Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

New Vrindaban is set to host a transformative 10-Day ISKCON Deity Worship Training, a program that has already elevated worship standards in temples around the world. The initiative aims to strengthen and inspire Deity worship practices across North Am…

I just returned from watching Mahavatar Narasimha, and I’m still trembling, not from the surround-sound bass or the action sequences (though those were jaw-dropping), but from the sheer force of devotion that this film unleashed in my heart. This wasn’…

Karuna Care Association (KCA) —an organization endorsed by ISKCON—has announced the launch of a transformative online course titled “Escaping the Drama Triangle.” Designed for individuals of faith and those seeking deeper emotional awarenes…

As ISKCON expands its reach across the globe, presenting the philosophy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu in a way that is both conducive to sāstra and accessible to sincere seekers has become increasingly essential. Among these seekers is a niche yet signif…

Bhaktivinoda Asan, located at 1 Ultadanga Junction Road in Kolkata, is a historic landmark deeply cherished by the devotees of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, holding an inseparable connection to the very origins of the Krishna consciousness movement today….

A newly released book, Śrī Ekacakrā-dhāma: Nitai’s Eternal Abode, offers a spiritually rich exploration of the divine birthplace of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu. Authored by Vakreśvari Devī Dāsī, this inspiring volume presents the first comprehensive, full-c…

On August 8, 2025, Vaisesika Dasa delivered a compelling talk titled “Krishna-Balarama: Same Same But Different” at ISV, exploring the transcendental nature of the Divine Brothers and the unique roles they play in spiritual life. He emphasi…

ISKCON Mayapur is delighted to announce its 13th annual six-day Kartik Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama, organized by the Mayapur Chandra’s, during the most auspicious month of Kartik. The parikrama will be held on October 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, and November 1,…

On July 19th, 2025, the Yogapeeth Center, operating as a branch of ISKCON Silicon Valley under the ISKCON Tri-Central Valley designation, commemorated its inaugural year of operation. The anniversary celebration was marked by a program emphasizing devo…

ISKCON Leaders and Ambassador of Culture and Wellness officially launch the ISKCON Creators Summit. The ISKCON India Youth Council (North Wing) hosted a spirited and inspiring launch event to unveil the ISKCON Creators Summit, scheduled for 2nd Septemb…

The 2025 edition of Srila Prabhupada Tributes has just been released. This beautiful collection of offerings glorifies our beloved Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, through the heartfelt words of disciples from acro…

For the past 40 years, ISKCON Detroit has been celebrating the Festival of Chariots. This year, again, the temple hosted the spectacular festival, drawing in over 15,000 attendees.  On July 20th, ISKCON Detroit celebrated its 40th annual Festival of Ch…

Have you ever wanted to introduce your friends, family, or colleagues to the Gita? Do you want to get involved in the outreach mission? Or maybe you just appreciate Srila Prabhupada’s books so much that you’re naturally looking to connect others to the…

Meet the family behind Bhakti Lifestyle (left to right): Kalin, Srinivas Acharya Das, Gauranga Priya Devi Dasi, and Sashin serving up compassion, one handcrafted meal at a time. When the COVID-19 pandemic upended global industries in 2020, Srinivas Ach…

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sorrowful news regarding the Divan family, who were scheduled to arrive at New Vrindaban’s Palace Lodge on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The family of four elderly pilgrims—Dr. Kishore Divan (89), Mrs. Asha Divan (85…

The period from the 1980s to the present marks a pivotal turning point in history. If we consider a similar period — for example, from the mid-1930s to the 1980s — we can see that even then profound transformations occurred. During that earlier period,…

ISKCON Kurukshetra recently hosted the spiritually vibrant Dharmakshetra Parikrama 2025, a heartfelt yatra commemorating the first Tirobhav Mahotsav of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami. Over 375 devotees participated, including a remarkable contingen…

Yudhistir Govinda Das, Trustee and Country Director of Communications for ISKCON India, was recently interviewed by Times Now, an English-language TV news channel in India with millions of monthly readers. In a thoughtful exchange with interviewer Namy…

On August 3rd, nearly 77-year-old Sivarama Swami will take on a remarkable challenge—swimming 10 kilometers through the cold waters of the River Thames. His goal? To raise funds for printing and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in the Turkish lang…

Following its remarkable success in India, Mahavatar Narsimha is set to captivate international audiences with a worldwide theatrical release on July 31. In just six days, the animated epic has amassed a staggering ₹34 crore at the Indian box office, a…

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) warmly invites you to Rūpotsava 2025 — a sacred tribute to Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. From August 3rd to 6th, in the holy land of Śrī Vṛndāvana Dhāma, devotees will gather to glorify Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī throu…

Across every corner of our ISKCON communities, devotees are the heart and soul of our movement. Guided by Srila Prabhupada’s vision of a spiritually nourishing and compassionate society, we’re pleased to invite you to connect with the Devotee Care Init…

A new Govinda’s restaurant has opened just minutes from Goloka Ecofarm, ISKCON’s rural spiritual community in the Ligurian hills of northwestern Italy. The grand opening took place on July 10, drawing more than 130 guests from nearby towns and vi…

In an era increasingly shaped by digital storytelling and artificial intelligence, one devotee has taken an innovative step toward making Srimad Bhagavatam accessible to a broader audience. Jagat Pavitram Das, a disciple of Hanumatpresaka Swami, has cr…

Dr. Larry D. Shinn, a scholar of religion, educator, and interfaith voice, passed away on April 2, 2025, at the age of 83. For devotees of ISKCON, Dr. Shinn’s departure marks the loss of not only a thoughtful academic but also a longtime friend whose b…

Devotees gather for the first-ever Rathayatra festival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Recently, the first-ever Rathayatra festival in Ethiopia took place, quietly but significantly, inside the compound of the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa. For Mahaprasad Go…

After a strong theatrical debut across India earlier this week, the much-anticipated animated film Mahavatar Narsimha, directed by Ashwin Kumar, is now facing an urgent and unexpected crisis: piracy. Positive reviews and an enthusiastic reception were …

In a groundbreaking step toward promoting spiritual inclusivity and holistic patient care during hospital stays, Vaishnavas C.A.R.E. (Counseling, Assistance, Resource, and Education) was invited to present a specialized educational session to the spiri…

From July 11-13, 2025, at the New Godruma Dhama Farm outside Kuala Lumpur, 45 youth from Malaysia’s MySkills Foundation experienced something rare: a spiritual retreat grounded in love, simplicity, and purpose. Behind this heart-transforming even…

First Padayatra Ministry Meeting at the newly inaugurated Lok Archives Office in Sri Pandharpur Dham. In a significant milestone for the ISKCON Padayatra movement, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami, Global Minister for Padayatra, convened a strategic and hea…

Jahnava Sundari Devi Dasi, founder of Cintamani Yoga in Florence, Italy, has built a vibrant spiritual and healing community by fusing traditional yoga with bhakti principles. Through years of personal hardship, spiritual surrender, and a deeply intuit…

Let’s begin by sharing a striking example of what appears to be a huge “risk.” On August 13, 1965, Srila Prabhupada boarded the Jaladuta Cargo Steamship from Kolkata on to New York City with 200 Rupees (about US$7) in his pocket, a trunk full of books,…