Welcome to the Bhakti Sastri information page! This year the VIHE Bhakti Sastri will begin on June 15. Come to Vrindavan and get the mercy of the Dham, the unequalled place for learning the science of Bhakti, the place where "parrots sing Vedic mantras," and which constantly resounds with the holy names! We encourage you to come for the entire course. If you however, do not have sufficient time to dedicate to your study this year, you may attend part of the course, and take the rest by correspondence or some other year (or in some other place).

Duration: 3,5 months
(July 9, 2013 – Nov 2, 2013)

Study of Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad

Requirements: Good sadhana, brahminical tendencies, voluntary service, proficiency in English and a recommendation/character sketch from a senior devotee who knows you well. Assessment criteria include attendance and personal conduct. According to the standards of ISKCON Board of Examination students should chant a minimum of 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and follow the 4 regulative principles in order to qualify for obtaining a Bhakti-sastri degree. A full recommendation (attesting the student's character and service attitude) by a senior devotee in good standing is a must.

Assessment: Essays, closed book exams. Contribution to running costs: Rs. 11,000. Listener only: Rs. 5,000. Lunch prasadam is served in the VIHE, sponsored by the alumni students and other well-wishers. A few scholarships are available.

Registration deadline: June 15, 2013.

Classes:

• Bhagavad-gita (all 18 chapters) – 17 weeks
  Teachers: Bhakti Vinod Swami, Laxmimoni DD, Sarvabhauma Das, Kamal Lochan Das, Adi Purush Das
• Nectar of Devotion (first 19 chapters) – 6 weeks
  Teacher: Adi Purush Das
• Isopanisad – 3 weeks
  Teacher: Prashanta DD
• Nectar of Instruction – 3 weeks
  Teacher: Vraj Lila DD
• An introduction to Deity Worship - 10 hours
  Teacher: Mukunda Dutta Das
• Sanskrt pronunciation and meter - 6 hours
  Teacher: Jai Nityanand Das

Registration Procedures and Deadlines

Please send your request to attend no later than June 15. Fees are preferably paid in advance and will only be accepted once you have submitted your recommendation letter and have been approved for the course.

Where to Stay

There are many rooms and apartments available near the temple.

Click here for a list of rooms and apartments in the temple vicinity

Indian Legal Registration

It is compulsory to fill a ‘C-form’ within 24 hours of your arrival in Vrindavan. You should do it at the ashram you are staying or at the ISKCON Guesthouse reception if you are staying in the temple complex. It is also required that you register with immigration within 14 days of your arrival in India if you will be staying in India for more than 6 months.

Where to Eat

Temple Prasada timings: Breakfast at 9am (Rs.30), Lunch at 3pm (Rs.30). The temple also runs a restaurant and snack bar. For those who wish to cook for themselves, all required ingredients are available in the temple vicinity.

Audio Ministry - CDs and Books

Located on the pathway to the VIHE, 70m after the MVT gate on your left.

Open from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. (except on parikrama days and Sundays). Over 70 courses are available on MP3 CDs. We also have many course books from past and current courses.

Click here for a complete catalog of books and CDs

Telephone

Long distance and overseas calls can be made from local shops opposite the ISKCON main gate.

Post Office

Located on the front side of the gurukula building near the gurukula entrance gate. Official hours are weekdays 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Changing Money and Banking

The State Bank of India has a branch office at the front of the gurukula building. Timings: Weekdays 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Money can be changed in several exchange-shops in front of the temple. There is also an ATM in the gurukula building.

Taxi

You can order taxi from the airport by calling Gopal Prasad at (+91) 9412226793 (mobile) or by writing to Gopi at govindshankarsharma@yahoo.com.

Contact Information:

ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir Goshala Land,
Raman Reti, Vrindavan.
Phone: +91 9897528032 (Vishal das) +91 7895101709 (Damodarashtak Das)
E-mail: vihe@pamho.net