Hare Krishna Valley hosts a series of retreats over autumn and winter. This year they included retreats on Vegetarian Cooking; Vedic Astrology; Japa, Kirtan and Krishna-katha (with Bhurijan Prabhu and Jagattarini Mataji); Student Retreats with Devamrita Maharaja; Bhakti Yoga (with Melbourne University Bhakti Yoga Club) and a Sri Vaishnava Retreat (with devotees from the Shiva Ashram).
To get advance notice of upcoming retreats, keep an eye on the Valley’s blog at http://www.harekrishnavalley.com.au/blog, or the Temple noticeboards and its website at http://www.iskcon.net.au.
WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) from countries as diverse as Colombia, Japan, Holland and France regularly work at the Valley. They all enjoy a genuine taste of Krishna Conscious culture during their stay and contribute to the maintenance of the farm project. Afterwards some are fortunate enough to visit the Temple or even join us in the ashrams.
In May devotees from Melbourne helped with the farm’s bi-annual wood chop. They harvested the 30 tonnes of wood that keep Valley residents and guests warm over winter.
The devotees continue to maintain and upgrade the buildings and farm facilities for the pleasure of visitors. The ashrams are often rented out as bed and breakfast accommodation. In the Temple area the water tanks are being cleaned and filters attached. The tanks themselves are being decorated with Krishna conscious street art. A new sound system has been installed in the Temple room. You can also listen live via your smartphone to Melbourne classes using Serverroom (http://serverroom.us/radio/283984).
Hare Krishna Valley continues to attract substantial interest in its monthly Sunday feast program (hosting around 60 guests) and Geelong-based Bhakti Vriksha group.
This autumn Manigriva’s market garden harvest featured sweet and juicy vine-ripened tomatoes (yum), pumpkins, yellow squash, potatoes, chard and delicious herbs like basil and coriander. The organic market garden means that the farm in almost self-sufficient in its vegetable needs, and moreover generates a profit from selling excess produce.
To get a glimpse of the farm or to book accommodation, visit the Valley website at http://www.harekrishnavalley.com.au. If you are interested in staying for a few days or helping to develop Hare Krishna Valley, you can also contact Keshava dasa on 0405-577-453 or keshava.tkg@pamho.net.
