# ISKCON Tallinn Temple > The Tallinn temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Sri Harinam Mandir. Luise tn 11a, Tallinn. Schedule, prasadam, departments, contacts, donations. - URL: https://iskcon.ee/en/ - Address: Luise tn 11a, 10142 Tallinn - Temple phone: +372 5858 8559 (We speak Estonian, Russian and English.) - Email: info@bhaktiyoga.ee - Luise tn 11a, 10142 Tallinn · entrance from Endla street (between houses 6 and 8) · open daily 5:00–20:00 ## Who we are We are part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, continuing the ancient Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The temple occupies a historic 1922 building beside Tallinn's Old Town; the community moved here in 1998. The presiding Deities are Sri Sri Nitai-Caitanya Candra (Gaura-Nitai), as well as Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi. We practise bhakti-yoga: chanting the holy names, studying the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, mercy, truthfulness, control of the mind and selfless service. Experienced devotees and first-time guests are equally welcome in the temple. ## Srila Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In 1965, at the age of sixty-nine, he sailed from India to New York with almost no money and no contacts — to fulfil his spiritual master's instruction and bring the teachings of bhakti to the whole world. In twelve years he opened more than a hundred temples on every continent and translated dozens of volumes from Sanskrit and Bengali — Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-caritamrita. His books remain the foundation of our practice: they are what we read and discuss at the morning classes in the temple. ## Schedule Open daily 5:00–20:00. The current programme is highlighted in Tallinn time. ### 5:00–5:30 Mangala-arati The auspicious start of the day — the first arati (service to the Deities) https://iskcon.ee/en/service/mangala/ “Arati” means a service, an act of worship offered to God, and “mangala” means “auspicious”. Mangala-arati is the auspicious beginning of the day — the very first service, long before sunrise. The pujari (priest) stands at the altar and offers the Deities auspicious items one after another: a lamp with wicks burning in ghee (clarified butter), incense, water, a flower, a fan. Everyone else stands in the temple room and sings. The service lasts about half an hour and has three parts: first the Gurv-astaka, then the Nrsimha-kirtan, and at the end Tulasi-puja with the Tulasi-kirtan. This is the quietest and most focused time in the temple — many consider it the best. You need no preparation to come: just step in quietly, stand at the back and listen — and sing along if you feel like it. ### What is sung Mangala-arati is sung in three parts, one after another: **“Sri Gurv-astaka”** — By Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura ``` saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka- trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam mahāprabhoḥ kīrtana-nṛtya-gīta- vāditra-mādyan-manaso rasena romāñca-kampāśru-taraṅga-bhājo vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā- śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau yuktasya bhaktāṁś ca niyuñjato ’pi vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda- svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra- mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam ``` Translation: Like a cloud pouring rain upon a forest fire, the spiritual master extinguishes the blazing fire of material existence and delivers the suffering world. I bow to the lotus feet of such a master, an ocean of auspicious qualities. / Chanting the holy names, dancing and playing instruments, he is always gladdened by Lord Caitanya's sankirtana. Relishing pure devotion, his hair stands on end, his body trembles and tears flow in waves. I bow to his lotus feet. / He is always engaged in worshipping the Deities — dressing Them, decorating Them, cleaning Their temple — and he engages his disciples in the same service. I bow to his lotus feet. / He offers Krishna four kinds of delicious food, and he is satisfied when he sees the devotees satisfied by bhagavat-prasadam. I bow to his lotus feet. / He longs to relish at every moment the boundless sweet pastimes, qualities, forms and names of Sri Radhika and Madhava. I bow to his lotus feet. / He is most dear to the Divine Couple, for he is expert in assisting the gopis in arranging Their meetings in the groves of Vrindavana. I humbly bow to his lotus feet. / All the scriptures say the spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the Lord Himself, and saintly people do so, for he is the Lord's most confidential servant. I bow to his lotus feet. / By his mercy one receives the mercy of the Lord; without it no progress is possible. Remembering and praising him three times a day, I bow to his lotus feet. **Nrsimha-kirtan** — Prayers to Lord Nrsimha; the last verse is by Jayadeva Gosvami ``` namas te narasiṁhāya prahlādāhlāda-dāyine hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ- śilā-ṭaṅka-nakhālaye ito nṛsiṁhaḥ parato nṛsiṁho yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiṁhaḥ bahir nṛsiṁho hṛdaye nṛsiṁho nṛsiṁham ādiṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgaṁ dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgam keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare ``` Translation: I bow to Lord Nrsimha, who gives joy to Prahlada. With His nails, like chisels on stone, He tore open the chest of Hiranyakasipu. / Nrsimha is here, Nrsimha is there; wherever I go, there is Nrsimha. He is outside and He is within the heart. I take shelter of Nrsimha, the origin of all. / O Kesava, who took the form of a man-lion! The nail on Your beautiful lotus hand is a wondrous horn with which You tore apart the body of Hiranyakasipu as though it were a bee. All glories to You, Lord of the universe, Hari! **Tulasi-puja** — The three prayers sung while worshipping Tulasi *Tulasi-pranama* ``` vṛndāyai tulasī-devyai priyāyai keśavasya ca kṛṣṇa-bhakti-prade devi satyavatyai namo namaḥ ``` Translation: I offer my repeated obeisances to Vrinda, Tulasi Devi, who is dear to Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotion to Krishna and embody the highest truth. *Tulasi-kirtan* ``` namo namaḥ tulasī kṛṣṇa-preyasi namo namaḥ rādhā-kṛṣṇa-sevā pābo ei abilāṣī ye tomāra śaraṇa loy, tāra vāñchā pūrṇa hoy kṛpā kori’ koro tāre vṛndāvana-vāsī mora ei abhilāṣa, vilāsa kuñje dio vāsa nayana heribo sadā yugala-rūpa-rāśi ei nivedana dhara, sakhīra anugata koro sevā-adhikāra diye koro nija dāsī dīna kṛṣṇa-dāse koy, ei yena mora hoy śrī-rādhā-govinda-preme sadā yena bhāsi ``` Translation: Again and again I bow to Tulasi, dear to Krishna. My only wish is to obtain the service of Radha and Krishna. / For whoever takes shelter of you, you mercifully fulfil every desire and make them a resident of Vrindavana. / This is my request: let me live in the groves of Their pastimes, so that my eyes may always behold the beauty of the Divine Couple. / Accept this plea: make me a follower of the gopis, grant me the right to serve and accept me as your own maidservant. / So says the fallen Krishna-dasa: may I always float in love for Sri Radha and Govinda. *Tulasi-parikrama — circumambulating Tulasi* ``` yāni kāni ca pāpāni brahma-hatyādikāni ca tāni tāni praṇaśyanti pradakṣiṇaḥ pade pade ``` Translation: Whatever sins there may be, even the gravest of them, are destroyed at every step of one who circumambulates Tulasi. ### 5:30–7:00 Japa meditation (prayer) Chanting of the holy names on beads https://iskcon.ee/en/service/japa/ Japa is personal, quiet prayer. Each person repeats the Hare Krishna mantra under their breath on a strand of 108 beads; one full round is 108 repetitions, and devotees usually chant sixteen rounds a day. From the outside it looks like an hour and a half of near-silence in which everyone is absorbed in their own practice: some walk slowly around the hall, others sit by the wall. In essence it is an hour and a half of deep inward prayer addressed to God. A guest is welcome simply to be there — or to take a strand of beads and try. Asking how it is done is perfectly normal here. ### What is sung The same maha-mantra as in kirtan, but differently: kirtan is prayer together — sankirtana — while japa is individual prayer. It is spoken softly, under one’s breath, sometimes in a whisper, yet still aloud. One round of beads is 108 repetitions: ``` Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare ``` O Lord, O internal energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service. (translation by Srila Prabhupada) ### 7:15–7:20 Greeting of the Deities Darshan (beholding) — the altar opens https://iskcon.ee/en/service/greeting/ At a quarter past seven the curtain opens and the Deities — freshly dressed and decorated — appear before everyone. This is called darshan. The service is short, only five minutes: devotees offer their obeisances to the Deities and sing the bhajan Govindam adi-purusam. In the Vedic tradition it is held that it is not so much we who look at the Deities as They who look at us. A guest need do nothing at this moment — just stand at the back and watch. ### What is sung **“Govindam adi-purusam”** — Brahma-samhita, verses 5.30 and 5.32 ``` veṇuṁ kvaṇantam aravinda-dalāyatākṣaṁ barhāvataṁsam asitāmbuda-sundarāṅgam kandarpa-koṭi-kamanīya-viśeṣa-śobhaṁ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi aṅgāni yasya sakalendriya-vṛtti-manti paśyanti pānti kalayanti ciraṁ jaganti ānanda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi ``` Translation: I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, playing His flute. His eyes are like lotus petals, His head is adorned with a peacock feather, His form is the colour of a rain cloud, and His beauty charms more than that of millions of gods of love. / I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, each limb of whose body can do what all the other senses do: He sees, maintains and creates countless universes. His form is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss. ### 7:20–7:45 Guru-puja Puja (worship) offered to Srila Prabhupada https://iskcon.ee/en/service/gurupuja/ Right after the greeting of the Deities, devotees offer their respect to Srila Prabhupada — the founder of ISKCON, who in 1965 brought the bhakti tradition to the West single-handedly. The pujari (priest) performs puja to the murti (form) of Srila Prabhupada, while all the devotees offer him flower petals and sing a prayer to the spiritual master. ### What is sung **“Sri Guru-vandana”** — By Narottama dasa Thakura ``` śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma, bando muñi sāvadhāna mate jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi, kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha’te guru-mukha-padma-vākya, cittete koriyā aikya, ār nā koriho mane āśā śrī-guru-caraṇe rati, ei se uttama-gati, je prasāde pūre sarva āśā cakhu-dān dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei, divya-jñān hṛde prokāśito prema-bhakti jāhā hoite, avidyā vināśa jāte, vede gāy jāhāra carito śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu, lokanāth lokera jīvana hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā, ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana ``` Translation: The lotus feet of my spiritual master are the abode of pure devotion; I bow before them with great care. By his mercy, brothers, we cross the ocean of birth and death and attain Krishna. / Take the words from his lotus mouth into your heart and desire nothing else. Attachment to his feet is the highest goal; by his mercy every aspiration is fulfilled. / He gave me sight and revealed divine knowledge in my heart — he is my master, life after life. From him love of God is born and ignorance is destroyed; the Vedas sing of his deeds. / The spiritual master is an ocean of mercy, the friend of the fallen, the master and very life of all. O master, be merciful, give me the shade of your feet; may your glory resound through the three worlds. ### 7:45–9:00 Srimad-Bhagavatam lecture Online broadcast https://iskcon.ee/en/service/lecture/ Every morning devotees gather for a Srimad-Bhagavatam class, to hear the Lord's message at the start of the day and then meditate on it for the rest of it. The Srimad-Bhagavatam is one of the principal scriptures of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition; the speaker takes up one of its verses. You may come in person to the temple room, or watch the live broadcast in our Facebook group; the recordings of all the previous lectures are kept there too. It is not a monologue. The main part is always followed by questions and answers: anyone may ask what interests them about the day's verse — in person or online, in the comments under the stream. (For now the morning lecture is given in Russian only. We are working on making it available in Estonian and English as well.) ### 9:00–9:15 Dhupa-arati Morning arati with incense (dhupa) https://iskcon.ee/en/service/dhupa/ A short morning arati before breakfast: incense (“dhupa” in Sanskrit), flowers and a camara — a whisk fan — are offered to the Deities. The service at the altar itself takes about five minutes, and the devotees sing kirtan meanwhile. This is the simplest service of the day, with no long prayers. Breakfast is served right afterwards — prasadam (sanctified food). ### What is sung There are only three words, and anyone can join in: ``` Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare ``` O Lord, O internal energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service. (translation by Srila Prabhupada) ### 9:15–9:45 Breakfast Prasadam — sanctified food. Please let us know in advance https://iskcon.ee/en/service/breakfast/ Breakfast prasadam is served right after the morning arati. Anyone may come, but let us know beforehand — the food is cooked for a set number of people, so a call or a message the evening before or in the morning is enough. You fetch your own dishes: metal plates and cups are kept under the serving table. You come to the serving table with your plate in hand. The food is served by a designated person from the temple — you do not help yourself from the pots: whoever serves prasadam observes particular rules of cleanliness, having washed their hands and mouth. Afterwards you wash up yourself — there is a separate place with sinks for that; there is no need to enter the kitchen, which has a hierarchy of its own. Prasadam is offered for a voluntary donation. At the same time you can say that you will come for lunch as well — nearly everyone who has had breakfast here does. Getting up at five for the food is not the loftiest of motives, but the tradition has seen worse beginnings. ### 14:00–14:15 Bhoga-arati (except Sun) Arati as the lunch is offered (bhoga — food) https://iskcon.ee/en/service/bhoga/ Bhoga-arati is the arati performed right after the Deities have been offered lunch. “Bhoga” is cooked food that has not yet been offered. Everything the devotees (Vaishnavas) cook, they offer to the Lord with love. After such an offering the food is considered prasadam — “mercy”, sanctified food. In our temple everything cooked in our temple kitchen we offer to our Deities: Sri Sri Nitai-Caitanya Candra, as well as Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi. Right after the arati, lunch begins at the table next to the kitchen. Anyone may come, having let us know about the visit in advance. ### What is sung At this service we sing kirtan — the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, accompanied by mridanga and karatalas. There are only three words, and anyone can join in: ``` Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare ``` O Lord, O internal energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service. (translation by Srila Prabhupada) In large temples an old Bengali bhajan by Bhaktivinoda Thakura is sung at this time; it describes in detail how Krishna takes His lunch in Yasoda's house. We do not sing it here, but it is given below — nothing explains better what this service is actually about. **“Bhoga-arati” — Bhaktivinoda Thakura** — bhajan.bhogaarati.a ``` bhaja bhakata-vatsala śrī-gaurahari śrī-gaurahari sohi goṣṭha-bihārī, nanda-jaśomatī-citta-hārī belā ho’lo dāmodara āisa ekhano bhoga-mandire bosi’ korohu bhojana nandera nirdeśe baise giri-vara-dhārī baladeva-saha sakhā baise sāri sāri śuktā-śākādi bhāji nālitā kuṣmāṇḍa ḍāli ḍālnā dugdha-tumbī dadhi mocā-khaṇḍa mudga-baḍā māṣa-baḍā roṭikā ghṛtānna śaṣkulī piṣṭaka kṣīra puli pāyasānna karpūra amṛta-keli rambhā kṣīra-sāra amṛta rasālā, amla dvādaśa prakāra luci cini sarpurī lāḍḍu rasābalī bhojana korena kṛṣṇa hoye kutūhalī rādhikādi gaṇe heri’ nayanera koṇe tṛpta ho’ye khāya kṛṣṇa jaśodā-bhavane bhojanānte piye kṛṣṇa suvāsita bāri sabe mukha prakṣāloya ho’ye sāri sāri hasta-mukha prakṣāliyā jata sakhā-gaṇe ānande biśrāma kore baladeva-sane jāmbula rasāla āne tāmbūla-masālā tāhā kheye kṛṣṇa-candra sukhe nidrā gelā biśālākṣa śikhi-puccha-cāmara ḍhulāya apūrva śayyāya kṛṣṇa sukhe nidrā jāya jaśomatī-ājñā pe’ye dhaniṣṭhā-ānīto śrī-kṛṣṇa-prasāda rādhā bhuñje ho’ye prīto lalitādi sakhī-gaṇa avaśeṣa pāya mane mane sukhe rādhā-kṛṣṇa-guṇa gāya hari-līlā ek-mātra jāhāra pramoda bhogārati gāya ṭhākur bhakativinoda ``` Translation: Worship Sri Gaurahari, who is affectionate to His devotees. He is the same Lord who played in the pastures of Vraja and stole the hearts of Nanda and Yasoda. / “It is late, Damodara, come now. Sit in the dining hall and take Your meal.” / At Nanda's word the lifter of Govardhana Hill sits down; with Baladeva the cowherd friends take their places row upon row. / Sukta and all kinds of greens, fried dishes, nalita and pumpkin, dal, vegetable stew, milk with gourd, yoghurt and banana flowers. / Patties of mung and urad dal, flatbreads, rice with ghee, saskuli, pistaka, ksira, puli and rice pudding. / Camphor-scented amrta-keli, bananas, thickened milk, sweet amrta-rasala and twelve kinds of sour dishes. / Puris, sweet puris with cream, laddus and rasabali — Krishna eats it all with great delight. / Glancing from the corner of His eye at Radhika and Her friends, Krishna eats to His satisfaction in Yasoda's house. / After eating, Krishna drinks scented water, and everyone rinses their mouths in rows. / Having washed their hands and faces, all the cowherd boys rest blissfully together with Baladeva. / Jambula and Rasala bring spiced betel; having tasted it, Krishnacandra falls happily asleep. / Visalaksa fans Him with a peacock-feather whisk, and Krishna sleeps sweetly on a wondrous bed. / On Yasoda's order Dhanistha brings the remnants of Krishna's meal, and Radha lovingly partakes of them. / Lalita and the other sakhis receive what is left and joyfully sing in their hearts the qualities of Radha and Krishna. / Thakura Bhaktivinoda, for whom the pastimes of Hari are the only delight, sings this Bhoga-arati. ### 14:15–14:45 Lunch (except Sun) Prasadam — sanctified food. Book before 10:00 https://iskcon.ee/en/service/lunch/ Lunch on weekdays, right after the midday arati. You must let us know in advance — before 10:00, so that you are counted: the kitchen cooks for a specific number of people. Lunch usually consists of two dishes or more — most often rice and a vegetable stew, sometimes soup — with a salad and a drink alongside. Sweets are not always part of it, but treats can be bought from the temple fridge. The routine is the same as at breakfast: you take a metal plate and cup from under the serving table and come with them to the serving table; the food is served by a designated person from the temple who observes the rules of cleanliness. Afterwards you wash up yourself — in the place set aside for it, with sinks, not in the kitchen. Lunch is for a donation, roughly from 3 €. Everyone is welcome. Seconds do not break a fast you were not keeping; if you were, you are here anyway, so that is between you and Krishna. ### 19:00–19:15 Gaura-arati Evening arati to Sri Caitanya (Gaura) https://iskcon.ee/en/service/gaura/ Gaura-arati is the arati offered to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the hidden avatara of the Lord who appeared in Bengal more than five hundred years ago. He spread the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the sankirtana movement, throughout Bengal and South India, making it available to absolutely everyone — regardless of gender, position or age. He brought the principal method of spiritual advancement for the people of our age, Kali-yuga — the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. Anyone may take it up: simply chant the holy names of God, and so gradually realise one's eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and return home, back to Godhead. The bhajan flows gently into kirtan and the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. ### What is sung **“Gaura-arati”** — By Bhaktivinoda Thakura ``` (kibā) jaya jaya gorācānder āratiko śobhā jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā dakhiṇe nitāicānd, bāme gadādhara nikaṭe advaita, śrīnivāsa chatra-dhara bosiyāche gorācānd ratna-siṁhāsane ārati koren brahmā-ādi deva-gaṇe narahari-ādi kori’ cāmara dhulāya sañjaya-mukunda-vāsu-ghoṣ-ādi gāya śaṅkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla madhura mṛdaṅga bāje parama rasāla bahu-koṭi candra jini’ vadana ujjvala gala-deśe vana-mālā kore jhalamala śiva-śuka-nārada preme gada-gada bhakativinoda dekhe gorāra sampada ``` Translation: All glories to the beautiful arati of Lord Gauracandra in the grove on the bank of the Ganges — it captivates the minds of all living beings. / On His right stands Nityananda, on His left Gadadhara; nearby is Advaita, and Srivasa holds the parasol. / Gauracandra is seated on a jewelled throne, and the demigods headed by Brahma perform His arati. / Narahari and others fan Him with camaras, while Sanjaya, Mukunda, Vasu Ghosh and others sing. / The conch and the bell sound, the karatalas ring, the mridanga beats sweetly — this music is full of the highest taste. / His face shines brighter than millions of moons, and a garland of forest flowers glitters upon His chest. / Siva, Sukadeva and Narada are choked with love and cannot speak. Bhaktivinoda beholds this splendour of Lord Gaura. ### Also regularly Sat 16:00 — harinama in the city · details in the Telegram channel https://iskcon.ee/en/service/harinama/ “Hari-nama” means “the name of the Lord”. Harinama is when devotees go out into the street and chant the holy names aloud for everyone: the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, to mridanga and karatalas. In its present form the practice is more than five hundred years old. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began it in Bengal, taking congregational chanting out of temples and homes onto the city streets so that anyone could hear the holy name, whatever their background or belief. The idea is simple: the holy name acts by itself, and it is enough simply to hear it. Nobody is recruited and nothing is sold — people just sing. Anyone may join: sing, play, walk along, or just listen from the side. ### What is sung On harinama only the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is sung. There are just three words, and anyone can join in: ``` Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare ``` O Lord, O internal energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service. (translation by Srila Prabhupada) ## Sunday programme The week's main gathering, open to all. Kirtan, philosophy and a shared feast — come even for the first time. ### 14:00 Kirtan Kirtan — chanting the holy names together https://iskcon.ee/en/service/skirtan/ An hour of chanting the holy names together, to mridanga and karatalas. You need not know the words: the leader sings a line and the room repeats it. You may sing, clap, dance, or simply sit and listen — all of it is equally welcome. The Sunday programme starts here, and this is its easiest part for a first-time visitor: neither a voice nor an ear for music is required — generations have tested this. ### What is sung The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is sung: the leader gives a line, everyone repeats it. The words are always the same: ``` Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare ``` O Lord, O internal energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service. (translation by Srila Prabhupada) ### 15:00 Bhagavad-gita lecture On the philosophy of bhakti https://iskcon.ee/en/service/slecture/ A talk on the Bhagavad-gita, the tradition's best-known text: a conversation between Krishna and the warrior Arjuna before a battle, about duty, fear and the nature of the self. It is given in plain language and assumes no background. After the main part there is always time for questions — any question, sceptical ones included. Difficult questions are not feared here — as a rule they are exactly what makes the conversation come alive. The Sunday lecture is translated into Estonian and English when needed — say so beforehand and the translation will be arranged. ### 16:00 Arati to the Deities Festive service https://iskcon.ee/en/service/sarati/ The festive arati (service to the Deities) — the most solemn of the week. The altar opens, conch and bell sound, the pujari offers the Deities a lamp, incense, water and flowers, while everyone sings kirtan. It lasts about half an hour. People usually stand, but if that is hard you may sit by the wall — nobody will mind. And if you are unsure what to do with your hands, look at your neighbour: they are not sure either. ### 16:30 Sunday feast Free vegetarian feast for everyone https://iskcon.ee/en/service/sfeast/ After the programme comes a large vegetarian feast: prasadam, sanctified food, for everyone present. It is free, for a voluntary donation, and no booking is needed. Dishes are provided by the temple; the food is served by a designated person who observes the rules of cleanliness. Afterwards you wash up yourself — in the place set aside for it, with sinks, not in the kitchen. It is also the best time simply to talk: over a plate it is easy to meet the community and ask the questions the lecture did not reach. Asking for seconds is nothing to be shy about — leaving hungry is the only real failure here. ### 18:00 Evening kirtan Chanting together in the temple room https://iskcon.ee/en/service/ekirtan/ One more kirtan in the evening, in the temple room. Nobody knows in advance what it will turn into: sometimes calm and slow, sometimes loud enough to rattle the windows — mridangas have been torn through more than once. You may come and go at any point; that is not considered impolite. ### What is sung The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is sung: the leader gives a line, everyone repeats it. The words are always the same: ``` Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare ``` O Lord, O internal energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service. (translation by Srila Prabhupada) ## Upcoming festivals ### 2026-08-28 Balarama Purnima — 18:00–22:00 https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/balarama/ The appearance day of Lord Balarama, Krishna's elder brother. The tradition honours Him as the original spiritual master and as service itself: whatever Krishna does, Balarama supports. The festival falls on the full moon of the month of Sravana — hence purnima, full moon. In the temple there is special worship of the Deities, kirtan and a festive feast. There is no fasting: on the contrary, Balarama Purnima is kept with feasting, and there is more prasadam than usual. Programme: - 18:00 Kirtan - 19:00 Lecture - 20:00 Arati - 20:30 Theatre - 20:50 Prasadam Would you like to help with organising and serving? Lila Shuka Das, +372 5804 9932 Support the celebration: Krishna Teadvuse Eesti Kogudus, EE672200221027752194, payment reference «Баларама» ### 2026-09-04 Krishna Janmashtami — 18:00–00:30 https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/janmashtami/ Krishna's appearance day — the main festival of the year. According to tradition Krishna was born at midnight, in a prison in Mathura, which is why the celebration runs until midnight. The day is kept as a fast until midnight. In the evening there are kirtans, a decorated altar and abhisheka — the bathing of the Deities — and after the midnight arati everyone breaks the fast with a feast. You may come at any point of the day, however familiar or unfamiliar you are with the tradition. The exact schedule is announced in advance. Programme: - 18:00 Kirtan - 19:00 Theatre - 19:30 Abhisheka and kirtan - 21:00 Kirtan - 21:30 Lecture - 23:00 Kirtan - 00:00 Arati and kirtan - 00:30 Prasadam Would you like to help with organising and serving? Lila Shuka Das, +372 5804 9932 Support the celebration: Krishna Teadvuse Eesti Kogudus, EE672200221027752194, payment reference «Krishna» ### 2026-09-05 Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja — 10:00 https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/vyasapuja/ The appearance day of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON. It falls on the day after Janmashtami, and temples keep it as Vyasa-puja: the honouring of the spiritual master in the line coming down from Vyasadeva. On this day his students and followers offer him flowers and words of gratitude, read from his books and recall how he brought the bhakti tradition to the West single-handedly. A feast follows. Anyone may come; no preparation is needed. Programme: - 10:00 Lecture - 11:00 Devotees glorify Srila Prabhupada - 12:00 Food offering to Srila Prabhupada - 12:15 Guru-puja and kirtan - 12:45 Pushpanjali - 13:00 Prasadam - 14:30 Harinama-sankirtana in the street Would you like to help with organising and serving? Lila Shuka Das, +372 5804 9932 Support the celebration: Krishna Teadvuse Eesti Kogudus, EE672200221027752194, payment reference «Prabhupada» ### 2026-09-19 Radhastami https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/radhastami/ The appearance day of Srimati Radharani, Krishna's eternal companion and the very embodiment of devotional service. The tradition says the easiest way to approach Krishna is through Her. The festival comes two weeks after Janmashtami. In the temple there is special worship, kirtan and a feast; the fast is kept until noon. On this day it is customary to ask for service rather than for anything for oneself. ### 2026-09-23 Vamana Dvadasi https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/vamana/ The appearance day of Vamana, the Lord in the form of a brahmana boy. He asked King Bali for just three paces of land, then covered the whole universe in two. The point of the story is not that the king was outwitted: Bali gave away everything he had and received more than he could have asked for. In the temple there is worship and a feast; the fast is kept until noon. ### 2026-09-24 Appearance of Bhaktivinoda Thakura https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/bhaktivinoda/ The appearance day of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the man with whom the tradition's revival in modern times began. He was a magistrate and the father of a large family, and still wrote about a hundred books on bhakti. His songs are sung in this temple every day: Gaura-arati in the evening, Bhoga-arati in the larger temples at noon. The fast is kept until midday, and then there is a feast. ### 2026-09-26 Visvarupa Mahotsava https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/visvarupa/ Visvarupa Mahotsava — the day Srila Prabhupada accepted sannyasa, the renounced order. He was sixty-three, and six years still stood between him and America. The same day marks the passing of Visvarupa, Sri Caitanya's elder brother. There is a service and a feast; the third month of Caturmasya ends. ### 2026-10-26 Beginning of Kartika https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/kartika/ Kartika, the month of Damodara, is the most auspicious month of the Vaishnava year. It runs from full moon to full moon — in 2026 from 26 October to 24 November. Throughout the month devotees offer Lord Damodara a ghee lamp every evening and sing the Damodarastaka. Many take up extra vows for these weeks: to read more, to chant more, to give something up. On the first evening of Kartika the lamps are lit in the temple and the Damodarastaka begins. Come without any preparation — a lamp will be handed to you. ### 2026-11-08 Dipavali https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/dipavali/ Dipavali, the festival of lights, an evening of lamps. They are lit in memory of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile: the townspeople lit his way home. Rows of lamps are lit in the temple, there is kirtan and sweets are handed round. Come after dark — otherwise the whole point is lost. ### 2026-11-10 Govardhana-puja https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/govardhana/ The festival remembering how Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill and held it on His little finger for seven days, sheltering the people of Vrindavana from the downpour sent by Indra. On this day a “hill” of prasadam is built in the temple — hence the other name, Annakuta, “mountain of food”. It is offered to the Lord, circumambulated with kirtan, and then distributed to everyone present. One of the homeliest festivals of the year: plenty of prasadam, plenty of singing, and nothing complicated for a first-time visitor. ### 2026-11-13 Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/prabhupada/ Srila Prabhupada's disappearance day. He left his body in Vrindavana in 1977, having in eleven years founded more than a hundred temples and translated dozens of volumes. On this day his books are read, stories about him are told, and flowers are offered to him. The fast is kept until noon. It is a quiet day but not a sad one: in the tradition a teacher's departure is not a parting. ### 2026-11-17 Gopastami https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/gopastami/ Gopastami — the day Krishna first went out to herd the cows. Until then he had tended the calves; moving up to the grown herd was an event in Vrindavana, and Yasoda spent the whole morning dressing him for it. The temple keeps the day with special worship and honour to the cows. A homely, warm festival. ### 2026-11-24 Kartika Purnima — the end of Kartika https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/kartikaend/ Kartika Purnima — the last evening of Damodara's month and the last lamp. The month of vows that began on 26 October comes to a close. The same day the Tulasi-Salagrama vivaha is held: the wedding of Tulasi Devi and the Salagrama-sila. The service is festive and crowded, and a feast follows. ### 2026-12-20 Gita Jayanti https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/gitajayanti/ Gita Jayanti — the day the Bhagavad-gita was spoken. Krishna spoke it to Arjuna between two armies, minutes before the battle, and took roughly an hour over it. The temple reads and discusses the Gita all day. A good day to start reading it: the plot is already common knowledge, only the text is left. ### 2026-12-27 Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's Disappearance Day https://iskcon.ee/en/festival/bhaktisiddhanta/ The disappearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Prabhupada's spiritual master. It was he who in 1922 told the young Abhay: if you can speak English, tell the West about Krishna. The instruction came at their very first meeting and was carried out forty-three years later. The fast is kept until noon; there are readings and a feast. ## Prasadam Sanctified vegetarian food for everyone who wishes to share it. ### Weekday lunch Around 14:00 you can come for lunch. You must let the kitchen know before 10:00 that you are coming. ### Sunday feast After the Sunday programme — a big feast, a chance to meet devotees. ### Sweets from the fridge Tasty vegetarian sweets can be bought from the temple fridge, cash or transfer. To buy — find any devotee in the temple, or if no one is around, call the temple phone. ## If you have never been here Short answers to what people most often ask before coming for the first time. ### Do I need to book or let you know I am coming? Not for the services — just come; the temple is open daily from 05:00 to 20:00. You only need to let us know if you would like to stay for breakfast or lunch, since the food is cooked for a set number of people. The Sunday feast needs no booking. ### What should I wear? Whatever you normally wear — nothing special is needed. The only requests are that shoulders and knees be covered, and that shoes come off before the temple room. Bring socks: in winter the floor is cool. ### Do I need to know or be able to do anything? Nothing at all. You can step in, stand at the back and watch. Nobody will come up to question you or ask you to introduce yourself. Singing, clapping and bowing are offered, not required. ### What does it cost? All services and programmes are free to attend. Weekday lunch is for a donation, roughly from 3 €. The Sunday feast is free, for a voluntary donation. A few festivals charge for entry, and that is always announced in advance. Nothing is sold and nothing is expected of you. ### Can I come if I follow another faith, or none? Yes. The temple is open to everyone and nobody is asked about their beliefs. Many people come out of curiosity, for the kirtan, or simply for the quiet — that is a perfectly good reason. ### Can I bring children? Of course. Children are a normal sight here, and there are usually several at the Sunday programme. Nobody will mind if a child is noisy or runs about. ### When is the best time to come first? On Sunday at 14:00: kirtan, a talk, arati and the big feast — and that is when the most people are around to explain things. If you would rather have quiet, come to the evening Gaura-arati at 19:00; it lasts fifteen minutes. ### May I take photographs? In the temple, yes; for the Deities on the altar it is better to ask a devotee first, as photography is not done during some services. During the lecture and japa you will be asked not to disturb. ## Departments ### Kitchen Weekday lunches and the big Sunday feast, sweets from the fridge. Lunch booking — before 10:00. ### Deity worship (pujari) Altar service, dressing and decorating the Deities, sponsoring puja. ### Tulasi service Caring for the Tulasi Devi plant: watering, decorating, offerings and the evening prayer. ### Festivals & programmes Festivals, visiting teachers, the Sunday programme, talks and courses. ### Guest services First visit, etiquette, newcomer questions, pilgrim accommodation. ### Finance Donations, bank details, the renovation fund, accounts. ## Key contacts The yatra board is elected once a year. There are currently three members. Call them for complex and important matters — everyday questions go to the departments. - Lila Shuka Das, Board member — +372 5804 9932, lennart.eistre@gmail.com - Aravindaksha Das, Board member — +372 5568 1340, info@bhaktiyoga.ee - Bhakta Maksim, Board member — +372 5810 9199, info@bhaktiyoga.ee - Temple phone: +372 5858 8559 — We speak Estonian, Russian and English. - Email: info@bhaktiyoga.ee - Address: Luise tn 11a, 10142 Tallinn - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iskconyatralife.estonia - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tempel.ee - Telegram: https://t.me/+La_prWzwynxiZDdk ## Where to find us Luise tn 11a, 10142 Tallinn — 10142 Tallinn · Kassisaba district, next to the Old Town. Entrance from Endla street (between 6 and 8). Luise tn 11a, 10142 Tallinn · entrance from Endla street (between houses 6 and 8) · open daily 5:00–20:00 Open in Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=59.4303333,24.7344625 ## Support the temple The temple lives by the care of devotees and guests. Add the purpose in the payment reference. - General donations: Swedbank, Krishna Teadvuse Eesti Kogudus, EE672200221027752194 - For temple renovation: Krishna Teadvuse Eesti Kogudus, EE762200221058147273 Funds go towards restoring the historic 1922 building — the roof, facade and utilities. No payment purpose code is needed.