Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Alachua, Florida, the New Raman Reti community stands as a vibrant testament to the enduring legacy of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Established in 1977, this 127-acre spiritual haven has evolved into North America’s largest Hare Krishna community, blending ancient Vedic traditions with innovative sustainability practices. Through daily worship, educational programs, eco-conscious initiatives, and a deeply interconnected res
Featured Posts (12804)
Sort by
Prime Minister Starmer (far right) with Visakha Dasi in background with other leaders.
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 plac
Bhaktimarga Swami and leaders of Zone 1 cut a cake to honor the event.
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 Bhaktimar
One of the first things I do when I come to a new place to reside for a few days is to get around and get to know the neighborhood and establish a good walking route for myself. I ask myself, “Where are the green and quiet spots for God? Solitude? I've been coming for years to Winnipeg, but the current location of the new temple is unknown to me. That's okay. It's part of the adventure. Let's explore.
Catching the horizonal sun beckons two things. One – it enthuses the chanting of the m
Nitai (center holding the certificate), celebrates the win with his team.
The Raytheon Autonomous Vehicle Competition is one of the most prestigious events in the technical sector, bringing together top engineering talent from across the southern U.S. Universities from Alabama to El Paso sent their brightest senior students to compete in this high-stakes event, where innovation and precision are key.
For Nitai, a 20-year-old bhakti practitioner, leading his 16-member team from the University o
The Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan returns for its 26th year on Saturday, 3rd, and Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at The New Bingley Hall, Birmingham, UK, inviting devotees and spiritual seekers to immerse themselves in the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krsna.
Inspired by kirtan pioneers Aindra Das and Tribhuvannatha Das, this landmark event will feature renowned kirtaniyas including Candramauli Swami, Dayananda Swami, Amala Harinama Das, Saci Suta Das, Smita Krsna Das, Sharad Bihari Das, Kishor Gopal
The weather was the worst kind, with a wind, rain, slush, and cold, all a good reason to stay back. I came upon a poem of the past. Here it is:
IN THE COURSE OF A DAY
the morning
I heard a pandit speaking, highlighting dying
Then received a call of a sick man in bed lying
How many days in life can we actually count?
How much karma can one person mount
Before he moves on to the greener field
After the gloom-ridden body can be finally peeled?
by afternoon
It happens on occasion that someone enters the temple with good intent, but they are either not so stable, are on drugs, or both. This morning, we were blessed by the presence of someone like that.
A fellow came to the door, introduced himself and asked if he could sit down. His dress was casual, and to my dull recollection, he might have worn a poncho. He plopped himself down on the floor and pulled out of his long bag a number of stones – amethyst and crystals, and began praying or med
Last Saturday, April 12th, the St. Augustine Rathayatra filled the downtown streets with melodious kirtan and a joyous atmosphere. During the procession, the beautifully decorated chariot carrying Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra was accompanied by the Hare Krsna mantra, graceful youth dancers, and colorful flags and flowers calling the attention of the spectators who lined the route.
After the parade, the festivities continued with more chanting and the distribution of sumptuous prasada
On April 12th-13th, 2025, a historic moment unfolded in the sacred land of Birnagar, as thousands of devotees gathered to witness the laying of the foundation stone for a temple dedicated to Srīla Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Led by Jayapataka Swami, it marked the beginning of a long-awaited project that seeks to glorify one of the greatest acaryas in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
This monumental initiative is being undertaken by the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust, an organization established t
Hari Rasa Pandita Devi Dasi, also known as Priti Wright, has spent her life navigating two very different worlds: the path of spiritual devotion laid before her from birth and the call of the mountains, where she pushes the limits of human endurance. Through Alpine Vagabonds, the project she shares with her husband, Jeff Wright, she documents these high-altitude journeys, carrying her faith to the summits of some of the world’s most demanding peaks.
Born into a family of Srila Prabhupada’s dis
STEPPING ENCOUNTERS
If I hit twenty thousand on my pedometre
It doesn’t register in kilometres
But in steps taken, causing me to boast
For a walker, such figures count the most
They start at zero, go to tens, hundreds, thousands
Not numbers for any dastardly cowards
It is what you do with the steps that matter
And in their wake, the stories you gather
I met a courageous woman on a marathon
Calling it “Get off your butt-athon”
I was humoured by h
Hari Rasa Pandita Devi Dasi, also known as Priti Wright, has spent her life navigating two very different worlds: the path of spiritual devotion laid before her from birth and the call of the mountains, where she pushes the limits of human endurance. Through Alpine Vagabonds, the project she shares with her husband, Jeff Wright, she documents these high-altitude journeys, carrying her faith to the summits of some of the world’s most demanding peaks.
Born into a family of Srila Prabhupada’s dis
ISKCON Halifax devotees gathered outside the newly acquired property.
ISKCON Halifax, Nova Scotia, has moved from dormancy to dynamism over the last seven years through committed leadership, spectacular public festivals, and engaging Sunday programs. With this explosive growth, the community has now acquired Atlantic Canada’s first temple, which is 7,700 square feet in size and sits on nine serene acres.
History of ISKCON Halifax
From 2007 to 2010, under the shelter of Bhaktimarga Swami, ISKCO
Pradeep and I had a little time to kill before the kirtan gathering at Soham Yoga Studio. We ventured off to Locke St., the hip part of town, a place for cannabis shops, salons, spas, boutiques, and bars. Pradeep remarked that people here haven't seen too many monks. They take a second look.
It was on Locke that we met Pat, a sweet middle-aged woman who upon seeing Pradeep and I, decided to follow us to the yoga studio. It was her first time to the kirtan. It was also Pradeep's first. Ap
An important part of the Itihasas are the Puranas. The Puranas are the histories of the universe and contain many stories that took place on earth or even on other planets and dimensions, or in which superhuman powers are commonplace. As we pointed out earlier, Vedic knowledge often consists of information about things from beyond our own sense perception or experience. We can be assured of its authenticity because of the fact that many Vedic scholars such as Shukadeva, Maitreya, Madhva, Raman
George Harrison’s spiritual journey stands as one of the most profound and influential connections between a Western artist and the Hare Krishna movement. His relationship with Srila Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, and his devotion to spreading the Hare Krishna mantra, left an indelible mark on the global spiritual landscape.
A Deep Spiritual Connection
George Harrison’s fascination with Indian spirituality began in the late 1960s, as he sought peace beyond the fame and pressures of The Beatles
Rasa Lila Devi Dasi was a steadfast pillar of Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan movement in Venezuela, distributing books with great dedication in her earlier years to support temple programs. She later moved to Miami, where she served tirelessl
The Bhakti Center in New York City is set to host a four-day “Career Dharma Coaching Certification” program from April 24 to 27, led by renowned educator and spiritual teacher Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Edith Best). This intensive immersion, based on the book Career Dharma: The Natural Art of Work, is designed for individuals who are passionate about guiding others toward fulfilling, purpose-driven careers that align with their spiritual values.
Participants in the course will be trained to assist
There is a warning for drivers about the oncoming freezing rain. For this reason, I am cancelling several programs, especially trips up north such as Huntsville and Sudbury. Better to buckle down and stay at home. By Providence, I had good reason to stay planted. A good 40 or so people came, studiously, to learn about guidelines of Kirtan. The five-hour workshop proved successful. Let the weather do what it wants. We were absorbed in the cultural practices of chanting, and there are standards
