Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

An important judgment was announced by the New York State Court on October 25, 2023. Below is a previous ISKCON News press release from Oct. 16, 2017, which summarizes the case: “A North American legal case that has lasted almost two decades took a dec…

Dear Worldwide ISKCON Devotees and Congregation, Please accept our obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. We would like to wish you a happy Kartik month full of divine service to Lord Damodar and hope you and your family are well and in blissful …

October 27, 2023 – “Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder.” was released by Peacock via streaming service in the United States on October 24. The documentary, a 3-part, 3-hour mini-series, is an in-depth study of the gradual descent into act…

On Tuesday, October 17, Gopi Gita Schomaker, aka Mother Gopi Gita, Founder of Leadership Parenting, presented a western song, bhakti mantras and Leadership Parenting to a full concert hall at the Portland House of Music. This was the culmination of man…

The innovative Dāmodara Program, conceived by the Congregational Development Ministry, extends a gracious invitation to individuals to participate in the sacred ritual of offering lamps to Lord Dāmodara during the holy month of Kārtika. This year&#8217…

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education is organizing a combination onsite/online CAREER DHARMA seminar by Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Urmila Edith Best). For all the seekers who wish to know more about their nature and how to find a matching …

Left to right, back row, Syama Mohinī dd, Premadhatri dd (TP),  NamaPriya dd, l-to-r,  front row, Parth, Divya & Nikhit (3 of our Child Protection Ambassadors) holding the 2022 Safe Temple Award. In light of the 25th anniversary of ISKCON’s C…

What began as a heartfelt endeavor to share the joys of spirituality and unity has blossomed into a global phenomenon known as the Festival of Colors (FOC). Caru Das, popularly known as Caru-MC, held his first FOC in Spanish Fork in 1995. Little did he…

Hospice patients and devotees raising their hands in “Haribol!” before pictures of Yashoda and Lord Krsna located on the center table. Note: All patients’ names have been changed to protect their identities and the hospice’s nam…

Gitanjali Dasi (left), participants performing at the event (right). ISKCON Nairobi – The Bhaktivedanta Nritya Academy, under the guidance of Gitanjali Parida and Sandhya Iyer, recently showcased an enthralling dance drama inspired by the epic sa…

Artist rendering of the Krishna Balaram Cultural Center.  Vrindavan, India — In the heart of Vraj, where the sacred land resonates with the divine presence of Lord Krishna, a remarkable project is underway that seeks to honor a spiritual legacy, uphold…

ISKCON leaders Visakha Dasi, Vinay Tanna, and Radha Mohan Das from the Bhaktivedanta Manor joined senior faith leaders today at St Albans Cathedral as a witness for peace in the Middle East. They were invited by HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Mr. …

Over 80 ISKCON leaders gathered at the ISKCON temple and cultural center in Houston, Texas, for the annual North American Leadership Conference on October 13-15th to discuss key issues, network, share resources, and empower leaders to serve their respe…

This month,  the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)  interviewed Anuttama Dasa, the International Director of Communications and a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC), regarding the celebration of Navaratri and Dussehra from the perspective of a…

BRC presents endowment check to Presidency University. As an unprecedentedly unique offering to our illustrious Guru-paramparā and the Vaiṣṇava community, the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) established an endowment in honour of Śrīla Saccidānanda …

On October 15, 2023, ISCKON devotees, locals, and well-wishers gathered for the dedication of the new Krishna Balarama Hall in Vrindavan Dham. This building is part of the larger Krishna Balaram Cultural Center project that ISKCON News will report on t…

ISKCON News is continuing to follow developments in the Israel-Hamas war.  Details on the ground are changing hour by hour, but we are striving to bring you the latest from multiple sources. From ISKCON Israel, “At the moment, devotees are follow…

Chaitanya Chandra Dasa has unveiled his latest offering, an e-book titled “Traps in our Path Back to Godhead.” Drawing inspiration from a publication by Suhotra Swami during the 1990s, this e-book sets a philosophical foundation to illumina…

Vibhu Chaitanya Das, host of “Unveiling the Spirit and Temple President, ISKCON Sandton Located in the wealthiest mile of Africa, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Sandton – South Africa has embarked on an endeavo…

L-to-R, Namamrita Das, Jiva Gaurangi Dasi, “Jiva G,” and Yogesvara Das. Alachua, Florida – The Bhakti Recovery Group (BRG) Convention, held recently in Alachua, Florida, has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals navigating the c…

The jackfruit tree under which Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON was born on 1st September 1896, is now withering and needs attention. It is situated at Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace in Kolkata, which was opened in 2021. A memorial …

The new Bhaktivedanta Institute journal, Purva-paksa: Fine-Tuning Opposing Views, was a  “#1 New Release” in the Hindu History category for its inaugural edition of the publication. The multivolume journal features recent research of scholars worldwide…

Rupotsava, an annual celebration dedicated to Srila Rupa Gosvami, unfolded its enchanting festivities at the Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) this year. Commencing on the 25th of August and concluding on the 28th, the event marked the dis…

October 12, 2023 Dear Devotees of ISKCON, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Many devotees have contacted the Communications Ministry in the last day or two with concerns regarding the Peacock Studio’s film that …

Madana-gopala Dasa being welcomed by BAPS leaders with tilak and gifts during the multi-day inauguration festivities at the BAPS Akshardham Temple, Robbinsville, NJ The largest Hindu temple in the U.S. recently held a multi-day inauguration celebration…

Ecstatic Kirtan with Madhava hosted by the Bliss House at Yoga in Motion. San Antonio, Texas, often renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic beauty, is also home to a thriving and dynamic ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Cons…

Dignitaries on the Dais- Left to right (audience perspective): HG Varada Krishna Das ( Temple President – ISKCON HBR Layout), HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami (Zonal Supervisor & ISKCON Coimbatore Temple President), Honourable Member of Parliament Sri Tejasv…

The Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) is organizing a dynamic six-day onsite Teacher Training Course (TTC) in the holy month of Kartik from 18th-23rd November 2023 with Aniruddha Dasa and Bimala Prasad Dasa leading TTC1 and TTC2 respective…

Kirtan party within the inner dwellings of the informal settlement. All photos courtesy of Ananta Vrindavana Dasa. On Saturday, 7 October, His Holiness Indradyumna Swami visited the informal Bottlebrush settlement in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Reside…

ISKCON News has been given some individual, unconfirmed information from devotees in Israel but is awaiting more official reports from ISKCON leadership on any possible impact on individuals or communities. Currently, we have no reports of any ISKCON d…

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON has released a decision clarifying initiation standards in ISKCON. The decision came, in part, as a response to a thorough paper produced by ISKCON’s Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) entitled “Bra…

History was made on October 1, 2023, as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) proudly welcomed its first centre in the North West province of South Africa. The event was a testament to the dedication of the Klerksdorp Hindu Samaj…

ISKCON’s Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture held its first European Farm Conference with face-to-face attendees following a three-year gap due to COVID-19. The September 29th-October 1st event brought leaders from across Europe together t…

Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications, was in the Senate wing of the US Capitol on Tuesday when the House of Representatives voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position, a first in congressional history. It was a fr…

Gauranga Darshan Das, an educator, TEDx speaker, and spiritual author of over 32 books, has recently published “Dhruva: Relationship & Success Sutras from the Story of a Celebrated Prince” under the Penguin Ananda banner from Penguin Ra…

ISKCON’s Mayapur Academy has announced its International Diploma Course in Deity Worship to be held from October 21, 2023 – February 26, 2024, at ISKCON Mayapur, situated on the banks of the Ganges River in West Bengal, India. The course wi…