Govindas Kirtan Centre

Top Floor, 83 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1

Govindas Kirtan Centre is a centre for Eastern Philosophy, Spirituality, Meditation and Yoga situated in the heart of Dublin City. The Centre is located above Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant on Middle Abbey Street, just four doors from O'Connell Street and a minute's walk from the GPO.

Who is the Centre for?

The purpose of the Centre is to serve as a hub of spirituality for everyone in Dublin, regardless of their faith beliefs, nationality, sex or skin colour. Our classes are inspired by the Vedic texts of India, which were written down in the Sanskrit language 5000 years ago. The Vedas promote non-sectarian spiritual principals relevant to each and every human being.

What is the Sanskrit language?

Sanskrit is a very ancient and advanced language used in India millennia ago. Many believe that it can be seen as a Mother language from which modern languages have descended. Evidence and discussion on this point will appear later on in this website, as the site develops. In the modern day, we are familiar with Sanskrit words such as karma, mantra, yoga, guru, chakra, mandala, swami, and the name 'Buddha' comes from the root 'budh', to understand, to know.

What is Kirtan?

Kirtan, or Kirtan Yoga, is a system of meditation through music. The participants sing together simple and uplifting mantras accompanied by rhythmic drum beats, the tinkle of brass hand-cymbals and the harmonium, a melodic reed instrument. The whole experience is very enlivening on many different levels. Don't worry if you're not used to singing - at first you can just listen if you're too shy to open your mouth!

 Above - Radha and Govinda. This art is based on descriptions found in ancient Vedic texts, the Sanskrit writings that inspired Buddhism and Hinduism. Krishna (Govinda) on the left is seen as the Absolute and the original male, and his consort Radha is seen as the feminine aspect of God.