We wish you all a happy Diwali. Diwali, or Dipavali, marks the end of the year, and by the year’s end we want to pay our debts and rectify our relationships—and then try to do better the next year.
The Vedic literatures inform us that in the present age, Kali-yuga, the recommended process for self-realization, or God realization, is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. Lord Krishna appeared about five thousand years ago and spoke the Bhagavad-gita, and at the end of the Gita (18.66), He
Against the breathtaking backdrop of Nepal’s majestic landscapes, hundreds of matajis from diverse nationalities gathered for the 2024 International ISKCON Mataji Retreat. The multi-day event brought together devotees of all ages, creating a vibrant tapestry of spiritual fellowship and cultural exchange.
The retreat featured daily philosophical discussions and classes centered on Krishna consciousness, allowing participants to deepen their spiritual understanding while forming meaningful connect
In this October 2024 update, Vraja Vilas Prabhu shares the latest developments in the construction of Lord Nrsimhadev’s wing, highlighting remarkable progress. The flooring of the Nrsimhadev temple hall is complete, featuring a stunning design using red jasper, yellow Vencia, Baroda green, Vietnam white, and Roso Alicante from Spain, crafted by Sadhvi Dasi and Rangavati Devi Dasi under the direction of Swaha Mataji. The altar is nearly finished, with a beautifully designed prali arch and final
By Atma Tattva Das
Bavisha Moonasar, also known as Balai Devi Dasi, is a high school teacher in Cape Town who leads the Ekhaya High School Preaching Program. This program aims to introduce students to Krishna consciousness. It has transitioned from informal discussions to structured weekly gatherings, allowing students to explore spiritual concepts and ask questions. The initiative encourages students to engage with spirituality in a structured format.
“The kids are inquisitive. They’re very spi
Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV) has been featured in a Faiths for Biodiversity report released at the 16th annual Conference of the Parties (COP16) meeting going on now in Cali, Colombia.
Thousands of world leaders are gathered in South America for the biodiversity-themed meetings, the first major biodiversity summit since the 2022 adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
The report, entitled “UNITING FOR NATURE: Faiths at the Forefront of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiv
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
Bhakti Kids, an initiative by ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry (CDM), has announced the Bhishma Panchaka Challenge from November 11th to 15th. Led by Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi, this event aims to engage children, youth, and families in a spiritual celebration that not only deepens their connection to Lord Krishna but also offers a fun and meaningful way to end the sacred month of Kartika.
The last five days of Kartika, known as Bhishma Panchaka,
Folks on the trail called “Hunter’s Bay” were really sweet. The sun was out. It was a Sunday. Weather was perfect. On top of that, a long weekend works for everyone. Being Thanksgiving in Canada brings out the best in everyone.
Who do we give “thanks” to anyway ? Nature ? The Universe ? Or can we go more specific ? God ? The Supreme ? The Creator ? Bhagavan ?
Bhagavan is the most specific. It is God in detail. A person
On that trail I was greeted with warmth. It came at me, and I threw it bac
Gauranga Prabhu announces preparations for the Kartik Yatra 2024 in Mayapur, hosted by ISKCON Chowpatty with His Holiness Radhanath Swami. Taking place from November 1-6, the event includes a large pandal (tent) set up to seat over 12,000 devotees. The pandal is being readied for Katha (spiritual discourses) and Kirtan (devotional singing) during the yatra. The narrator expresses gratitude to ISKCON Mayapur’s co-directors and their teams for organizing the event’s facilities, including extensiv
By HH Jayapataka Swami
ŚB 3.10.13
yathedānīṁ tathāgre ca
paścād apy etad īdṛśam
Synonyms
yathā — as it is; idānīm — at present; tathā — so it was; agre — in the beginning; ca — and; paścāt — at the end; api — also; etat īdṛśam — it continues to be the same.
Translation
This cosmic manifestation is as it is now, it was the same in the past, and it will continue in the same way in the future.
Purport
There is a systematic schedule for the perpetual manifestation, maintenance and annihilation of t
These photos capture a series of moments from the sacred celebration of the Kartik month in Mayapur, a significant spiritual event observed by devotees. Known as the month of **Damodara**, Kartik is a time for heightened devotion, prayers, and offerings to Lord Krishna. The atmosphere of devotion is beautifully depicted in the album, where devotees of all ages are seen holding lamps, symbolizing their prayers and reverence.
Throughout the images, we see individuals immersed in the traditional la
By Nikhit Gunthuru
On October 8th, 2024, ISKCON Phoenix visited “A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center” in Mesa, Arizona, distributing over 100 plates of prasadam to residents. This service is part of ISKCON Phoenix’s ongoing commitment to uplift and support the local community.
The East Valley Men’s Center provides essential shelter and support services to single men experiencing homelessness—the largest homeless demographic in Arizona, and often the most underserved. The center assists residen
The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 2024, held from September 20th to October 11th in Warsaw, Poland, focused on critical human rights and fundamental freedoms across the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region.
This 10-day event, organized by the 2024 OSCE Maltese Chairpersonship with support from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), provided a platform for participants to evaluate current challenges and trends affecting regional secu
By Aravindaksha Madhava Das
Ethiccraft Club, a Social & Youth Wing of ISKCON, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from the Government of India, organized a Mega Youth Festival “UDGAAR” on October 18th, 2024 at Dehli University’s stadium. More than 8,000 students from the school joined the festival. According to the World Book of Records, UDGAAR is the world’s largest anti-addiction campaign in the world.
The event was graced by eminent guests from various walks
When Lord Krishna was present in this material world, in order to manifest an attraction for the people at large to His pastimes in the transcendental realm of Goloka Vrindavan, He exhibited before Yasoda a unique image of subordination.
gopy adade tvayi kritagasi dama tavad
ya te dasasru-kalilashjana-sambhramaksham
vaktram niniya bhaya-bhavanaya sthitasya
sa mam vimohayati bhir api yad bibheti
“My dear Krishna, Yasoda took a rope to bind You when You committed an offense, and Your troubled
Diwali festival in India is a 5-day celebration starting from Dhanteras with every single day having its own significance. Out of this, on the Dhanteras day people worship Mother Lakshmi devi and seek Her blessings, especially in form of wealth. The word “dhan” means wealth. This makes them think that Dhanteras is only for worshiping Lakshmi devi, the goddess of fortune. However, this is not a complete understanding. Dhan-teras, or Dhan triodashi, is also the day when Lord Dhanvantari appeared
By Atma Tattva Das
In a recent initiative that merged health care with spiritual support, Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Devotee Care Office hosted a groundbreaking Cancer Workshop. The event, which Mahimarnava Dasa orchestrated in collaboration with One Vision NPO and Macmillan Cancer Support, sought to address a growing need within the devotee community: comprehensive cancer care. Inspired by the increasing number of devotees affected by cancer, Mahimarnava led the charge in bridging the gap between sp
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kazan, Russia with over 20 other world leaders for the upcoming BRICS Summit. ISKCON devotees welcomed him with kirtan and Sadhu Priya Das gifted him with books on Krishna art and a doll made by one of the devotees which was dressed in Tatar style clothing. During the brief encounter, Vaisnavas shared about their activities in Tatarstan and Russia which he appreciated.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/devotees-welcome-prime-minister-narendra-mo
We are pleased to invite devotees from around the world to participate in the auspicious Sri Ksetra Parikrama, commemorating the 20th anniversary of this sacred tradition! This year, the parikrama will take place from the 17th of November to the 20th of November. On these days, devotees will circumambulate the entire Sri Ksetra dhama, covering a distance of approximately 21 km.
This parikrama has been observed since the time Vidyapati visited Sri Ksetra, and ISKCON has been organizing it for the
There’s a first time for everything - your first time to receiving mother’s milk, your first footsteps, first day at school, first time at a job, first love etc.
For our Bhakti Academy group one of our graduates, Nityananda, performed his first havan, or fire ceremony and it was done as a first amongst the group. I am personally very proud of him. I believe it to be a beginning of a new phase where, more yajnas or sacrifices will be executed by a younger generation. I perceive a new wave of g
