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By Atma Tattva Das,

Over the long Easter weekend of 3-6 April 2026, the Durban beachfront was transformed into a tapestry of sacred sound, color, and devotion as the annual Festival of Chariots returned. A longstanding collaborative effort between the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple and New Jagannath Puri in Phoenix, the festival has grown over the years through shared vision and coordinated service. For many locals and tourists alike, the sight of the chariots silhouetted against the Indian Ocea

In the Skanda Purana (Utkala-khanda, Chapter 29) it is described that Lord Jagannatha instructed King Indradyumna to keep His transcendental body cool by applying sandalwood paste all over His divine form:

vaisakhasya site pakse tritiyaksaya samjnikatatra 
mam lepayed gandha lepanair ati sobhanam

“Smear fragrant sandalwood paste on My body on the day of Aksaya-trtiya during the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha.”

This festival is called the Candana-yatra festival, which literally translates

By Anuradha Dasi, 

For nearly twenty years, New Vrindaban has hosted its beloved 24-Hour Kirtan, a festival built around a very simple formula: dedicated kirtan singers, a good sound system, water, lozenges, and plenty of prasadam. With these ingredients, the temple room naturally fills with transcendental sound and joyful devotion.

Last year, Ram Raya Dasa of the New York City Harinam group suggested expanding the spirit of the 24-hour kirtan by holding additional kirtan gatherings throughout t

With the Garuda-Dhvaja Flag Lowering Ceremony on March 5th, the auspicious month-long Gaura Purnima Festival 2026 in Sri Mayapur Dham has come to a beautiful close. This sacred period, filled with devotion, kirtan, and service, brought together devotees and well-wishers from all around the world to celebrate the divine appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Over the past weeks, the dham has been vibrant with spiritual activities and celebrations. The festival season began with the Garuda-Dhvaj

Today we continue our celebration of the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna who descended in the age of Kali in the role of a devotee. He appeared on what we now call Gaura-purnima, in the evening of the full-moon day in the month of Phalguna. At the time, there was a lunar eclipse, and as was the tradition, as was recommended in scripture, Hindus immersed themselves in the Ganges and chanted the holy names. Eclipses are considered inauspicious, a

By Giriraj Swami

Today we are celebrating the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna, who descended in the age of Kali in the role of a devotee. He appeared on what we now call Gaura-purnima, in the evening of the full moon day in the month of Phalguna. At the time, there was a lunar eclipse, and as was the tradition, as recommended in scripture, Hindus immersed themselves in the Ganges and chanted the holy names. Eclipses are considered inauspicious,

By Atma Tattva Das,

In mid-January 2026, devotees and spiritual seekers gathered in Lucknow for Gita Rasamritam, a two-day festival dedicated to exploring the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita and their relevance in everyday life. Hosted by ISKCON Temple Lucknow, the program took place from January 17–18 at the Sri Sri Radha Raman Bihari Ji Mandir in Sushant Golf City, drawing local residents, students, families, and newcomers for a weekend of discussion, kirtan, and devotional reflection.

The fest

The Canberra temple deities of Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra Devi and Sri Gaura Nitai were away for nearly one month being repainted by Bhakti DD from Melbourne.

On the auspicious occasion of Lord Advaita Acharya’s appearance day the deities revealed Themselves back on the temple altar. The devotees were ecstatic chanting and dancing in front of Their beloved Lordships. The occasion was celebrated with fire yajna, puspa abhisekha, arati and grand feast.

Source: https://ramaiswami.com/canbe

Puṣya Abhiṣeka is not merely a festival of flowers; it is a festival of love, born from the tender desire of the gopīs to lovingly care for and decorate their beloved Krishna. In Vṛndāvana, Krishna was never seen as the Supreme Lord alone—He was the darling of the gopīs, a playful child, a mischievous boy, lovingly handled, dressed, and adored by those whose hearts existed only for His pleasure.

It is said that Krishna was just like a toy in the hands of the gopīs. Overflowing with affection, t

Over 500 years ago, in the sacred land of Navadvīpa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Krishna, appeared as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Taking on the golden hue of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, He descended to distribute the yuga-dharma—the congregational chanting of the holy names. Through His boundless compassion, He transformed hearts through kīrtana, love, and devotion, opening the doors of bhakti to the entire world.

Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly expressed his heartfelt desire:
that all devotees ga

By Aseem Krishna Das 

A grand Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Shobha Yatra Festival was organized in the Karnal district of Haryana from 10th September to 5th October 2025. This year, the Shobha Yatra was held at three different locations across Karnal. The local congregation was fully engaged and absorbed throughout the entire month-long festival, spreading the holy names of the Lord and experiencing divine ecstasy.

The devotees organized a series of events leading up to the auspicious month of Kartik

Compiled by Mother Gandhari dasi Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Bhakti Yoga Instructor

Diwali comes from the word Dipavali which has two words dipa means light and avali means carrier. Therefore Dipa or Diya (1) signifies ‘coming to light’. In the Vedic Literature it is mentioned: “Tamasa Ma, Jyotir Gamaya” means ‘Do not remain in Darkness, Come to Light’, meaning ‘come to spiritual awareness or awakening’.

In the Bhagavat Gita Chapter four verse seven and eight Lord Krsna says: ‘yada yada hi dharmasy

ISKCON Mayapur Communications has released a colorful and inspiring newsletter highlighting the month-long celebration of the Aṣṭa-Sakhīs’ Appearance Days, observed during the auspicious month of Dāmodara and concluding on Rāma Ekādaśī. The festival honored the Aṣṭa-Sakhīs (“eight friends”)—the eight principal gopīs who are the eternal maidservants and closest companions of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Throughout the month, the Mayapur community united in creative offerings, devotional performances, and h

California has become the third U.S. state to recognize Diwali — a major festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism — as an official state holiday. The measure, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, allows government employees a day off on the festival and comes amid efforts to better reflect the religious diversity of the state. Supporters say the change helps validate and celebrate communities that have long advocated for broader recognition of their faiths.

The decision was met with both praise and

By Krsangi Radhe Dasi,

The Festival of Chariots in Maputo, Mozambique, is no ordinary spiritual event—it’s an annual miracle of devotion, grit, and grace. Organized by ISKCON Mpumalanga devotees from South Africa, this vibrant two-day Ratha Yatra (held in July) now draws thousands into the embrace of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev, and Subhadra devi, showering the streets with music, mercy, and prasadam.

Though Bhakti Caitanya Swami (the co-GBC for South Africa) had initiated preaching in the area

The 4th Annual Color Fest hosted by ISKCON Farmington Hills on July 26th was a vibrant celebration of culture, devotion, and unity, drawing an unprecedented 1,200 participants—the largest turnout in the festival’s history. Each year, attendance has steadily grown, making this event a cherished tradition for the congregation, the local community, and guests from across Michigan.

The festival, held in the temple parking lot, offered a joyful experience of Indian culture, the chanting of the holy

In a remarkable display of collaboration and devotion, ISKCON Seattle devotees are creating a detailed 3D model of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) as a seva offering to Ambarish Dasa and to share the TOVP’s inspiring vision with the broader community. The model was featured at their Ananda Mela festival.

The project has attracted support from devotees both within and outside Washington State. Each team member has taken on a specific role to ensure the model reflects the beauty and p

This summer, ISKCON Farmington Hills successfully organized four powerful Rathayatra festivals across Michigan—bringing the mercy of Lord Jagannath to the cities of Ann Arbor, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Lansing. Under the inspired spiritual leadership of Yugal Kishore Das, Temple President, several devotees joined hands and talents to build our own beautiful cart for this year’s Rathayatra, adding a new layer of devotion and community spirit to the celebrations. With each chariot festival,

Recently, ISKCON Kolkata marked the celebration of its 54th annual Rathayatra, recognized as the second largest Ratha Yatra in the world. Each year, the city of Kolkata is surrounded by an atmosphere of devotion as the grand chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, organized by ISKCON Kolkata, unfolds. The majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani, moved through the city streets, attracting thousands of devotees who gathered to witness and participate

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of Houston celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Garden Oaks location with a two-day festival on July 12 and 13, 2025. The event drew over 700 devotees on Saturday and more than 900 on Sunday. 

The celebration marked four decades since ISKCON Houston moved to its current location on West 34th  Street in 1984. The temple, originally established in 1972 in a Montrose-area home, has grown steadily over the years to become a vibrant spi