With a desire to increase communication, understanding and harmony between world faiths, King Charles III of the United Kingdom arranged for faith leaders to gather with him.

With that important goal in mind, 30 leaders from Muslim, Sikh, Baha’i, Christian, Hindu and other faiths gathered at the Lambeth Palace Library in central London, an eight-story modern building dedicated to divine scriptures.

Visakha Dasi, president of Bhaktivedanta Manor, was one of the leaders to meet the King. Upon meeting her, he asked, “Where are you from?” She replied, “Bhaktivedanta Manor. This year we’re celebrating our fiftieth anniversary. I’ve just given your Private Secretary a letter inviting you to please come and visit us.” The King, having listened respectfully, replied, “Very good.”

Afterwards many of the leaders took a tour of the first floor of the library, where ancient scriptures were on display in humidity and temperature controlled cases.

“I noted that the Bhagavad-gita was absent from the displays,” explained Visakha Dasi,  “but I hope that devotees can offer one to the library to help educate the public on the importance and antiquity of this important scripture”.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118046

By Atma Tattva Das,

Devotees and senior leaders from across South Africa gathered at ISKCON Lenasia on May 9, 2026, to commemorate the 47th installation anniversary of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurahari, regarded as the first life-size deities installed in the country by the Hare Krishna movement. The in-person observance included abhishek ceremonies, kirtan, historical presentations, and reflections from senior Vaishnavas who participated in the development of ISKCON communities across Southern Africa from the late 1970s onward.

The anniversary program brought together disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, regional leaders, temple devotees, and long-time congregational members to reflect on the role the deities have played in the growth of Krishna consciousness in South Africa over nearly five decades.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-lenasia-marks-47-years-of-sri-sri-nitai-gaurahari-in-south-africa/

By Sri Radhika Devi Dasi

Strong families serve as the foundation of healthy ISKCON communities. But in today’s fast-paced and often demanding world, Grihasthas face unique challenges in maintaining harmony within while simultaneously serving the institution. Addressing the need to deepen connection while staying rooted in Bhakti values, The Atma Center for Empathic Leadership is offering a virtual course titled Relational Leadership for Couples, beginning on June 1st, 2026. This 22-week-long journey invites participants into a transformative exploration of conscious partnership through the lens of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), The Empowerment Dynamic (TED), and models of Conflict Resolution, while being firmly rooted in Krishna Conscious principles.

Relational Leadership for Couples reframes partnership as a sacred space for growth, service, and mutual upliftment. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the course emphasizes that spiritual life is not separate from our relationships—it is expressed and tested within them. At the heart of the course is the concept of relational leadership—the capacity to take responsibility for the quality of connection we co-create. In many couples, unspoken expectations and obligations can create tension and distance. This course invites couples to rediscover giving and receiving as expressions of love, choice, and seva, rather than pressure or obligation. Participants are guided to move beyond habitual patterns of blame, withdrawal, or control, and instead cultivate skills to build emotional safety and trust, empathic presence and listening, and the ability to navigate differences with respect. Through these practices, couples will learn how to transform conflict into opportunities for deeper understanding and trust.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/a-course-to-strengthen-our-grihastha-ashrama/

From Back to Godhead

The following exchange took place after a talk by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada before the World Health Organization, in Geneva, on June 6, 1974.

WHO member: Your Divine Grace, do you have any suggestions for solving the worldwide problem of food shortages?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. My suggestion is that people should utilize all this vacant land for crops. I have seen so much land lying dormant. For instance, in Australia and also in America, there is so much land lying dormant. The people are not utilizing it.

And whatever produce they get, sometimes they dump tons of it into the ocean to keep the prices high. And I have heard here in Geneva that when there was excess milk production, some of the people wanted to slaughter twenty thousand cows just to reduce the milk production.

This is what is going on in people’s brains. Actually, they have no brains. So if they want to get some brains, they should read these authentic Vedic literatures, and they should take spiritual guidance. And that guidance is simple: produce your food – all the food the world needs – by properly utilizing the land.

But today people will not utilize the land. Rather, they have left their villages and farmlands and let themselves be drawn into the cities for producing nuts and bolts. All right, now eat nuts and bolts.

Mahatma Gandhi’s basic program was to revive the natural, God-given way of life. Simple villages and farms. This can solve India’s – and the whole world’s – food problems. But our big Pandit Nehru topsy-turvied everything. He wanted more industrialization.

Gandhi’s program was very nice: organize yourselves into small farming villages and produce your own food. Live free from cities and factories. This way, you can work only three months and still you get your produce for the whole year.

Three months’ work for the whole year’s produce. And the rest of the time, the time you save you can use for chanting Hare Krishna. Sing the Lord’s glories and develop your original God consciousness. This is our Krishna consciousness movement. Be spiritually advanced – be a human being.

Otherwise, the life you are leading is risky. In the Bhagavad-gita (2.13) it is said, tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati: however big a plan we may make, someday we will have to give up this plan, because someday we will have to give up this body. And there is no guarantee what kind of body we are going to get next time.

Suppose that this time, this life, I am very busily constructing a big skyscraper. Next time, next life, I may have to live in that skyscraper in the body of a cat or dog, because I have developed the grossly selfish, body-centered consciousness of a cat or dog. And at that time who will care about my so-called title to the skyscraper?

These are the facts. Because nobody can change nature’s law. Nature’s law is exactly like an infectious disease – expose yourself to it, and it takes hold of you, that’s all. Karanam guna-sango ‘sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu: one gets born into a nice or nasty situation because of his prior actions and because of nature’s inexorable reactions. This is nature’s law.

But now many people do not even believe that there is a life after death. In Moscow a big professor named Kotovsky told me, “Swamiji, after death there is nothing.” You see? He’s a big professor. And yet he has no knowledge of the soul. A big professor – just see. This kind of nonsense is going on.

So as this godless civilization drags on, by nature’s law there will be more and more problems. As predicted in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, there will be anavrishti, insufficient rain; and as a result, durbhiksha, insufficient food production. Of course, these problems have already begun.

And on the plea of providing relief from the drought and famine, the government will crush the people with excessive taxation. And consequently, acchina-dara-dravina yasyanti giri-kananam: the people will be so disturbed that they will give up their hearth and home and go to the forest. They will feel utterly harassed – by scarcity of rainfall, by scarcity of food, and by the government’s excessive taxation.

In such a predicament, how can one keep his brain in equilibrium? He will become mad. Unless we take the instruction of the scriptures, all these tragedies are guaranteed to befall us. So we should immediately take this instruction of the Bhagavad-gita (3.14) to heart:

annad bhavanti bhutani
parjanyad anna-sambhavah
yajnad bhavati parjanyo
yajnah karma-samudbhavah

“All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. And rains are produced by sacrifice.”

This is why we have introduced this movement, this chanting of the names of the Lord. This is sacrifice. And in this age of confusion, this unfortunate age, this sacrifice alone is possible. This is the remedy, the solution for all the world’s problems. But people will not take the remedy. They have got their own remedy.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=25151

The Devil always likes to help saints ‘organize’ religion, and organized religion can be problematic. But without human structures, the saint’s messages and good public works may not endure over the next three generations.
For thousands of years, whenever saintly people have searched for a good spot to live, they’ve chosen places of tranquility, far removed from the noise and clamor of the town. In a quiet place, undisturbed by distraction or temptation, surrounded by the beauty of nature, they’ve said their prayers, studied their scriptures, and engaged in meditation.

Islands, deserts, mountains and forests have all been home to generations of monks, yogis and contemplatives of every religious description. The fact that so many of them have actually found transcendence and salvation through their solitude is glorious. The great literary works of spiritual guidance written by them – the outward fruits of their inner life – are a lasting treasure for the world.

But those of us who can’t lead a life of seclusion also want the inner happiness that they experienced. We too want to deepen our spirituality. We cannot retire to the mountains and forests, but we need a helping hand along the way. Somehow, it seems, the saints have to come out of seclusion to help us ordinary folks. Luckily for us, they always have. History is filled with tales of how male and female saints have set out to share their precious wisdom and insight with the world. They’ve left their quiet places and returned to the towns and villages simply to help others.

Sometimes it’s been quite a risky business, beset with opposition, poverty, and danger. But the religious history of the world would not be the same without them. How one saint turns his message and a few early followers into an entire religious movement is a great story, every time it’s told. It involves deep spirituality and sacrifice, compassion, friendship, service, and inspiration. Then there’s the teaching, training and preparing of disciples. Finally comes the sending out of those followers into the world, successful conversion, then organising of people into a human structure for perpetuating and preserving the original message.

Of course, history books are not usually so kind to ‘religious organisations.’ And in today’s world there is widespread and ingrained suspicion of institutions generally, and religious ones in particular. We don’t trust the combination of religion and power, however great the original prophet, saint, or guru was, and however noble the cause.

There’s an old story of a saint walking down the road, a peaceful smile on his face. A farmer sees him: “Where are you going dear saint?” he says. “I’m going to start a religious movement,” replies the saint, and carries on his way. Then the farmer sees the Devil walking some distance behind the saint but obviously following him. “But you,” says the farmer, “where are you going, and why are you following him?” “Me?” replies the Devil with a cunning grin, “Why, isn’t it obvious? He’s going to start a religious movement – and I’m going to help him organise it!”

But while there are numerous historical accounts of the institutionalization that has so crippled the legacies of even the best of saints, it is also a fact that, at some point in its successful expansion, a movement of spiritual people must give itself a shape and systems in order to maintain its natural growth. Mother Nature herself has ordained that living structures of greater complexity require enhanced and disciplined systems if they are to grow. So it is with organic movements of people.

Yet the vitality that runs through such an organization, that gives it its very life, must be goodness, compassion, understanding and love. Nothing else will keep a spiritual organization factually spiritual. The proof that this is happening will be that people are coming forward to become devoted to Krishna – and remaining so.

The steady growth of ISKCON can be attributed to Srila Prabhupada’s deliberate founding of his Society as an organized mission dedicated to systematic propagation; an international body of spiritual practitioners who reach out to others to deliver his teachings. By the dedication of the early followers, his movement became established in hundreds of cities. The great challenge to ISKCON now, wherever it has spread in the world, is to ensure that both the practice and the outreach are continued through the next generation and beyond.

For this to happen, Vaishnava philosophy and culture must be understood and practiced within the homes of its members, by committed families; and the children must grow as Vaishnavas. If practised by individuals, the individuals must reach out to others and bring them to the Vaishnava life. Where, by our strategies and efforts this happens, we help to create growth. Wherever this does not happen, the results of our considerable initial efforts will be reduced.

Temples are places of serious learning for the newcomer, and permanent residences for the celibate and the retired. They function as places where joyful worship is conducted, and where rites of passage are celebrated. But in the task of saving souls, and the longer-term mission of establishing a culture over three generations – the test of sustainability – they can only be truly considered successful if all that is taught and celebrated is then reproduced in the homes of the congregation – both those who live nearby and those who live at a distance.

How do we know when our preaching is successful? As Srila Prabhupada said, our aim is simply to increase ‘the members of Krishna’s family’. If we are looking for measuring the success of our mission it must be this. Ultimately, the number of Vaishnavas created is a permanent and important measurement of the success of all our efforts – and the endurance of our tradition.

Srivasa’s niece was only four years old. Her name was Narayani. She was just seating peacefully in the corner of the room. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu cried out “Narayani! Chant Krsnas name and cry in ecstatic love.” And little Narayani called out “Oh! Krsna, oh! Krsna, oh! Krsna…” and tears just irrupted from her eyes profusely, soaking her body, her limbs trembled and she felt to the ground just crying out “oh! Krsna.” But the devotees saw that they understood the power of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He gave the ultimate perfection of prema Bhakti to a four-year-old girl by just chanting the name of Krsna. And then Srivas Thakur, he got up, he raised his arms to started dancing and he said “my Lord I give up all fear even when you come as the supreme destroyer of the entire universe and as time personified I see that you are destroying all the fourteen worlds, I will raise my arms fearlessly and chant your Holy Names.” And then Srivas Thakur with all of his servants, maidservants, friends and relatives saw Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu manifest His Vaikuntha form. And Vrindavan das Thakur explains in this connection ”just see the power of a Vaishnava, any one who serve the Vaishnav, anyone who pleases a Vaishnava become so dear to the Lord. Even the servants and maidservants of Srivas attained the ultimate perfection of seeing the Lord of Vaikuntha before their eyes. This is something that even Brahma, Shiva and the greatest yogis can not see. There is no higher religious principle than becoming dear to the Vaishnavas.”
So this Narayani is the mother of Vrindavan das Thakur. It is said that Srivas Thakurs elder brother Sri Nalina Pandit. And his wife gave birth to Narayani. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu would regularly give her the remnants of His food. Sometimes, Lord Caitanya would personally with His own hand feeds this little girl the food that he had eaten. And therefore, a little Narayani became famous throughout the entire Vaishnava society as she who receives the remnants of Lord Caitanya. When she was young, she was married to a great brahmin who came from Srihatta or Silet, his name was Vaikunthanath. She became pregnant. While she was carrying her child, her husband passed away. She was a widow. And the child was born. That illustrious child is Vrindavan das Thakur. Some say he was born in Mamgachi. Some say he was born in Kumar Hatta. Narayani, who was only about fifteen-year-old at the time, she was a young girl and a widow. But in Mamgachi she was given shelter by most compassionate devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Vasudev Datta. She would take care of Vasudev Datta’s, help him with his deity worship and performed so many nice chores for him. And Vasudev Datta protected and cared for Narayani and especially helped to raised little Vrindavan das.
So Vrindavan das Thakur was in that environment of Srivas Thakur, of Vasudev Datta and all the Vaishnavas. This was the association he was raised in. And it is said that he was the last disciple, was initiated by Nityananda Prabhu. Personal associate of Nityananda Prabhu. And Lord Nityananda prabhu ordered his disciple Vrindavan das Thakur to write the life story of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So, he took that order as his very life and soul. According to historians, Vaishnavas, Vrindavan das Thakur took birth, I believe it was about four years after Lord Caitanya had already taken Sanyas. And as a young man taking the order of Lord Nityananda prabhu on his head, he went to a place called Dhenur. Dhenur is not very far from Katwa, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took Sanyas and there he made his Bhajan kutir, his home. And it was there in Dhenur that Vrindavan das Thakur wrote Sri Caitanya Bhagavat.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=74371

Dedicated volunteers from Bhaktivedanta Manor were recently honoured with an invitation to the annual King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Hosted each year by the British monarch, the prestigious event recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions through public service, community engagement and charitable work.

Among those invited were Ketan Patel and Ashok Parmar, accompanied by their wives, in recognition of their many years of devoted voluntary service.

“Ketan Patel has long supported the community through his involvement in Radharani’s Bakery, Sunday kitchen cooking, the Volunteers Care Council, and ticketing services at Bhaktivedanta Manor,” explained Krishna Purna dasi. “His steady and humble service has benefited thousands of visitors and devotees over the years.

“Ashok Parmar dedicates much of his week to organising and supporting prasadam distribution, coordinating volunteers for serving, and preparing the temple room for smaller events. Serving no fewer than six days each week, his commitment and reliability have made him an invaluable member of the community”.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118044

By Team IGST ISKCON NAVI MUMBAI

As the global student community faces unprecedented levels of academic stress and digital distraction, ISKCON Navi Mumbai is stepping forward with a unique synthesis of education and experience. We are proud to announce the International Gita Scholarship Test (IGST) 2026, a program designed to transform how youth engage with the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita.

A Revolutionary Approach to Learning

The IGST 2026 is far more than a standard examination. It is an invitation to step away from the screen and enter a sanctuary of focus. This year, the program features an Immersive 2-Day, 1-Night Spiritual Retreat, allowing participants to live the philosophy they study.

The Retreat Highlights:

• Residential Stay: Students will experience a comfortable paid stay at the Temple Guest House, located directly within the serene and sanctified premises of ISKCON Navi Mumbai.

• Sanctified Dining: The retreat includes complimentary Prasadam at Govinda’s Restaurant, ensuring students are nourished by the finest Satvic cuisine.

• Immersive Itinerary: The program is meticulously planned to include:

  • Mantra Meditation & Yoga: Techniques for mental clarity and stress reduction.

  • Interactive Philosophy Workshops: Deep dives into the Gita’s practical application for modern leadership.

  • Exam Preparation Seminars: Guided sessions to prepare for the scholarship test.

Examination & Registration Schedule:

The scholarship test is designed to be accessible yet rigorous, rewarding those who truly internalize the teachings.

• Examination Schedule: Tests will be held on four consecutive Sundays, starting from May 31, 2026.

• Registration Fee: In the spirit of making wisdom accessible to all, the registration fee is a nominal ₹101/-.

• Final Deadline: Enrollment for this international event closes strictly on June 11, 2026.

A Global Invitation

While hosted in the vibrant hub of Navi Mumbai, the IGST 2026 carries a global vision. We invite devotees, parents, and students from all over globe, and beyond to support this initiative. This is an ideal opportunity for students & all Individuals to gain the internal strength required for academic and personal success.

How to Register

The entire process is digital. Interested participants can find the registration link on our official Site or visit the temple’s information desk.

Secure your spot in this life-changing journey of wisdom.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118042

By Sevananda Caitanya Das, 

What began as small home gatherings among a handful of devotees has grown into a thriving, organized, and deeply committed devotional community now known as ISKCON of Charlotte.

At first glance, the story feels familiar—kirtan, shared prasadam, and intimate gatherings. But spend time here, and a different picture emerges. This is not just growth in numbers, but growth in depth, coordination, and vision.

Tapasya Dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, with more than five decades of experience in the movement, who has been regularly visiting the community, described our community: “In all my years of traveling and preaching, I have rarely seen such a combination of purity, sincerity, and practical organization. They are not changing anything that Srila Prabhupada taught—they are simply applying it with full conviction in today’s world.”

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/a-growing-spiritual-community-in-charlotte-finds-its-home/

By Udayananda

During the 1976 festival in Vrindavan, there was a whole schedule one day that started at mangal arotik and went all the way until midnight at a pandal program celebrating the Appearance of Lord Ram and attended by over twenty thousand people.
It was very impressive.
For me the day started blissfully as I got to go on a morning walk with Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada walked for a very long time preaching vigorously.
At the beginning of the walk I was at the rear of the devotees, but after about an hour I finally ended up right next to Srila Prabhupada.
At this point Prabhupada had to pass water so he turned and handed me his cane.
I took his cane and Prabhupada was handed a bottle of water to wash his hands.
He went down into a little gully and did what nature called.
In the meantime, I put the cane in my left hand and put my right hand in my japa bag to chant my rounds.
When Prabhupada returned, he reached for his cane and like a fool I started to hand it to him with my left hand.
Prabhupada said, “Left hand?”
Immediately I thought, “Oh, I am an idiot, aren’t I?”
So I put it in my right hand and handed it to Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada said, “Always right hand.”

Immediately after the hour and a half walk, Prabhupada spent the rest of the afternoon with dignitaries who had come from New Delhi, such as the governor and state representatives.

I was hanging outside Prabhupada’s room listening and was amazed at how he was like a lion amongst lambs preaching vigorously.

Then without rest, Prabhupada went to Mathura to give a lecture at the pandal program to the twenty thousand or so people.

Prabhupada started the lecture by saying, “Because there are so many people here to hear Krishna’s pastimes, and they may not speak English, I am going to speak in Hindi, and I apologize.”

Prabhupada actually said, “I apologize to my English speaking disciples”, as if he ever had to apologize to us.

What amazed me was not only Prabhupada’s humility when he apologized to us, but my realization about the scene I observed while Prabhupada preached about Krishna and Lord Chaitanya.

I looked around at the thousands of people there and the contingent of devotees from Africa, England, Australia, America, South America and remembered Bhaktivinode Thakur’s query,

“When will Americans and Englishmen and Germans come with their hands raised high and say, ‘Jaya Sachinandana, Gaura Hari?’

When will that day come?” I thought, “The day has come!”

I was thinking, “Prabhupada, you did it! You have done this and now you’re preaching to twenty thousand people and you were preaching to all these dignitaries all day long.

You’ve done it! You don’t have to do anything else! You’ve done it.

You can just rest on your laurels.

You don’t need to push! You’ve done it! You’ve done it all!”

With Prabhupada’s accomplishment, there was fanfare because he did an amazing, miraculous thing.

The fanfare, however, had no affect on him, nor was he interested in that type of glorification.

He was just interested in glorifying Krishna.

By the time we got back to Fogel Ashram it was close to midnight.

Everyone was completely exhausted.

I felt like a zombie and on top of that I had gotten a little sick because I ate some jalebis in the marketplace and came down with a violent case of diarrhea.

Every time I laid down to sleep, I had to go back to the restroom.

It was really hellish.

This went on for quite a while so I thought I might as well just stay up to chant my japa.

I went down to the temple and it was close to two o’clock in the morning.

I was the only person around except for one devotee who was doing the twenty-four hour kirtan and he was laying on the mridanga barely hitting the drum and just muttering Krishna’s name.

I came out the front of the Krishna-Balaram temple and I started to circumambulate.

As I came around the back of the temple, I was right next to Srila Prabhupada’s room where I saw a light on.

I reflected how Prabhupada had been preaching tirelessly since four o’clock in the morning and now it’s two o’clock in the morning the next day.

In his room, he had his dictaphone and I heard him say, “Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur says in his explanation of the Gita…” Prabhupada was translating the Bhagavatam.

I’m thinking, “Why? You’ve already done it all.

You’ve done everything.

You’ve done this big festival, there’s no one around seeing you do this.”

But he was there translating the Bhagavatam, and he was doing it for us.

I got to witness Srila Prabhupada’s tireless pursuit of giving Krishna consciousness to this planet, to this world, to this universe.

And that’s why he’s the spiritual master of the universe.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=54078

Channel: Vaishnavi Ministry NA

Please join us Friday, July 11, 2025 at 3PM PST/6PM EDT. Live on Facebook & You tube as we continue our A Bond of Love Interview Series  …

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118038

Not many festivals stop the city streets but Ratha Yatra does. Every. Single. Time.
The Festival of Chariots is one of the world’s oldest and most joyful celebrations, rooted in thousands of years of tradition and brought to life in cities across the globe. Now in its 11th year in Brisbane, it continues to remind us what this city is truly made of: open hearts, vibrant community and a genuine invitation for everyone, regardless of background or belief.
The event was electric. Colour, dancing, chanting, devotion and pure joy all in one place. This is what happens when  takes to the streets.
We were lucky enough to meet a living legend — HH Indradyumna Swami Mahārāj, the Indiana Jones of the Hare Krishna world. Inspiring doesn’t even cover it. We sat together, shared a delicious Hare Krishna meal, and he told us stories that stopped us in our tracks.
Just one month before dancing with us in Brisbane, this man was locked in a Russian jail for two weeks — simply for preaching love and devotion. Two weeks behind bars. And his spirit? Completely unbroken. One of the most humbling encounters I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to explore his books. 
That’s the magic of Ratha Yatra.
 Our city is special.
Massive love to our ISKCON Brisbane Darra community, Janardan Kewin, Varsana Radhe, Pankaj Agarwal, Hermann Vorster MP Cr Penny Wolff and all the incredible MPs who joined us proving that the best communities are built on love, inclusion and a whole lot of joy.
See you on the streets again next year. 

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118036

In 1986, after an old vehicle-perhaps on its last legs-was donated to a Houston organization for the arts, a local artist got the idea to transform it into a moving art piece. Soon after that, the first “art car” parades began in Houston with eleven and then forty artistically embellished vehicles. These days the annual Houston Art Car Parade-the city’s biggest free public event-attracts up to 300 art cars and 200,000 spectators on a Saturday every April. It is the biggest art car happening in the world. For the last 30 years, devotees from ISKCON Houston have chanted on decorated moving flatbed trailers and distributed prasadam to thousands of festival-goers at the annual parade, which is organized by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. This year, on April 11th, the devotees were also able to hitch a large chariot to their kirtan chanters’ float. The chariot, brought from North Carolina by Jagat-purusa Prabhu, carried Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Lady Subhadra, and devotees distributed 10,000 pieces of peanut butter fudge prasadam to Houston’s enthusiastic, multi-ethnic crowd along the two-mile parade route.

Art Car Parade 2026 ISKCON of Houston by Sarvabhauma Dasa (Houston) According to Jagat Purusha, “It was impressive to see how the people at the Art Car Parade in Houston were so favorable to the devotees and Their Lordships.” One obvious reason is that many Houstonians love the peanut butter fudge that the devotees hand out during the parade, at least 6,000 pieces per parade for many years. The devotees also provide a much-appreciated complimentary breakfast snack of banana bread and fresh fruit for up to 500 of the artists riding in the art cars, as well as a post- parade meal for the awards ceremony brunch the next day. In return, the organizers allow the devotees to have a complimentary Govinda’s food booth and entry in the parade.

Damodar Sharan Dasa, one of the organizers along with his wife Shoba Kisori Dasi, said that this year “Although it was logistically very challenging, it was wonderful that Jagat Purusa Prabhu brought his chariot so the Deities could elegantly grace the event, and also that we were able to place a giant 8-foot Jagannath Swami which Gauramani Prabhu brought from Chicago, on the bed of the truck which pulled the flatbed and chariot.”

In the 2006 Art Car Parade, the Houston devotees pulled Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra by hand in a chariot provided by ISKCON Dallas, but because it is mainly a motorized event, several art car artists complained that the Ratha chariot was not moving fast enough, so the Houston devotees were told that pulling the chariot by hand would no longer be permitted. A few years later, a devotee from Louisiana brought the giant Lord Jagannath from New Talavana and gave Him a ride in the Houston Art Car Parade on his large flatbed truck.

According to Guru Bhakti Dasi, who helps with outreach in Houston, “Even when we haven’t been able to have the Deities in the parade, this festival has always been a great place to spread the holy name, distribute Prabhupada’s books and prasadam. The people are favorable and because we have cultivated a relationship with the organizers by helping them take care of the artists’ meals, they are cooperative. This year was special because thanks to the ongoing efforts of Sudevi Sundari Dasi, many of the local non-Indian devotees who we have been cultivating as part of the commitment by our Temple President, Saranga Thakur Prabhu to increase our outreach to the local population by 3%, enthusiastically chanted, danced and distributed prasadam.” Madhava Charan Dasa, who organized the kirtan chanters, noticed that one reel on Instagram showing the devotees chanting on the caravan “was spreading like wildfire.” It had over 45K views and approximately 10K likes, 665 shares and 87 comments glorifying Lord Jagannath. He commented, “Probably people were amazed that something like this could be done. This was really something very extraordinary.” Devotees in different localities may find that cooperating with existing local parades and festivals, such as the devotees in New Orleans with the Mardi Gras Parade and San Antonio devotees with the Fiesta Parade, can lead to similar win-win opportunities. During the Art Car event when an art car artist who had come from California to participate in the parade saw the devotees and heard their roaring kirtan, he got on his knees and offered obeisances. Another man, who drove a decorated 1969 Volkswagen “Beetle” in the parade which he dedicated to the Beatles and in which he played their amplified songs in the parade, including “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison, sent a photo of a plate of prasadam he had received along with the BBT book, Chant and Be Happy, which features conversations of George Harrison and John Lennon. Referring to the devotees, he wrote, “It’s hard to not like these guys.”

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=118031

Around forty Italian members of the congregation gathered at Goloka Ecofarm in Pontinvrea (Savona, Italy) for a three-day retreat, May 1-3, organized by the USCI (Office for the Development of the Congregation in Italy), dedicated to shared spiritual practice, learning, and community connection.

The participants, all Italian, engaged in a rich program of activities, including workshops, theatre, Harinam with the local congregation, cow milking, and the temple’s daily spiritual program, featuring kirtan, bhajan, and Tulasi arati. The atmosphere throughout the retreat was joyful and participatory, allowing devotees to deepen both their practice and their relationships within the community.

The retreat concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants who completed the USCI courses. Participants and organizers alike expressed deep gratitude and happiness, highlighting the importance of creating more regular opportunities for in-person gathering and spiritual growth.

USCI, founded in 2019 by Bhaktya Labhya Das, Devaki Rupa Devi Dasi, and Akarsini Radhika Devi Dasi, supports the spiritual education of the congregation through online programs and annual in-person retreats across Italy.

A special thank you goes to the devotees of Goloka Ecofarm for their care and loving support, which made the retreat possible.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/italian-devotees-gather-for-three-day-spiritual-retreat-at-goloka-ecofarm/