Divine Devotion on the Scales (Tula): ISKCON Naperville’s Inaugural Tulabharam Festival Weaves Generosity, Grace, and Glorious Chants into an Unforgettable Tapestry

Scales of the Heart: Celebrating Love, Legacy, and Community at Tulabharam 2025

Naperville IL: In the heart of Naperville, Illinois, where suburban tranquility meets spiritual intensity, the ISKCON Temple at 1505 McDowell Road became a radiant sanctum of devotion on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The inaugural Tulabharam Festival, unfolding from 4 PM to 9 PM, transformed the temple into a mosaic of devotion, music, laughter, and charity, drawing hundreds of participants from all walks of life. This ancient ritual—where devotees offer donations equal to their own weight, or that of loved ones, revered Gurus, or the Lord’s Murti—evokes tales from the past, notably Satyabhama and Rukmini’s legendary offerings to Lord Krishna. More than mere ceremony, Tulabharam in Naperville became a celebration: a living tapestry woven with generosity, gratitude, and the harmony of glorious chants.

Tulabharam holds a special place in the Vaishnavite tradition. Its central message: pure devotion outweighs the greatest material wealth; a principle echoed in the festival’s program and deeply embedded in ancient scriptures. As the sun dipped behind Naperville’s skyline, the temple grounds pulsed with anticipation and reverence, welcoming families, spiritual seekers, and well-wishers to partake in a ritual that honors the heart’s limitless capacity for love and giving.

The festival’s invitation explained, “Tulabharam represents the heart’s boundless generosity.” The ritual, symbolizing selfless surrender, inspires not only individual transformation but also collective upliftment. Benefits outlined included deeper connection with the divine, strengthened community bonds, encouragement of selfless service, and the promise of peace, prosperity, and fulfillment. For many, Tulabharam was an opportunity to express gratitude for the blessings received, cultivating charity and compassion in the process.

The evening began with an auspicious invocation led by temple priest Kanakabjadas, whose blowing of the sacred conch signaled the festival’s official start. Sanskrit prayers filled the hall, their intricate beauty caressing the spirit, setting the mood for a celebration where even strong words resonated softly and sweetly. Premananda Mataji, the temple president and nurturing force behind the ISKCON Naperville community for over three decades, welcomed attendees and reflected on the journey that led to this moment. From humble beginnings with simple children’s programs to a thriving spiritual hub, her leadership—guided by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaj—has cultivated a sanctuary for worship, education, and community building.

The new 30,000-square-foot temple facility, inaugurated two years prior in the presence of Naperville’s mayor and distinguished guests, stands as a monument to collective devotion, rising from its earlier incarnation in a dilapidated 1,500-square-foot church. The transformation near Highway 88 and Route 59 is testament to the community’s resilience and unwavering faith.

Music breathed magic into the festival’s atmosphere. Amit Kumar, a skilled saxophonist with more than twenty years of experience performing across the U.S., enchanted the audience with devotional melodies that fused Eastern and Western traditions. His artistry, complemented by his role as a trusted financial advisor within ISKCON, received thunderous applause. Guitarist Neelesh Vilekar, a fixture in Chicagoland for a quarter-century and a devotee of Bollywood’s golden era, added captivating riffs that danced in the air.

Tabla maestro Saurav Biswas, of the Benares gharana, brought rhythmic precision and heartfelt depth, drawing from a lineage that includes training under his late mother, All India Radio artist Mrs. Madhabi Biswas, and the esteemed Pandit Sanju Sahai. Having accompanied luminaries like Sadhana Sargam and contributed to film scores at Pune’s Film and Television Institute, his performance completed a musical offering that had the crowd swaying in collective joy. The emcee, swept up in the moment, declared, “Wasn’t that so beautiful?” urging everyone to settle in for a final melody bhajan that lingered in the hearts of all present.

As dusk embraced the temple, a chorus of kirtaniyas elevated the devotion: Gopal Hari Das, Mukunda, Nandu, Rishi, Ritish Thakur, Sai Pranav, Indira, Andesh, Sita, Devi Murti, Krishna Caitanya, and Arjun. Their spirited chants of the Hare Krishna mantra—revered as a top “hit” in India for 5,000 years—filled the space with transcendent energy.

Moments of levity punctuated the evening, with the emcee sharing Sanskrit jokes, witty anecdotes about Professor Vasari’s spontaneous verses, and humorous tales like Raju in Scotland aspiring to billionaire status, only to be playfully countered by classmate Puja’s sharp wit. Stories of a Marwari lawyer and Gujarati doctor concocting humorous clinic cures highlighted the ingenuity and humor woven throughout Indian culture, drawing laughter and forging bonds among attendees.

His Grace Yugal Kishore Das—spiritual mentor, author, motivational speaker, lifestyle coach, monk, and senior ISKCON leader—stood as chief guest, bringing a wealth of experience and insight. With academic credentials spanning mathematics, science, law, and software, he has exchanged worldly pursuits for guiding souls across continents. His seminars at renowned universities and corporations, including Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh, and Procter & Gamble, have left indelible marks on seekers of wisdom.

In his address, Yugal Kishore Das reflected on the inevitability of change: “Some changes you accept, like marriage or promotions; others, like aging or loss, you cannot.” He extolled temples as sources of strength, introducing the ABCD framework—Association for counseling, Books like the Bhagavad Gita, Chanting for mind control, and Diet/Prasad for purification. Sharing true stories of healing and reconciliation, he emphasized the importance of cultural backbone for future generations: “Your act of grace will decide if children celebrate Halloween or Rath Yatra,” he mused, invoking Krishna’s promise to remember acts of charity.

Sanatana Prema Prabhu, affectionately known as Spd and serving as fundraising chairman, narrated the temple’s transformation from a humble house to the old church, now demolished for expansion. The vision for Phase 3 includes community spaces, classrooms, yoga rooms, a gift shop, and grand gopurams, but financial burdens remain: a $2.4 million loan from the COVID era, accruing $15,000 in monthly interest. His heartfelt appeal for donations and interest-free loans was rooted in scripture: “Mortals who construct a temple return to Lord Vishnu’s abode,” he quoted from Padma Purana, inviting devotees to help tip the divine scales.

Tulabharam’ s ritual unfolded with drama and devotion—participants filled forms, contributed via cash, check, Zelle, or card, and placed mishri bags on one side of the scale opposite Lord Krishna’s image. Each offering represented an act of gratitude, a tangible surrender to divine grace.

The festival’s crescendo arrived with the presence of Honorable Bhagyashree Ji, beloved actress and wellness coach, whose iconic role as Suman in Maine Pyar Kiya continues to inspire millions. Born into Sangli’s royal family, Bhagyashree’s career spans television, film, and humanitarian advocacy, including certifications from AFPA, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford, and dedicated work in cancer prevention and women’s empowerment.

Her arrival, greeted with Bollywood-style applause and floral garlands, brought an air of elegance. Auctioning her exquisite Banarasi sari—worn in the divine presence—she spurred generous bids, beginning at $1,000, with an anonymous devotee ultimately winning. Her appeal, “We are all God’s children; show love by giving,” resonated deeply, inspiring further acts of charity and opening hearts to the festival’s spirit.

As mishri piled high, tipping the scales in Krishna’s favor—evocative of Yashoda’s rope binding Damodar—the festival prepared for the upcoming Janmashtami celebrations on August 16–17, anticipating 15,000–25,000 attendees. Mangala Aarti, cultural competitions, midnight feasts, and the much-anticipated Malabar raffle winners’ announcement promise to extend the spirit of Tulabharam into the future.

The festival’s success was made possible by a vibrant tapestry of sponsors. Malabar Jewelers, the grand sponsor, not only provided financial support but also hosted a raffle slated for Janmashtami. Sree Financial Service, Professional Mortgage Services, Maa Ke Masale, Love N Care, and Ladies Choice fortified the event’s warmth and inclusivity. Asian Media USA, under Mr. Suresh Bodiwala’s visionary leadership, amplified the festival’s reach, while Care For Soul, Vidya Joyti, Zoom Printing, DJ Oza, Maaco Auto Body Shop, Eventrra, ReliaCare, Voya Financial Service, Edward Jones (Krishna Kumar), Good Win Financial Service, Gandarvika Sarees, Simply South, and Posh & Perfect contributed expertise and elegance.

Special recognition goes to Patel Brothers, whose generous grocery donations will nourish Janmashtami attendees, fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision that no one within a 10-mile radius of the temple goes hungry.

Together, their combined efforts not only fueled the festivals but also propelled the temple’s ambitious expansion, weaving another golden thread into the tapestry of ISKCON Naperville’s journey. Each gesture, each donation, each act of selfless giving, became a living prayer—a promise that the legacy of Tulabharam will shine on, illuminating the path for generations yet to come.

On behalf of Mr. Suresh Bodiwala, Chairman and Founder of Asian Media USA, the Tulabharam Festival stands as a radiant example of how culture, spirituality, and community can unite to create lasting impact. “Events like Tulabharam not only preserve our heritage but ignite hope for future generations,” Bodiwala reflects, underscoring the festival’s enduring significance. The scales tipped not only with mishri, but also with acts of kindness, laughter, and the collective spirit of unity. ISKCON Naperville’s Tulabharam Festival of 2025, with its unforgettable blend of ancient ritual and modern celebration, marked a new chapter in the temple’s journey brimming with love, legacy, and the promise of shared prosperity.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON’s illustrious founder, remains the guiding force behind such festivals, having spread Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings across the globe. His emphasis on devotion to Lord Krishna through the Hare Krishna mantra infuses events like Tulabharam with purpose, inspiring generations to serve, give, and grow spiritually.