Blog

By Padasevan Bhakta Das

Residents of Gurugram, the IT capital of India, recently had a unique opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in devotional culture. From July 6th to 15th, eleven Rathayatras were organized in different parts of Gurugram. Scores of people from all age groups and different strata of society participated in the festival. 

Gurugram is considered the IT Capital of India and is home to 250 of the Fortune 500 companies. Most people living here are corporate employees

We just paid the $10 fee to get to the top Mount McKay when I put a wish out there for driver Prem Kishor and passengers Care and Janardana. “I want to see a bear”. Janardana and I had enjoyed the waters of Lake Superior. The surface of this mighty lake was like glass, practically motionless water. Beautiful ! Once that great swim was over we hankered for the next Krishna thrill, hence the risk.

We were quite fascinated by the view from up top while carrying the spirit of half tourist/ half pil

krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-kala-pathojani-bhrajita
sad-bhaktavali-hamsa-cakra-madhupa-sreni-viharaspadam
karnanandi-kala-dhvanir vahatu me jihva-maru-prangane
sri-caitanya daya-nidhe tava lasal-lila-sudha-svardhuni

TRANSLATION

O my merciful Lord Caitanya, may the nectarean Ganges waters of Your transcendental activities flow on the surface of my desert like tongue. Beautifying these waters are the lotus flowers of singing, dancing and loud chanting of Krsna’s holy name, which are the pleasure a

We may not realize how our aural organs play a vital role in determining our spiritual destination.

The human body is equipped with five senses through which one is connected to the external world. These five knowledge-acquiring organs, known in the Vedas as jnanendriyas (jnana, “knowledge”; indriya, “senses”), are the ears, eyes, tongue, nose, and skin. Through them we receive information about the external world, and based on that information we act and react.

Among these senses, the ears are

By Padsevan Bhakta Das

Residents of Gurugram, the IT capital of India, got a unique opportunity to experience and immerse in devotional culture recently. From 6th July till 15th a total of 11 Rath Yatras were organized in different parts of Gurugram. Scores of people from all age groups and different strata of society got to participate in the festival.

Gurugram is considered the IT Capital of India, and is home to India HQ of scores of about 250 of the Fortune500 companies. Most people living

Dear Devotees

We are delighted to announce this year’s “Books Are The Basis” week! This global celebration will be held from September 18th to 24th to commemorate the significance of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America.

In the spring of 2020, the GBC Body passed a resolution encouraging all ISKCON centres to emphasize the importance of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books during this week. We invite all temples and communities worldwide to highlight the value of reading through lectures, addresse

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi

The UK Gurukula, also known as the Hare Krishna Primary School, received a 2024 Social Impact Schools Award this summer. These awards recognize schools and their students for having a positive impact on the world.

Based on students at any school executing social action such as volunteering, fundraising, and raising awareness, the award is given by SuperKind Education C.I.C., a non-profit organization “dedicated to empowering young children to make positive cha

By Atma Tattva Das

Approximately 40 devotees from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) gathered in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, to march for peace following the devastating tornado that struck nearby Tongaat in June. Jahnava Kripa Dasi led the peace march, which aimed to uplift the spirits of those affected and remind the community of the strength found in solidarity and prayer.

“The Peace March came together because of the plight of the people in Tongaat,” explained Jahnava

Water gives life, a refreshing newness to one's feelings, a refreshing invigorating reincarnation. After an invigorating time in the water of Lake Superior's pristineness and supportive play with some of the guys from Winnipeg and the local area, I contemplated deeply on the lack of water experienced by some of my best devotees friends in the fiery basin in Venables Valley.

I'm speaking about the village of Sarangati in British Columbia where not only in the village itself but the towns around

From Back to Godhead

In the Bhagavad-gita (7.14) Lord Krishna refers to maya, the deluding material energy, as mama maya: “My maya.” We Vaishnavas accept His word on this, with profound philosophical implications.

The chief philosophical opponents of Vaishnavas are the Mayavadis, or impersonalists, who posit ultimate reality as one homogeneous impersonal energy, with no second thing: All the unique entities we perceive, whether things or living beings, are merely mirages. Variety and individual

“Shoot him,” said the man with the crowbar. Kshudhi felt the cold metal against his skull and chanted Hare Krishna like never before. His nimble nineteenyear old body was tucked under the bed. The other four men with guns hesitated. They attacked the house knowing that a Johannesburg vegetable merchant had kept cash there, but were they ready to kill for it?

Less than two years before, Kshudhi had purchased a copy of Teachings of Lord Chaitanya from a book store in Los Angeles. The book introdu

The situation in Bangladesh remains tense due to the continuing political unrest. ISKCON devotees and friends are asked to continue their prayers for the Bangladeshi devotees, Deities, and temples, and the Bangladeshi people.

As of 4:30 PM BST (Bangladeshi Standard Time), Wednesday August 7th, the report from Bangladesh is as follows. Despite extensive rioting, just one ISKCON property, a rented flat in Meherpur (Khulna division) was attacked and caught fire two days ago. While the Deities were

By Gauranga Das 

Reality TV mega stars Kim and Khloe Kardashian opted for a spiritual experience during their recent visit to Mumbai, India. The celebrity sisters, who were in the city to attend the wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, took time out of their busy schedule to visit the ISKCON Chowpatty temple (Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir).

Invited by Jay Shetty and his wife Radhi Devlukia, fellow wedding guests, the the Kardashians were warmly welcomed at the Radha Gopina

Shri Mukunda Dasa, Shri Madhava Dasa and Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura were three brothers who lived in Shri Khanda. Shri Mukunda Dasa Thakura’s son was Shri Raghunandan Thakura. Mukunda Dasa Thakura was the doctor in the court of the muslim king. He was always absorbed in Krishna, whatever work he did.

Every year Mukunda Dasa, Madhava Dasa and Narahari Sarakara would go to Jagannatha Puri to take darshan of the holy feet of Shri Chaitanya and to dance and chant in Rathayatra kirtan.  One day,

Excerpts from OBL Kapoor’s “The Saints of Bengal” (Srila Prabhupada’s Godbrother)

Vamsidasa Babaji was a siddha-mahatma in the disciplic succession of Sri Narottama Thakura. The name of his diksa-guru was Harilal Vrajavasi and the name of his vesa-guru was Ramananda Vrajavasi. But it was difficult to know that he was siddha, because he lived far away from the world in a solitary place on the bank of Ganga near Baral Ghata in Navadvipa, as if he was renounced by the world, as an idiotic and wort

Shri Mukunda Dasa, Shri Madhava Dasa and Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura were three brothers who lived in Shri Khanda. Shri Mukunda Dasa Thakura’s son was Shri Raghunandan Thakura.

Shri Raghunandana Thakura made his appearance within this world in Shri Khanda. In his home, he became acquainted with the worship of Shri Gopinatha from an early age. One day his father, Mukunda Dasa, who was a doctor, had to go away on medical business.

He called Raghunandana to his side. He told Raghunandana to see

By Yudhisthira Dasa

The process of devotional life, as delineated in the four Vaishnava paths, is so systematic and detailed that almost one billion people in the world are considered followers of the Vaishnava tradition.

For nearly 50 years, I have generally thought sravanam kirtanam or hearing and chanting (the first two from the list of the nine primary processes of devotional service found in the Nectar of Devotion) applied almost primarily to hearing and chanting during japa meditation. Ho

The ISKCON Temple in DC, with its spacious and beautiful new facilities, is able to serve as a significant venue for large gatherings and events in the nation’s capital. This not only benefits the devotees but also strengthens the Temple’s partnerships with community organizations. One such partner, the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), recently held its biannual meeting with its Maryland Partners on July 26th at the Temple.

“The Capital Area Food Bank leads our region’s efforts to provide equitab