Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, the guru of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, appeared in Sri Ksetra Dhama.(Jagannatha Puri) on 6 February 1874 as the son of Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorised the Bhagavad-gita, and relished his father’s philosophical works. He became known as “The Living Encyclopaedia” for his vast knowledge.
He preached convincingly against casteism and philosophical deviations from Gaudiya Vais
Birthplace of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
at Sri Jagannatha Puri Dhama
By Chandan Yatra Das
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was a foremost scholar and Lord Krishna’s devotee of his day. Born on 6 Feb 1874 at Jagannatha Puri, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is the child that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura prayed to Lord Jagannatha for, wanting an able assistant to preach Krishna Consciousness. His divinity was evident from birth. When he was born, his umbilical cord was wrapped
Sri Prahlada Dasa:
Today is the holy appearance day of our grandfather or great-grandfather spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada. On Giriraj Maharaja’s instruction, I will attempt to say something about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s history and share my realizations regarding his contribution and mood. I pray for the mercy of the Vaishnavas that this realization aligns with his authentic teachings.
The appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati is most sign
By Madhavananda Das
From chapter 15 of When Good Fortune Arises
“I MAY LEAVE”
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Shortly after hearing his comments following the 1995 GBC meetings, a couple of disciples of Gour Govinda Maharaja approached their spiritual master: “Guru Maharaja, we don’t need these people. We can leave ISKCON and start our own society. You have so many disciples, it won’t be any problem.”
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Hearing their suggestion, Gour Govinda Swami became very grave. Shaking his head no, he said, “The only way I will leave I
“The twenty-third and twenty-fourth prominent devotees of Nityananda Prabhu were Sadasiva Kaviraja and his son Purusottama dasa, who was the tenth gopala. Since birth, Purusottama dasa was merged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, and he was always engaged in childish play with Lord Krsna.” [C.C. Adi 11.8-39]
“Sri Sadasiva Kaviraja was extremely fortunate. His son’s name was Sri Purusottama das. He was never externally conscious of his material body. Nityananda Candra e
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,
ISKCON Dumdum inaugurated its newly constructed temple on January 3, 2026, during Pushya Abhishek celebrations, marking a significant milestone in spreading Krishna consciousness across North Kolkata. The temple houses the newly installed deities of Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Gaura Sundar and serves the rapidly growing Dumdum–Motijheel area.
The grand opening was blessed by the online presence of Jayapataka Swami and Radhanath Swami, who performed the Pran Pratishtha
Nayan and I had booked rooms for ourselves in hotel next to the Suriname Airport to catch an early flight for Guyana. It was a bit shady to say the least – no mirrors (I had to share), the sink was plastic, and when I was showering, the toilet collapsed on the floor with water spilling out of the tank. The flight was delayed by hours. Once we got in the airport, no one could hear the announcements due to the poor acoustics. For a while, no water was running in the public washroom. What a circu
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Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117240
Praghosa Dās, GBC for ISKCON UK & Ireland, together with Sukanti Rādhā Devī Dāsī, Temple of the Vedic Planetarium Coordinator for the UK, Ireland, and the European Union, recently paid a visit to the High Commission of India at India House. During the meeting, they met with Mr. Kartik Pande, Deputy High Commissioner, and Mr. Deepak Choudhary, Minister (Coordination).
The meeting was productive, focusing on collaboration and strengthening the relationship between ISKCON in the UK & Ireland and t
Hiking westbound beyond municipal lights on the road through jungle was risky, but Glen and I took that chance, but it was Shantipriya who had the idea to drive his van at walking pace with headlights on in case we would run into predators. It was the first time in my marathon walking years (which is 30 this year) that I had my support guy right behind me. During this period, the rain came. Glen and I pulled out our umbrellas and undeterred, forged ahead. We made it to a landmark, the Saramacca
Our false ego prevents us from looking at our own faults. It makes it difficult for us to acknowledge our faults and therefore, instead of being introspective, we see those faults in others. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur said, “Because I am myself honeycombed with faults, I see the faults of others”.
If you spot it, you have got it
In the realm of psychology it is said that if something about someone really bothers you, it’s usually because you have that fault. Of course, we usually do
A global online gathering of ISKCON leaders and devotees presenting results of the 2025–2026 “Live to Give” book distribution campaign, centered on spreading Bhagavad Gita As It Is worldwide in the spirit of Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
After opening chants and greetings, regional representatives shared reports:
Africa: 10 countries participated, distributing 15,189 Bhagavad Gitas, showing strong growth and inspiration across the continent.
Continental Europe: A total of 37,485 Gitas, led by Fran
Gauranga Dās, a Governing Body Commission (GBC) member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and Director of Govardhan EcoVillage, has been appointed as a United Nations Representative to the AWWG at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The AWWG, or Alliance of NGOs on Water and Sanitation for All, is a UN-associated working group that brings together civil society organizations to contribute expertise and advocacy on sustainable water, sanitation, and develo
On the festival of Nityānanda Trayodasi, the Governing Body Commission (GBC) Chairman, Govardhan Dasa, delivered his 2025 annual report ahead of the 2026 ISKCON Annual General Meeting. In the video presentation, he offered an overview of the society’s priorities, achievements, and ongoing challenges.
He opened by reaffirming the GBC’s commitment to building a caring and responsible global ISKCON community where all devotees—youth, elders, and families—are valued and protected. A key highlight w
By Smitha Shetty (Sri Nandini Radha Devi Dasi)
As a child, I was quietly fascinated by paramilitary forces—their discipline, courage, and unspoken strength. It was a world I admired from a distance, never imagining I would step even remotely close to it. Life, however, has its own way of guiding us.
When I entered my first year of college, destiny nudged me toward the judo mat. I joined the college judo team with immense enthusiasm, but my body didn’t quite share my spirit. I was fragile, p
Matt Holmes is quite the world traveler who hails from Los Angeles. He is a visitor to Suriname, like myself, and we were on the same plane landing at Paramaribo. I hit it on with him right off the bat. We brought him to the Krishna temple, let him have a taste of a Krishna meal, and drove him to the hostel downtown.
I made more friends at the temple including Anita who was awarded the Sanskrit name Advika, which means ‘Earth’. I was hoping to meet more friends in the form of those adorable s
When we talk about sankirtana, we are, of course, talking about the congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names, specifically in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. For many people, this is the first way they come in contact with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, and with Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana movement, by hearing the devotees chanting the holy names. But what is it about this process that makes it so effective, and so important in the way people are first exposed to it?
To answer th
Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed, “If you are actually serious about
going back to home, back to Godhead, then please seek after the
mercy of Nityānanda.” Inspired by this instruction, the Mayapur
Master Plan Office is delighted to introduce the
Virtual Pilgrimage
to Ekacakrā Dhāma, the sacred birthplace of Lord Nityānanda.
This initiative allows devotees around the world to explore holy
Lord Nityananda is considered to be the most merciful manifestation of the most merciful incarnation of the Lord. The most merciful incarnation is Lord Chaitanya and he manifested his mercy most exuberantly through Lord Nityananda. Though these two transcendental brothers are non-different, still one takes on the mood of the servant of the other – Lord Nityananda considers service to Lord Chaitanya the supreme treasure of his life, indeed, the very purpose of his life.
In his service to Lord Ch
By Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami
(from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter 8)
Whether he is offensive or inoffensive, anyone who even now chants “sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda” is immediately overwhelmed with ecstasy, and tears fill his eyes. Simply by talking of Nityananda Prabhu one awakens his love for Krsna. Thus all his bodily limbs are agitated by ecstasy, and tears flow from his eyes like the waters of the Ganges.
There are offenses to be considered while chanting t
