By Giriraj Swami
We have gathered at the lotus feet of the Panca-tattva on this most auspicious occasion of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s cida-dadhi festival. The background to this incident can be found in the early life of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. His uncle and father, Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, were wealthy landlords in Bengal—almost like kings—and had a huge, opulent riverside palace, with boats that plied the river. Hiranya and Govardhana were generous and devoted to brahminical
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Panihati is the name of a village located in the state of West Bengal, on the banks of River Ganges (10 miles north of Kolkata). It was one of the leading trade centres in earlier days when the river route was the main means of communication. A special rice variety called Peneti was imported at this place from Jessore in Bangladesh. Probably the name Panihati might have been derived from this trade connection. Once upon a time, this place was the centre of worship of the Buddhist Tantrics
We have gathered at the lotus feet of the Pancha-tattva on this most auspicious occasion of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s cida-dadhi festival, the background to which can be found in his early life. Raghunatha dasa’s uncle and father, Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, were wealthy landlords in Bengal—almost like kings—and had a huge, opulent riverside palace, with boats that plied the river. Hiranya and Govardhana were generous and devoted to brahminical culture, and they practically maintained t
The Chida-dahi Mahotsav, also known as the Chipped Rice Festival of Panihati, is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghunatha dasa Goswami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of the Ganges at Panihati, which is just north of Calcutta. Lord Caitanya and his associates enjoyed many transcendental pastimes here. Chida-dadhi Mahotsav remembers how the Lord mercifully reciprocated with His devotees by arranging, through Nityananda Prabhu and Ragh
Though emperor of the world and a powerful warrior, Yudhishthira Maharaja displayed the character of a compassionate Vaishnava.
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lecture given in Los Angeles on May 15, 1973.
After the Battle of Kurukshetra, Maharaja Yudhishthira’s lament was not limited to concern for the loss of human lives alone.
suta uvacha
iti bhitah praja-drohat
sarva-dharma-vivitsaya
tato vinashanam pragad
yatra deva-vrato ’patat
“Suta Goswami said: Being afraid f
Ekadashi means eleventh day of waxing or waning moon. Therefore, two Ekadashis fall in every month. Usually on Ekadashis, the devotees undertake fasting. Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi observed on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Moon (shukla-paksha) in the month of Jyeshtha (May-June) is called Nirjala Ekadashi because on that day the observer of the vrata should not drink even water. Since the vrata observed is in the month of Jyeshtha, it is known as Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadashi as well. Th
Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great sage Shrila Vyasadeva, the grandfather of the Pandavas, if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi fasts.
Bhimasena then spoke as follows, “Oh greatly intelligent and learned grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my beloved wife Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast completely on each Ekadasi and stric
Every year the North American office of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust publishes an “Art Calendar” with all the most important Vaisnava dates for North America. This year, as in past years, we noted under Pandava-nirjala Ekadasi that one should observe a “total fast, even from water, if you have broken Ekadasi.” It has been pointed out to us that the only instruction Srila Prabhupada gave concerning breaking Ekadasi is that if one does so inadvertently one should observe Ekadasi fasting the next
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, a carload of college devotees from the University of Toledo was involved in a serious accident while traveling to the ISKCON Farmington Temple.
According to Farmington Temple President Yugal Kishore Das, all five were admitted to a Toledo hospital; three were later released with minor injuries. Two were seriously injured, and one remains in critical condition and unconscious following an emergency surgery on Sunday.
Appealing to ISKCON devotees worldwide, Yugal Kishore D
ISKCON Mayapur joyfully presents “Biodiversity in Bhakti Yoga”—a heartfelt visual and meditative offering designed to reconnect hearts with the sacred natural world of Sri Mayapur Dhama. Featuring over 500 breathtaking images of local flora and fauna, accompanied by spiritual insights from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, this offering invites viewers to see nature through the lens of Krishna consciousness. As part of the ‘CONNECT with Sri Mayapur-dhama’ project, it encourages us to perceive and re
Today is an eventful day. Ganga Dusshera or Ganga puja, celebrates the descent of mother Ganga on this earth. Devotees take holy dip in Ganges, offer worship, remember and glorify mother Ganga on this day. It is also the appearance day of Srimati Ganga mata Goswamini.
“Anyone who bathes in Ganga, touches the Ganga, drinks Ganga, sees Ganga or anyone who is touched by a breeze that has come from the Ganga will get Krsna Prema – love for Krsna”.
Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana Disappearance:
Sri Balade
She was the only daughter of King Naresanarayana of Puntiya in the district of Rajsahi (now in Bangladesh).
During her childhood she was called Saci.
She was endowed with a religious temperament from youth and within a short time Saci became conversant with Vyakarana, Kavya and various scriptures.
When Saci grew up, her beauty and grace charmed everyone.
However, Saci felt no attraction for any man however handsome or wealthy he may be.
Her heart belonged to her Madanagopala.
When she came to k
Sri Ganga-puja, also known as Sri Ganga-dushara (she who removes inauspiciousness), appears in the month of Jyestha (May/June) on the 10th day of Sukla-paksa, or the waxing fortnight of the full moon. On this day, Maharaja Bhagiratha’s desire of bringing Ganga to this mortal world was finally fulfilled as the sacred river descended from Lord Siva’s blessed head at Mount Kailasa. The River Ganga then flowed through the Himalayas behind Maharaja Bhagiratha’s chariot and entered Jahna Rsi’s asrama
Nestled within the vibrant spiritual heart of ISKCON Los Angeles, the Bhagavad-gita Museum stands as a unique fusion of art, devotion, and transcendental storytelling. Located adjacent to the New Dwaraka temple, this museum—also known by its creators as the F.A.T.E. Museum (First American Transcendental Exhibition)—has captivated visitors for decades with its life-size dioramas that vividly depict key scenes and teachings from the Bhagavad-gita, one of India’s most revered spiritual texts.
The m
Dear ISKCON Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) has noted the Supreme Court of India’s judgment dated 16 May 2025 in the long-standing property dispute between ISKCON Mumbai and ISKCON Bengaluru. ISKCON Mumbai is the official legal entity registered by ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in January 1971 to be the single legal corporation for all ISKCON temples in India
Yes a picture paints a thousands words and all but instantly conveys the message its creator intended. Whereas reading a thousand words takes a little longer!
However best of all is when pictures and words are combined together and that is why this year we are enhancing Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja book by including photos along with the homages to Srila Prabhupada. So please send us a photo of your temple or project so we can include it along with your offering, so all those who read your offe
From a Kṛṣṇa Conscious perspective, as taught by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s predicted Golden Age refers to a 10,000-year period within the Kali-yuga where the saṅkīrtana movement—the congregational chanting of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy names (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Rāma)—will flourish, bringing spiritual upliftment and God-consciousness to humanity. This is rooted in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings and scriptural references, such as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.5.32
On May 25th, ISKCON Melbourne held a special dinner and program for over 50 political and interfaith leaders. The gathering was part of the multi-day celebrations commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir in 1975 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/half-century-of-harmony-iskcon-melbourne-celebrates-with-political-and-interfaith-leaders/
Five members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Toronto participated in a multifaith event organized by the Ontario Masons, held at the Metropolitan United Church on April 27, 2025. The event brought together representatives from seven different religious traditions, including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Sikhism, fostering dialogue and understanding among diverse faith communities.
Representing ISKCON Toronto were Mahabhagavat Das, Aruna Keshavi Devi Dasi, Bha
By Atma Tattva Das
Introspection: Life in the Shadow of Time is a reflective collection of 18 devotional songs, originally penned by revered Vaiṣṇava poets and adapted into English with commentary by Bhakti Gauravani Goswami, one of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s first disciples in Germany. The book weaves together poetry, images, music, and spiritual insight drawn from and inspired by the Bhakti tradition. It explores themes of awakening, humility, and the soul’s longing for connection with the Supreme Abs
