nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Śrī Guru and Gaurāṅga. All glories to your
beloved spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
It is our great fortune to present this offering by expressing our gratitude to you on your auspi-
cious and glorious appearance day.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you were born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896, in Calcutta, India.
Your father, Gour Mohan De, and mother Rajani, in accordance with Bengali tradition, employed
an astrologer. The astrologer made a specific prediction: “When this child reaches the age of sev-
enty, he will cross the ocean, become a great exponent of religion, and open 108 temples.”
Today, ISKCON Toronto stands as living proof of this prophecy having been fulfilled. “Gen-
erally, the eternal associates of the Lord in the spiritual sky do not come to the material world.
Sometimes they come, however, by the order of the Lord – not to hold any administrative post,
but to associate with the Lord in person or to propagate the message of God in human society.
Such empowered representatives are called śaktyāveśa-avatāras, or incarnations invested with tran-
scendental power of attorney.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.5.21, purport.)
It is evident that you were directly empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead as a
śaktyāveśa-avatāra, invested with divine authority to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness worldwide.
ISKCON Toronto: A Manifestation of Your Vision
Śrīla Prabhupāda, it was by your divine instruction and vision that ISKCON’s presence in
Toronto was established. The first ISKCON temple in Toronto was opened at 40 Beverly Street,
marking the beginning of your mission in this city. In September 1972, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṣīracora
Gopīnātha was installed at 187 Gerrard Street, bringing your divine mercy even closer to the
devotees.
In August 1975, under your direct guidance and blessings, we acquired our present temple
at 243 Avenue Road, establishing New Remuṇā Dhāma as a beacon of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in
Canada.
This year, on Rādhāṣṭamī 2025, ISKCON Toronto will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of both
the installation of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṣīracora Gopīnātha and the acquisition of our current temple.
Although the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic prevented a grand celebration in 2022, we are
now preparing a grand festival in honor of these historic milestones.
A Thriving Spiritual Hub
By your mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda, ISKCON Toronto has flourished for the past five decades,
transforming into a unique spiritual hub that welcomes people from all walks of life.
Daily and weekly preaching programs: We host engaging programs every day of the week, such as
Monday Movie Night showcasing your pastimes, Tuesday Sanga, Wednesday Meditation Night,
Thursday Kṛṣṇa-kathā & Kīrtana, Friday Divine Dialogue, Saturday Sādhana Circle, and on
Sunday the grand Sunday Feast. Each week, between 50–70 visitors attend these programs, and
on Sundays our attendance continues to grow, now exceeding 1,000 guests weekly.
Book distribution: The saṅkīrtana team continues to thrive, actively distributing books through
the Monthly Saṅkīrtana Festival, Bhadra Pūrṇimā distribution marathon, śāstra-dāna program,
door-to-door distribution, and much more.
Bhakti Academy: Our Bhakti Academy successfully completed its third year in April 2025, with
increasing enrollments each year and a growing waiting list. The BA actively conducts daily, tem-
ple-based preaching as well as outreach programs at yoga studios and universities.
Matchless Gifts Boutique: Formerly known as Govinda’s Boutique, Matchless Gifts is flourishing
under a dedicated and enthusiastic team. Open daily from 12–9 p.m., it continues to expand its
offerings of devotional items, books, and apparel, serving the growing needs of the community.
Govinda’s Restaurant: Govinda’s continues to flourish, successfully accommodating an increas-
ing number of patrons with the expanded capacity added in recent years. Plans are underway to
further enhance the menu to better serve our guests.
New temple elevator installation: This year, we will inaugurate a newly installed elevator to better
accommodate our senior congregation members and those with accessibility needs.
Festival of India (Ratha-yātrā): The 53rd Annual Festival of India – Lord Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā
will take place on July 12–13, 2025, at Centre Island. Last year we saw record-breaking attendance,
with over 10,000 participants in the parade. We distributed more than 25,000 plates of prasādam
over the weekend.
Bhakti Yoga Studio: Our Bhakti Yoga Studio has successfully completed its first year. It has con-
sistently attracted newcomers, with many participants now regularly attending temple programs.
Fundraising and temple operations: Our fundraising team continues to excel, securing regular
sponsors for Sunday Feasts and festivals, ensuring the temple’s steady operation.
Deity worship and temple services: The Deity department continues to set high standards in Deity
worship, offering exceptional service to Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṣīracora Gopīnātha.
The Devotee Care team tirelessly serves our senior congregation members through regular
visits, prasādam distribution, and kīrtana.
The temple kitchen recently underwent renovation – new flooring, walls, and ceiling. We plan
to upgrade the cooking equipment to meet the growing needs of the congregation.
The temple newsletter, 243 Review, continues to serve as a vital platform for keeping our com-
munity informed and engaged, sharing updates on temple events, spiritual articles, and service
opportunities.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, it is by your mercy that ISKCON Toronto continues to grow as a dynamic
center for Kṛṣṇa consciousness, providing a spiritual home for both newcomers and long-
standing devotees. Your unwavering faith in your disciples empowered them to take on incredible
responsibilities, and that same legacy continues today. We humbly seek your blessings so that we
may continue serving your mission with sincerity, determination, and faith in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s divine
plan.
Your humble and aspiring servants, forever at your service,
The devotees at New Remuṇā Dhāma