Welcome to the Bhakti Sastri information page! This year you can attend even just a part of the course, and take the rest by correspondence or some other year (or some other place). Come to Vrindavan and get the mercy of the Dham, the unequalled place for learning the science of Bhakti, the place where "parrots sing Vedic mantras," and which constantly resounds with the holy names!

Duration: 3,5 months
(July 19, 2012 – Nov 12, 2012)

Study of Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad

Requirements: Good sadhana, brahminical tendencies, voluntary service, proficiency in English and a recommendation/character sketch from a senior devotee who knows you well. Assessment criteria include attendance and personal conduct. According to the standards of ISKCON Board of Examination students should chant a minimum of 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and follow the 4 regulative principles in order to qualify for obtaining a Bhakti-sastri degree. A full recommendation (attesting the student's character and service attitude) by a senior devotee in good standing is a must. A full recommendation (attesting the student's character and service attitude) by a senior devotee in good standing is a must.

Assessment: Essays, closed book exams. Contribution to running costs: Rs. 9,000. Listener only: Rs. 4,000. Lunch prasadam is served in the VIHE, sponsored by the alumni students and other well-wishers. A few scholarships are available.

Registration deadline: July 1, 2012.

Teachers:

Adi Purusa Dasa, Pranesvara Dasa, Vraja Lila Dasi, Prasanta Dasi.

Classes:

• Bhagavad-gita (all 18 chapters) – 17 weeks
• Nectar of Devotion (first 19 chapters) – 6 weeks
• Isopanisad – 3 weeks
• Nectar of Instruction – 3 weeks
• An introduction to Deity Worship - 10 hours
• Sanskrt pronunciation and meter - 6 hours

Registration Procedures and Deadlines

Please send your request to attend no later than July 1. Fees are preferably paid in advance and will only be accepted once you are approved.

Click here for temple schedule

Where to Stay

There are many rooms and apartments available near the temple ranging from Make Rs. 50 to Rs. 150 per day. Most ashrams are adequate but simple. Bedding is often not supplied.

Click here for a list of rooms and apartments in the temple vicinity

Indian Legal Registration

It is compulsory to fill a ‘C-form’ within 24 hours of your arrival in Vrindavan. You should do it at the ashram you are staying or at the ISKCON Guesthouse reception if you are staying in the temple complex. It is also required that you register with immigration within 14 days of your arrival in India. if you will be staying in India for more than 6 months.

Where to Eat

Temple prasadam is available at Rs. 50 per day (prices are subject to change). The temple also runs a restaurant and snack bar. For those who wish to cook for themselves, all required ingredients are available in the temple vicinity.

Click here for details

Other Facilities

Audio Ministry - CDs and Books – located in the “green house” (Prabhavisnu Swami’s and Bhakti Caitanya Swami’s asram), 70m to the right if you face MVT gate.

Open from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. (except on parikrama days and Sundays). Over 70 courses are available on MP3 CDs. We also have many course books from past and current courses.

Click here for a complete catalog of books and CDs

Telephone

Located on the front side of the gurukula building near the bookstall to the right of the main gate. Local, long distance and overseas calls can be made.

Post Office

Located on the front side of the gurukula building near the gurukula entrance gate (about 30 meters past the snack bar). Official hours are weekdays 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Changing Money and Banking

State Bank of India has a branch office at the front of the gurukula building near the snack bar. Hours are weekdays 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Money can be changed in several exchange-shops in front of the temple. There is also an ATM in the gurukula building.

Taxi

You can order taxi from the airport by calling Gopal Prasad at (+91) 9412226793 (mobile) or by writing to Gopi at govindshankarsharma@yahoo.com.

Contact Information:

VIHE c/o Krishna Balaram Mandir,
Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg,
Raman Reti, Vrindavan,
Mathura Dist., 281124,
Phone: +91 9897528032 (Vishal das)
E-mail: vihe@pamho.net
Web site: www.vihe.org