Blog

Many of our ācārya have said and written on Gauranga-Nāma. Bhakti-vinoda Ṭhākura has written in his Gaurāṅg-līlā-smaraṇa-maṅgala Stotram as follows:

nāmāparādhaṁ sakalaṁ vināśya

caitanya-nāmāśrita-mānavānām

bhaktiṁ parāṁ yah pradadau janebhyas

taṁ gauracandraṁ praṇamāmi bhaktyā

"With devotion I bow before Lord Gauracandra, who for they who take shelter of the name Caitanya destroys all offenses to the holy names, and who gives transcendental devotional service to the living entities."

Even if one has

On December 26th, 2023, around 25 ISKCON youth from around the world gathered at the Senator Hotel in Kolkata for the 2nd Annual Global Youth Retreat in Kolkata and Mayapur. The much anticipated transformative 10-day retreat, organized by Inner Yoga Retreats, is a youth yatra led by Vaisesika Dasa and his wife, Nirakula Devi Dasi.

The retreat was designed to help youth who are on their winter vacation immerse themselves in Krishna Consciousness in the holy dham. This year, we explored Srila Pra

On March 26th, UK devotees performed at a special live music event in honor of Alan Ginsberg. They came at the invitation of musician and producer “Youth,” who hosted the event, which raised money for Food for Life prasadam distribution efforts.

“Poet Allen Ginsberg had a lot of personal association with Srila Prabhupada whom he helped on a number of occasions in New York, San Francisco, Columbus and elsewhere,” said a Food for All statement, “While being interviewed in various magazines, journ

By Bhaktin Diksha and Bhaktin Khusi (IGF Akola)

A fifth Vaishanvi padayatra was held recently in Amravati. Our Vaishanavi’s group at Akola’sISKCON Bhaktivedanta Vedic Cultural Centrewas much inspired by the event and with a desire to please our spiritual master, Lokanath Maharaja, and the constant motivation ofAmravati’s Jayabhadra devi dasi, we organized a Vaishnavi padayatra for March 17, 2024.

We had very little time to prepare but we had online meetings withJayabhadra devi dasi to understa

Dear follower of Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for submitting so many heartfelt homages to Srila Prabhupada last year. You can view the full 2023 Vyasa-puja book here:

https://gbc.iskcon.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/spvp2023.pdf

This year we request you to submit your homage by April 2, 2024 by emailing it to vphomages@iskcon.net. Below are the standard parameters.

Hoping this meets you well, we remain

Your servants on the Sr

By Atma Tattva Das

In Zambia’s vibrant landscape, amidst the bustling cities and serene countryside, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has cultivated deep roots, fostering spiritual growth and sporadic community engagement for over four decades. ISKCON Zambia’s journey reflects not just a spiritual effort but a tapestry of challenges, triumphs, and a vision for a harmonious society.

The seeds of ISKCON’s presence in Zambia were sown over 40 years ago when devotees led

The connection between a devotee and Laddu Gopal is deep and profound. But still many devotes are not aware how to worship and dress laddu gopal. In this article we have a short guide for you.

It’s true that by worshiping Laddu Gopal, we invite the divine presence of Lord Krishna into our homes and lives. The process of worshiping Laddu Gopal involves not only offering prayers but also dressing him in beautiful laddu gopal dress, which holds significant importance.

Guide to Worshiping Laddu Gopal:

20 master students from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago decided to attend the “Journey of Self-discovery Retreat” in New Vrindaban as an alternative to their regular spring break. During their stay, they had a chance to immerse themselves in Krishna Consciousness, kirtan, and temple living. They participated in various service projects, including helping out in the cow barn and the Teaching Garden. In the garden, their tasks included reclaiming wood by removing nails from used

Ahead of inclement weather, hundreds of Krishna devotees and well-wishers gathered at the ISKCON of DC campus for the transfer of their Deities to the new temple just steps away. These joyful processions were part of the Temple Opening Festival going on this weekend, inaugurating a new home and an exciting future for one of ISKCON’s first communities.

Among the Deities that will make the new temple Their home is Madana-Mohana, the first Krishna Deity in ISKCON which was acquired by ISKCON devot

There are various kinds of yoga; such as karma-yoga, based on purifying our activities; Jnana-yoga, based on acquiring spiritual knowledge and insight; Raja-yoga, the mystical yoga system; and Bhakti-yoga, attaining union with God through love and devotion. From these yoga systems, additional systems have also developed. But these four basic forms of yoga are all discussed in the primary and essential Vedic text of the Bhagavad-gita. But out of all of them, Lord Krishna specifically directs u

I battled a storm in the snow with 8 other companions in an hour long elemental ordeal. Our destination was at an apartment in the entertainment district of Toronto's downtown. I don't imagine that show businaess this evening (live theatre and such) was doing well. The snow blasts of the day slows down everything.

However, our walking groups were not deterred in any way. I was with a high energy team members of the Bhakti Academy. Most are in their 20's. Snowball slinging along the way was not

Pascal’s Wager and the Spoils of Faith

I read a recent statistic that was mind-boggling: According to a series of Gallup surveys, ninety-four percent of Americans believe in God, and ninety percent pray. Why, I wondered, in our modern age of science, do so many people still believe? This is a time when things not empirically proven are left by the wayside. Of course, a good number of believers have simple faith, and that’s that. But there is also a burgeoning scientific community offering impet

In the bustling halls of the University of Johannesburg’s Auckland Park Campus, amidst the whirlwind of academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, there exists a beacon of spiritual guidance and growth: the Bhakti Yoga Society (BYS-UJ). Led by the dedicated efforts of Dinesvara Krsna Das, the society’s outreach project is not just about disseminating teachings; it’s a journey of personal connection and understanding, navigating the diverse cultural and spiritual landscape of the student

Last weekend, ISKCON devotees joined tens of thousands gathered in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand, for the annual Holi Festival celebrations. The two events are the result of a partnership between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Indian Association of Thailand.

In Bangkok, the celebration was held at the expansive “centralwOrld” mall, one of the largest in the world. ISKCON devotees were invited to participate in the official kickoff event, where a joyful kirtan welcomed Mr. Srett

By Sacinandana Swami

To better understand Sri Chaitanya let us ask the question: What induces the Lord to appear?

The answer to this question will help us benefit the most from this auspicious day.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears when a devotee sincerely cries for His appearance. It is the urgent call of Draupadi that made the Lord appear and cover her with cloth. Similarly, it was Advaita Acarya’s calling in “a thunderous voice” that shook the Lord’s seat in Vaikuntha and made Him come down t

By Giriraj Swami

We welcome you to the most auspicious celebration of Sri Gaura-purnima, the appearance day of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna Chaitanya. According to Vedic scriptures, the Absolute Truth is realized in three features: Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan. The impersonalist speculators want to merge and become one with God, one with the impersonal brahmajyoti, which is nothing but the transcendental effulgence emanating from the divine body of Sri Krishna. Beyond the