Prasadam

   Prasadam is spiritual food that has been offered to the Lord.The difference between spiritual and material food is the same as the difference between spiritual and material anything: spiritual means "alive, real, and satisfying." Material means temporary, illusory, disappointing. When we offer our food to God, and God accepts it, our eating becomes spiritualized - nourishing body, mind, and spirit.

On Sundays and special holidays there is a large feast after the program, and on weekdays there is usually fruit prasadam and snacks after the arotik. It is most auspicious to eat or honor prasadam, so please don t leave before you ve had some!

Kirtan

   All our programs include Kirtan in which everyone is welcome to participate. Kirtan is devotional chanting of the holy names of the Lord and devotees (congregation memebers) take turns leading. The format is call and response, so the leader will sing a verse, and the rest of the congregation will sing it back. Common instruments used during kirtan include: the mrdanga drum, kartals (brass finger cymbals), and harmonium (a bellowed keyboard instrument). Generally, we sing the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

   At times, there is some very enthusiastic dancing to accompany the kirtan. You are welcome to dance, too!

*Men and women dance in separate areas.

Class

   Most programs incorporate a scripture class. Usually there is a reading of a verse or verses from Bhagavat Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam, followed by a short discussion about how the verse applies to our current situation. Holidays may feature special readings and discussions of particular pastimes of the Lord.

The Altar

   The altar is the center of worship and located at the front of the temple room. The altar is the home to Sri Sri Nitai Sacinandana, the presiding deities of the Hillsboro temple. These are Gaura Nitai deities of neem wood, and They are so merciful that they have come here so the devotees can worship and serve Them. Devotees know that the Lord is personally present in his deity form, and devotees can then concentrate their senses on Their beautiful form.

   During a special ceremony called an arotik, Their Lordships are offered various types of auspicious items. The conch shell is blown before and at the end of the arotik.

Entering the Temple

   One of the first things you may notice is the wide array of shoes left outside the temple door. In order to keep the temple clean and pure, we leave our footwear/shoes outside.

Attire

   Another thing you may notice at the temple is a lot of attendees, or devotees, wearing devotional Vedic clothing. Many of the ladies will be in saris or salwar kameez suits, and some of the men will be wearing traditional dhotis and khurtas. These are comfortable, colorful, and can help remind us of our relationship with Krishna. You are welcome to wear what you like; modest apparel is appreciated!