Going to a funeral and showing support is a willing obligation that I like to fulfill. Today's rite for passing was executed by a pandit who spoke in Hindi. In attendance were family and friends of the dearly departed person.
In some respect, the events leading to the death of this middle-aged woman were tragic. She gave up her life after a difficult divorce. Surviving are her two daughters and ex-husband with whom I spent some time and shared some dialogue. I actually didn't know the family pe
Rupotsava, an annual celebration dedicated to Srila Rupa Gosvami, unfolded its enchanting festivities at the Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) this year. Commencing on the 25th of August and concluding on the 28th, the event marked the disappearance day of Srila Rupa Gosvami.
The inaugural day dawned with the resonating melody of mangala arati at 5:15 a.m. As the VIHE staff and students formed a harmonious harinama team, the procession wound along the Vrndavana parikrama path towar
October 12, 2023
Dear Devotees of ISKCON,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Many devotees have contacted the Communications Ministry in the last day or two with concerns regarding the Peacock Studio’s film that will be released on October 24, 2023. It is named “Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder.”
The film is a 3-hour, 3-part production that Peacock has been working on for well over a year. We were told that all three parts will be released at once, via a streamin
🌟 On the auspicious day of ✨💫🌺Mahalaya Pitri seva, we are happy to inform everyone who showed tremendous interest during the Pitru Paksha period and offered some seva on behalf of their ancestors and forefathers. 🪷🌟🙏🏼We are deeply thankful for performing some seva towards the welfare of our ✨🪔forefathers, and we truly appreciate all those who gave some donations 💰🥙🌠to take care of Sri Radha Madhava 🐄🌸🥙cows and bulls during this period and for all the 🍲🥗🍛prasadam distribution sevas. Our hearts a
The largest Hindu temple in the U.S. recently held a multi-day inauguration celebration in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Leaders from Hindu organizations worldwide participated in the festivities held on the 183-acre BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham property, named for its founding Hindu spiritual organization.
Madana-gopala Dasa, Co-Director of ISKCON Communications North America, was among the leaders of Hindu organizations welcomed by BAPS leaders.
“Speakers at the event included Swami Mukundananda
By Atma Tattva Das
San Antonio, Texas, often renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic beauty, is also home to a thriving and dynamic ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) community that is making waves in the world of spirituality and the arts. Led by the dedicated couple Bhagavan Narada Das and his wife Naradi Lila Devi Dasi, this community is fostering spiritual growth, artistic expression, and unity through a series of initiatives that have garnered atten
Gaurav was kind to give me a ride to my dentist's on Eglinton Avenue. My appointment was about receiving a new night guard – something a lot of people use to protect teeth from grinding down from stress and tension.
The dental clinic is great. The dentist and staff are very respectful to a swami. I'm grateful for their kindness and my device.
My appointment was finished after an hour, and Gaurav was just starting a meeting with his company in his car. "I'm going east on Eglinton – walking," I s
By Yamuna Devi Dasi
What a week of Vaisnava sadhu-satsanga this has been! I leave the richer, having exchanged with my family members, old and new, Godbrothers, Godsisters, nephews and nieces. While I feel most unqualified to speak to you today, I am honoured and privileged to join my Godsisters in voicing my concerns as a woman in ISKCON.
As the GBC body, all of you are responsible for establishing Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, which, in these difficult and turbulent times, is at stake. One realm
From Back to Godhead
By Narasimha Swami Dasa
Lord Krishna’s main message in the Bhagavad-gita is clear: He wants us to fully surrender to Him. The most vital part of the Bhagavad-gita deals with the advice Lord Sri Krishna gives to Arjuna on the surrendering process. One of the dictionary meanings of surrender is “to give (something) up voluntarily to another.” Lord Krishna’s simple words of advice on surrendering are easy to understand. So why do most people, including those of us practicing K
New ISKCON Temple Opens in Bengaluru, to serve as a Spiritual & Cultural Centre
ISKCON has brought great joy to the devotees of Sri Krishna by executing the inauguration ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Vinoda Temple & Cultural Centre (ICC) which also houses the shrines of Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev & Srimati Subhadra Mai, Sri Sri Gaura Sundara Nityananda Natavara at Kumaraswamy Layout, Bangalore. A separate altar has been dedicated for Srila Prabhupada, where his murti is installed.
Sri Sri Radha V
By Kaliarupa Jagannath Dasa
Dignitaries on the Dais- Left to right (audience perspective): HG Varada Krishna Das ( Temple President – ISKCON HBR Layout), HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami (Zonal Supervisor & ISKCON Coimbatore Temple President), Honourable Member of Parliament Sri Tejasvi Surya, Honourable Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, HG Narahari Chaitanya Das (Temple President – ISKCON South Bengaluru), HH Jayapataka Swami (GBC), HH Bhanu Swami (GBC), HH Bhakti Prachar Parivrajak Swami (Chairman – ISKCO
It had been a long enough drive from West Virginia to Canada, and then another two hours beyond the border at Fort Erie. You never know what is going to happen at the border with custom authorities. There is really not much to worry about, though. Those of us in the car – Krishna Kala, Stephen, and I, are natural citizens.
"Are you bringing in alcohol...?" etc.
"No!"
"Where did you go?"
"West Virginia."
"What did you do?"
"Had a men's retreat. Put on a drama."
"How do you know each other?"
"We
ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Vinoda Mandir and Cultural Centre, South Bengaluru
New ISKCON Temple Opens in Bengaluru, to serve as a Spiritual & Cultural Centre
ISKCON has brought great joy to the devotees of Sri Krishna by executing the inauguration ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Vinoda Temple & Cultural Centre (ICC) which also houses the shrines of Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev & Srimati Subhadra Mai, Sri Sri Gaura Sundara Nityananda Natavara at Kumaraswamy Layout, Bangalore. A separate altar has been dedicated
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
The Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) is organizing a dynamic six-day onsite Teacher Training Course (TTC) in the holy month of Kartik from 18th-23rd November 2023 with Aniruddha Dasa and Bimala Prasad Dasa leading TTC1 and TTC2 respectively.
The course will be held on the premises of VIHE in Vrindavana. Students will benefit greatly by learning the philosophy of learning in the supportive environment of Vrindavana.
The curriculum involves numero
On Saturday, 7 October, His Holiness Indradyumna Swami visited the informal Bottlebrush settlement in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Residents were treated to a taste of the spiritual world through a vibrant and colourful harinam party and delicious prasadam distribution.
This location is home to thousands of residents of Durban who live in impoverished conditions. In this area, the residents create small make-shift shelters with minimal living space, no tar roads, or proper sanitation facilities
When I come to this holy place, New Vrindavan, there is never a problem to gather a small group to form a walking team around the pond for some japa meditation. It's a clockwise direction we take, and it is very calming and reassuring, especially when the understood rule of thumb is 'no talking'. Both men and women are involved. It goes for a half hour or so – not too long. I want people to repeat the program and to come back tomorrow.
New Vrindavan has 25 resident peacocks, some of which are a
FIRST CONTACT WITH THE HOLY SOUND
My life took an apical turn when I stumbled across the Hare Krishnas. Being born in India I had some knowledge of “Krishna” but I was like most Indians are – conscious of Krishna but not Krishna Conscious. Being just “conscious of Krishna” didn’t mollify my thirst for happiness. When I was introduced to the programs conducted by the Hare Krishnas near our college campus new hope dawned upon me. What mesmerized me the most in these programs was the chanting of t
Wikipidia defines Vaisnavism as “one of the major Hindu denominations.” This definition is misleading. To be a Vaisnava transcends any religious, social or ethnic designation. A Vaisnava can come from any caste, or any racial or ethnic group. Bhaktivinoda Thakura referred to this as “the principle of natural brotherhood.” This depicts a state when people give up their biases, hatreds, and separatist religious mentalities. And only then, Bhaktivinode explains, “the people of all castes and count
