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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

India is currently experiencing a significantly heavier monsoon season than normal with widespread heavy rainfall affecting many regions. In response to these challenging conditions, Hare Krsna TV, a prominent 24×7 ad-free channel, has stepped up to provide much-needed assistance.

The channel has distributed custom-designed umbrellas to over 100 temples and centers across India, benefiting brahmacharis, full-time staff, and devotees. These umbrellas have been met with immense appreciation, arri

As most ISKCON News readers will know from public media reports, the nation of Bangladesh has been witnessing increasing violence, rioting, and destruction of private and public property for days.

Today the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled the country. Official reports are that hundreds of people have been killed including ordinary citizens and police.

The situation is very unstable and precarious. We ask that all ISKCON devotees and friends offer their ardent

What’s this thing about Peterborough. It is a city of more or less 80,000 people. It has a beautiful downtown with that warm Victorian-type of architecture. Two colleges attract students from around the world. Close to my heart in the TraNs Canada Trail running through it next to the Otonabee River.

A major yoga fest has taken place with two hundred attendees in the out-of-doors on an annual basis. That went well until cover set in, however, I’m told there are several groups conducting Kirtan

In a small town situated close to the banks of the River Yamuna there lived a man called Amrita. Nothing in life caused him more anxiety than his fear of death. One day he had an idea that if he befriended Lord Yamaraj, he would be able to keep death at a distance, and so Amrita practiced austerities and meditated upon the Lord of Death, who was verily pleased and granted him a vision.

Lord Yamaraj said, ‘I know by the aid of my divine powers that you seek to befriend me – your wish has come tru

In a heartwarming gesture of support and care, Hare Krsna TV has generously distributed free umbrellas to ISKCON Brahmacharis, temple congregation members, and staff across more than 100 temples and centers. This thoughtful initiative not only provides practical aid but also exemplifies the organization's deep commitment to compassion and community well-being. By ensuring that every devotee and staff member stays sheltered and protected, Hare Krsna TV reinforces its dedication to nurturing an