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13668952287?profile=RESIZE_584xRecently, ISKCON Kolkata marked the celebration of its 54th annual Rathayatra, recognized as the second largest Ratha Yatra in the world. Each year, the city of Kolkata is surrounded by an atmosphere of devotion as the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, organized by ISKCON Kolkata, unfolds. The majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani, moved through the city streets, attracting thousands of devotees who gathered to witness and participate

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13668951870?profile=RESIZE_584xThe International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of Houston celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Garden Oaks location with a two-day festival on July 12 and 13, 2025. The event drew over 700 devotees on Saturday and more than 900 on Sunday. 

The celebration marked four decades since ISKCON Houston moved to its current location on West 34th  Street in 1984. The temple, originally established in 1972 in a Montrose-area home, has grown steadily over the years to become a vibrant spi

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13667607681?profile=RESIZE_584xIn the late 70s, our Los Angeles community organized what was probably the biggest Ratha Yatra to date, especially in the western world.  It was promoted in such a dynamic way.  The whole town was curious about a fest involving chariots.  Is it like the second coming of “Ben Hur?”  Alice Coltrane, legendary jazz musician, was going to appear and present mantras on the stage (I remember the melody she sang of the maha mantra from a recording).  Ramesvara Swami, the leader of the LA community,

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Janmastami

Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of Krishna, who is described in India’s sacred writings as God Himself. One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, it is celebrated by nine hundred and thirty million people around the world–and two mill

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Harmful Inclinations

13668715693?profile=RESIZE_584xLecture given in Honolulu, May 6, 1976

Our proclivity to enjoy here under the influence of the material nature keeps us bound to material existence.

 pravritti-lakshanash chaiva

traigunya-vishayo mune

yo ’sav alina-prakriter

guna-sargah punah punah

“O great sage Sukadeva Goswami, unless the living entity is freed from the infection of the material modes of nature, he receives different types of bodies in which to enjoy or suffer, and according to the body, he is understood to have various in
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13668714089?profile=RESIZE_584xA life that allows us to reunite with mother earth and offer her products to Krishna favors our spiritual growth.

Srila Prabhupada writes, “Whatever is taken from the earth—either from the mines, from the surface of the globe, or from the atmosphere—should always be considered the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should be used for Yajna, Lord Vishnu. As soon as the process of yajna [sacrifice] is stopped, the earth will withhold all productions—vegetables, trees, plants, fruit

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13668713679?profile=RESIZE_584xIt was two o’clock in the morning. My airplane from Frankfurt had arrived in Delhi one hour late. Would my taxi still be waiting? Going through customs was quick, so I rushed out through the main gate and saw a man motioning toward me. He recognized Prabhupada’s white elephant! Within minutes, we were on our way to Sri Vrindavana Dhama.

Five thousand years ago, when Akrura traveled from Mathura to Vrindavana, he felt unqualified to see the Lord, even though he brimmed with devotion to Krishna. H
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13668712289?profile=RESIZE_584xDevotee men from across North America will gather at IKSCON New Vrindaban, West Virginia, for the 8th annual MAN-tra Retreat, happening from Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Conceived in 2018 by Bhaktimarga Swami and Anuttama Dasa, the retreat aims to empower Krishna-conscious men to live with greater integrity, devotion, and purpose. The weekend promises dynamic seminars by renowned speakers—including Brahma Tirtha Das, Vraj Vihari Das, Mahatma Das, and Gopal Hari Das—along

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13668711898?profile=RESIZE_584xFor the second year in a row, ISKCON Gurugram organized a Rathayatra marathon, hosting 13 Rathyatras across the city over just 11 days, from June 26 to July 6.

The celebrations, held in various housing societies, neighborhoods, and city sectors, provided devotees with a powerful opportunity to share Krishna Consciousness with thousands of residents. According to Rambhadra Das, Temple President of ISKCON Gurugram, over 50,000 plates of prasadam were distributed, and around 5,000 of Srila Prabhu

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JOURNEY UNDERWAY by Bhaktimarga Swami

 

13668711284?profile=RESIZE_584xJOURNEY UNDERWAY

 

(In Honour of Vaishnav Das)

 

 The journey is now underway

 

That’s what real people say

 

Gone is departing soul, Vaishnav

 

Who shared with us so much love

 

 In quiet somber demeanour

 

His words were of genuine candour

 

Often fueled by a sharp wit

 

Oh, yes, I’ve heard him quip

 

 At random nonsense things

 

He relieved us with guitar strings

 

And keeping a smile at the forefront

 

Never a need to get too blunt

 

 Husband to one we adore

 
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13667612861?profile=RESIZE_584xRules Srila Prabhupada’s Lived By

Don’t blindly follow until you can follow blindly

Question everything. If it is false, leave it; but if it is true surrender to it.

“You must test the spiritual master for one year. And when you are convinced that here is a person I can follow blindly, then you accept.”

 Live your why

Know your purpose and deeply connect with it. Never deviate from you mission and enroll others to help you fulfill it.

“My mission is to save human society.”

 No personal age
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13667610296?profile=RESIZE_584xA beautiful and heartfelt yajna ceremony was held to honor a significant moment in the journey of the Avanti Schools Trust. The ceremony was conducted to express deep gratitude to Nitesh Gor OBE (Navina Krsna das), the Founding CEO, and to warmly welcome Dr James Biddulph MBE as the new CEO of the Trust.

The ceremony was filled with spiritual energy, love, and a sense of auspiciousness, involving kirtan led by young people from Avanti House Secondary School. The event was attended by Trustees

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13667610296?profile=RESIZE_584xA beautiful and heartfelt yajna ceremony was held to honor a significant moment in the journey of the Avanti Schools Trust. The ceremony was conducted to express deep gratitude to Nitesh Gor OBE (Navina Krsna das), the Founding CEO, and to warmly welcome Dr James Biddulph MBE as the new CEO of the Trust.

The ceremony was filled with spiritual energy, love, and a sense of auspiciousness, involving kirtan led by young people from Avanti House Secondary School. The event was attended by Trustees

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13667609274?profile=RESIZE_584xThis year’s Hare Krsna Festival at the National Mall was another amazing event. Literally thousands of people from all walks of life, all ethnic backgrounds, and age groups couldn’t help but hear this chanting of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra. As a direct result, so many people were feeling genuine spiritual ecstasy by Nama Prabhus’ causeless mercy. Honestly, the atmosphere was so spiritually surcharged, they couldn’t resist and found themselves spontaneously jumping in and started dancing along

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13667608277?profile=RESIZE_584x“O Radha! O beloved of Madhava! O you who are worshiped by all the young girls of Gokula! All glories unto You! All glories unto You!” (Sri Radhika-stava, by Srila Rupa Gosvami)

Sri Janmastami is celebrated with much grandeur all over the world, because it is the birthday celebration of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Can there be any festival greater than this? If this question is asked to devotees in Sri Dham Mayapur, the answer will be ‘Yes.’ Sri Krishna may be God, but there is o

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 13667607681?profile=RESIZE_584xIn the late 70s, our Los Angeles community organized what was probably the biggest Ratha Yatra to date, especially in the western world.  It was promoted in such a dynamic way.  The whole town was curious about a fest involving chariots.  Is it like the second coming of “Ben Hur?”  Alice Coltrane, legendary jazz musician, was going to appear and present mantras on the stage (I remember the melody she sang of the maha mantra from a recording).  Ramesvara Swami, the leader of the LA community,

Read more…

 

13663334068?profile=RESIZE_584xThe ISKCON Law Department held its first Law Conference in the Asia Pacific region. The Conference, held in Sydney, Australia, brought together a diverse audience of more than 25 devotee attorneys, those in the provision of legal services, law students, temple leaders, National Council members, and SABHA members from eight jurisdictions. Their shared mission was to explore the role of law in serving and protecting ISKCON for future generations and expansion.

Led by ISKCON General Counsel Devak

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13663333662?profile=RESIZE_584xConcluding Statement from the Executive Committee of the Governing Body Commission Regarding Trivikrama Dasa
16 July 2025

Dear ISKCON Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Following the 24 June 2025 resolution by the Guru Services Committee and the Sannyasa Standing Committee regarding Trivikrama Swami’s removal from the positions of sannyasi and initiating guru in ISKCON, and the 27 June follow-up statement by the GBC Executive Committee (EC), we wish

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13663333060?profile=RESIZE_584xThe Jhulan Festival is celebrated in the month of Shravana (August), from the eleventh day of the bright fortnight (Ekadashi) to the full-moon day (Purnima). This festival commemorates the childhood pastimes of Sri Krishna with His friends, the young cowherd boys and girls, swinging underneath the trees.

Every day, the Deities of Sri Radha Madhava are adorned with various jewelries and gently swayed on a swing decorated profusely with flowers. The main temple hall is beautifully decorated wi

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SEEING BLUE by Bhaktimarga Swami

 

13663332482?profile=RESIZE_584xThe idea is to go about looking for signs of Krishna.  This is the time of the year when there are ample reminders of our dear Creator, especially through the realm of nature.  The gorgeous chicory plant at the edge of the road, barnyard, or lake, is so stunning.  The blue hue that this wildflower is identified with is captivating to look at while the plant itself is a delicious drink, a substitute for coffee without the harmful caffeine.  In this regard, this jewel of the outdoors is quite u

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