Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

The process of devotional life, as delineated in the four Vaishnava paths, is so systematic and detailed that almost one billion people in the world are considered followers of the Vaishnava tradition. For nearly 50 years, I have generally thought srav…

Welcoming Our Beloved Residents It is by the Lord’s Mercy that Krishna’s Home Assisted Living is now a sanctuary for four wonderful souls who have journeyed from afar to be in a Krishna-conscious home that supports their daily needs. As we reflec…

On July 29, 2024, Her Grace Saranagati Devi Dasi, a disciple of Giriraj Swami, departed her body around 1 pm in Mayapur. She was cremated that evening at Prabhupada Ghat. She left her body while her spiritual master was speaking to her via video call. …

In an inspiring display of dedication and endurance, 75-year-old Sivarama Swami, the former GBC of Hungary, successfully swam across the largest lake of the country, Lake Balaton, on July 20th to support an important translation project. This event is …

On July 16, 2024, Nilachal Vedic Village (NVV), ISKCON Talasari, hosted an event dedicated to supporting local villagers and children and promoting environmental sustainability. Nataraj Gauranga Das, under the guidance of Radhika Kanai Das, coordinated…

Krishna Balaram Ashram Team distributes prasadam at Sto. Niño National High School evacuation station. The severe aftermath of Typhoon Gaemi, one of the most powerful typhoons to hit the Asia-Pacific region in nearly a decade, has caused extensive flo…

On July 13, 2024, ISKCON Butwal held a paddy planting program to provide the required straw and grains for the cows and devotees. One hundred fifty devotees participated in the program, which aimed to promote sustainable farming practices and self-suff…

As World Hepatitis Day approaches on July 28th, the global community gears up to raise awareness about the significant burden of viral hepatitis. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the crucial role of liver health in overall huma…

It has been almost thirty years since I first attended a conference of the American Family Foundation, now the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). I was recently in Barcelona, Spain, for their latest international gathering.  What I’…

On July 8th, 2024, a missile attack in Kyiv heavily damaged the main children’s hospital in the city, leaving over forty dead in the strike. Food-for-Life Ukraine was on the scene quickly, providing fresh water and nourishing prasadam to rescue w…

Sivarama Swami presents the new Turkish Srimad-Bhagavatam at New Vraja-dhama in Hungary. The first edition of Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto One in Turkish has recently been published after years of dedicated effort. This project was led by Nrsimha Krishna Da…

Srila Prabhupada with Vishvambhara Das (on his right or directly behind). Please join us in prayers for Vishvambhara Das, who left his body on Guru-Purnima in Montreal, Canada.  According to his godbrother Deena Bandhu Das, “He went to France and…

“Srila Prabhupada has explained that the system of honoring the spiritual master is current in all sections of Vedic followers. In the Mayavadi (impersonalist) sects, the disciples offer respect to the spiritual master once a year, on Guru-purnim…

Mayapur Clean & Green, led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, along with ISKCON Mayapur Land Office Central and the Mayapur Environmental Protection Team, came together on July 7, 2024, to clean Sri Mayapur Dham and welcome Lord Jagannath on the first day…

Mrs. Nita Ambani with Radhanath Swami. On July 18th, the “Bhakti: The Art of Krishna” exhibit opened to the public for a limited one-month run, concluding on August 18th. The one-of-a-kind exhibition takes patrons on a transformative journe…

The 2024 Krishna Bhakti Art 4 exhibition, a transformative event hosted by the Krishna Balaram Ashram, was held in Manila on July 7th, 2024. Set against the backdrop of the Balaw Balaw Restaurant, a prominent art gallery in Manila, this annual event ca…

August 2, 2024 UPDATE: In our latest report from Partha Dasa, ISKCON News was told that residents were allowed back into the Valley for a few hours on Saturday to assess the damage. The fire has left a devastating impact, destroying three family homes …

On July 16, Anuttama Dasa, Global Minister of Communications for ISKCON released a letter and statement regarding a widely distributed story about the 1976 Rathayatra and former US President Donald J. Trump. “Dear Devotees of ISKCON, Please accep…

On July 13th, ISKCON celebrated the 58th anniversary of its incorporation by our Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada. As part of the incorporation, Prabhupada composed the “Seven Purposes of ISKCON.” To commemorate this anniversary, the ISKCON…

Bhaktivedanta Sarovar entrance, previously known as Victoria Square Park. On July 7, 2024, the city of Kolkata witnessed a historic moment with the inauguration of the Bhaktivedanta Sarovar, previously known as Victoria Square Park. This significant ev…

Sharing Srila Prabhupada’s books at the 2024 Paris Ratha Yatra. According to the June report, two temples shared their highest scores to date and two new metrics are now available: the first is books distributed per capita giving smaller countrie…

Jananivas Das, Braja Vilas Das and Sunanda Das with Lord Nityananda’s Padukas. More inspiring news is flowing out of New Navadvip Dham in Rio Grand Valley south Texas which witnessed the arrival of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas. Jananivas Das, …

On July 7th, the city of Kolkata resounded with joyous kirtan as the transcendental Ratha-yatra procession of their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi made its way through the crowded streets. This is the 53rd Kolkata Ratha-yatra….

Subhadra and Sudarshana on Their Rath cart. On July 7th, ISKCON Kolkata celebrated its 53rd Rath Yatra, the second-largest Rath Yatra in the world after Puri. The presiding deities, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra, were mounted on beautifully de…

Recently, there was a 10-day annual kids’ summer camp held in Mayapur in collaboration with devotees from Chennai. The camp, which ran from June 10th to June 21st, catered to children aged six to twelve and focused on the theme of “Forest L…

Ekendra Das finishing his 1,500th edit on the last chapter of “Let There Be A Temple.” Ekendra Das has undertaken the monumental task of recording an unabridged audiobook of “Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita,” which is a detailed acco…

Some of the brahmacharis serving in the kitchen with New Raman Reti community members. In response to increasing interest in Krishna consciousness and the challenges of accommodating newcomers, ISKCON’s New Raman Reti Temple in Alachua has establ…

ISKCON of Harrisburg is gearing up to celebrate its 14th Annual Hare Krishna Festival of India on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Island in Harrisburg. Harrisburg is only a short drive from most major cities on the East Coast – …

Priya Gopinath Das, General Secretary for ISKCON Mayapur, has released the following urgent request to devotees: “I am writing to seek prayers from around the world for Myanmar. The country has been facing a severe crisis due to political and arm…