An outreach program in Lubbock, Texas, hosted by Sarah Ditto in her tattoo shop, Broken Chains. Krishna Charan Das is in the front on the left, and his wife, Vrajabhumi Lila Dasi, is on the far right.
Two years ago, ISKCON News reported on the blossoming of Krishna consciousness in El Paso, Texas. What began as a small sangha has since grown into a network of devotional communities across the U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico. “Since the last time we spoke, we had been expanding Lord Chaitany
The following information applies only to the United States. Residents of other countries should consult their local laws and guidelines.
As more U.S. states and local governments begin officially recognizing holidays like Diwali, many Hare Krishna devotees are exploring how to take time off work to celebrate our sacred festivals during this holy season.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, most employers (those with 15 or more employees) are legally required to provide reasonable accommodat
This year’s comprehensive report, released today by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami, and prepared by ISKCON’s Kirtan Ministry, chronicles a series of successful initiatives, ranging from the historic two-day Padayatra in Pune involving over 700 devotees to the creation of Naamaashraya, a seven-day online series guiding devotees on how to practically live under the shelter of the Holy Name.
The report also highlights the festival’s utilization of modern digital platforms through a global poster-makin
On October 3, 2025, ISKCON Communications released the following statement:
Official Statement from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) warmly congratulates the Church of England and the Anglican Communion on the appointment of Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the first female to be chosen for this role.
This miles
You cannot follow nicely unless you hear nicely, and you cannot lead nicely unless you have learned to follow nicely.
Yamuna: From the very beginning of our programs in Bombay, Srila Prabhupada became known as one “who is startling India with kirtan.” Our kirtans were full of so much excitement they were so thrilling that we were like one throbbing heartbeat, the heartbeat of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission of Krishna Consciousness.
It is difficult to describe how much potency we felt in the
By Shyama Rasika Devi Dasi
Three years ago, the dedicated organizers at Senior Connection of Montgomery County— a non‑profit offering volunteer‑based, escorted transportation to seniors over 55 in Montgomery County —welcomed an innovative suggestion by Shyama Rasika Devi Dasi and Nikunkja Ras Das (disciples of Radhanath Swami and members of ISKCON of DC): what if a chartered coach trip could take our Montgomery County seniors to New Vrindaban in West Virginia?
The organizer welcomed the idea ent
Siddhanta das (ACBSP), well-known producer of the Memories of Prabhupada series, has launched a new video project entitled Lessons from Letters. The series highlights the personal correspondence between Srila Prabhupada and his disciples during the formative years of ISKCON.
In the 1960s and 70s, long before email or instant messaging, letters were the primary means of communication with ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya. Disciples often wrote to Prabhupada with philosophical questions or practical conce
The statement from ISKCON Communications said, “September 28, 2025 – The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) extends heartfelt condolences to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the passing of their President and Prophet, Russell M. Nelson. His life was marked by exceptional service both in medicine and in sacred leadership. Before his full-time church ministry, he was a world-renowned heart surgeon and medical researcher, serving as director of
Following its debut earlier this month, ISKCON’s new documentary The Hare Krishnas: The Challenges of Succession and Leadership has received an enthusiastic response from devotees and friends worldwide. Released by ISKCON Communications in partnership with Karuna Productions, the film was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s arrival in the United States—the historic moment that launched the Hare Krishna movement’s global mission.
What makes this r
From September 5–7, 2025, over a hundred ISKCON leaders from across the United States and Canada gathered at ISKCON of Houston for the annual Leadership Conference. With the theme “Growing with Purpose,” the three-day event blended meaningful association, organizational vision, and practical leadership skills. The atmosphere was one of unity, shared mission, and commitment to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision.
ISKCON Houston provided unparalleled hospitality during the visit under the leadership of the
By Gopaswami Das ACBSP
A historic turn of events took place in France the day before Radhastami. For the first time since Srila Prabhupada inaugurated this beautiful community and installed his beloved Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama, both the ambassador of India at UNESCO and the town’s mayor glorified Srila Prabhupada, New Mayapura community, and Iskcon with astounding words of praise. A first in France after many years of internal and external struggle!
After a first-class lunch prasadam was served
By Atma Tattva Das
For the first time in more than thirty years, ISKCON UK organized a youth bus tour, reviving a tradition that left a deep mark on earlier generations. Over three weeks this summer, thirty young devotees traveled across Britain, blending outreach, pilgrimage, and adventure.
The tour carried echoes of the pioneering mood of the late Tribhuvanatha Dasa, who led similar journeys in the 1970s and 80s. For many participants, it became a life-changing experience that strengthened fri
The youngest of the aṣṭa-sakhīs, Chitra is gentle, graceful, and deeply artistic. With her hands she paints, with her eyes she smiles, and with her heart she surrenders. She silently serves Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī by capturing divine beauty in art and color, reminding us that devotion can be quiet — yet powerful.
Yesterday, as we celebrated her appearance day here in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpura, it marked not just her own festival but also the closing of this year’s month-long Aṣṭa-sakhī celebrations. From Aug
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
By Anuradha dasi,
Sometimes all it takes is one spark—one big inspiration that touches one small person—to set something extraordinary in motion. That is the story of how a seed planted in Butler, Pennsylvania, sixty years ago grew into the worldwide Hare Krishna movement. And yesterday, a group of devotees from New Vrindaban retraced that history, rediscovering both Srila Prabhupada’s first steps in America and the spirit of devotion that continues to ripple outward.
The journey began with one
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) has announced a landmark initiative: a new series dedicated to the foundational literature of the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana. The series will feature meticulous translations enriched with the purports of previous Ācāryas, beginning with the release of a five-volume edition of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. Members of Śāstra Maṇḍala will be among the first to receive this edition.
The project has been nearly a decade in the making and is being overs
From Back to Godhead
The Golden Avatar delivered the gold standard of spiritual practices for this age.
In general, people like gold. It represents wealth and success. A golden age refers to an era of goodness and plenty, acknowledged in Greek, Roman, and Indian cultures. If you have everything, you were born with a golden spoon in your mouth. The Golden Rule is the epitome of cosmic justice or fairness: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. As the saying goes, “As good as gold.”
From Back to Godhead
What is the effect of chanting Hare Krishna?
The names of the Lord in the maha-mantra Hare, Krishna, and rama are invested with His full potencies. Singing God’s names, therefore, is to contact Him through the medium of transcendental sound. Thus, the effect of chanting is the same as the effect of directly associating with the Lord. The following beautiful verse, written by Lord caitanya, describes the seven effects the Hare Krishna mantra has on chanters.
ceto-darpana-mar
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi,
ISKCON Australia’s Women’s Minister, Krishnarupa Devi Dasi (ACBSP), was recently invited to serve as a faith-based project advisor for the “Faith as a Strength: Prevention of Violence Against Women” initiative. The program, launched by Australia’s peak body for preventing violence against women, Our Watch, in collaboration with the Nossal Institute for Global Health at Melbourne University, brought together religious leaders from diverse traditions to develop
By Shyama Krsnapriya Devi Dasi
The School of Rupanugas is offering three upcoming online courses in Hindi this fall to help deepen devotees’ spiritual understanding and strengthen teaching capacity within the movement. The ISKCON Disciples Course, Teachers Training Course 1, and Teachers Training Course 2 will all be conducted online, making them accessible to participants across India and beyond.
The ISKCON Disciples Course held from September 29 to October 3 is designed to help devotees bette
