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This week, Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan welcomed thousands to its Brahmotsava Festival which celebrated the Temple’s 49th Anniversary. One of the most notable guests this year was 87-year-old Gitabhai Saraf, the generous devotee of Krishna who donated the land to Srila Prabhupada where the Krishna Balaram Mandir was constructed. “She is completely dedicated to Srila Prabhupada,” said Daivi Shakti Devi Dasi, sharing the anecdote that Gitabhai told her that she wanted to learn English so s

By Savitri Devi Dasi 

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) has announced the dates for its onsite Bhakti-sastri courses in English and Hindi, which are scheduled to begin on June 20 and end on October 30, 2024. VIHE extends a warm invitation to all devotees seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of bhakti to participate in this life-changing education.

Speaking of the Bhakti-sastri program, Srila Prabhupada said, “I wish to encourage all my disciples to very carefully

In a ground-breaking initiative to promote and celebrate Vaishnava research and literature, Mandala Publishing and the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) have collaborated to co-publish “The Vaishnava Studies Series,” a unique endeavour with a multi-dimensional approach aiming to showcase the most recent and impactful research on Vaishnavism. The publishers are thrilled to announce the latest addition to this ongoing series—a 172-page book entitled “Madan Mohan: An Enchanting Saga.”

Released in

Food for All-UK, famous for its courageous food distribution in areas plagued by natural disasters or war, recently distributed thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s books to some of the nearly 250 schools in the Vrindavan area.

FFA-UK Director Parasuram Das, who has been personally offering this generous service in India for 35 years, said, “We aim to install a set of Srimad Bhagavatams in each school, as well as to give each teacher a Bhagavad Gita, each older child a medium size book, and a pocket

By Parasuram das

Nitai Doya Prabhu heads up the school distribution team in the Vrindavan area. There are 240 schools and our aim is to install a set of Srimad Bhagavatams in each school. As well as giving each teacher a Bhagavad Gita and each older child a medium size book, and a pocket size book for the younger children.

The teachers use Srila Prabhupada’s books as text books.

Annually 180,000 books are distributed.

On the banks of Radha Kund, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarawati Maharaja instructed

The day commenced with a soul-stirring Samadhi Arati, an offering of lamps, and prayers at Srila Prabhupada’s resting place, setting the tone for a day of devotion and reflection. Mangala Arat

Dear Srila Prabhupada! As I was preparing the accompanying lecture on your pastimes in Vrindavan over the years, I stumbled across this photo of myself looking at you in Vrindavan from a short distance away with a smile on my face. I feel so honoured to have been with you at that time! For the pleasure of the devotees I researched many of your pastimes in Vraja from 1925 to 1977. My talk on Tuesday on my YouTube channel at 3:30 pm India time will highlight your glories the day before we all cele

On October 15, 2023, ISCKON devotees, locals, and well-wishers gathered for the dedication of the new Krishna Balarama Hall in Vrindavan Dham. This building is part of the larger Krishna Balaram Cultural Center project that ISKCON News will report on this week. The Hall will greatly expand the Krishna Balaram temple’s ability to serve the growing number of pilgrims visiting the holy city, through prasada distribution and devotional events.

The sprawling 15,000 square feet complex promises to be

The Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT) has officially announced the dates of the 2023 Kirtan Mela festivals, to be held at their ashrams in Rishikesh and Vrindavan. Devotees worldwide are invited to attend. The festival dates are as follows:

MVT Rishikesh – Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th October 2023

MVT Vrindavan – Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th November 2023

Many wonderful Kirtaniyas (musicians) from all around the ISKCON world will be present for these ecstatic Kirtan Mela festivals – chanting, danc

VRINDAVAN – The continuing flooding along the Yamuna, 20 feet higher than usual in some locations, has forced many Vrindavan families to flee their homes or find themselves living on rooftops. “Trapped and losing everything, they face unimaginable hardship without food, medical aid, electricity, and water, clinging to hope on 2nd & 3rd floors,” said Food For Life Vrindavan. 

Cooked kitchari and food ration packages are being quickly assembled and distributed to residents. Supplies include water

The unanticipated deluge of Yamuna River in Vrindavan wreaked havoc, leaving no time for warning or preparation. As the water levels surged beyond control, families were compelled to abandon their cherished homes, seeking refuge from the chaos.

Amid the flood’s devastation in Vrindavan, ISKCON’s compassionate devotee kitchen stepped forward, taking on the noble responsibility of providing nourishing meals to the families seeking refuge at the relief camp. With utmost dedication, they served who

Meditating on the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Muralimanohara, placing myself at the dust of Lord Caitanya’s feet, and respectfully offering obeisances to the great devotees of the Lord, who are so many oceans of transcendental virtue, I shall now happily begin to praise the transcendental opulences of Sri Vrndavana.

I am not strong enough to go to the far shore of the great nectar ocean of Vrindavan’s glories. Who can go there? However, because I love Vrindavan I will now dip into that ocean.

Food For Life Vrindavan (FFLV), a nonprofit organization and school, was formed 30 years ago by the founders to educate young girls in and around Vrindavan, India. It provides free education, skill training, and medical assistance to around 1,500 girls. The organization also provides free meal programs and teaches organic farming regularly.

FFLV just finished running the Rise Against Hunger campaign. The program successfully donated 1,800 food packets to school children; the majority of childre

Kartamasa das: The first time I met Yamuna devi, my life changed forever.
I was in Saranagati for the Christmas holidays in 2000 having a reunion with my closest childhood friends. We were all in our early twenties, and having recently finished our university education and started work, we spent our time together recalling our childhood activities. One day we decided to have kirtan, but in a rather irreverent way, mocking the showy, elaborate vocal and instrument style we had all absorbed growi

In the Journey of life, many times I came across situations where I felt that there should have been a place, where I can relax, feel calm, cool and ecstatic.  The place which can mesmerize me and make me forget all pains of life. In fact, each troubled soul is looking for such a peaceful destination.  ONE DAY I GOT IT

It is Vrindavan. Going to this sacred place will give you all the peace in the world. Vrindavan is a wine which intoxicates you forever. I repeat, forever. The place is filled wit

Krishna is fascinated with the land and people of Vrindavan.
The Bhagavatam says (10.1.28): “The city and district of Mathura,” Vrindavan is part of that, “are very intimately connected with Krishna, for Lord Krishna lives there eternally.”Nityam sannihito harihi – He is there eternally.

“It is there,” writes Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur, “that Krishna appears and becomes visible to the people of the world. And He stays there forever.” He does not descend from Vaikuntha, one of His many spirit