In the 1950s, the Beatniks were a small cultural phenomenon. Their post-WWII poetry and literature of alienation didn’t interest enough of society to join them in their anti-establishment, anti-consumerist lifestyles. By the 1960s, the Beatnik cu…
Author Archives: Thomas Haribol
Bob Dylan, the Hippies, and the Bhagavad Gita
Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) Honored with ICC Social Impact Award
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In the latest testament to its unwavering dedication to spiritual, cultural, and societal advancement, the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) in Kolkata, India, was honored with the prestigious Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Social Impact Award in t…
COMING OF AGE #14 – Faith and the Impossible
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In the 1970s, Srila Prabhupada pushed his book publishing arm (BBT – Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) to produce the Chaitanya Caritamrita 17-volume transcendental treatise in just two months. This included all the proofreading, manual typesetting (without co…
Raasbhakti Devi Dasi Receives Prestigious Award at UNCSW68 Event
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Raasbhakti Devi Dasi (Dr. Aditi Mishal) receiving the award. On March 20th, 2024, Raasbhakti Devi Dasi (Dr. Aditi Mishal) received the esteemed international award, “Outstanding Women in Global Sustainable Development – 2024.” The hon…
Prabhupada Village Opens in Mayapur to Accommodate TOVP Donors
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On February 22nd, 2024, Prabhupada Village, a new guest house for donors to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), was inaugurated in Sri Mayapur Dham on Nityananda Trayodashi. The manifestation of this beautiful project was made possible by the v…
ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry at UN’s CSW68 Event
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ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry’s delegation of devotees at UN event. The 68th Annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), the United Nations’ (UN) largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, took place this y…
Mayapur Clean and Green Partners with ISKCON Mayapur To Combat Air Quality Crisis
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Murari Mohini Devi Dasi with the Fire Brigade at recent fire. Recently, Mayapur Clean and Green, headed by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has been valiantly working to improve the air quality in Mayapur. Earlier this year, a pivotal agreement [link] was reac…
Religious News Service Highlights ISKCON Devotees in Ukraine
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ISKCON devotees gathered in a basement for safety. Photo courtesy of Acyuta Priya Dasa. Religious News Service (RNS), a global leader in news coverage of religion, ethics, and spirituality, recently featured the challenges ISKCON devotees in Ukraine ha…
Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan to Mark 25th Anniversary at May Event
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Devotees worldwide are invited to celebrate a 24-Hour Kirtan event in Birmingham, UK, to be held on May 4-5, 2024. The occasion promises to be an unforgettable spiritual experience as it marks the 25th year of the gathering and will be held in a new ve…
TOVP Shares New Video “The Miracle is Achieved”
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From a “Miracle in the Making” to “The Miracle is Happening, to the concluding “Miracle is Achieved,” the latest Temple of the Vedic Planetarium video beautifully highlights the historic opening of the TOVP Nrsimha Wing on…
Global Youth Retreat: A Powerful Experience in Practicing and Preaching Krishna Consciousness
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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 Re…
Festival Honoring Poet Allen Ginsberg Supports Food for All Efforts
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Parasuram Das, Director of Food for All, and other devotees offering an invocation at live musical event. 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…
ISKCON Zambia: Nurturing Spiritual Growth Amidst Challenges
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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 d…
Remembering A Faithful Leader: His Grace Namacarya Das
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His Grace Namacarya Dasa, GBC Deputy from South Africa, passed away on March 22, 2024. His last rites ceremony was held on March 24, 2024 at Prabhupada Ghat, Mayapur, Nadia District. Namacarya Dasa was a loving and committed disciple of Bhakti Caitany…
Karuna Care Offering “Safety for Children: Through Knowledge and Action” Course
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Karuna Care Association is now enrolling participants for their new online course entitled “Safety for Children: Through Knowledge and Action.” The offering is a 5-week in depth course covering all aspects of child safety which includes a c…
ISKCON of DC Temple Opening Festival
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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 o…
Devotees Welcome Thailand’s Prime Minister at Holi Festival
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ISKCON devotees gathered to welcome Thailand’s Prime Minister. 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 partner…
Joyful Processions Carry ISKCON of DC’s Deities to Their New Home
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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 o…
Inside the Bhakti Yoga Society’s Preaching Project at UJ Auckland Park Campus
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Dinesvara Krsna Das speaks to the UJ students with guest Bhakti Brihad Bhagavat Swami. In the bustling halls of the University of Johannesburg’s Auckland Park Campus, amidst the whirlwind of academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, there…
ISKCON Chandigarh Partners with University Of Chandigarh
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Officials from Chandigarh University with ISKCON Chandigarh leadership. Evolve Club, the Youth Educational arm of ISKCON Chandigarh, has partnered with Chandigarh University to start a Value Added Course called “Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita…
2024 Krishna House Retreat in May is Open for Early-Bird Registration
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Retreatants from the 2023 Retreat. The 2024 Krishna House Retreat will be held this year on May 3-5th at ISKCON New Vrindaban in West Virginia, offering an opportunity for both new bhaktas and seasoned devotees to recharge their spiritual batteries in …
Hare Krsna TV Continues to Expand, Reaching Millions Around the World
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Hare Krsna TV staff with Gopal Krishna Goswami. Hare Krsna TV, which first launched on Janmashtami 2016 as a local channel, is now available in every state of India. It reaches more than 65% of the country’s households and millions more worldwid…
ISKCON Gold Coast, Bhakti Centre Celebrates Successful Surfers Paradise Ratha Yatra
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Amidst thousands of tourists in the picturesque destination, the ISKCON Gold Coast, Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise hosted their annual Festival of Chariots, commonly known as Ratha Yatra. This vibrant celebration held along the coast not only signifies…
TOVP Announces a Unique Sponsorship Opportunity: The 31 Dresses Campaign
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A unique sponsorship opportunity is now available for devotees: The 31 Dresses Campaign – sponsor all the Deity dresses for one day during the 3-month long TOVP Grand Opening Festival, scheduled for early 2026. This includes Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri …
Bhaktivedanta Hospital Helping Patients to Maintain Health Through New Media Studio
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Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Communications Minister and GBC member, recently toured the Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Center, a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital located in Mumbai, India, across the street from the ISKCON Mira Road …
Temple Profile: San Jose, Costa Rica
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Costa Rica is celebrated for its wildlife, volcanoes, animal sanctuaries, and breathtaking natural landscapes. The ISKCON temple is located in a bustling section of San Jose, the capital city, nestled amidst a blend of residences and dining establishme…
GBC Meeting Highlights from March 8-9th of Annual General Meeting
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March 8th Meeting Highlights The meeting commenced with Guru Puja and a reading from Srimad Bhagavatam. Krishnadas Kaviraj Dasa (GBC Deputy) facilitated the straw voting process for the following proposals. For each proposal, he provided a summary, res…
ISKCON Hammanskraal Temple Suffers Fire Damage
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On March 14, 2024, the ISKCON Hammanskraal temple, located in a township in northern Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, experienced a fire incident that caused significant damage to its front entrance. In an interview with Co-Temple President…
Church of England’s Advisor for National Inter Religious Affairs Visits Bhaktivedanta Manor
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From left, Vinay Tanna, Revd Dr. Richard Sudworth, Angeline Leung, and Visakha Dasi. Recently, Revd Dr. Richard Sudworth OBE, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury and National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Chu…
Devotee Couple Seeks to Expand Already Successful Service in Ghana
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In September of 2023, Kesava Dasa and Kesava Priya Dasi arrived in Ghana, West Africa, at the invitation of Srivas Vanacari Maharaja, the Zonal Secretary for West Africa, to assist with college preaching as well as book and prasadam distribution. Forme…
Devotee Couple Seeks to Expand Already Successful Service in Ghana
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In September of 2023, Kesava Dasa and Kesava Priya Dasi arrived in Ghana, West Africa, at the invitation of Srivas Vanacari Maharaja, the Zonal Secretary for West Africa, to assist with college preaching as well as book and prasadam distribution. Forme…
ISKCON Leader Appointed to National Commission in Finland
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Recently, Guruttama Dasa (Gurmann Saini) of ISKCON Finland and a member of the National Forum for Cooperation of Religions in Finland (USKOT), was named by the Finnish Government to represent religious communities on the Finnish National Commission on …
ISKCON Leader Appointed to National Commission in Finland
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Recently, Guruttama Dasa (Gurmann Saini) of ISKCON Finland and a member of the National Forum for Cooperation of Religions in Finland (USKOT), was named by the Finnish Government to represent religious communities on the Finnish National Commission on …
Immerse Yourself in the Study of Sastras: Join VIHE’s Onsite Bhakti-sastri Course in Vrindavan
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The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) has announced the dates for its onsite Bhakti-sastri courses in English and Hindi, which are scheduled to begin on June 20 and end on October 30, 2024. VIHE extends a warm invitation to all devotees s…
Colorful Food-for-Life UK Prasad Distribution Center Opens in Camden Town
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Food-for-All UK has opened an exciting and colorful new “Give Me Love” Prasad Distribution center in the heart of Camden Town in central London. “The FFA-UK team is presently distributing 2,500 plates of Prasad daily, and running three food banks for p…
Pew Research Center Releases Latest Data on Restrictions of Religious Freedoms
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The Pew Research Center (PRC) has released the latest data available from 198 countries and territories regarding governmental restrictions on religious practices and beliefs. “Religious groups faced harassment by governments in 183 countries in 2021, …
BRC’s Tribute: ‘Revolutionary Acharya’ Exhibit Marks Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur’s 150th Appearance Anniversary
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On February 29th, 2024, in a monumental initiative to honor the 150th appearance anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada, the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC), in collaboration with the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP)…
The Journey of a Spiritual Songstress Transcending Borders in Kenya
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In Kenya’s rich and diverse cultural tapestry, where traditions blend harmoniously within a variegated contemporary Africa, emerges a compelling narrative of heritage, spirituality, and music embodied by Harikanta Devi Dasi, a fourth-generation I…
Building Bridges For Krishna – An Interview with Sankirtana Das
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Sankirtana Das giving a tour to a college group visiting New Vrindaban in West Virginia. Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and contributor to ISKCON News, has recently received a Storytelling World Resource Award for his C…
Historical Moment of Cooperation Between ISKCON Suriname and the Suriname Islamic Association
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Shailendra Khemai, M.R. Moennoesing, and Jankinath Das exchanging scriptures. On March 3, 2024, a significant moment of cooperation and interfaith harmony occurred in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, during a visit between leaders of ISKCON (Intern…