The festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijaya dashmi, is one of the fascinating festivals of India and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. According to the great scripture, the Ramayana, Lord Rama performed chandi-puja (holy prayer). This was carried out in order to invoke the blessings of Durga for the killing of Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Sri Lanka who had abducted Sita, wife of Lord Rama.
Durga divulged the secret to Rama on how he could slay the great Ravana. Hence upon vanqui
By Radha Mohan
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, invited faith leaders from different traditions to join him for breakfast on Thursday, November 14th.
Visakha Dasi, representing ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, was pleased to hear Mr Starmer emphasise the importance of faith to the fabric of UK society. “That was especially evident”, Mr Starmer said, “during the pandemic when great numbers of people turned to places of worship for shelter and solace in a time of international uncertain
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, invited faith leaders from different traditions to join him for breakfast on Thursday, November 14th.
Visakha Dasi, representing ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, was pleased to hear Mr Starmer emphasize the importance of faith to the fabric of UK society. “That was especially evident,” Mr Starmer said, “during the pandemic when great numbers of people turned to places of worship for shelter and solace in a time of international uncertainty.”
For more de
They were on fire. It was unique for me and I’ve been to many weddings. This one – the union of Venkatesh and Mansi, started with a bang! A vintage New York fire truck came along outside the banquet hall with its siren on full blast and then gave way to some bangra number where all the guys friends of Venkatesh , the groom, gyrated atop the vehicle. They were having a blast. Everyone joined into the spirit.
Inside the banquet hall a more grave approach to the ceremony commenced.
The Panditji
By Rupali Chadha, MD
Over the years I have been approached by many a devotee in distress. Though I grew up in ISKCON and have been slowly cultivating my own Krishna consciousness, I am very much a neophyte. I was blessed by Krishna’s will in that I became a physician. I went forward to specialize in general and forensic psychiatric medicine. It is for this reason, I am often approached by devotees when their emotional life becomes overwhelming. Often they are told to chant better rounds or seek
In each of its twelve cantos, Srimad-Bhagavatam, the “flawless ripened fruit of all Vedic scriptures,” tells of miracles and mysticism, of the esoteric and extraterrestrial. We hear a cow, bull, elephant, monkey, and bird speaking deep philosophy. We learn of the four-headed creator who sits atop a lotus flower, of a magnificent aerial mansion, and of a five-year-old who pushes down half the earth with his toe and makes demigods suffocate. We learn of people giving birth to tens of thousands of
I offer my humble obeisances and deepest respect to His Divine Grace Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. I am posting this with a heavy heart, but because it is my duty to share my experience with the assembled devotees for the highest good of all. It is embarrassing and uncomfortable to share this story, but it is so important that I choose to do it anyway. I sincerely pray that you will learn from my mistakes and remain strong in your devotional service to your Spiritual Master. It is the most imp
By Pitambara Das
The 2024 Zone 1 Leadership Conference, held from November 8th to 10th in Edmonton, Alberta, brought together over 60 leaders from more than 25 ISKCON centers across Canada and six northern U.S. states. Under the theme “Think Big, Do Big, Act Small,” the conference focused on a shared vision for ISKCON’s growth and mission, guided by Srila Prabhupada’s principles and the spirit of Krishna Consciousness.
Inspired by Bhaktimarga Swami, this annual gathering highlighted collective p
Sri Namamrta
1. The Holy Name Revives One’s Dormant, Eternal Krsna Consciousness
2. The Role of the Holy Name in the Progression of Devotional Service
3. The Holy Name Frees One from the Reactions to Sins
4. By Chanting the Holy Name, the Mind Becomes Controlled
5. The Holy Name Protects One from Pride
6. By Chanting, One Develops Forbearance
7. The Holy Name Eradicates Material Desires and Sinful Activity
8. The Holy Name Cleanses the Heart and Frees One from Material Contamination
9. The Holy
By Atma Tattva Das
Since 1972, the Prabhupada Book Marathon has inspired ISKCON devotees to share the spiritual wisdom of Srila Prabhupada’s books with the world. Now celebrated as the “Live to Give” campaign, this annual effort aims to “cover the earth” with copies of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, including its recent milestone of even delivering Gitas to Antarctica. This achievement fulfilled a longstanding aspiration of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) to bring Krishna consciousness to every
Hare Krishna
Biggest Vaishnava gathering happening NOW at Sri Kshetra Puri dhama!
On the sea beach shores, Parikrama inauguration took place with sankalpa and Maha arati to Sagar. Many ISKCON sanyasis are taking part in this parikrama.
3 days of Parikrama 18-20 Nov
4 Parikrama Parties ( Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, South Indian- international)!
More than 10000 devotees in Parikrama!
Lots of Jagannath katha & prasad!
Chairman HH Bhakti Purusottam Swami says that to encourage many devotees to take pa
Thanks to AI assistance here’s the first of Chapter One, Bhagavad Gita, sounds like
#1 Dhrtarastra: Yo Sanjaya! So, my squad and the Pandu pulled up at Kurukshetra, ready to throw down. Whats the scoop?
#2 Sanjaya: Ayo, King! Duryodhana took a good look at the Pandu crew, and he sprinted over to his guru like, “Bro we gotta talk starategy”.
#3 Duryodhana: Teacher,check out this army! The Pandus are flexing hard, thanks to your genius disciple. I mean, Drupada’s son is a total vibe!
#4 D
Since the vast majority of our readers are coming to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna Consciousness for the first time through Internet searches, and without access to devotee association or a nearby Hare Krishna temple, many people have inquired about how they can set up an altar in their homes and start practicing Krishna Consciousness at their own pace.
The first and foremost principle of Krishna Consciousness is chanting the Hare Krishna mantra:
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Har
From Back to Godhead
Not getting what you want? Perhaps that’s good for you.
“Please cancel my tickets,” I said to my friend on the phone. “I won’t be able to go.”
I hung up the phone and sank down onto my bed, my head in my hands. My friend had arranged my tickets for the trip to Jagannatha Puri and Mayapur I had been so eagerly looking forward to, and now I had to cancel. The past few weeks in my life had been very turbulent, so when my friends proposed a spiritual retreat to these two holy p
By Atma Tattva Das
The annual Cow Fest, or Go-Puja Mela, is a celebration with deep roots at ISKCON New Talavana, nestled in the peaceful countryside of Mississippi. Each year, this festival unites a diverse community to support the Krishna’s Cows farming initiative, an essential effort that sustains the sacred practice of cow protection, a vital aspect of the Krishna Consciousness experience. Lilavati Devi Dasi, a dedicated member of the festival management and organizing team, has witnessed th
By Suniti Devi Dasi
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EDT, the North American Regional Governing Body (NA-RGB) will host a transformative online workshop facilitated by Jai Nitai Dasa, the North American Representative for the ISKCON Devotee Care Office.
The insightful workshop will explore how the principles of devotee care can shape the future of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada’s mission. In this session, participants will delve into the key values and principles underly
Introducing the Jaladuta Boat Cruise Services! 🌊🛥️
Hare Krishna dear devotees and well-wishers! 🙏✨
We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand-new website, www.gangacruise.in, on this auspicious occasion of Rasa Purnima! This launch is made possible by the special mercy of the Sri Mayapur deities, the crown jewel of our hearts.
Experience the divine and serene beauty of Mother Ganga like never before with our exclusive Jaladuta Boat Cruise Services. 🌅 Whether you seek a peaceful retreat
I was clearly camouflaged sitting there amidst the autumn foliage by the Rideau River. Seagulls water fanatics with wings flying about the lovely skies anticipating that anything human would be the source of morsels. I didn’t have anything to give them, only some attention. I actually find them entertaining. There are also squirrels scattered here and there, some rustling through the fallen leaves.
Whether on the ground or on the trees those yellow/orange soon to be compost, became as easy ble
