Sri Radha Govindaji Gaudiya Matha Inauguration Festival
July 11th – July 14th, 2013
Introduction
Dear Maharajas, Prabhus and Didis,
On behalf of our Dear most Divine Spiritual Master, Om Vishnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja, the devotees of Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha in Houston, Texas humbly request the grace of your presence at the ‘Temple Inauguration & Deity Installation Festival’ of the new temple. This is the first temple of Srila Gurudeva in North America that has been built from ground up. In June 2009, Srila Gurudeva personally performed the ‘Bumi Puja (‘Ground Breaking and Foundation Laying’) ceremony of the temple. He wanted this to be a magnificent temple, just like his temple at Govardhana, which will become the focal point of preaching his message of pure bhakti. Now, by his divine mercy, his desire is becoming a reality. It will be a historic festival in the history of Srila Gurudeva’s North American sanga.
Several sannyasis and senior devotees from all over the world have confirmed attendance at the festival. So, there will be nectarean hari-katha, remembering the glorious pastimes of Srila Gurudeva, melodious kirtans, beautifully choreographed cultural programs and of course delicious, sumptuous prasadam. So, please make sure not to miss. Come with your family and friends and immerse yourself in four days of pure spiritual bliss.
Please read through this announcement for festival details. In order for us to plan properly and ensure all arrangements are made efficiently for all the attending devotees, we strongly suggest that you register for the festival ASAP. Please check the ‘Festival Registration’ section for details.
For any questions regarding the festival or to assist the festival and the temple in any way you can, please contact us at
Festival Schedule
The festival will start on July 11th and 5 PM and conclude on July 14th at 1 PM.
Mangal Arati will be at 5 AM every day. The morning programs will be from 8 AM – 1 PM. The evening program will be from 5 PM – 8 PM.
July 11th
Evening
- Festival Opening
- Bhajans & Kirtans
- Hari Katha by Sannyasis and Senior Devotees
- Arati & Prasadam
July 12th
Morning
- Bhajans & Kirtans
- Hari Katha by Sannyasis and Senior Devotees
- Arati & Prasadam
Evening
- Maha Nagar Sankirtan
- 108 Kalash Purna Kumbha Pradakshina
- Cultural Program
- Arati & Prasadam
July 13th
Morning
- Temple Inauguration
- Vigraha Pratishtha (Deity Installation) & Chakra Installation
- Maha Abhisheka
- FIRST Bhoga Arati of Their Lordships
- Arati & Prasadam
Evening
- Bhajans & Kirtan
- Hari Katha by Sannyasis & Senior Devotees
- Speeches by local dignitaries
- Cultural Proogram
- FIRST Sandhya Arati of Their Lordships
- Prasadam
July 14th
Morning
- (5:00 AM) FIRST Mangal Arati of Their Lordships
- Bhajans & Kirtans
- Hari Katha by Sannyasis & Senior Devotees
- 108 Kunda Vishnu Homa
- Festival Conclusion
Festival Registration
We will like to humbly request you to register as soon as possible, so we can make all the festival arrangements properly. We are expecting large participation and want to ensure that the facilities are properly equipped for all the devotees. We have tried our best to keep the festival fees as low as possible. However, as this is a major event, the costs are significant. Please assist us by paying the registration fees as well as any other way you can assist.
The festival fees are as follows:
Before June 15, 2013: Adults & Children above 12: $55 Child (6-12): $25
After June 15, 2013: Adults & Children above 12: $70 Child (6-12): $35
Children under 6: FREE
Please click here to download the Registration Form.
- If you are paying by check, please mail the form and the payment to Sangeeta didi at the following address. (Please make checks payable to IGVS, Houston)
- Sangeeta Garg
- 13611 Somersworth Dr
- Houston, TX 77041
- If you are paying by credit card, you can email a scanned copy of the Registration Form to Sangeeta didi at the following email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please also copy Vishnu Das atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Special Events & Sponsorships
- 108 Kalash Purna Kumbha Yatra
There will be 108 beautifully decorated kalashas (copper pots) in which the water from all the Holy Rivers will be invoked through chanting of mantras. 108 ladies will carry these on their heads accompanied with kirtan and circumambulate the temple. The water from these kalashas only will be used for Maha Abhishekam of the Deities.
- Sponsorship: $108
Each sponsor will get the kalash (with coconut & other ingredients), a . They will be able to keep the kalash as prasadam after the Maha Abhishekam. - How to sponsor: Please check the ‘Kalash’ check-box on the Registration Form and add $108 to your registration payment.
- 108 Kunda Vishnu Homa
This will be special Yajna in which you can participate along with your family. There will be 27 kundas, one kunda for 4 families. There will be a dedicated priest for each kunda to conduct the Yajna.
- Sponsorship: $251
- How to sponsor: Please check the ‘Vishnu Homa’ check-box on the Registration Form and add $251 to your registration payment.
- Other Sponsorships: You can also help the temple by sponsoring the following for the inauguration festival:
- Dress for Sri Sri Radha Govindaji $2,000
- Dress for Sri Sri Gaur Nitai $1,500
- Dress for Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanumanji $2,500
- Flower Garlands $500
- Any Lunch or Dinner Prasadam Feast $1,500
Hotels
There are several hotels with 2-5 miles of the temple. You can find excellent deals onsite. The best sites are: www.kayak.com, www.expedia.com, or www.travelocity.com. We have also negotiated some special rates with the following hotels. In case of negotiated rates, we have given the Group number. Please call the hotels directly to make the reservations and use the Group Number, if applicable. Please note, in some cases you may be able to find better deals online for the same hotel.
(Important Note about In-Town Suites: In-Town does not generally give confirmed reservations. So, please make sure that you will get the confirmed room if you are making the reservation)
- Drury Hotels
General Manager: Chad Nottmeier (Phone 281-558-7007)
Location: 1000 Highway 6 North,
Houston, Texas 77079
Website: www.druryhotels.com
Phone: 1-800-DRURYINN
Group # 2177603
Discount Rates: a) Deluxe Rooms (2 Full Size or 1 King) 2 people
7/10/13 7/11/13 7/12/13 7/13/13 7/14/13
$114.95 114.95 74.95 74.95 74.95 (Plus Tax)
b) Suites (1 King plus Pullout Sofa) 3 people
$ 139.99 139.99 114.99 114.99 114.99 (Plus Tax)
Microwave plus Fridge in the room.
- Intown Suites
General Manager: Lucy Bolduk (Phone 281-858-8219)
Guest Line: 281-463-0857
Location: 5055 Hwy 6 North, Houston, Texas 77084
Office Open from Monday thru Saturday.
Website: www.intownsuites.com
No pets allowed.
Weekly rates: Full Bed w/ Day Bed (Up to 3 people)
$239.99 + Tax = $275.99 plus $ 50.00 deposit
Two Full Size Beds (Up to 4 people)
$269.99 + Tax= $310.49 plus $50.00 deposit
- Intown Suites
General Manager: Maria Yanez (Phone 281-858-1810)
Guest Line: 281-858-1593
Location: 9155 Hwy 6 North, Houston, Texas 77095
Office Open from Monday thru Saturday
Website: www.intownsuites.com
No pets allowed.
Weekly rates: Full Bed w/ Day Bed (Up to 3 people)
$229.99 + Tax = $264.49 plus $ 50.00 deposit
Two Full Size Beds (Up to 4 people)
$259.99 + Tax= $298.99 plus $50.00 deposit
We are working on a possible discount.
- Crossland Economy Studios Houston-Northwest
Location: 5959 Guhn Road, Houston, Texas 77040
Manager: Maria
Website: www.crosslandstudios.com
Phone: 713-934-7600
Weekly rates: Single Bed
$270.20 (Including Tax)
Two Singles (Twins) Or Two Queens
$393.05 (Including Tax) or $409.43 (Including Tax)
Two Queen Beds
$450.38 (Including Tax)
- Motel 6
Location: 14833 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77094
General Manager: Denise Conklin
Website: www.motel6.com; Property # 1139
Phone: 281-497-5000
Weekly rates: Single Bed (One adult)
$256.20 (Including Tax)
Two adults
$279.65 (Including Tax)
No microwave, No Fridge.
- Studio 6 Houston- West
Location: 1255 North Highway 6, Houston, Texas 77084
Quote From: Be Be: Reservation allowed ahead.
Website: www.staystudio6.com
Phone: 281-579-6959
Daily Rates Beds Person Weekly rates
$49.00+ Tax= $57.33 1 Queen 1 $229.00+ Tax= $267.89
$53.00+ Tax= $62.01 2 Queen 2 $249.00+ Tax= $291.27
$61.00+ Tax= $71.37 Double Beds 3 $299.00+ Tax= $349.79
Take advance reservations; Non smoking rooms available; Pets Allowed.
Fully equipped kitchen
- Studio 6 Houston- North-West
Location: 14255 N W Free Way, Houston, Texas 77040
Reservation allowed ahead.
Website: www.staystudio6.com
Phone: 713-895-2900
Daily Rates Beds Person Weekly rates
$49.00+ Tax= $57.53 1 1 $229.00+ Tax= $267.93
$53.00+ Tax= $62.31 1 2 $249.00+ Tax= $291.67
$61.00+ Tax= $71.67 Double Beds 3 $299.00+ Tax= $349.783
Take advance reservations; Non smoking rooms available; Pets Allowed.
Fully equipped kitchen
- Bear Creek
Location: 4204 HWY 6, Houston, Texas 77084
General Manager: Arun Patel
Please call the Motel for reservation
Booking Code: Mandir Rates
Website: www.bearcreekinnhouston.com
Phone: 281-859-2233
Daily rates: Single Bed (All King size)
$49.00 + Tax = $57.49 (upto two people)
$59.00 + Tax = $67.85 (upto 4 people) (Two Queen Beds)
Very clean room, No pets, No smoking.
Room service daily.
Transportation
Houston has limited public transportation and commuting from the temple to your hotel may be challenging. We, therefore, strongly advise you to rent a car if you are flying into Houston. The rental cars at either of Houston airports are quite cheap. Again, you can find the best prices at www.kayak.com. Private door to door shuttle service is available from both the airports.
We will have limited arrangements for airport pick-up and drop. Airport pick-ups will be scheduled at fixed times on July 10th evening, July 11th morning & afternoon. The temple arranged pick-up will cost $25 per person per trip. If you would like us to arrange airport pick-up, please email Vishnu Das at
Contact
The Temple address is as follows:
- Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha
- 16628 Kieth Harrow Blvd
- Houston, TX 77084
- www.sggm.org
For further information or any questions, please contact Vishnu Das at:
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Phone: (281) 491-4114
