Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

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…

Parasuram Das, Director of Food for All-UK, visited the partially destroyed temple in Kherson. On June 12, devotees returned to survey the condition of the ISKCON Kherson Temple in Ukraine, which was damaged during the ongoing conflict there.  The Kher…

International Yoga Day is an eagerly awaited event that will be taking place in the picturesque location of Radhadesh, Belgium, on June 17-18th. With 100 participants expected to attend, these two days will provide a unique opportunity for individuals …

Noted for her welcoming smile and joyful service as a book distributor, Malini Priti Devi Dasi (Meera Thuraisingam) is an exemplary disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, serving locally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but inspiring devotees worldwide.  Raised in…

Hungarian officials and other representatives join H.H. Sivarama Swami in the opening of the ox-powered facility. On May 20th, 2023, Hungary’s largest and only active ox-powered treadmill was inaugurated at ISKCON Krishna Valley. The treadmill is…

Vani School, a new online learning platform, aims to connect subscribers with established and professional teachers from the diverse yoga landscape and culture and features many devotees known to the ISKCON family. The initiative was inspired by the vi…

Photos courtesy of Ananda Jita Das Devotees recently celebrated the Ratha Yatra festival in the streets of Eindhoven, Holland. Their Lordships, accompanied by marching bands and patriotic floats, bestowed darshan upon the enthusiastic crowds of Eindhov…

On World Environment Day, a group of 30 students and seven teachers from ISKCON Punjabi Bagh’s Hare Krishna Sunday School gathered in a nearby renowned park to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of caring for our planet. The participant…

In the wake of the devastating train crash in Balasore, Odisha, ISKCON Bahanaga temple has emerged as a crucial support center for the affected victims and dedicated volunteers. The temple, under construction, is just steps away from the accident scene…

India has recently witnessed a tragic train accident near Balasore, Orissa, leaving several hundred dead and many more maimed. In the face of such a devastating event, we offer our heartfelt prayers for those who have lost their loved ones and friends,…

Brahmacharis from the Monastery of the Holy Name in Lithuania continue their summer Harinama Sankirtana Tour to many Baltic and European cities.   The tour, which has happened annually since 2009, has already shared the Holy Names in Warsaw, Wrocław, L…