International Society For Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), Bangalore, will conduct Shata Koti Nama Japa Yajna, (the chanting of one hundred crore holy names of Krishna and Rama) for world peace and harmony on the occasion of the dawn of the new millennium beginning on January 1, 2000, at the Iskcon temple's Hari-nama Mantapa.

Governor Ramadevi will inaugurate the Hari-nama mantapa, where the yajna will be conducted, and participate in the first day of the yajna on January 1 at 11 a.m.

Other important participants in the yajna during the course of the day will be the Chief Minister S.M. Krishna; Union Minister for Culture; Youth affairs and Sports Ananth Kumar; Former Union minister and Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde; Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge; Public Works Minister Dharam Singh; Industries Minister R. V Deshpande; Revenue Minister Srikantiah; Urban Developtnent Minister B.B, Chimmanakatti; Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister D. B Chandre Gowda and Mayor Ramachandrappa.

Said Iskcon President Madhu Pandit Dasa, "A special entry has been created in the Iskcon temple complex leading to the Hari-nama mantapa for those devotees who wish to participate in the yajna. These devotees will walk on the 108 steps of the hari-nama mantapa chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra on each step that will lead them to the temples through the special Hari-nama Dwara. The Hari-nama Mantapa will resound with the recorded chanting of Hare Krishna by Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of Iskcon to assist the devotees to chant on the steps. A separate counter has been created to give information of this yajna and to assist the thousands of visitors to the temple."

Iskcon appeals to all religious people to participate and significantly contribute to promote world peace and harmony, by their simple yet incredibly powerful act of chanting the holy names of Krishna and Rama. This will give them the satisfaction of having taken part in the most unselfish cause of advancing the well-being of humanity.

Thousands of temple visitors are expected to take part in the chanting of the Hare Krishna 'Mantra, everyday for the next 365 days, to add up to the sankalpa, of chanting 100 crore holy names. Participation in the yajna costs the participants no money, only their willingness to spare 10 minutes. Contact the Iskcon temple for further details.