Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

In a world driven by specialization, some individuals break the mold, embracing multiple passions and roles to enrich their lives and communities. Damodara Katha Das, a spirited soul residing at the Gita Nagari Eco Farm, is a remarkable example of such…

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) will offer an Online Cosmology Seminar from September 24-October, 9, 2023. The instructor for this informative offering will be Giridhari Dasa (Dr. Tiziano Valentinuzzi).  Giridhari holds a Ph.D. in A…

An enthusiastic preacher of Krishna Consciousness and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Subhangi Devi Dasi, left her body on the morning of August 6, 2023, in Sri Dham Mayapur. Her final rites were held on August 8, 2023, following the arrival of her son f…

The Institute of Science and Spirituality (ISS)- the Indian Knowledge Systems Centre of ISKCON Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Central Sanskrit University (CSU) Delhi are organizing a two-day international conference on “Philosophy …

Oppenheimer photo courtesy of the National Archives catalog. J. Robert Oppenheimer’s relationship with Indian philosophy, Sanskrit, and the Bhagavad Gita has experienced a revival with the recent controversial Hollywood drama, “Oppenheimer….

Bhakta David Burkman from Danbury, Arjuna Das after his initiation, and Dale Burke from Bismarck, ND. ISKCON Prison Ministry, an initiative of the BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) Mail Order Department in Los Angeles, has been a spiritual lifeline provid…

In a significant milestone for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the ISKCON Child Protection Office (CPOi) commemorates its 25th anniversary, underscoring its unwavering commitment to protecting the young souls within the co…

When people say, “God will give you a sign,” they usually don’t mean that literally, but for me, that’s exactly what He did. In 2015, I was driving south on I-15 to vacation at Capitol Reef National Park. This busy interstate ca…

Bhaktivedanta Charity Trust, under the guidance of its lifetime chairperson, HH Jayapataka Swami, in cooperation with the Gaura Foundation, is restoring one of the holy places (Lila Sthali) in Navadwip, Mayapur. This is traditionally recognized as the …

Earlier this year, the Bhaktivedanta Academy Gurukula boys and teachers embarked on a 17-day yatra to visit many ancient pastime places of Lord Ram and the temples and farms of ISKCON Mumbai and Nashik. Prana Natha Das and the boys share their joyful j…

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Punjabi Bagh, is taking a proactive step towards environmental conservation by integrating a tree plantation drive through their International Value Education Olympiad. This unique initiativ…

Mantra Americana at the Grammys – L to R: Corbin, Allie, Dave, Tulsi, Madi, Justin, and Patrick. In a boldly beautiful and groundbreaking endeavor, music project Mantra Americana, led by artist-producers Madi Das and Dave Stringer, has captured t…

AUGUST 4- Yudhistir Govinda Das, ISKCON Communications Director for India and a member of the global ISKCON Communications Leadership Team, called on Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See (Vatican Embassy) in Lisbon, Portugal, earlie…

A new ISKCON Bhakti Yoga Center in South Minneapolis is opening up in the heart of the city at 4000 Minnehaha Avenue. The location is within two miles of the University of Minnesota (with over 35,000 students) and various other private colleges, with e…

Some members of the Istanbul community with HH Sivarama Swami. In the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul, Turkey, a growing community of Hare Krishna devotees led by Nrsimha Krsna Das and his wife Krsnamala Devi Dasi have made remarkable strides in spreadi…

Photo courtesy Nivan Shrestha. An online “Couples Retreat” program is being facilitated by Mahatma Das and Jahnava Devi on 4th August and 5th August (6:30-10:00 pm EST) in English and Spanish languages or on 12th August and 13th August (7:00-10:30 pm E…

Shyama Rasika Devi Dasi, a Washington, DC devotee, has dovetailed her passion for prasada into cultivating meaningful relationships with several area organizations that serve seniors. With the support of her husband Nikunj Ras and encouragement from he…

The well-known UK Gurukula started in the 1980s at Chaitanya College and later housed at the Bhaktivedanta Manor has moved to the nearby picturesque Elton Cottage with a new leader and a positive focus on the future.   After facing multiple challenges,…

**UPDATE AUGUST 10th from HH Jayapataka Swami** “My dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances, best wishes, and blessings as appropriate. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Homebase: Sridham Mayapur Camp: Chennai Since I am experiencing an …

Bhadra Rupa Das lecturing at UNESCO headquarters. Paris, 2019. In music, few artists have achieved the remarkable synthesis of spiritual depth and artistic greatness within research, education, and innovation at the highest level, as Bhadra Rupa Das. F…

The dedicated efforts of ISKCON devotees from New Ramana Reti in Alachua, FL, have culminated in a significant act of compassion, as a sizeable humanitarian aid shipment has finally reached the Vaishnava communities in Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine…

Thirty members of the Krishna Culture Festival Tours reached the mid-point of their six-week tour with a visit to the iconic Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. Since 1995, ISKCON Youth Ministry volunteers have led the Krishna Culture F…

The 6th annual MAN-tra Men’s Retreat will be returning to the Holy Dham of New Vrindaban, West Virginia, USA, Friday, September 29th thru Sunday, October 1st. With an aim to empower devotee men to integrate Krishna consciousness into all aspects …

“Bhaktivedanta Swami in a Historical and Philosophical Context” is a one-day workshop to be held on September 6, 2023, at the prestigious Stockholm University (S.U.). Located in the vibrant Swedish capital, S.U. is a renowned public researc…

In a landmark event, the first-ever Sadhu Sanga Kirtan Retreat is set to take place in the serene surroundings of Las Estacas Resort, Mexico, from September 15-18, 2023. Organized by a dedicated team on behalf of Indradyumna Swami, this retreat promise…

Bhaktivedanta Manor is a 78-acre spiritual oasis north of London in the Hertfordshire countryside. This year it is celebrating an exciting array of significant events that occurred there 50 years ago. Between August 19th -21st, the community commemorat…

One of the winners of the 2022 Value Education Olympiad onstage with event leaders. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Mission LiFE Minist…

In a captivating interview with Jagannath Das, ISKCON News explored both his remarkable spiritual journey and his two newly released books that offer profound insights into the yogic texts of antiquity.  Raised in a Krishna-conscious household, Jaganna…

Mahaprabhu Das, Director of MOSA (the Museum of Sacred Art) in Radhadesh, introduces a new limited summer exhibit on display for the next two months. Guests can view the two exhibits: “Illuminations from the Bhagavad Gita” and ten additiona…

Gopal Patel on stage at TED event in Detroit. TED’s Countdown Summit, the invite-only gathering in Detroit, Michigan, on July 12-14th, welcomed the world’s top leaders in technology, science, business, government, philanthropy, and faith to…

Srila Prabhupada envisioned four levels of study of his books—Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhakti-vedanta, and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) is endeavoring to establish these degrees and thus provide interes…

This year, in lieu of the opening of the completed Nrsimhadeva Wing in October, we are happy to celebrate the 37th Anniversary of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s arrival in Sridham Mayapur from July 28-30, 2023.  In July 1986, the Deities of Prahlad-Nrsimhade…

CROATIA – On Wednesday, July 19th, a severe storm with 150 km/hr winds raged across Croatia, killing at least four people and injuring hundreds. In all, 2,000 buildings were damaged in Croatia’s northwestern capital of Zagreb,  including ISKCON&#…

The ISKCON Ministry of Education will host its Annual Virtual Symposium of Education, “Pan-America Mini-Symposium 2023,” on Friday, July 28th, 2023, 6:00-8:15 PM CDT. The virtual event will be viewable on Zoom, Facebook, or YouTube Live. “This sy…

Members of the Harmony Collective devotee community in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA, were awarded “Best Presentation” at the 2023 Ypsilanti 4th of July parade.  This year’s parade was especially significant and well-attended because it ma…

A new video released by ISKCON Vrindavan shows the extent of the flooding of the Yamuna River as of June 16, 2023.  Drone footage shows the impact upon key historical areas like the Keshi Ghat and the Bhaktivedanta Swami Goshala, home to 350 cows, bull…

To unlock the spiritual potency of the rare month of Purusottama, the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry (CDM) has launched an initiative to encourage and facilitate devotees worldwide to observe this auspicious period in the Vedic calendar. Pu…