Author Archives: Thomas Haribol

Statement from the Executive Committee of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission August 11, 2024 Dear ISKCON Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. We write regarding the current situation in Bangladesh. Most of y…

The ISKCON Ministry of Education is delighted to announce this year’s “Books Are The Basis” week. This global celebration will be held from September 18th to 24th to commemorate the significance of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America. In the sp…

The Srila Prabhupada International Heritage Museum, under the guidance of TOVP Chairman Ambarisa Das and Svaha Dasi, will be constructed in three phases. The first phase will cover 1,000 square feet and will open on February 18, 2025, during the Intern…

The Prabhupada Network Team, under the leadership of Janmastami Dasa, successfully organized three Srila Prabhupada Connect Day events from July 27-28, 2024 in Sri Mayapur Dham. The events were designed to commemorate the 58th anniversary of ISKCON&#82…

Destructive and deadly landslides and widespread flooding from torrential rains have killed hundreds and left thousands homeless in southern India’s Kerala state. ISKCON Trivandrum immediately began taking action to supply both essentials items a…

The award given to the UK Gurukula; Gunacuda Dasi, the Headteacher. The UK Gurukula, also known as the Hare Krishna Primary School, received a 2024 Social Impact Schools Award this summer. These awards recognize schools and their students for having a …

Reality TV mega stars Kim and Khloe Kardashian opted for a spiritual experience during their recent visit to Mumbai, India. The celebrity sisters, who were in the city to attend the wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, took time o…

The ISKCON Temple in DC, with its spacious and beautiful new facilities, is able to serve as a significant venue for large gatherings and events in the nation’s capital. This not only benefits the devotees but also strengthens the Temple’s partne…

In a heartwarming gesture of support and care, Hare Krsna TV has generously distributed free umbrellas to ISKCON brahmacharis, temple congregation members, and staff across more than 100 temples and centers. This thoughtful initiative not only provides…

The situation in Bangladesh remains tense due to the continuing political unrest. ISKCON devotees and friends are asked to continue their prayers for the Bangladeshi devotees, Deities, and temples, and the Bangladeshi people. As of 4:30 PM BST (Banglad…

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…