George Harrison’s profound influence on culture, music, and spirituality was recently honored with a blue plaque at his family home in Liverpool, England. The renowned Beatles member, who was born and spent his early years in this house, went on to make a global impact.
The tradition of installing these commemorative blue plaques, which began in the 19th century, serves as a significant way to recognize and honor the lives of influential British figures, like Harrison.
Liverpool’s mayor, Steve
Well, it finally happened. Dwarkanatha, our superb cook, tied the knot in marriage with his devotee fiance, Mandira. I have seen a good number of couples taking form over the years and I believe they are a really good fit.
What makes a couple become successful is when they approach that relationship in the spirit of giving, sacrifice or what you call in Sanskrit, Yajna. You just can't be selfish. Looking out for each other is just the thing to do and in that mindset and methodology the couple s
From Back to Godhead
Hare Krsna couples know from the start
that their life together has a spiritual purpose.
IN MY MOTHER’S wedding photo, she holds a thin bunch of flowers as if she wished to hide it somewhere. The Town Hall marriage chamber resembles a waiting room of an old-fashioned office. My parents, in their everyday attire of poor college students, look blissful but embarrassed, as if they cannot fully comprehend what is happening: Are we really married? What now? Get out and go back
By Atma Tattva Das
The streets of Sandton came alive on the weekend of May 11-12, 2024, as ISKCON Sandton hosted its third annual Sandton Festival of Chariots. This spectacular event, steeped in centuries-old tradition, brought together a diverse assembly of devotees, spiritual leaders, and curious onlookers to celebrate the journey of Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subhadra. Originating from Puri, India, the Ratha Yatra festival has been observed for thousands of years, and its rich historyres
The place was really smoking up. Not only the fire was stoking with the local chopped wood but the whole atmosphere was beautifully row and rustic. "Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons," situated an hour and a half north of Toronto, is a reconstructed Jesuit/ Wendat village from the 1630's and you feel like you went through a time machine upon its visit.
Members of Toronto's Bhakti Academy along with our honoured guest, Kalakanta from Florida, found ourselves in the smokey room full of furs, pelts an
After Srila Prabhupada left us on November 14, 1977, I came across a section in Srimad-Bhagavatam—Canto 4, Chapter 28—in which he explicitly discusses the disappearance of the spiritual master and how the disciple is to serve him—even in separation. The following paragraph summarizes the essence of his instructions:
“The disciple and spiritual master are never separated, because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions
A long, long time ago when I was not an ISKCON devotee I developed a growing interest in spiritual life. After many years of taking drugs and attending rock concerts I had become sick of life.
I had been manager in several companies I worked for, most of the time I had more money than I needed and I had freedom and independence. Somehow I was not satisfied. I started wondering if real happiness existed. I discovered that no matter how hard I tried I just could not break free from certain activi
By Atma Tattva Das
For over two decades, Vijaya Dasa has been a key figure in promoting Srila Prabhupada’s books worldwide. In January 2024, Vijaya stepped down from his role as the International Minister of Book Distribution, a position he held for 22 years, passing the mantle to Vaisesika Dasa, another revered figure known for his innovative approaches to book distribution. Vijaya leaves behind a legacy of transformative influence that will continue under Vaisesika’s leadership.
Vijaya’s jour
A last few steps on the Trans Canada Trail and on Huntsville's boardwalk meant my end of the visit to this cottage country town. It had been a great experience - a rejuvenating fest of 2,500 in attendance. The day before was the Beer Fest at the same location. I think we may have surpassed the number of beer-happy people.
Apart from Krishna's championing this event, like all things, I also want to credit the man who played a major role in sharing the new Krishna Cultural Centre on Main in Hunts
GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT – 15 May 2024
We are pleased to present the 15 May 2024 GBC Meeting Highlights Report. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting highlighting the key topic discussed.
The meeting commenced with a reading by Bhakti Caitanya Swami of Srila Prabhupada’s letter of 5 November 1972 to Satsvarupa Das Goswami, emphasizing the need for leaders to be committed to their service. The GBC commended Gopal Krishna Goswami’s Will as an ideal ex
The ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry Team is gearing up to facilitate a 10-day in-person Temple Deity Worship Training at ISKCON Naperville in Illinois, from Oct 11th-20th, 2024.
“This immersive course is a unique opportunity for devotees to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and values for worshiping temple deities,” shared Rasa Devi Dasi, ISKCON Deity Worship Minister for North America, “Moreover, it offers the invaluable chance to connect with devotees who have dedicated their lives to l
Huntsville was hopping. I mentioned to one of the dignitaries that showed up for the ribbon cutting grand opening of the Krishna Cultural Centre. "I heard that Huntsville swells on the Victoria Day weekend, I see it is true." Scott is with city council. He laughed, I was referring to the influx of people who come on the long weekend when cottage owners and vacationers come to town to honour the warmed up weather in spring, go boating, hiking and all that good stuff.
And then on top of that, a g
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An ideal government will treat all its citizens, both humans and nonhumans, equally, without envy.
dhrtarashtra uvaca
dharma-ksetre kuru-ksetre
samaveta yuyutsavah
mamakah pandavas caiva kim akurvata sanjaya
[Bhagavad-gita 1.1]
In the history of Mahabharata, there was a dispute in the same family who would occupy the throne. Dhrtarashtra was the eldest son of the king, and the next was Pandu, By the law of primogeniture, the eldest son bec
By Nandan Dasa
On the auspicious occasion of Nrsimha Chaturdasi 2024, ISKCON Mayapur would like to offer the “Mayapur’ App for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Sri Panca-Tattva, Sri Sri Prahlad Nrsimhadeva, and Srila Prabhupada.
Vision for Mayapur App
Srila Prabhupada said, “My idea is to attract people of the whole world to Mayapur.” The ‘Mayapur’ app is an initiative to help fulfill this vision by connecting visitors with the spiritual essence of Sri Mayapur Dham, the crown jewel of
The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID opened its inaugural Global Dialogue Forum last week in Lisbon, Portugal. The event (May 14-16) explored the transformative power of dialogue in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The Forum welcomed 150 high-level religious leaders, like the Former Prime Minister of Italy, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, and the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Mecca, current and former heads of state, officials from the Uni
We are writing to provide you with an overview of the achievements and activities of the ISKCON Russian-Speaking Yatra throughout the month of April.
1. Sunday Programs:
We hosted our two Sunday programs this month, one of which featured a lecture by HG Gaura Sundara Prabhu.
During the other program, we dedicated our efforts to cleaning our premises and setting up a new kitchen, improving our facilities for future events.
2. Rama Navami Celebration:
In honour of Sri Rama Navami, we prepared a d
Rasamandala dasa has offered us this article to help clarify some of the concerns and reservations that many of us may have with educational approaches to Vedanta and Hinduism. He reassures us with his positive treatment of the subject and with his obvious experience in the field of teaching Hinduism and Vaishnavism in British schools. He has systematised our objectives very well and marries this to the difficulty in interpretation experienced between members of the tradition and those non-prac
My first contact with the Hare Krishna movement came in the summer of 1969 when I saw its members chanting on the streets of Hollywood. My initial reaction to the shaven heads, saffron-colored robes and seemingly strange activity was one of bewilderment and, to some degree, comic relief. It was not until a year later that I was able to appreciate the sound philosophy which stems from one of the world’s oldest religious traditions, as explained in their Back to Godhead magazine. I soon realized t
When I turned fifty, I had my highest salary ever, I worked less than ever, I still had a nice relationship with my wife (in Kali Yuga unbelievably), and I was a respected member of both karmi society and ISKCON. I was a rajadvipa – king of my island. I built two guest houses along with the house I lived in, and Bhakti Vikasa Swami, my Guru Maharaja, used to joke, “From householder you became houses holder.”
My move to the vanaprastha ashram was therefore no escape from material life, and it
