.

We also managed to fix the catering storage shed which was damaged when a tree fell on it. Manigriva was clearing the trees that were growing too close to Balaram Ashrama in preparation for the fire season, and one of them fell the wrong way.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

This week at Hare Krishna Valley we were fortunate to have the presence of His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who facilitated a weekend retreat for over 100 guests. His discources were both informative and enlightening, and challenged the audience to see beyond the modern materialistic patterns of thought.

On the Wednesday night my wife and I attended a public meeting at the Deans Marsh Community Centre to discuss the prospect of brown coal mining in our area. Over 300 people from the local community attended the gathering to oppose the mine, and as a result the mining company withdrew their proposal to pursue an application for mining. This was indeed a victory for the local area and Hare Krishna Valley.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.