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One of Utah’s leading papers, Deseret News, recently reported that Utah lawmakers have advanced a bill (SB259) that would designate several religiously significant days, including Hindu holidays Diwali and Holi, as official state “holy days.”

This bill may surprise some, given Utah’s current religious demographic, which is dominated by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with 2,126,216 adherents in a state of 3.2 million residents (2020 statistics). The next closest relig

ISKCON devotees have been “on the front-line of special Diwali events across Westminster, Central London,” including a visit to the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister – 10 Downing Street. For more details, click here.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-leaders-celebrating-diwali-events-across-london/

DIWALI FESTIVAL: 10th October. 1968,
(Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Hamsadutta dasa written from Seattle., Letters book Vol 1. p.549.)

Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100’s of candles, indifferent parts of the temple, and offering a special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, while Lord Ramachandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years banishment by the order of His father. His young

On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I share with you a description by Smriti “Baby” Warrier (later initiated as Sravana dasi), whose family were tenants at Hare Krishna Land in Juhu, of how when she was a child she and her brothers wanted to set off fireworks, and how Srila Prabhupada responded.

One Diwali, in the evening, Mother Kanta was in the women’s ashram above our flat and we were outside setting off fireworks. It was around 9:00, and I guess she wanted to take rest, but we weren’t fin

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

A Message from Ambarisa Das and Braja Vilasa Das

Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation,

Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar, and hope you and your family are well and in blissful Krishna conscious spirits. This time of the year is always greeted with great anticipation and excitement by devotees eager to chant the Damodarastakam and remember the pastimes of the Lord with Mot

Bloomington devotees celebrate Diwali at local senior center.

Diwali celebrations have been happening worldwide, and for ISKCON devotees, these festivities can often create strong connections with their local communities and even inspire creative service opportunities. We looked at four examples, from Bloomington to Brooklyn and Utah to the UK.

Diwali, or the “Festival of Lights,” is a five-day celebration widely recognized as the Hindu New Year. It is traditionally marked by the illumination o

In a letter dated October 10, 1968, Srila Prabhupada wrote,

“Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating hundreds of candles in different parts of the temple and offering special prasada to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the kingdom of Lord Ramachandra. While Lord Ramachandra was out of His kingdom due to His fourteen years’ banishment by the order of His father, His younger stepbrother, Bharata, took charge of the kingdom, and the day on w

By Thomas Haribol

The 22nd Annual Diwali in London (DiL) celebrations brought thousands of people to Trafalgar Square for the annual “Festival of Lights” on Sunday, October 29th. ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor was this year’s hosting organization for the joyful event,  a partnership between the DiL Committee and the Greater London Authority (GLA) representing diverse organizations and religious traditions across the city. 

London’s Mayor Sadiq Kahn said of the celebration, “Diwali is a joyous occ

This year it was ISKCON’s turn to host the annual Diwali in London (DiL) event, which was especially appropriate because it is Bhaktivedanta Manor’s 50th anniversary.

Special features provided by Bhaktivedanta Manor included a tent showcasing many of ISKCON’s achievements and what is on offer, and book tables. The junior Bhaktivedanta Players put on a delightful performance of The Ramayan.

​Read more: https://www.krishnatemple.com/iskcon-bhaktivedanta-manor-hosts-diwali-in-london/

By Thomas Haribol

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced this week that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed a bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Huchul.

Diwali is a five-day festival commonly observed by illuminating candles or lamps in homes and temples. Anciently, Diwali was first observed by the joyful citizens of Ayodhya to celebrate the return of King Rama, an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

By Madhava Smullen

In this gloomy time, there can never be too many sources of light. So it’s apt that on Diwali day (November 14th) this year, there are at least two new devotional songs set to be released. As well as Govinda Priya’s first single “Achyutam: Your Names,” another UK-based artist, Radhika Ranjana Das (affectionately known as Radhika Das) has announced his debut track Ram Sita Ram. 

“In my childhood I would hear ancient tales of Sita Ram and particularly Hanuman, the fiercely str

By Mathura Lilesvari Dasi