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Honor Goddess Durga this Navaratri by Empowering the Widows of Vrindavan
Navaratri, the nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga, celebrating the divine feminine energy that pervades the universe. In the holy land of Vrindavan, Navaratri holds deep significance, with thousands gathering at the Katyayani Temple to worship Devi Durga, just as the gopis of Braj once did. The gopis' devotion to Ma Katyayani to fulfill their heart's deepest desires, reflects the unwavering faith and divine grace present in the lives of those who worship her.
This Navaratri, you can honor the strength and compassion of the goddess by uplifting the lives of widowed women in Vrindavan, who have been left without care and support but remain dedicated to serving the sacred land.
BECOME A MONTHLY SPONSOR FOR THE WIDOWS IN VRINDAVAN TO HONOR GODDESS DURGA TODAY.
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This Navaratri, be part of something greater. By making a donation or becoming a monthly sponsor, you honor Goddess Durga by empowering the women of Vrindavan, giving them a second chance at life, and preserving the sacred spaces they hold dear.
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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
When you donate monthly for Navaratri, 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.
The Significance of Navaratri in Vrindavan
Each year, Navaratri brings vibrant celebrations to Vrindavan as the town comes alive with kirtans, processions, and prayers dedicated to Ma Durga. The Katyayani Temple, where the gopis once prayed for Lord Krishna’s love, becomes a focal point for devotion during these nine days. Devotees gather to offer prayers, light lamps, and seek the goddess’s blessings for strength, guidance, and success.
Srimad Bhagavatam 10th Canto, Chapter 22, describes how the gopis of the holy Braj worshipped Katyayani.
“Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadhishwari Nanda Gopa Sutam Devi Patim Me Kuru Te Nama.” “O Katyayani! Hey! Hey Mahayogini! Oh, all-powerful goddess! We bow down to you and beg you to make the son of Nand our husband.”
Ma Durga is believed to be a Brajvasi too as she was born in Gokul as the twin sister of Lord Krishna. Though there are numerous Shakti temples in the holy town of Vrindavan, the Katyayani Temple has a special connection with Devakinandan’s pastimes in Vrindavan, where thousands of worshippers offer their prayers and light lamps for the Goddess of Shakti during Navratri. Krishna Fulfilled the Gopis’ Desire
Meet Phuleshwari, a widow of Radha Kunda in Vrindavan. During this sacred time of Navaratri, 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.
Navaratri is the perfect time to not only honor Ma Durga but also to support the widows of Vrindavan, who embody her spirit of resilience, strength, and devotion. These women have found solace and purpose in Vrindavan, serving the holy places with devotion while facing life’s hardships.
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.
SPONSOR A WIDOWS FEAST
Sponsor a widow's feast in honor or memory of a loved one, to ask for blessings, or to honor this occasion. Sponsoring a widow's feast brings hope and blessings.
General Feast: $500 USD
Feast for 200 widows with eight preparations, as seen below.
Maha Feast: $750 USD
Feast for 200 widows with twelve preparations.
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As described in Srimad Bhagavatam, the gopis worshipped Ma Katyayani with pure hearts, praying for Lord Krishna to become their beloved. Their devotion was so deep that Krishna fulfilled their desires and blessed them with the Maharasa—the divine dance of love and union. In the same way, your heartfelt support this Navaratri can transform the lives of the widows of Vrindavan, allowing them to live with dignity and purpose.
The Dandiya Ras, a joyful dance performed during Navaratri, also symbolizes the unity of the jiva soul with the divine, Sri Krishna. By donating to support the widows of Vrindavan, you become part of this dance, spreading the joy and blessings of Shakti to those who need it most.
Celebrate Navaratri with Compassion
This Navaratri, be part of something greater. By making a donation or becoming a monthly sponsor, you honor Goddess Durga by empowering the women of Vrindavan, giving them a second chance at life, and preserving the sacred spaces they hold dear.
Donate Now and become part of the divine feminine that transforms lives
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