Radha Krishna Temple

This album, produced in 1971 by George Harrison on the Apple Records label, begins with “Govindam Adi Purusham”, arranged by George Harrison, who is thought to have played harmonium and bass guitar for both “Govinda” and “Hare Krishna Mantra”, with lead vocals by Yamuna devi dasi. Both tracks were released as singles. The band featured George Harrison on harmonium, guitar and bass guitar, Tamal Krsna on flute, and Harivilas, Yamuna, Jivananda, Lilavati and Yogesvara on lead vocals, followed by assembled devotees singing along and accompanying with mrdangas and karatals. Radha Krishna Temple was a charity album, with proceeds given to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

More information is given on the Apple Records website at applerecords.com/#!/albums/The_Radha_Krishna_Temple, where the album is also available for purchase.

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Special Tribute to Yamuna devi dasi

Yamuna devi dasi, one of the pioneer disciples of Srila Prabhupada, passed away on December 20, 2011 in Florida. She helped to open the San Francisco Hare Krishna temple in Haight Ashbury in 1967, and later was sent to London to help with expanding the Hare Krishna movement there. From the very first meeting, Srila Prabhupada engaged her in cooking, and she went on to become very expert. She is most famous amongst the Hare Krishna devotees for her rendition of “Govinda”, the song played in ISKCON temples worldwide during the morning revelation of the Deities. In the early days of the movement, Yamuna was frequently called upon to lead kirtan or give lectures.

Yamuna’s memories of Srila Prabhupada have been encapsulated in video interview by Siddhanta das of Illumination Television, of which the following is an excerpt posted up on YouTube:

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