His Grace Kratu Das Adhikari (Manaharbhai Patel), a senior disciple of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and an initiating spiritual master in ISKCON, departed on June 1, 2026 at 1:43 pm, in Sri Vrindavan Dham, surrounded by loving disciples chanting the Holy Name. Kratu Das dedicated more than five decades of his life to spreading Krishna consciousness in Canada, India, and around the world. Widely respected for his humility, personal warmth, and tireless preaching spirit, he inspired thousands through his lectures, retreats, yatras, kirtans, books, and personal guidance. He is survived by his dear wife, Amrita Keli Devi Dasi, who, alongside her husband, has faithfully served Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Born on July 5, 1944, into a Gujarati Gaudiya Vaishnava family, he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from M.S. University, Baroda, and later completed a master’s degree in engineering at St. Louis University in Missouri, USA. While working professionally as an engineer in North America, he came into contact with Hare Krishna devotees in 1970. Deeply impacted by Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, he gradually dedicated his life to devotional service. After meeting Srila Prabhupada and receiving his instruction to become a preacher, he left his engineering career to serve full-time in ISKCON. He and his wife, Amrita Keli Devi Dasi, received initiation from Srila Prabhupada in 1977.
Over the years, Kratu Das Adhikari served in numerous leadership and preaching roles. He was the temple president of ISKCON Vancouver for 13 years before returning to India, where he pioneered extensive rural preaching programs in Gujarat, including the well-known Bullock Cart Sankirtan Party, which carried the holy name to villages throughout the region.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/remembering-his-grace-kratu-das-adhikari/
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