Members of the New Gokul team are delighted to have welcomed three new beautiful cows into the herd, arriving to the sanctuary from another farm. The decision to bring them was made with the intention of being able to supply more milk, yoghurt, paneer and other dairy-based delicacies. At New Gokul Farm they’ll live a peaceful life, full of care & love.
“They are all two years old and pregnant, due to give birth around December time.” said Jay Krishna das. “Please do come and welcome the new residents and offer your blessings!”
9:45am – Radha Gokulananda Vihara Yatra (Deity Procession starting from the Temple Room)
10:10am – Swagata Seva (Welcoming the Deities to the Goshala)
10:15am – Navanaivedya Seva (9 bhoga offerings made with Goshala milk)
10:20am – Arati Seva
10:30am – Pravachan
10:45am – Go Mochana (Letting the cows out)
11:15am – Prasadam Seva (Refreshments)
About the celebration
‘Go Mochana Utsava‘ means ‘the festival of letting the cows out’. After a long winter stay inside the barns, the cows and oxen will be released into the fields and pastures. Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda will be gracing everyone with Their presence, coming all the way from Their altar just to see Their favourite cows and enjoy the spectacle of seeing them leap with joy and stretch themselves after their long winter months inside the barns.
Contact
Please contact info@krishnatemple.com if you have any queries
New Gokul is Bhaktivedanta Manor’s cow protection centre and organic farm, based on self sustenance, compassion, and harmony between humans, animals and the environment.
With a herd of 63 cows, bulls and oxen, modern and traditional cow care facilities and acres of pastureland, it’s a real haven for the cows! The centre is also home to an organic agricultural farm that uses sustainable and natural farming methods. These are good for the soil, the environment and our well being.
“You learn to love them”
Ravi Ruparel lives in Northwood, northwest London and by profession is a Financial Advisor. However, at least once a week he joins other enthusiastic volunteers who put on their wellies and descend on the Manor’s New Gokul Farm.
Throughout the year, as part of groups of anything from 4 to 15 volunteers of all ages, Ravi is there.
They help clear our cow manure from the barns. Mixed with straw, it is then stored until it is taken out to the Manor’s Organic Farm where they use it a s fertilizer for the horticulture project.
Ravi collects fresh straw, then the team spreads it out to create a new layer of bedding for the cows and bulls. They also give them fresh hay to eat and top out their water tanks.
“Ever since I was young I saw pictures of Krishna with the cows, so I made that association,” Ravi explains. “But things started to happen when I went to Govardhan Eco Village in Maharastra, India. I found myself volunteering for their farm every morning. Upon my return to the UK I wanted to continue in this service.
“I began to see cows and bulls as truly sentient beings, especially given that they all have their own devotional names. I connect with them as fellow beings, there’s no barrier. You learn to love them. You can feel close to them, stroke then, love and serve them. And they reciprocate with that love!
When you’re on the farm, the fresh air is combined with the energy of being around the cows and bulls, which makes you feel more calm and compassionate. They are amazing!
“Serving the cows made me become “Ahimsa Vegan”, meaning I only drink milk from cows from farms which are slaughter free, have hand-milking and where the bulls are given meaningful work.”
Hare Krishna, at the Manor we are very proud of our incredible farm and goshala project that we have been managing and maintaining for many years now. Our farm is affectionately named New Gokul, and it has served as a loving home for our beloved cows as well as giving joy, knowledge, and inspiration to hundreds of people every day. And yet, it’s evident that there’s still so much potential to New Gokul that we haven’t tapped into and so many innovative ways it can serve the community and beyond.
We are looking for an inspired, individual who’ll expand on the vibrancy of New Gokul and help create an immersive atmosphere of devotion as exemplified by Srila Prabhupada for devotees, staff, volunteers, and visitors. This requires visionary leadership, amalgamating ancient spiritual practices with a harmonious, holistic, natural way of living based on a universal spirituality rooted in the traditions of bhakti yoga based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. There is a great opportunity here to develop New Gokul into a national centre for excellence in sustainability and animal welfare and based on exemplary Krishna conscious leadership and a culture of care and personalism.
Exhilarating new responsibilities!
As the director of New Gokul, you’ll be representing New Gokul and ISKCON’s philosophy of cow protection and sustainable living to government departments, agencies, and relevant external and internal bodies. Not to mention working with Bhaktivedanta Manor ‘s departments to ensure a seamless visitor experience as well as attending to the needs of the devotees, staff, volunteers, and visitors. You’ll be personally meeting and greeting Senior devotees and VIPs and ensuring their appropriate care.
You’ll help to make sure that New Gokul thrives and prospers as a centre for Vaishnava agrarian practice, education and training and organise, promote, and expand some wonderful ceremonies and functions throughout the year like letting the cows out in spring and Govardhan Puja in autumn. There’ll be opportunities to devise practical business plans involving sustainability, chemical-free natural farming and dairy production and of course maintaining publications that will educate and inspire people about New Gokul.
You’ll ensure the milk needs of our beloved Deities are taken care of will be spearheading an innovative waste removal and composting program. And of course, you’ll be making sure our much loved cows, bulls and the land is protected, preserved all within a sanctified, Krishna conscious environment.
Qualities required?
This is an exciting and stimulating position that requires you to be exemplary in behaviour and loyal to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. The position requires visionary and managerial capabilities and the ability to achieve goals under deadlines. And of course, it’s essential to have an approachable, accessible, and collaborative mood.
If you are up for the challenge get in touch by 25th May. Contact – vrindarika@krishnatemple.com
After a long winter stay inside the barns, the cows and oxen will be released into the pastures on 21st April. We all look forward very much to this day every year. We call this day, ‘Go Mocana Utsava ‘– the festival of the letting out of the cows! And its a festival! Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda will be gracing us with their presence, coming all the way from their altar just to see their favourite cows and enjoy the spectacle of seeing them leaping with joy and stretching themselves after their long winter months inside the barns.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SUNDAY 22nd APRIL
Go-Mochanotsava
Each spring, the Manor’s New Gokul farm goes through the “letting out of the cows” ritual, whereby the cows and bulls are overjoyed to be let out again in the fields after being kept sheltered inside for the winter. Everyone laughs and cheers as the herd race across the fields, jumping and moo-ing in happiness. A truly delightful and entertaining experience for both cows and humans alike!
Each spring, the Manor’s New Gokul farm goes through the “letting out of the cows” ritual, whereby the cows and bulls are overjoyed to be let out again in the fields after being kept sheltered inside for the winter. Everyone laughs and cheers as the herd race across the fields, jumping and moo-ing in happiness. A truly delightful and entertaining experience for both cows and humans alike!
Each spring, the Manor’s New Gokul farm goes through the “letting out of the cows” ritual, whereby the cows and bulls are overjoyed to be let out again in the fields after being kept sheltered inside for the winter. Everyone laughs and cheers as the herd race across the fields, jumping and moo-ing in happiness. A truly delightful and entertaining experience for both cows and humans alike!
Each spring, the Manor’s New Gokul farm goes through the “letting out of the cows” ritual, whereby the cows and bulls are overjoyed to be let out again in the fields after being kept sheltered inside for the winter. Everyone laughs and cheers as the herd race across the fields, jumping and moo-ing in happiness. A truly delightful and entertaining experience for both cows and humans alike!
