Namamrta Program in Nairobi, Kenya

Last week Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture [BCEC] offered the Namamrta program in Nairobi, Kenya. Both Co-international directors of BCEC, HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami and HG Nrsimhananda Prabhu served as co-facilitators. The program was held over four days and included harinams as well as an indept study of His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's instructions on the chanting of the holy name. The apt venue for the program was Iskcon Nairobi.

Participants in this program commented that this opportunity made them relish and understand the great gift that Srila Prabhupada has given. Indeed his centers in the material world are synonymous with an oasis in the desert.

Comments from attendees are as follows:

HG Umapati Prabhu, the temple president of Iskcon Nairobi commented that, "This program is directly presenting what Srila Prabhupada gave to us. I have truly benefited in understanding the need for attentive chanting."

HG Mahaman Prabhu, the temple president of Iskcon Mombasa also attended the program in full and commented, "I have been guided through this program how to chant the holy names offenselessly. I find this program to be so beneficial that my suggestion is that it be held atleast two to four times every year."

Yogesh C Rawal said, "I truly appreciate the guidance on how to overcome the obstacles in approaching Sri Krishna through His holy names."

Many others said that their lamentation was that they did not get to attend a course like this earlier in their devotional lives and felt that this program afforded them guidance on how to build a firm foundation for spiritual progress.


His Holiness Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami facilitates a session.


Many participants took days off from work to attend.


Class of Iskcon Nairobi Namamrta level one program.


Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Bankibehari


Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari


Their Lordships Sri Sri Sita Ram, Laxman, Hanuman


Students share during a session.

The Deities in the pics above are all from Iskcon Nairobi. The Temple there has three altars, a beautiful life size deity of Srila Prabhupada, a very nice sweet shop, classrooms for BCEC courses, three storey guesthouse and appartment rooms on the premises where grhasta rent at a good rate. About 30 devotees attend mangalarati daily and about 60 attend Deity greetings and Guru-puja to Srila Prabhupada. During the day many guests attend aratis. On Saturdays a special program is facilitated for the local Kenyans with class in the local dialect, kirtan and sumptuous prasad. Regular Sunday programs also attract huge crowds. All glories to Iskcon's founder acarya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.