Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

In this statement, we will summarize and report on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) activities in Ukraine during the almost one-and-a-half difficult and tragic years of the unexpected war that brought immeasurable suffering …

Nearly 100 devotees came together for the commencement of The Bhagavata Academy. On a peaceful 20-acre tract of land in Sealy, Texas, about an hour west of Houston, a few pioneering devotees have established The Bhagavata Academy Spiritual Retreat Cent…

Bhaktin Sherri, Bhaktin Jenna, Bhaktin Staci. Background courtesy of Min An. The Vaishnavas C.A.R.E. project continues to expand as a new chapter has formed at ISKCON Delaware, USA. In April 2023, two of the three Vaishnavis who started the local Delaw…

In a recent interview, Visnu Murti Das, the driving force behind Vanipedia, shared an inspiring vision for the online platform and the new BLS Vani-Village project in Radhadesh – Belgium. With a passionate call for dedicated devotees, talented wr…

The Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) displayed priceless treasures from their library collection at the 52nd Kolkata Rath Yatra festival held June 20-28th. The Kolkata Rath Yatra is a grand chariot festival celebrated in West Bengal, India. The annu…

Nama Kripa Das preparing prasada in an abandoned swimming pool. In June, ISKCON News reported on devotees returning to survey the ISKCON Kherson Temple in Ukraine, which was severely damaged during the ongoing conflict there. Bhakta Max, a native of Kh…

Yudhistir Govinda Das with Mark Rozell, Dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Yudhistir Govinda Das, Director of Communications at ISKCON India, recently was awarded the designation of Fellow in the prestigious I…

Team ARYA visits Mpumalanga. In the heart of South Africa, a dedicated team of devotees has come together to form the African Ratha Yatra Alliance or ARYA. Led by Baladev Jagannath Das, the coordinator of programs and logistics, ARYA has been enthusias…

The City of Leicester became a sea of colour as Krishna devotees gathered from around the country to attend the vibrant Hare Krishna festival on July 2, 2023. Located in the East Midlands region of England, Leicester is a vibrant and culturally diverse…

The Vaishnavi Ministry of North America aims to promote a culture of open-hearted empowerment for Vaishnavis through association, education, representation, support, and serviced empowerment. Our purpose is to uphold Srila Prahbupada’s legacy concernin…

Siddhanta Das in saffron to the left of Srila Prabhupada and Brahmananda Das on a morning walk in Denver, CO. The Prabhupada Memories project is not only nearing a significant milestone of nearly 100 DVDs totaling 450+ interviews of direct disciples of…

On a recent trip to India, Vraj Vihari Das was a speaker and panelist at a major conference on Mediation in Delhi that included the Chief Justice of India’s Supreme Court, Singapore’s Chief Justice, five Supreme Court judges, high court judges fr…

Since Sunday, June 25th, devotees at New Mayapur in France have been experiencing a week-long blackout after a catastrophic failure of their electrical transformer, which supplied power to the property. The 100-year-old Château d’Oublaise castle,…

In August of 2023, the global Hip-Hop community will celebrate the 50th anniversary of this influential cultural movement. Hip-Hop music has not only served as a platform for artistic expression but has also become a powerful tool for broadcasting spec…

The 2023 BBT Bhadra Purnima marathon has begun with a goal to distribute at least 55,000 sets of Srimad Bhagavatam all over the world in multiple languages. The target date for the 2023 goal is September 29th.   Launched in 2017 by the BBT MCI Team (Ma…

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced this week that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed a bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Huchul. Diwali is a fiv…

“Krishna – My Best Friend” is a new book written by Gourangi Gandharvika Devi Dasi and Acintyapriya Davi Dasi and published by the Congregational Development Ministry – Bhakti Kids. Their intention behind writing this book is to…

Soweto, South Africa – In a harmonious endeavor that transcends cultural boundaries, the Hare Krishna Mzansi Choir is making waves with its innovative fusion of African choral music and traditional Vaishnava bhajans.  Led by the dynamic duo Caru …

Photo courtesy of HH Sivarama Swami disciples and well-wishers Facebook Group. Devotees worldwide have sent their heartfelt prayers to His Holiness Sivarama Swami Maharaja, who was recently hospitalized in Budapest on Sunday, June 25th. He has faced se…

June 28- Tragedy struck during the ‘Phera Rath’ (return chariot) procession of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Kumarghat, Tripura, where multiple devotees died of electrocution when a chariot top made contact with a 133k…

HARRISBURG, June 27, 2023 – The International Society for Krishna Consciousness of Harrisburg (ISKCON of Harrisburg) is gearing up to celebrate its 13th Annual Hare Krishna Festival of India on Saturday, July 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ci…

All photos courtesy of Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi, New Vrindaban. On June 7th, 2023, hundreds of devotees gathered in “Old Vrindaban” at the historic original farmhouse temple to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the installation of the Sri…

During the weekend of June 3-4, 2023, the Vaishnavas Care Team (Mexico) presented their Second Holistic Health Fair at the ISKCON Mexico City temple.  Vaishnava healthcare professionals and well-wishers participated in the two-day event by offering the…

This year, Surat witnessed the largest and grandest Rath Yatra in the past 25 years. “The city was filled with devotees rushing to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannatha,” said Jagannath Damodar Das, “There was a very heavy rush throughou…

Jalangi Devi Dasi, a prominent figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in South Africa, is making waves as a female manager and advocate for women empowerment and youth mentorship. With a passion for education and a commi…

Thursday, June 22–Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications, participated in a White House gathering this morning of several thousand guests—mostly Indian-Americans—when US President Joseph Biden welcomed India’s Prime Minister Na…

The 2023 GBC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was only partially completed during the February gathering in Mayapur.  The three resolutions linked below were passed at the February meetings, reviewed by the SABHA, and are now being published.  The …

Krishna Consciousness Society (KCSOC) is a youth project associated with ISKCON Pandava Sena, running societies to share Krishna Consciousness at universities across the UK. One such KCSOC is based at University College London (UCL), a leading multidis…

Speaking about Ratha Yatra during a July 12, 1973 lecture in London, Srila Prabhupada said, “Organize this all over the world. They will be saved. They will understand Krsna.” For the last fifty years, devotees have taken up this instructio…

Astottara Sata Dasa, a native of Brunswick, Maine, USA, spent several years of his youth growing up at the ISKCON Gita Nagari Farm. Later, he graduated from Hampshire College and is currently a woodsman in the Maine woods.  This week, he will be sharin…

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in many ways, including changing the traditional methods many organizations have used for their fundraising efforts.  For some ISKCON centers, traditional donation-based models have proven unsustainable duri…

Deena Bandhu Das and pilgrims at the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden. Recently, H.G. Deena Bandhu Das led around 50 devotees from across India (and a few who joined from Kenya) through the holy land of Kashmir for nearly two weeks, visiting the ISKCON …

Gauranga Yoga Institute retreat with Vraja Krsna Das, center in a maroon hoodie. In the heart of the ancient country of Bulgaria, a beacon of spiritual enlightenment has emerged in the form of the Gauranga Yoga Institute. Led by the dedicated and talen…

This weekend (June 15-18th), the ISKCON Chicago community and devotees from across the country are in the Windy City to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Installation of the Deities Sri Sri Kisora-Kisori. Srila Prabhupada said, “I have named your d…

Food for Life – Odesa teamed up with Food for All-UK on June 13th to serve the Ukrainians in Kherson who were left devasted by the recent dam breach that flooded the region and the ongoing military conflict. Odesa devotees arrived in Kherson wear…