Our Activities and History
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a worldwide spiritual society dedicated to propagating the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Rather than a mundane mission, our focus is on performing and sharing practical spiritual activities that awaken the soul's natural love for God.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Founder–Acharya of ISKCON. Born in Calcutta, India, in 1896, he met his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in 1922, who instructed him to spread Krishna consciousness in the English-speaking world.
In 1965, at the age of 69, with unflinching trust in God and carrying only a few rupees and translations of sacred texts, he traveled to New York. In 1966, he founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Through his teachings, kirtans, and unparalleled translations of timeless Vedic scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam, he established a global spiritual revolution.
Acting on the platform of his spiritual identity, Srila Prabhupada completely dedicated his life to serve God, empowered to produce phenomenal accomplishments.
Named Abhay Charan ('fearless at the feet of God'), he undertook a bold mission with unflinching trust in Krishna, despite great personal hardship.
An authorised spiritual teacher in an unbroken succession traced back to God Himself, carrying the pure, unaltered wisdom of the original Vedic instructions.
Humble, truthful and pure. He inspired others to follow 'simple living, high thinking', always remaining modest and giving credit to others.
Created a worldwide spiritual and cultural revolution that encouraged society to seriously take to the process of God consciousness.
A teacher of teachers for the modern age. Translated more than 70 Vedic books into English, teaching and leading by flawless personal example.
Possessed selfless concern for the welfare of all living beings, enlightening humanity about our real, eternal identity as the soul rather than the temporary body.
Epitomised pure, unconditional love of the Supreme Lord. He circled the globe twelve times, spreading the message of pure devotion everywhere.
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे 🙏
Srila Prabhupada spent his final days with devotees in Vrindaban, India, absorbed in the thought of Krishna. After his departure here, his body was placed in samadhi adjacent to ISKCON’s Krishna-Balarama temple. The samadhi mandir is a beautifully designed, marble-clad building.
Traditionally, a garland worn by a spiritual master is placed in the ground to dedicate a site in his honor. Srila Prabhupada’s followers built a magnificent domed samadhi on the ISKCON campus at Mayapur, West Bengal, over garlands that he was wearing when he left his body.
The New Vrindaban community, near Moundsville, West Virginia, USA, is home to Srila Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, an ornate hilltop structure decorated with stained-glass windows, gold-leafing, intricate carving, and marble work.
At 26 2nd Avenue, Manhattan, New York, you’ll find the first temple Srila Prabhupada established in America. This small storefront—the previous tenants had named it “Matchless Gifts”—became the first home of the Hare Krishna movement.
At the following temples, devotees have carefully preserved the rooms where Srila Prabhupada lived.
