Sarva Pitru Amavasya is a sacred day dedicated to honoring our ancestors and expressing gratitude for their blessings. During this auspicious period, we perform rituals and offer prayers to ensure peace and liberation for the souls of our departed loved ones. It is also a time to engage in acts of charity, providing meals to those in need as selfless giving amplifies the spiritual benefits of our offerings.
BECOME A MONTHLY SPONSOR FOR WIDOW'S MEALS IN VRINDAVAN TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF YOUR LOVED ONES & ANCESTORS TODAY.
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$20 A MONTH GIVES NOURISHING DAILY MEALS TO A WIDOWED WOMAN IN NEED
200 WOMEN ARE WAITING TO BE SPONSORED TODAY
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When you donate monthly as Shraddha Puja, your support provides the following:
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$20 A Month: Daily Meals -Nourishing meals prepared by widowed women of Radha Kunda daily for up to 300 widows in Radha Kunda.
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$50 A Month: Daily Meals & Medical - Provides access to essential medical care to widows in need and daily wholesome meals.
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$108 A Month: Daily Meals, Medical, and Secure Housing Opportunities for widows to have the complete care they need to contribute to their community in meaningful and impactful ways, with their own needs met.
*WE ARE THE ONLY CENTER IN VRINDAVAN PROVIDING WIDOWS WITH PRIVATE ROOMS.
Meet Phuleshwari, a widow of Radha Kunda in Vrindavan. On this sacred day, receive unending prosperity and good fortune while offering love and gratitude for the departed by extending a gesture of divine giving to Phuleshwari and widowed women like her.
Women like Phuleshwari have been shunned by society and left to navigate their grief entirely alone after the loss of their husbands. Despite extreme hardships and social stigmas against them, these women embody strength and grace under such challenging circumstances. Phuleshwari was married at 12 years old without being given the opportunity for an education. After the death of her husband, she was left without care or support in her community, her son was helpless to support her in her time of extreme vulnerability and need.
Instead, like many widowed women of India, she traveled thousands of miles alone to reach Vrindavan with the hope of dignity, sanctuary, and support.
By becoming a monthly donor as Shraddha Puja for Sarva Pitru Amavasya, you honor your ancestors in the most meaningful way, catalyzing profound changes in the lives of those in need. Acts of charity during this sacred period are believed to bring peace to departed souls and blessings to the living descendants.
Today, Phuleshwari has become an integral part of our RadhaSeva community, dedicating her life to empowering widowed women. She lovingly cooks for over 200 widowed women in her community and cares for one of Vrindavan's most treasured places, Radha Kunda. By sponsoring Phuleshwari and women like her, you are not only transforming an entire community of individuals who have been left without care but also performing a noble act that honors your forefathers.
Join us in making a lasting impact. Your support honors the past by nurturing the future, embodying the spirit of reverence and generosity that defines this sacred time.
ACT NOW
There are over 20,000 widowed women in Vrindavan, India, lacking their most basic resources and living in the most destitute conditions. We're on a mission to empower these women, offering opportunities to serve their communities with dignity and respect and enriching lives with compassion and purpose.
Your generous monthly gift will provide:
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Sustained Care: Provides consistent essential living care, including housing, meals, clothing, medical, and all basic needs.
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Empowerment Projects: Supports initiatives that empower these women to become self-reliant and respected community members while providing support for other widowed women in more vulnerable conditions.
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Community Support: Offers strong community support for long-term well-being, including communal living, events, gatherings, and sustainable community service.
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Cultural Preservation: Helps maintain widows' dignity and cultural practices vital to their identities, and the overall cultural and spiritual environment of Vrindavan.
OUR COMMITMENT
Every dollar you commit multiplies in value through the comprehensive support systems we build around each widow. Your $20 a month brings not just basic necessities but a transformation that uplifts entire communities, offering charitable returns on investment that fundamentally change lives. The empowerment and security you provide are worth infinitely more than the monetary value of your gift.
Our commitment to you is that we will provide you with:
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Monthly proof of your contribution with our Monthly Impact Reports.
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Consistent updates on our social media pages from the field so you can see your gift in action in real time.
The invaluable opportunity to visit us and volunteer on the ground.
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Personal and timely communication with our team to answer questions and make genuine connections.
During Pitru Paksha, as we honor our ancestors and reflect on the values they upheld, the inspiring pastime of Advaita Acharya and Haridasa Thakura offers a timeless lesson in true devotion during this time
According to traditional customs, the śrāddha-pātra—a ceremonial offering made during ancestor worship—is typically presented to first-class Brahmanas who embody the highest Brahminical standards. However, Advaita Acharya, a revered scholar and devotee, chose to transcend societal norms. He offered the śrāddha-pātra to Haridasa Thakura, who was born into a family that did not follow Vedic traditions.
Despite not being born a Brahmana, Haridasa Thakura was renowned for his unwavering devotion and constant chanting of the holy names - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Recognizing his profound spiritual stature, Advaita Acharya honored him above those who were Brahmanas by birth but did not embody Brahminical qualities.
Haridasa Thakura humbly acknowledged this extraordinary gesture, expressing that although he was born into a family of meat-eaters, he was honored in a way traditionally reserved for the highest Brahmanas. This act highlighted a fundamental truth: genuine spiritual merit is determined by one's devotion and actions, not by birth or social status.
Embracing Their Legacy
This heartfelt pastime deeply inspires us and our mission, just as Advaita Acharya recognized and honored the true devotion of Haridasa Thakura, we strive to uplift those who are often marginalized by society with grace.
By supporting widowed women like Phuleshwari, who dedicates her life to serving over 200 other widowed women and caring for sacred places like Radha Kunda, we hope to embody the same principles of compassion and equality. Your support enables these deserving women to find empowerment and community, transforming their lives and honoring the virtues our ancestors cherished.
By becoming a monthly donor during Pitru Paksha, you honor your ancestors in a profound way. Your generous contribution reflects the spirit of the śrāddha rituals—not just in ceremonial offerings but in real, transformative actions that uplift others.
Just as Advaita Acharya's offering to Haridasa Thakura transcended societal conventions, your support breaks barriers and brings hope to those who need it most. It's a living tribute to your forefathers, aligning with the timeless values of devotion, equality, and selfless service.
*Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact
Your contribution continues a noble tradition that values the heart over heritage. Together, let's honor our ancestors by embodying the virtues they held dear and making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
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Pitru Paksha is a sacred 16-day period in the lunar month of Bhadrapada (usually in September-October) dedicated to honoring and performing rituals for one's ancestors, known as Shradh.
HOW TO OBSERVE PITRU PAKSHA
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Rituals for Ancestors:
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One may perform Shradh or Tarpan ceremonies to offer prayers and food to their deceased ancestors. It is believed that by doing so, they satisfy the souls of their ancestors, ensuring peace and blessings for the family. These offerings are made using food, water, sesame seeds, rice, and sometimes other items, depending on local customs. Charity of food to those in need supports this ritual
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Honoring ancestors during Pitru Paksha helps to repay the debts (Rinas) owed to the forefathers. It is considered a time for family obligations, and fulfilling this duty ensures ancestral blessings and good karma.
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Blessings for the Living: By performing Shradh, it is believed that the souls of the ancestors attain peace, which in turn brings prosperity, health, and well-being to their descendants.
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Prohibitions:
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- Auspicious Activities: Pitr Paksha is considered an inauspicious period for beginning new ventures, marriages, housewarmings, or buying new things. Since it is a time for remembrance and honoring the deceased, celebrations are generally avoided.
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Consumption of Non-Vegetarian Food: Many families avoid non-vegetarian food during this time as a mark of respect for their ancestors.
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- Auspicious Activities: Pitr Paksha is considered an inauspicious period for beginning new ventures, marriages, housewarmings, or buying new things. Since it is a time for remembrance and honoring the deceased, celebrations are generally avoided.
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SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATION DAYS
Pitr Paksha in 2024 is observed from Wednesday, September 18 to Wednesday, October 2, 2024
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Purnima Shradh (Full Moon Day Shradh) September 18, 2024
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Significance: This day is for performing Shradh rituals for ancestors who passed away on a Purnima (full moon day). It marks the beginning of Pitr Paksha.
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Bharani Shradh September 21, 2024
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Significance: Observed when the Bharani Nakshatra falls during Pitr Paksha.
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Avidhava Navami (Navami Shradh) September 26, 2024
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Significance: Dedicated to deceased married women who passed away before their husbands. Families perform Shradh to honor their memories.
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Dwadashi Shradh September 29, 2024
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Significance: For ancestors who were Sannyasis (renunciates) or those who passed away without leaving behind descendants.
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Chaturdashi Shradh October 1, 2024
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Significance: Dedicated to those who met untimely or unnatural deaths. Special rituals are performed to bring peace to their souls.
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Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) October 2, 2024
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Significance: The most important day of Pitr Paksha. It's observed for all ancestors, regardless of the date of their passing. If you missed performing Shradh on the specific tithi, you can do so on this day.
While every day during Pitr Paksha is significant for paying respects to ancestors, Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) stands out as the most crucial day. It's a universal day of remembrance when rituals performed are believed to offer peace and liberation (moksha) to all departed souls, bringing blessings to the living descendants.
By understanding and observing these important days, families can ensure they honor their ancestors appropriately during Pitr Paksha.
ABOUT THE WIDOWS OF VRINDAVAN
The widows of Vrindavan are women who have been abandoned by society after the death of their husbands - but with your support, they don't have to be.
Together, we can care for these beautifully devotional women as they live the rest of their lives in service to Sri Krishna and His Holy Dham.
Together we can uplift the widows of Vrindavan.
See what our RadhaSeva giving community has to say...
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Simakumar
So happy to have found this. Finally an organization whose mission resonates with my values.
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C. John Gardiner
A wonderful Divine service beneficial to the whole universe. A gateway to Radha Krsna's Eternal Paradise.
Hannah Rose
I have to say I am utterly inspired and grateful for this organization and the work you are doing.
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Jugal Krishna Das
This devotional service is very nice! Hare Krishna! I love Radha Seva!
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Mahalakshmi Esperanza
Radha Seva is offering a most valuable serivce to humanity.
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Bhakti Mj
This is truly beautiful and close to my heart now. You have a mothly donor in NYC. May you be blessed to continue to help all who need.
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Jai Sri Radhe! My obeisances to the most beautiful service project!
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Dasistudio
A fantastic service!
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Srimati Devi Dasi
Wonderful essential service! My dandavats to you all!
Sunita Parke
Radha Seva is a very special sweet rare opportunity.
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Subodh Sangar
Great service by all of you. We will spread the word.
Brajasundari (Jill Tabler)
Thank you for not letting me down as a charity! Thank you for sharing the results of your work! Thank you, thank you.
Join our global monthly community supporting Vrindavan's widows.
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Our monthly community comes together from around the world to see Radha Kunda and Govardhan's land and people cared for and protected.
Here's where our donors live.
About Us
RadhaSeva is a devoted non-profit charitable organization committed to the empowerment of widows and the vibrant local Brajavasi community in Vrindavan, India. Our mission is to protect and preserve the sacred land and its rich history while uplifting and nourishing the well-being of its inhabitants, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for all.
RADHA SEVA
RadhaSeva Inc. A USA 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit. Tax-Exempt EIN 85-3203982 RadhaSeva is a dual-qualified charity in USA and India with Padma Charitable Trust..
This service is dedicated to and in honor of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and his International Society for Krishna Consciousness