ISKCON News has been given some individual, unconfirmed information from devotees in Israel but is awaiting more official reports from ISKCON leadership on any possible impact on individuals or communities. Currently, we have no reports of any ISKCON d…
Author Archives: Thomas Haribol
Reports on Devotees in Israel
The First Red Leaf
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The first red leaf greeted me this morning Among the dull colors of the other fallen leaves It’s redness smiled a reminder of time passing A reminder of cycles of birth and death Of leaves separating from the trees As the body separates from the soul W…
GBC Releases Decision Clarifying Initiation Standards in ISKCON
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The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON has released a decision clarifying initiation standards in ISKCON. The decision came, in part, as a response to a thorough paper produced by ISKCON’s Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) entitled “Bra…
ISKCON Welcomes “New Vrindavan Hare Krishna Centre” in South Africa’s North West Province
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History was made on October 1, 2023, as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) proudly welcomed its first centre in the North West province of South Africa. The event was a testament to the dedication of the Klerksdorp Hindu Samaj…
ISKCON’s European Farm Conference Gathers at Innovative Farm in Germany
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ISKCON’s Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture held its first European Farm Conference with face-to-face attendees following a three-year gap due to COVID-19. The September 29th-October 1st event brought leaders from across Europe together t…
Political Polarization is a Stark Reminder of Prabhupada’s Request for Cooperation
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Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications, was in the Senate wing of the US Capitol on Tuesday when the House of Representatives voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position, a first in congressional history. It was a fr…
Book Review: “Dhruva” is a Masterclass in Relationship Wisdom
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Gauranga Darshan Das, an educator, TEDx speaker, and spiritual author of over 32 books, has recently published “Dhruva: Relationship & Success Sutras from the Story of a Celebrated Prince” under the Penguin Ananda banner from Penguin Ra…
Mayapur Academy Announces 2023-2024 International Diploma Course in Deity Worship
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ISKCON’s Mayapur Academy has announced its International Diploma Course in Deity Worship to be held from October 21, 2023 – February 26, 2024, at ISKCON Mayapur, situated on the banks of the Ganges River in West Bengal, India. The course wi…
Coming of Age #8 – Prophets versus Priests – Who are You?
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Prophets have been persecuted throughout history. This fact is thoroughly counter-intuitive since all prophets are eventually revered, and many have millions of followers. So, why would they be persecuted and then later adored? Think of Moses for Judai…
Plaque Honoring Srila Prabhupada Placed at Stow Lake
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In April, we reported on a crowdfunding campaign to fund the installation of a commemorative bench and plaque in honor of Srila Prabhupada at San Francisco’s Stow Lake within Golden Gate Park. The picturesque park was a favorite spot for Srila Pr…
Bull and Cow – A Poem By Bhaktimarga Swami
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There is this very nice couple Who pose to be no trouble Introducing Mr. Bull and Mrs. Cow You will get to know them somehow She is like your mother And he is like your father They started up a good business With a product to help avoid sickness Their …
Weaving Inclusivity into the Fabric of ISKCON South Africa
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Mukundanghri Das and his wife Kalpa-latika Devi Dasi. “The dream is that diversity and unity should coexist harmoniously,” proclaims Mukundanghri, a devotee of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He has emerged as …
Brasilian Devotee Accepts Important Inter-Religious Dialogue Role in Rio
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On September 26th, ISKCON devotee Kunti Devi Dasi, representative of ISKCON Rio de Janeiro to the inter-religious movement since 2020, took a public oath as a counselor of COMPIR-RIO (the Municipal Council for the Promotion of Religious Freedom of the …
“Krishna’s Cuisine” Hits Milestone with the Rare Silver Play Button Award
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YouTube has recently bestowed Bhuvanasundari Radha Devi Dasi with the coveted Silver Button Award for her channel, “Krishna’s Cuisine,” which she began in May 2020. The social media honor is for YouTube creators who have reached the m…
“Books Are The Basis” Week’s Exciting Schedule Released
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ISKCON’s Ministry of Education has released its exciting schedule of speakers for the upcoming “Books are the Basis Week 2023” Festival. The topic this year is Shastra Caksu, that is, seeing the world through the eyes of Srila Prabhup…
“Sanskrit Sense” Sharing the Ancient Art of Chanting Shlokas & Mantras
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Nityananda Dasa (Artyom Hvans) offers exceptional courses on the art of chanting shlokas and mantras through his online learning platform, “Sanskrit Sense.” He has tutored more than 3,000 students from 90 countries and has also created a sp…
Ground-breaking HARE KRISHNA! Film Continues to Reach an Audience Through Online Platforms
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The popular film “HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It All” continues to reach a growing audience worldwide through multiple online platforms. The ground-breaking documentary was released in 2017 and garnered …
40 years of ISKCON in Croatia Celebrated with 9th Ratha Yatra in Zagreb
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About 1,000 devotees and visitors pulled the chariot. This September, ISKCON Croatia celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Zagreb Ratha Yatra and the Maha-Abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada as the closing ceremonies. In 1983, ISKCON was registered in Za…
MVT’s 2023 Kirtan Mela Dates Announced for Rishikesh & Vrindavan
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The Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT) has officially announced the dates of the 2023 Kirtan Mela festivals, to be held at their ashrams in Rishikesh and Vrindavan. Devotees worldwide are invited to attend. The festival dates are as follows: MVT Rishikesh &…
Remembering Mukhara Devi Dasi: The Legacy of an Early South African Devotee
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In the annals of South African Krishna consciousness, few names shine as brightly as that of Mukhara Devi Dasi. Her life story is a testament to unwavering dedication, selfless service, and an unshakable commitment to spreading the teachings of Srila P…
It’s Raining Retreats at New Mayapur
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Mahavishnu Swami with brahmacharis from Mahamantra Institute in Lyon during Jhulan Yatra. New Mayapur hosted a series of retreats this spring and summer with stalwart devotees such as Ananda Vardhana Swami, Bhakti Raghava Swami, Bhakti Vigyana Swami, B…
Soweto Ratha Yatra Continues Legacy of HH Kadamba Kanana Swami
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In a remarkable tribute to the spiritual legacy of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, Soweto Ratha Yatra 2023 on September 30, 2023, is set to be an unparalleled event of devotion and transcendence. This year’s festival holds profound significanc…
The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies Releases Two New Books
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The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) is pleased to announce the release of two new publications as it prepares for its upcoming November conference, “Cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana: Current Research on History, Philosophy, and…
Announcing “Get the 34!” Learn the Essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam
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For devotees around the world who wish to deepen their relationship with Srimad-Bhagavatam, the BBT is excited to announce “Get the 34!”, devotees everywhere reading and memorizing Srimad-Bhagavatam’s Divinity and Divine Service, Canto 1 ch…
50th Anniversary of Sri-Sri Radha-Parisisvara to be Celebrated in France
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Radha-Parisisvara Deities installed by Srila Prabhupada. On September 22nd-24th, 2023, the community of Radha-Parisisvara temple will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the installation of Sri-Sri Radha-Parisisvara on the most auspicious day of Rad…
50th Anniversary of Sri-Sri Radha-Parisisvara to be Celebrated in France
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Radha-Parisisvara Deities installed by Srila Prabhupada. On September 22nd-24th, 2023, the community of Radha-Parisisvara temple will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the installation of Sri-Sri Radha-Parisisvara on the most auspicious day of Rad…
Bhakti Bloom Offers a Garden of Devotion in Germany
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Driven to share the Holy Name, the Bhakti Bloom team has planted the seeds of unity and spiritual awakening at their inaugural Kirtan mela, a two-day extravaganza spanning July 29th and 30th, 2023, near Berlin, Germany. This transformative event drew s…
Devotee Care South Africa’s End-Of-Life Seminar Offers Valuable Insights
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Jayananda Dasa, Smarahari Dasa, Sukanti Radha Dasi, and Vaishnava Pran Dąsa. Devotee Care South Africa (DCSA), an integral part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in South Africa, recently hosted a highly relevant End-of-Li…
Spaces Still Available for 2023 MAN-tra Retreat at New Vrinbavan, WV.
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The 6th annual MAN-tra Men’s Retreat is returning in just a few weeks to New Vrindaban, West Virginia, USA. Space is still available for the gathering which runs from Friday, September 29th thru Sunday, October 1st. With an aim to empower devotee…
12th European Farm Conference Focuses on Regenerative Farming and Ox Power, Online Participation Available
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After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, ISKCON’s 12th European Farm Conference is back and poised to make a significant impact on the future of agriculture. The event is organized by the GBC Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture and w…
New York Senator Honors ISKCON NYC for its Exemplary Service
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Hansarupa Dasa, ISKCON NYC Temple President accepting New York State Senate Citation from Senator Roxanne Persaud. During the September 6th Krishna Janmashtami festivities at ISKCON NYC, special guest New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud presented an…
Radhastami and the TOVP
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The glories of Sridhama Mayapur are unlimited and inconceivable, as it is the abode of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates wherein “the concluding portions of the pastimes of Gokula exist eternally as the pastimes of Navadvipa.” (Brahma-samhita …
Joyful ISKCON Festivals Continue Around the Globe This Weekend
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Ratha Yatra in Bloomington, IL. Photo by Anuttama Dasa. This weekend, ISKCON communities are hosting festivals worldwide, from Color Festivals in Columbus, Ohio, and Moundsville, West Virginia, to Ratha Yatra processions in Bulgaria, Brighton, and Bloo…
Srimad Bhagavatam Reaches 7th and Final Continent of Antarctica
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A recent short documentary released by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) explores the unlikely and inspiring journey of the Srimad Bhagavatam to Antarctica, the most remote continent on Earth. Antarctica, the Earth’s southernmost continent, is p…
Govardhan Skill Centre is Filling Massive Gaps in Local Workforce
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Founded in 2016, the Govardhan Skill Centre, an initiative of Govardhan EcoVillage (GEV), is filling a massive gap among rural and tribal residents by providing educational and employment opportunities. The institution was conceived by HH Radhanath Swa…
6-Hour Online Vyasa Puja Hosted from Historic Matchless Gifts
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On September 7th, devotees participated in an online Vyasa Puja broadcast from the Matchless Gifts storefront to celebrate His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. The year’s event was hosted by Candrasekhara Swami with the help of a team …
Mayapur Institute has Released its Winter Semester Course Schedule
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The Mayapur Institute has recently released its Winter Semester courses (October 2023-February 2024) that will be available onsite in Sridham Mayapur or online. Since the time of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Mayapur has been a place for learning Gaudiya Vaisn…
Award-winning Author Celebrates 10th Anniversary of His Mahabharata Masterpiece
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Amidst the rich revelations of spiritual literature, some works possess a transcendental charm that captivates both the heart and mind, leaving an indelible mark on those who encounter them. The Mahabharata is one such text, and Sankirtana Das (Andy Fr…
Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival
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ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performanc…
Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival
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ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performanc…