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The Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Rādhā-kuṇḍa - Bahulashtami Special

 On this most auspicious day of Bahulāṣṭamī, we celebrate the divine appearance of Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa, the most exalted and beloved abode of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

🪷 The Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Rādhā-kuṇḍa 🪷

 According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the lake (Radha Kunda) is so exultant because it belongs to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, who is the most beloved object of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu revealed that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī—Her serv

Mayapur Academy formally inaugurated its International Diploma in Deity Worship on October 23, 2026, welcoming students from around the world for systematic training in Deity worship.

According to the Academy’s Facebook announcement, Jananivas Dasa, Pancaratna Dasa, and other senior devotees attended the inauguration, shared realizations, and offered encouragement and blessings to the incoming students.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/mayapur-academy-inaugurates-international-deity-worship-di

Bahulastami marks the appearance of Sri Radha Kunda and Sri Syama Kunda.

After Lord Krishna killed the bull-demon Aristasura, the gopis (cowherd maidens) teased that He had incurred a reaction of sin and needed to cleanse Himself. Krishna struck the ground with His heel to summon all the sacred rivers, creating Syama Kunda.

Srimati Radharani and Her gopis then excavated a nearby pool with their bangles, which was filled when the holy rivers asked to enter Radharani’s service, forming Radha Kunda

Wherever in this world there were great manifestations of love between Radha and Krsna, not only was it an extraordinary experience for those who were present there, but actually that entire place also became transformed.

Various places in Vrindavan, where Radha and Krsna had great exchanges of love, are very potent with powerful mercy that becomes available to us as well. The appearance of Radha-kund, the lake of Srimati Radharani, is a most special occasion, as it is said that Radha kund is t

Kartik is very auspicious for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urja means power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full-moon night, Sri Krishna played upon His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of His pastimes. Also during Kartik, Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to

The Sacred Glories of Radha Kunda

The holy city of Mathura holds a position of spiritual supremacy over Vaikuntha, the transcendental world, because it is where the Supreme Lord appeared. Yet, even greater than Mathura is the transcendental forest of Vrindavana, renowned for the divine rasalila pastimes of Lord Krishna. Superior to Vrindavana is Govardhana Hill, uplifted by Krishna’s divine hand and the site of His many loving pastimes. But above all, the superexcellent Radha Kunda reigns suprem

By Madhusudana Visnu Das

There are some pastimes of Krishna that astonish us by their grandeur.

There are others that quietly and softly enter the heart.

The meeting of Krishna and His childhood friend Sudama belongs to the second kind.

There is no battlefield. No demon is slain. No mountain is lifted.

A poor brahmana simply walks to Dvaraka carrying a small bundle of chipped rice.

And Krishna receives him.

Yet within that seemingly simple meeting, the Srimad-Bhagavatam reveals something extraor

Bringing Mahaprabhu’s Life to a New Generation:

A Biography for Seekers and Devotees

by Punya-sravana dasa

More than five centuries after Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began his sankirtan movement in Bengal, his life continues to offer a compelling answer to a question that confronts devotees today: How can the teachings of bhakti reach people who have never encountered the Vaishnava tradition? A new biography, The Mystical Journey of Chaitanya: Revolutionary Pioneer of Bhakti Yoga, scheduled for wor

Words can scarcely capture the glory of Her Grace Shanti Rupa Mataji, an exalted Vaishnavi whose entire life was a radiant offering at the lotus feet of Guru, Gauranga, and the Vaishnavas. Where can I begin, and where can I possibly end, in glorifying a soul whose every thought, word, and action was dedicated to devotional service?

As I write these words, I am seated in Mataji’s home, awaiting the arrival of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, and Srimati Subhadra Devi for tomorrow’s Ratha Yatra in

Visakha Dasi, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, delivered an inspiring address at this year’s Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street , attended by Prime Minister Andy Burnham MP, and other distinguished guests. Drawing upon the ancient wisdom of the  Bhagavad-gita , she highlighted how the lights of Diwali symbolise the knowledge that dispels darkness within our hearts. Quoting Chapter Six, Verse 32 , she encouraged everyone to develop genuine empathy for the suffering of others, regardl

By Mukunda-Anghri Das

Devotees of ISKCON Taiwan organized an event from October 9 to 11, 2026, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ISKCON’s founding in 1966 by its Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Around 100 devotees from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines attended this joyful event at a beautiful mountain resort near Taichung City, Taiwan.

Three special guests kindly graced this event with their presence: Srutikirti Das (ACBSP), Prabhava Das (ACB

By Atma Tattva Das,

After 25 years of monastic life, S.B. Keshava Swami returned to the classroom in a bid to deepen his knowledge and further empower his endeavors to share wisdom that breathes.

Earlier this year, Keshava Swami addressed Harvard Divinity School’s Dean’s Leadership Forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on leaders’ inner lives. The venue carried significance: the Cader Room, where ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada had lectured more t

Hare Krishna, dear devotees.

For many who come to Krishna consciousness, the first steady commitment is japa: quietly chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra on a string of 108 Tulsi beads. Srila Prabhupada asked his initiated disciples to chant a minimum of sixteen rounds every day. For a beginner, that number can feel large. This post gathers practical, time-tested points that help the practice become steady, natural and sweet.

What is japa?

Japa is the soft, personal repetition of the holy names,

Statement from the ISKCON Governing Body Commission on Srila Prabhupada and the Role of Gurus in ISKCON

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) passed several resolutions during its Mid-Term General Meeting 2026 regarding the need to better educate ISKCON devotees with “a clearer understanding and articulation of, the qualification and service of all gurus, and their relationship with ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the ISKCON society, and

Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura

Among the great spiritual masters of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura shines as an extraordinary example of renunciation, humility, and pure devotion. Through his deeply moving devotional songs and dedicated service, he carried the teachings of Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu into the hearts of countless souls, inspiring generations of devotees to seek the loving service of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.

The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition identifies Śrīla Naro

Appearing as the son of a king, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Shri Thakura Mahasaya) showed all the bodily symptoms of a mahapurusha (an exalted divine person). He had long arms, a deep navel, golden-complexion, beautiful eyes shaped like lotus petals.

In school, he was a sruti dhara (able to memorise whatever he hears) Although he quickly mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas, he hankered to serve Krishna. He was a lifelong brahmachari.

By the mercy of the Holy Name Gaura-Nitai, Narottama became detac

Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, whose picture we have here on the cover of the book Prarthana, one of the books he wrote, is a great acharya, spiritual teacher, in our Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual heritage—one of the great acharyas of our sampradaya, particularly after the time of the Gosvamis. The Gosvamis were the direct disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. There are six who are famous, but there are others who were also present during that time, such as Bhugarba Gosvami and Lokanatha Gosvami.