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411.02: ISKCON Harinama Sankirtana Ministry: Kirtana standards [Title] – Temple kirtana guidelines — 2025

[Meeting] – Annual General Meeting

[Category] – Guideline

[Date passed] – February 22, 2025

Whereas there is a need in ISKCON for clarity in temple room kirtana guidelines.

Therefore it is resolved that:

The GBC approves the Temple Kirtana Guidelines as appended below. It shall be a living document that may be amended as required by the ISKCON Kirtana Ministry, provided such amendments are f

Today, the Lords appear in Their Khat Doli Vesa, gracefully enjoying Their eternal swing pastimes beneath the lush groves of Vrindavan. As the golden swing sways gently from a flowering tree, Their transcendental beauty captivates the hearts of all who behold Them. 

As described in Bhakti Ratnakara by Pundarika Vidyanidhi:

“Krishna is enjoying the beauty of Radha-kunda.

The kunda is full of pure water and lotuses.

Bumblebees hum amongst the lotuses, and the gentle wind causes small ripples in th

In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s refreshing to come across individuals who use their online presence to share messages of love, compassion, and spirituality. Kishori Jani, a devoted follower of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and popular social media influencer, is one such individual who has been successfully spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna to a global audience.

Devotees gather under the majestic chariots, eagerly anticipating the start of the Durban Festival of Chariots 2025 procession.

Since its humble beginnings on Durban’s beachfront in 1988, the Durban Festival of Chariots (DFOC) has become a cherished part of the city’s cultural landscape. Organized under the auspices of ISKCON in Durban, in a collaboration between the Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple and the New Jagannath Puri Temple, the festival has consistently offered the public a vibrant and

Left to Right: Parabhakti Das and Mons. Michael Santiago; faith leaders in attendance at the funeral; Italian and other European leaders arriving; Sikhs allowed to carry their traditional swords.

In a solemn atmosphere of remembrance and deep interreligious respect, the funeral of Pope Francis gathered representatives from various world religions. More than 400,000 people attended the ceremony, filling St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets in an extraordinary tribute of love and rever

Leonard Cohen was an established artist who wrote the globally famous song, “Hallelujah.” Well, Leonard was a Montreal man, a Canadian, and he visited our Chariot Fest in that city, telling us that he used to see and hear our guru, Prabhupada, in New York in the ‘60s. That song was sung by our band, Wawa Baby, at the Bhakti Cloud tent today. Naturally, the song put my mind in connection with His Divine Grace. Nice singing, Shyama. Congrats to the band members.

I was scheduled there to speak at a

His Holiness Bhanu Swami stands as one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). As a senior disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhanu Swami has dedicated over five decades to preserving and propagating Gaudiya Vaishnava traditions through scholarly work, leadership, and devoted service. His multifaceted contributions have significantly shaped ISKCON’s development and global reach, ma

The discussion focuses on a section where various demigods and celestial beings are offering prayers to Lord Nishingadeva (Narasimha), who has just killed the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Each group of celestial beings describes how Hiranyakashipu had oppressed them and expresses gratitude for his death.

Radhika and her mother Mani-Karuna Devi Dasi perform alongside the Vraja Beats Rock Band.

Radhika Keshari, born into a Krishna-conscious family,  spontaneously absorbed devotional practices from a young age. The now 17-year-old remarked, “I’ve been surrounded by devotees all my life because my parents embraced Krishna consciousness before I was born.” Her early exposure to kirtan and bhajans laid a strong foundation for her creative service.

During an interview with ISKCON News, Radhika recall

With the recent “Hands Off” demonstrations in cities across the USA, I was reminded of the massive demonstrations of the 1960s against the Vietnam War abroad and the social injustices in the USA. Usually, people, including a good number of counterculture hippies, who opposed such things were also inclined to embrace some sort of spirituality, including Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada noted this. And devotees often appealed directly to this intended audience. 

The hippies rejected the s

The public sometimes questions the words and behaviour of founders of various faith groups, whether it be Saint Peter, Mohammed, Moses, John Smith, or Brahma. Would such behaviour fit into a standard etiquette of current protocol? We mean no disrespect by raising the issue, but people do ask how Henry the 8th could do what he did.

all glories to Param Pujya Loknath Swami Guru Maharaj .

As Akshaya Tritiya approaches—a day celebrated for its auspiciousness and the promise of eternal spiritual benefits—ISKCON’s Congregational Development Ministry (CDM) invites devotees worldwide to embark on a journey of enduring service by joining the SEVA Movement. This initiative offers a structured pathway to deepen one’s commitment to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission through Support, Engagement, Volunteering, and Amplification.

The SEVA Movement is a call to action inspired by Lord Chait

Just a year ago, ISKCON Sacramento took a major leap forward by acquiring a commercial property with the vision of establishing a spiritual hub for its growing community. Over the past twelve months, steady and focused efforts have resulted in the successful acquisition of all required permits to use the space for religious gatherings. One of the most significant milestones has been the approval of a fully licensed commercial kitchen, a key feature that supports ISKCON’s hallmark hospitality t

Statement Regarding Unfounded Poison Allegations

ISKCON Communications
Anuttama Dasa, Minister
April 25, 2025

Summary

The recently resurfaced poison allegations regarding the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada rely on the same inconclusive sources cited over the past two decades: much-debated audio recordings and an analysis of hair samples.

These claims have already been extensively reviewed, with no conclusive findings to support the theory. In addition, the statements of Srila Prabhupada’s i

Gopiparanadhana Dasa, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) Sanskrit editor and translator for more than 25 years, addresses the difference between Western and Eastern approaches to textual authority. By examining texts from Srila Prabhupada’s commentaries he highlights the difference between Western ideas of plagiarism, and the primacy of originality, and ­Eastern notions of ensuring the safe passage of traditional thought. He also looks at how in Indian traditions the qualification for authorship is

On the first day of Chandan Yatra in Mayapur, Sri Sri Radha Madhava with Their Asta-sakhis are offered the Rasamandala Vesa, depicting the divine Rasa Lila pastime of Lord Krishna.

Thus hearing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, speaking to pacify them, the gopīs became very much pleased. They became completely relieved of the great suffering of separation, not only by hearing the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead but also by touching His hands and legs. After this, the Supre

Monsoon season is upon us, or so it seems. Rain has been coming down with not much of a break. It certainly makes for cooler weather, easier to work with, especially relevant to the current practice I'm having with our drama crew. Nevertheless, for some of the roles played out, a good sweat is the outcome. It is a good workout.

Before we start rehearsal, we do some warmup exercises, but to take it easy this morning, I asked my sound man, Chaitanya, to play Holtz’s composition “Neptune: The Mysti

Srila Prabhupada’s Penetrating Vision

Nara Narayan: The minute I sincerely begged, his eyes floated around to the side and he looked at me. I froze. That moment seemed like an eternity. He neither beckoned nor rejected, just observed. My whole system collapsed from the inside out. I said, “Oh my God.” All sorts of confusing emotions ran through me. I thought, “I must straighten myself out and think things through. I am not ready to become his disciple yet.”

Harivilasa: Prabhupada looked at me f