The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) is set to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Rupotsava, an annual celebration honoring the disappearance day of Srila Rupa Goswami. The event, which first began in 1999, will take place on August 14-17 in Vrindavan and will also be available online for participants around the world. There are no registration charges for virtual attendees.

Srila Rupa Goswami is one of the leading acaryas in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya. Srila Prabhupada spent several years at Srila Rupa Goswami’s Samadhi Temple, deeply absorbed in prayer for his mercy. It was there that he found the inspiration and strength to translate the first three cantos of the Srimad Bhagavatam into English. 

Empowered by the blessings he received at this sacred place, Srila Prabhupada went to America in 1965 to fulfill his spiritual master’s order to spread Krishna consciousness in the West. In his preface to his commentary on the Upadesamrita, a book by Srila Rupa Goswami, he attributed the worldwide spread of Lord Chaitanya’s Sankirtan movement to the mercy he received from Srila Rupa Goswami.

The 25th Anniversary of Rupotsava will feature many spiritual activities, including kirtan (devotional chanting), katha (spiritual discourse), recitation of Sanskrit verses and astakas, bhoga offerings, and other festivities dedicated to Srila Rupa Goswami and Sri Sri Radha Govinda. 

Some of the speakers for the lectures and poetry sessions include Sacinandana Swami, Bhaktivinoda Swami, Bhakti Prabhava Swami, Yadunandana Swami, Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, Deena Bandhu Dasa, Dravida Dasa, Panca Gauda Dasa, Sarvabhauma Dasa, Daivisakti Devi Dasi and others.

To join the celebration online, participants can complete the registration form or contact Bhaktin Nirmalee at +918979943134. For details about the program schedule, watch the video.

For more information about VIHE and its activities, visit their website or email them. You can also Join the VIHE Whatsapp Community for regular updates and information and follow them on Facebook and YouTube.