Many devotees have been inquiring as to the position of ISKCON Nagpur in terms of the Coronavirus.  

One of ISKCON Nagpur’s congregational devotees, Dheeraj Agarwalla Prabhu, who resides only 100 Meters away from the temple, was diagnosed COVID positive.  He had been to Vrndavana to bring his son from Bhaktivedanta International Gurukula. He returned back to Nagpur by train on 18th March. He visited ISKCON Nagpur on the 20th of March and handed over some Vrndavana Maha Prasadam to one of the devotees.  He returned to his home with the Rajabhoga Mahaprasadam of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha of ISKCON Nagpur. The official lockdown in India was imposed on 22nd March. On the 30th of March, he was tested for Coronavirus and the results were positive.  

Then, the government authorities traced his recent visits.  One of those visits was a brief visit to ISKCON Nagpur on 20th March.  In the same building where he resides, he had also met some of his neighbors, who are also ISKCON congregational devotees.  

On 30th March, Dheeraj Agarwalla was hospitalized with his family.  

In the night, the government took some of his neighbors who are congregational devotees, as well as all of our temple devotees and tested them for Coronavirus.  A total of 38 devotees were tested.

Fortunately, the reports were negative.  However, the government has decided to quarantine them for 14 days as a precaution.  They have all been lodged in the Government MLA Guest House. Our ISKCON Annamrita Prasadam Kitchen is daily delivering prasadam to them.  

The authorities have allowed four members of our congregation to move into the temple premises. They will be staying there until the temple devotees return.   These devotees, who are all brahmin initiated, are currently conducting the seva puja of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha. It took us two days to complete the formalities and get final permission for these devotees to take up residence in the temple and resume the services of the deities.  

We are seeking the prayers of all the vaishnavas that our ISKCON Nagpur devotees remain healthy, and the seva puja of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha can return to normal.  Please offer special prayers for our dear congregational devotee Dheeraj Agarwalla Prabhu. With the prayers of the devotees, Dheeraj Agarwalla Prabhu’s health is already improving gradually and he appears to be recovering.  

Thank you very much.

Your servants,

Krishnabhakta das

Ekalavya das