Record Numbers Gathered for Dallas Sadhu Sanga: Get All the Details

Photo by Vrindavan Priya. All different photos are courtesy of Indradyumna Swami.

May 26-29, 2023, was the tenth anniversary of the Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat held this yr on the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center in Texas. The sold-out gathering welcomed 3,000 devotees from 42 US states and 14 nations, together with locations as numerous as Iceland and Qatar. The occasion hosted over 24 hours of joyful kirtans expertly by the MC Sacinandana Swami. It featured Acyuta Gopi, Badahari Das, Gauravani Das, Indradyumna Swami, Madhava Das, Mahatma Das, Mayuri Gandharvika, Mukunda Datta Das, Radhanath Swami, Sacinandana Swami, Sri Prahlada Das, and Vaisesika Das. Each day started with a full morning program, together with Srimad Bhagavatam courses from Radhanath Swami, Jayapataka Swami, and Giriraja Swami. Devotees relished the affiliation of so many devotees, together with senior leaders reminiscent of Jayadvaita Swami, Candramauli Swami, Kratu Das, Sesa Das, and Malati Dasi. A large crew of volunteers served over 30,000 plates of prasadam, together with a 14-item salad bar for lunch and dinner.

Why Dallas in 2023?

Back in 2011, the disciples and well-wishers of His Holiness Indradyumna Swami celebrated his birthday as Sri Vyasa Puja in Dallas with plenty of kirtans, courses, and prasad. The Texas metropolis was chosen due to its central location for devotees nationwide. Many native Dallas devotees additionally attended these packages. Upon seeing their enthusiasm for kirtans, Indradyumna Maharaja instructed his disciples to prepare it as a kirtan retreat the subsequent yr and gave it the identify “Sadhu Sanga.” So it was befitting that on the tenth anniversary, it will return to its hometown. Importantly, this yr additionally commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji, “The Deity of Dallas,” as Srila Prabhupada referred to as Them.

In ten years, the occasion has grown from 300 attendees to three,000.

Behind the scenes

Govinda Charan Das and his spouse Rasika Siromani Dasi, each disciples of Indradyumna Swami, plan for the retreat year-round with the assistance of a small core group of about 15 devotees.

“Rasarani Dasi, our Chief Kitchen Officer who lives solely 10 minutes away, truly found the venue for us,” mentioned Rasika Siromani. “Daruka Das and his spouse Swetha Manjari Dasi, each disciples of His Holiness Tamal Krsna Goswami, are the grasp cooks of Sadhu Sanga. They are specialists in making specialty objects in large portions, which could be very troublesome to do.” Rasavilas Das from Salt Lake City and Sanatan Priya Das from Denver additionally assisted the cooks. Lakshmipriya Dasi from Dallas did all of the baking along with her crew.

Dvijavara Das and his crew did an unbelievable job of establishing the stage with A/V and lights, in an area that was not “acoustic-friendly.”

Krishna Murari Das and his crew adorned the kirtan corridor with a waxing moon theme, culminating within the full moon hand portray of Radha Kalachandji on a maha mantra background.

Priyacarana Dasi and Vrajapati Das from Chicago and Radhakrsna Seva Das from Atlanta develop all of the software program for registration and group. Amrita Sundari Dasi from Utah and Jagannatha Priya Dasi from Sacramento deal with the hundreds of emails despatched by devotees. Vamsidhari Gopal Das from Charlotte was the acquisition manager, and Sacindra Krsna Das was the stock manager. Vrajendra Suta Das and Sridam Das from Dallas lead the prasadam serving crew. Sacisuta Das and Rasarani Dasi from Detroit organized all of the volunteers for vegetable cut-ups. Raghavacarya Das and Deepali Mittal from San Francisco ensured kitchen and eating areas had been spotless and clear after every meal. Devadarsana Das serves because the stage manager. Tadiya Seva Das from California managed your entire shuttle schedule for transporting devotees between accommodations and the retreat venue. Nritya Kishori Dasi from Dallas organized to move all of the kirtaneers, and several other native devotees hosted them earlier than and after the occasion.

: Some Core Team members: Govinda Charan Das, Rasika Siromani Dasi, Priyacarana Dasi and Vrajapati Das.

: Head chef Daruka Prabhu (blue apron).

: Sponsor Sarvajaya Madhava Das (blue kurta) greets Jayapataka Swami.

These core volunteers had been joined by 800 extra contributors who volunteered in the course of the retreat weekend to assist with cooking, cleansing, serving, transportation, and so on.

About 170 devotees generously sponsored the prasadam for the retreat. In explicit, Gauranga Das, Director of Govardhan Eco Village in India, sponsored $5k to have a good time his mom’s eightieth birthday, and Sarvajaya Madhava Das and Sadhvi Radhika Dasi from Dallas sponsored $25k to have a good time their twenty fifth wedding ceremony anniversary, aside from getting a number of sponsorships from their pals.

Sadhu Sanga additionally sponsored 50 disciples of Srila Prabhupada who attended this yr, offering affiliation for them to attach with their god-siblings and the youthful devotees current. Ramvijaya Das and his spouse, Lalitha Madhavi Dasi, made an distinctive association this yr to serve them in an unique restaurant setting on the Marriott.

Outreach Efforts

This yr additionally welcomed many first-timers who had been new to Krishna Consciousness. This was evidenced by the truth that devotees from ISKCON of Silicon Valley, below the steering of Vaisesika Das, distributed 74 units of the Srimad Bhagavatam, six units of the Chaitanya Charitamrita, and lots of smaller books to religious seekers.

Joint Initiations

One of the particular options of the Sadhu Sanga is the joint initiations supplied by numerous religious masters collectively in a single ceremony that reinforces the candy temper of cooperation amongst the stalwart leaders. This yr, about 20 devotees acquired their first and second initiations from Indradyumna Swami, Kalakantha Das, and Vaisesika Das.

: Event MC Sacinandana Swami leads kirtan.

: Event founder Indradyumna Swami welcomes devotees.

: Ekachakra Prana Dasa and ISV Team distribute books.

T-shirts and Hoodies

One of the favourite parts of the retreat is the custom-designed t-shirts and hoodies supplied every year. A few distinctive restricted version designs had been created for the tenth anniversary by professional designers Mangalavati Dasi from France and Syama Darsini Dasi from Moldova and had been printed in India with a number one provider for prime manufacturers like Polo Ralph Lauren and GAP. You can go to to buy your restricted version Sadhu Sanga t-shirt or hoodie here.