Dearest Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāminn iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
On behalf of the Minnesota temple and our Kṛṣṇa conscious community here, we feel grateful for another year under your shelter. Your presence continues to guide us in ways we often don’t even realize until later.
One of the most meaningful moments for us this year was hosting ISKCON Minnesota’s first Ratha-yātrā. For our community, it was a deeply emotional and joyful experience. Seeing Lord Jagannātha, Baladeva, and Subhadrā Devī come out and bless the streets of Minnesota felt like a moment we had been waiting for, and it touched our hearts in a way we will never forget.
Throughout the year, we saw your teachings quietly touch people. During our weekly kirtans, new guests stayed longer than they expected, especially many college students who were curious and searching for something deeper. Their openness, their questions, and the way they connected with the chanting showed us how naturally Kṛṣṇa consciousness can reach people when it’s offered with sincerity. The children’s enthusiasm during kirtan and service also brought a warmth to the temple that lifted everyone’s spirits.
In this Age of Kali, we see how stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed people are. Many feel lost or are unsure where to turn. But when they come in contact with your teachings – even briefly – something softens in their hearts. We see it in their eyes, in their questions, and in the relief they feel during kirtan. Your message gives people hope, clarity, and a sense of direction that is hard to find in today’s world.
Our university outreach at the University of Minnesota also gave us hope. Students were open, curious, and genuinely trying to understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness and your mission. Their sincerity reminded us that your teachings continue to reach new people, even in places where we might not expect it.
Inside the temple, we’ve tried to strengthen our services – festivals, Deity worship, and caring for one another. There were times when things felt challenging, but returning to your instructions on humility and cooperation helped us stay steady. Again and again, we felt guided back to what truly matters.
As a community, we feel inspired to do more. We genuinely want to serve more, to reach more people, and to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a way that touches hearts. There is so much more we hope to offer – through outreach, festivals, prasādam, kirtan, and simply being available for anyone who is searching. Our prayer is to grow in sincerity and dedication so we can contribute more meaningfully to your mission.
We are grateful to serve under the guidance of His Holiness Romapāda Swami, whose instructions help us stay aligned with your mood and mission. His reminders about sincerity, patience, and genuine care keep us grounded as we try to carry forward even a small part of your vision.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, we feel so blessed. Your teachings give us hope, direction, and the heart to serve the community the way you taught – with humility and care.
Your servant of the servant,
Śauri Dāsa, temple president