A kind Purnanidhi took me to the Minneapolis Airport through a fresh rain. I could describe airport as busy, busy, busy. One of the workers controlling the line ups, noticed my Canadian passport, and in an amicable tone asked, "Oh, you know several languages - French, English ....? Then I cut in, "Eh!" which got him laughing.
Now, I'm on United Arlines, and they always talk about "Friendly Skies," but the truth is, they were not friendly at all whether through to Chicago, the windy city, or
By Ananth Krishnan for the Hindu.com
In and around Quanzhou, a bustling industrial city, there are shrines that historians believe may have been part of a network of more than a dozen Hindu temples and shrines
A panel of inscriptions of the God Narasimha adorns the entrance to the main shrine of the temple, believed to have been installed by Tamil traders who lived in Quanzhou in the 13th century. Photo: Ananth Krishnan
For the residents of Chedian, a few thousand-year-old village of muddy by
Krsna's devotees (individual jiva-souls) never lose their "free will" in the spiritual world that allows unique self expression and voluntary participation.
This is because loving exchanges and reciprocation between Krsna and His devotees are based on "free will," which means having the freedom to express oneself by having the choice of how to voluntarily participate in Krsna's service.
Such cooperation between Kṛṣṇa His devotees is the based of personalism.
This further acknowledges that the devot
Glimpses from the marvelous Mango Festival 2024 @ ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai 
ISKCON New Vrindaban in West Virginia is offering devotee families two exciting summer camps for children this June – the Bhakti Arts Summer Camp and the Little Devi Summer Camp.
Bhakti Arts Summer Camp
The first event is the Bhakti Arts Summer Camp, to be held Jun 17 – 21st, 2024, 9am-4pm daily, for boys and girls aged 4-10 years old. The Bhakti Arts Summer Camp is a wonderful way for your children to experience the spiritual culture and beauty of our Bhakti path. Each day begins with yoga and
The last time I came to this city was when I was on my 4.5. trek in 2016. I was on a trail in Indiana when the community in Minneapolis beckoned me to come for some Katha, wisdom talks. So my team of two and I, drove that 5 to 6 hour stretch to meet in the town where the Dakotas had once flourished.
Now, on our Vedic calendar we are informed that today is the Day of the Lion. The avatar, Narsimha, half-man half-lion, made a splash millennia ago and hence, we celebrate this great protector. A
With 3,100 devotees attending the 2024 Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Dallas, Texas over Memorial Day weekend, it was bound to be a great success. And that it was! Let these photos attest to that most wonderful fact!
Read more: https://dandavats108.blogspot.com/2024/05/sadhu-sanga-retreat-2024-dallas-texas.html
By Sukanti Radha dasi
The 24-hour Birmingham Kirtan event has long been a cherished tradition within the ISKCON UK community, drawing devotees from far and wide to participate in the continuous chanting of the holy names of the Lord. This spiritual gathering, initiated by the dedicated efforts of Mayapur Madhav Das 25 years ago, has served as a beacon of devotion and unity, bringing devotees together in a collective expression of love and faith.
For a quarter of a century, the devotees have com
George Harrison’s profound influence on culture, music, and spirituality was recently honored with a blue plaque at his family home in Liverpool, England. The renowned Beatles member, who was born and spent his early years in this house, went on to make a global impact.
The tradition of installing these commemorative blue plaques, which began in the 19th century, serves as a significant way to recognize and honor the lives of influential British figures, like Harrison.
Liverpool’s mayor, Steve
Well, it finally happened. Dwarkanatha, our superb cook, tied the knot in marriage with his devotee fiance, Mandira. I have seen a good number of couples taking form over the years and I believe they are a really good fit.
What makes a couple become successful is when they approach that relationship in the spirit of giving, sacrifice or what you call in Sanskrit, Yajna. You just can't be selfish. Looking out for each other is just the thing to do and in that mindset and methodology the couple s
From Back to Godhead
Hare Krsna couples know from the start
that their life together has a spiritual purpose.
IN MY MOTHER’S wedding photo, she holds a thin bunch of flowers as if she wished to hide it somewhere. The Town Hall marriage chamber resembles a waiting room of an old-fashioned office. My parents, in their everyday attire of poor college students, look blissful but embarrassed, as if they cannot fully comprehend what is happening: Are we really married? What now? Get out and go back
Although Alarnath is a little known holy place, I had always been fascinated with the idea of going there. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would stay at Alarnath during anavasara, the two-week period when Lord Jagannatha rests in seclusion before the annual Rathayatra (chariot festival) in Jagannatha Puri. Lord Chaitanya couldn't bear staying in Puri without seeing His beloved Lord, and at Alarnath He would reveal the highest spiritual emotions, pining in ecstatic separation.
I'm traveling with a grou
By Atma Tattva Das
The streets of Sandton came alive on the weekend of May 11-12, 2024, as ISKCON Sandton hosted its third annual Sandton Festival of Chariots. This spectacular event, steeped in centuries-old tradition, brought together a diverse assembly of devotees, spiritual leaders, and curious onlookers to celebrate the journey of Lord Jagannath, Balarama, and Subhadra. Originating from Puri, India, the Ratha Yatra festival has been observed for thousands of years, and its rich historyres
The place was really smoking up. Not only the fire was stoking with the local chopped wood but the whole atmosphere was beautifully row and rustic. "Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons," situated an hour and a half north of Toronto, is a reconstructed Jesuit/ Wendat village from the 1630's and you feel like you went through a time machine upon its visit.
Members of Toronto's Bhakti Academy along with our honoured guest, Kalakanta from Florida, found ourselves in the smokey room full of furs, pelts an
After Srila Prabhupada left us on November 14, 1977, I came across a section in Srimad-Bhagavatam—Canto 4, Chapter 28—in which he explicitly discusses the disappearance of the spiritual master and how the disciple is to serve him—even in separation. The following paragraph summarizes the essence of his instructions:
“The disciple and spiritual master are never separated, because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions
A long, long time ago when I was not an ISKCON devotee I developed a growing interest in spiritual life. After many years of taking drugs and attending rock concerts I had become sick of life.
I had been manager in several companies I worked for, most of the time I had more money than I needed and I had freedom and independence. Somehow I was not satisfied. I started wondering if real happiness existed. I discovered that no matter how hard I tried I just could not break free from certain activi
By Leif Asmark Jensen
(Lalitanatha dasa)
Presented at The Consciousness in Science Conference, Gainesville, Florida, January 20, 2019
Consciousness is our most immediate experience. Yet, when it comes to studying consciousness beyond one’s own conscious experience, we can only study circumstantial evidence. One such category is studies of the symptoms of a conscious action on events or physical objects. This is known as the argument from design.
An argument from design refers to the inference t
By Atma Tattva Das
For over two decades, Vijaya Dasa has been a key figure in promoting Srila Prabhupada’s books worldwide. In January 2024, Vijaya stepped down from his role as the International Minister of Book Distribution, a position he held for 22 years, passing the mantle to Vaisesika Dasa, another revered figure known for his innovative approaches to book distribution. Vijaya leaves behind a legacy of transformative influence that will continue under Vaisesika’s leadership.
Vijaya’s jour
A last few steps on the Trans Canada Trail and on Huntsville's boardwalk meant my end of the visit to this cottage country town. It had been a great experience - a rejuvenating fest of 2,500 in attendance. The day before was the Beer Fest at the same location. I think we may have surpassed the number of beer-happy people.
Apart from Krishna's championing this event, like all things, I also want to credit the man who played a major role in sharing the new Krishna Cultural Centre on Main in Hunts
GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT – 15 May 2024
We are pleased to present the 15 May 2024 GBC Meeting Highlights Report. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting highlighting the key topic discussed.
The meeting commenced with a reading by Bhakti Caitanya Swami of Srila Prabhupada’s letter of 5 November 1972 to Satsvarupa Das Goswami, emphasizing the need for leaders to be committed to their service. The GBC commended Gopal Krishna Goswami’s Will as an ideal ex
