Our story

Our story

Gopal's story

Champakalata's story

Under Divine arrangement, both Gopal and Champakalata’s friends told them about Devoteematch.com (match.com for devotees of Krishna). Both of them didn’t believe in it, having the misconception that only devotees who were not well connected were on that. After being convinced by their friends (who got married from that website!), they surrendered and, on the same day, joined. Champakalata spent 5 hours looking through profiles, concluding that the only person she wanted to message, whom she felt was perfect and was so excited about, was Gopal. She went to message him, and Gopal, after spending 2 hours (he’s fast!), had already messaged her. She was also the only one he wanted to message.

They spoke on Zoom for 5 hours the next day (it was Valentine's Day- we made jokes). And the next day 9 hours. And the next day 9.5 hours foregoing sleep. They shut down their Devotee match profiles. Gopal said he’s coming to New York. He flew to Bhakti Center the next week, and they fell in love.

Matchless Gifts storefront, the place where Prabhupada started the Hare Krishna Movement, was their place. After only 6 blissful weeks together, Gopal took Champakalata there, read her beautiful poetry he had written for her, gave her a bouquet of flowers, presented the ring, and proposed. He video recorded everything. Champakalata gleefully said yes: it was obvious for both of them they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Gopal flew back to Finland for some time to transition his temple services into other capable hands. Gopal and Champakalata got legally married in Finland, and then Gopal moved to New York. Their plans are to settle in New York, get their own apartment, and have a family together. Gopal will work and develop his photography career (check out his website at capturingmagic.nyc) and Champakalata will serve Bhakti Center, take care of household affairs, and, Krishna willing, become a Mother.

It is very important for Gopal and Champakalata to receive all of your blessings and celebrate their wedding with you. They can’t wait to have you all at the Vedic wedding.

Champakalata was born in Arlington, Virginia in 1989 and grew up in the Northern Virginia/ DC area with her family Robert, Elaine, Darcy, Lindsey, and Kaitlyn. Her favorite memories growing up are with her family going down the path that led from her home to the Great Falls waterfalls and at the beach. She started dancing and acting at a young age, and pursued that as her passion. In 2008, she moved to New York to attend Stella Adler Acting Conservatory. As she was beginning to pursue professional acting and dance work, she fell in love with yoga asana and meditation, which led her to get certified as a Jivamukti Yoga instructor. Then, in 2011, Champakalata met her teacher, Radhanath Swami, read his book “The Journey Home”, and was so inspired she planned a 17-month pilgrimage to India where she committed to her life’s calling: Krishna Consciousness. She wanted to experience full- time ashram living, so after her time in India, she moved into the temple in DC for 4 years serving in the Deity department, serving as sankirtan leader, creating dramas, and leading outreach initiatives at the temple such as a Bhakti Lounge program. She received first initiation in 2015 and second initiation in 2017. Desiring to deepen her service to Radhanath Swami, she moved to Bhakti Center in 2017 and has served there since in various capacities: reception/ hospitality manager, pujari (priest), leading community groups, teaching classes and courses, dance and drama performances, and she currently serves on the Leadership Team as the Community Care Director.

Gopal was born in Kazakhstan in 1989 to, and moved to Finland in 2005 with his Mother Tatiana and Sister Alina. He played piano from age 7, loved spending time in nature and writing, and was interested in sports such as martial arts, boxing, and skiing. He studied photography at Turku University of Applied Sciences Art Academy until 2012 when he found his life’s calling: Krishna Consciousness. Wanting to dive deeply into the practice and experience full- time ashram living, Gopal moved into the ashram in 2013 when he took vows of a brahmachari (celibate student monk). In 2014, he took vows of lifelong commitment to Krishna Consciousness (first initiation) from his teacher Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami, and in 2016 he took initiation into priesthood. During his time in the ashram, Gopal was sankirtan leader sharing the Krishna Conscious teachings with others by teaching them how to chant and sharing literature. He then became temple commander managing and overseeing complete temple function, and performed other services such as crowdfunding, graphic design, photography, and videography. In 2022, Gopal started working as a part-time teacher of Krishna Consciousness in Finnish public schools. He regularly visits Vrindavan and Mayapur (holy pilgrimage for Krishna devotees) and worships Giriraj (a Deity of Krishna). After his years as a brahmachari, Gopal decided to have a ceremony where he “changed his dress from saffron to white”, indicating that he wanted to enter married life.

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Gopal's story

Champakalata's story

Under Divine arrangement, both Gopal and Champakalata’s friends told them about Devoteematch.com (match.com for devotees of Krishna). Both of them didn’t believe in it, having the misconception that only devotees who were not well connected were on that. After being convinced by their friends (who got married from that website!), they surrendered and, on the same day, joined. Champakalata spent 5 hours looking through profiles, concluding that the only person she wanted to message, whom she felt was perfect and was so excited about, was Gopal. She went to message him, and Gopal, after spending 2 hours (he’s fast!), had already messaged her. She was also the only one he wanted to message.

They spoke on Zoom for 5 hours the next day (it was Valentine's Day- we made jokes). And the next day 9 hours. And the next day 9.5 hours foregoing sleep. They shut down their Devotee match profiles. Gopal said he’s coming to New York. He flew to Bhakti Center the next week, and they fell in love.

Matchless Gifts storefront, the place where Prabhupada started the Hare Krishna Movement, was their place. After only 6 blissful weeks together, Gopal took Champakalata there, read her beautiful poetry he had written for her, gave her a bouquet of flowers, presented the ring, and proposed. He video recorded everything. Champakalata gleefully said yes: it was obvious for both of them they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Gopal flew back to Finland for some time to transition his temple services into other capable hands. Gopal and Champakalata got legally married in Finland, and then Gopal moved to New York. Their plans are to settle in New York, get their own apartment, and have a family together. Gopal will work and develop his photography career (check out his website at capturingmagic.nyc and IG) and Champakalata will serve Bhakti Center, take care of household affairs, and, Krishna willing, become a Mother.

It is very important for Gopal and Champakalata to receive all of your blessings and celebrate their wedding with you. They can’t wait to have you all at the Vedic wedding.

Champakalata was born in Arlington, Virginia in 1989 and grew up in the Northern Virginia/ DC area with her family Robert, Elaine, Darcy, Lindsey, and Kaitlyn. Her favorite memories growing up are with her family going down the path that led from her home to the Great Falls waterfalls and at the beach. She started dancing and acting at a young age, and pursued that as her passion. In 2008, she moved to New York to attend Stella Adler Acting Conservatory. As she was beginning to pursue professional acting and dance work, she fell in love with yoga asana and meditation, which led her to get certified as a Jivamukti Yoga instructor. Then, in 2011, Champakalata met her teacher, Radhanath Swami, read his book “The Journey Home”, and was so inspired she planned a 17-month pilgrimage to India where she committed to her life’s calling: Krishna Consciousness. She wanted to experience full- time ashram living, so after her time in India, she moved into the temple in DC for 4 years serving in the Deity department, serving as sankirtan leader, creating dramas, and leading outreach initiatives at the temple such as a Bhakti Lounge program. She received first initiation in 2015 and second initiation in 2017. Desiring to deepen her service to Radhanath Swami, she moved to Bhakti Center in 2017 and has served there since in various capacities: reception/ hospitality manager, pujari (priest), leading community groups, teaching classes and courses, dance and drama performances, and she currently serves on the Leadership Team as the Community Care Director.

Gopal was born in Kazakhstan in 1989 to, and moved to Finland in 2005 with his Mother Tatiana and Sister Alina. He played piano from age 7, loved spending time in nature and writing, and was interested in sports such as martial arts, boxing, and skiing. He studied photography at Turku University of Applied Sciences Art Academy until 2012 when he found his life’s calling: Krishna Consciousness. Wanting to dive deeply into the practice and experience full- time ashram living, Gopal moved into the ashram in 2013 when he took vows of a brahmachari (celibate student monk). In 2014, he took vows of lifelong commitment to Krishna Consciousness (first initiation) from his teacher Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami, and in 2016 he took initiation into priesthood. During his time in the ashram, Gopal was sankirtan leader sharing the Krishna Conscious teachings with others by teaching them how to chant and sharing literature. He then became temple commander managing and overseeing complete temple function, and performed other services such as crowdfunding, graphic design, photography, and videography. In 2022, Gopal started working as a part-time teacher of Krishna Consciousness in Finnish public schools. He regularly visits Vrindavan and Mayapur (holy pilgrimage for Krishna devotees) and worships Giriraj (a Deity of Krishna). After his years as a brahmachari, Gopal decided to have a ceremony where he “changed his dress from saffron to white”, indicating that he wanted to enter married life.