Bhakti Vinoda Swami, Director of Bhaktivedanta Academy, ISKCON Coimbatore, speaking at the podium. Left to right on stage: Dr.Nandagopal (Director of XIME), Sukadeva Swami (Temple President, ISKCON, Nellore), Dr.Krupakar Murali, and his wife Kasthuri Priya (Research Director in JKKM Institutions).

Bhaktivedanta Academy, Coimbatore, crossed a significant milestone on April 13, 2025, as it celebrated its Silver Jubilee, commemorating 25 years of steadfast commitment to the dissemination of spiritual education. The celebration was held at the tranquil premises of ISKCON Coimbatore’s upcoming Kovai Chandra temple project, which is currently nearing completion. The event witnessed the gracious presence of devotees, students, faculty members, and well-wishers who came together to honour the Academy’s enduring legacy. The evening comprised kirtan, a report of the Academy’s activities, spiritual talks, felicitating the facilitators, a convocation ceremony for Bhakti Vaibhava and Bhakti Sastri students, cultural programs, and ending with a sumptuous prasadam feast.

The evening commenced on a deeply devotional note with a soul-stirring kirtan, immersing the audience in a spiritually charged atmosphere. This was followed by traditional prayers and the ceremonial lighting of lamps, invoking divine blessings and setting a sacred tone for the proceedings.

The event was blessed by the esteemed presence of Sukhadeva Goswami, an initiating spiritual master, preacher, and author of several spiritual works, who served as the chief guest. The program was presided over by Bhakti Vinoda Swami, Director of Bhaktivedanta Academy Coimbatore and Zonal Secretary for Kerala and West Tamil Nadu. Their enlightening addresses offered profound spiritual insights, heartfelt blessings, and inspiration, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance and reaffirming the Academy’s mission of scriptural education rooted in devotion.

A detailed report on the Academy’s progress was presented. For the past 25 years, Bhaktivedanta Academy has conducted Bhakti-Sastri courses in four languages—English, Tamil, Malayalam, and Bengali—with over 500 students having successfully completed the program under the guidance of senior facilitators such as Bhakti Vinoda Swami, Atul Krsna Das, Vanamali Gopal Das, Hari Lila Das, among others. The Bhakti Vaibhava course is currently offered in English and Tamil, with plans to introduce it in Malayalam. The Academy also aims to launch the Bhakti Vedanta course in the near future.

In addition, the Academy conducts the Founder-Acharya course, as well as various seminars and workshops, such as the Leadership Course, Japa workshop, Sadachar, and Women in KC led by senior devotees, including Suresvar Das, Mahatma Das, and Devaki Devi Dasi. Its outreach also extends to value education programs and FOLK (Friends of Lord Krishna) clubs for school children. Youth engagement is fostered through dynamic programs like “Entho,” “Freedom,” and “Thank God It’s Saturday,” which combine philosophy, music, and prasadam. The Academy also hosts Corporate Connect sessions, bridging spiritual values with professional life.

The highlight of the evening was the Bhakti Convocation Ceremony, which honoured the graduates of the Academy’s scriptural study programs. A total of 50 students received the Bhakti Vaibhava degree in English, while 114 students were awarded Bhakti-Sastri degrees across four languages: 27 in English, 52 in Tamil, 34 in Malayalam, and 1 in Bengali. These achievements reflect the Academy’s expanding multilingual outreach and growing impact in the realm of Vedic education.

The celebration also recognized and honoured several dedicated devotees whose tireless service and commitment have been instrumental in delivering the Academy’s multilingual programs and mentoring hundreds of students over the years.

Adding a touch of creativity and devotion, Bhakti-Sastri students presented a captivating skit that illustrated philosophical themes through practical, real-life narratives. Their performance was warmly received and deeply appreciated by the audience. A devotional song was also offered in tribute to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. The heartfelt rendition resonated with gratitude and reverence, honouring his monumental contribution to the global spread of Krishna Consciousness.

The celebration concluded with the distribution of sumptuous prasadam, lovingly prepared and served to all attendees, fostering unity, joy, and spiritual fulfilment, and bringing the event to a warm and satisfying close.

The Silver Jubilee celebration stood as a radiant testament to Bhaktivedanta Academy’s enduring mission: to cultivate devotional wisdom, foster academic excellence, and provide a firm foundation in Krishna Consciousness. It was not merely a commemoration of the past, but a powerful reaffirmation of the Academy’s vision for the future—to continue nurturing spiritual seekers through education, service, and unwavering devotion.

Graduates also gave testimonials. For example, Pramila Krishnan said, “For me, Bhakti Sastri was an incredible journey – initially I was reluctant, but as it started, I didn’t want it to end. I learnt something from every session, making me rethink and question what I had been doing all these years. There was a lot of unlearning to be done. I really love the Isopanisad and Upadesamrta for their practical instructions. I can now say that I am trying to follow the teachings of the Lord given in the Bhagavad-gita. There are so many life lessons, truths about life, and the purpose of life that I learnt from the teachers. It has made a difference in the way I face situations, how I see people, and also how I see myself.”

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