HARINAM DATES
2024
Day
03.02.
16.03.
13.04.
11.05.
22.06.
13.07.
14.09.
12.10.
09.11.
Place
Basel Münster, Basel
Hertensteinstrasse 1, Luzern
Neumarkt, Winterthur ZH
Hertensteinstrasse 1, Luzern
Neumarkt, Winterthur ZH
Hertensteinstrasse 1, Luzern
Neumarkt, Winterthur ZH
Basel Münster, Basel
Hertensteinstrasse 1, Luzern
Time
11:30 am
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
In the Google Calendar, you will find the information about the date, location, and time of the Harinams. To the Google-Calendar
Everyone is warmly invited to participate in the Harinams. You don't need to bring anything or have any special talent. Presence is the most important aspect of a Harinam!
HARINAM
WHAT DOES HARINAM MEAN?
Harinam literally means "the name of Hari, the name of God". Reciting or singing the names of God is considered the simplest and yet most sublime form of spiritual practice in the present age. This is confirmed in all Vedic scriptures.
"Although Kali-yuga (the present age) is full of faults, it has one good quality: simply by chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be elevated to the transcendental kingdom of God."
– Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51
Harinama also refers to the public chanting of the names of God. Another term commonly used for this is Sankirtana. Kirtana means praising God, and when done collectively, it is called Sankirtana.
SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU
The Sankirtana movement, as we know it today, was founded around 500 years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in West Bengal, India. Caitanya is also known as the golden avatar and is considered nondifferent from Sri Krishna Himself. It was Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who introduced the congregational chanting of the names of Krishna. Previously, mantras were recited quietly, but Caitanya Mahaprabhu brought the singing of God's names into the public sphere so that everyone could benefit from it.
WHY HARINAM?
As part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition following Sri Caitanya, members of the Hare Krishna movement continue this public chanting not only in India but in major cities worldwide. For over 50 years, Krishna devotees have been seen singing in Switzerland as well.
This public chanting aims to inspire people in their own spiritual lives and remind them that the deeper purpose of life lies in realizing God. Chanting the Maha Mantra together creates a powerful spiritual atmosphere that brings auspicious conditions. Anyone who hears or chants the names of Krishna can derive great spiritual benefit. In this sense, communal chanting is an effort to elevate people's consciousness and provide them access to spirituality.
"The chanting of the holy names of the Lord has the power to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore, chanting in the Sankirtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe!"
– Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.31
Devotees follow in the footsteps of Lord Chaitanya, singing and dancing on the streets of the city and traveling to various places in Switzerland to give conditioned souls the opportunity to hear and benefit from Krishna's holy names.
Everyone is warmly invited to participate in the Harinamas. You don't need to bring anything or have any special talent. Presence is the most important!