Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON's Global Communications Minister and GBC member, recently toured the Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Center, a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital located in Mumbai, India, across the street from the ISKCON Mira Road Temple. People come from all over the world to receive treatment here because of the emphasis on the spiritual, physical, and mental well-being of the patient. Beginning as the Bhaktivedanta Polyclinic in 1993 and later the expanded Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Center in 1998, it is now regarded as one of the most state-of-the-art medical and research facilities in all of India. A typical day will welcome over 2,500 visitors, while the lobby will see an average of 700 patients daily.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, the ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry is hosting a 'Celebrating the Sacred Feminine' campaign. Srila Prabhupada said, “Actually, woman is considered as goddess of fortune, representative of goddess of fortune. We are misusing for sense gratification. No. They should be respected as goddess of fortune” (Initiation Lecture, 15 August 1968).
Recently, ISKCON devotees participated in the UK Women's Faith Forum's inaugural event, "Keeping Hatred Off Our Streets." The February 28th gathering in Parliament included women from across five major faith groups who are working collectively to ensure that the experiences, skills, and dedication of women in faith communities are focused on today's key issues.
Thousands are in Sri Mayapur Dham to celebrate the opening of the TOVP Nrsimhadeva Wing following the 150th Vyasa-puja of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. A schedule of the 150th Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and Nrsimhadeva Mohotsava can be found below. Click here for the entire schedule of the three days from January 29 – March 2 in an online flipbook that is downloadable and shareable. The entire program will also be broadcast live on Mayapur TV here.
On Sunday, February 11th, ISKCON Auckland hosted their annual Festival of Colours, welcoming thousands to the Hare Krishna Centre campus, a 100-acre haven located 30 minutes drive from Auckland city center in New Zealand.
On February 10th, hundreds gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, for the annual Jagannatha Ratha-Yatra parade hosted by ISKCON of Phoenix. In addition to the procession, a festival was held at the Steele Indian School Park, which included book distribution, yoga and meditation, henna and face painting, children's activities, cultural programs, dance presentations, and the distribution of 1,000 plates of prasadam. Though inclement weather threatened the event, it was marked by a special divine touch.
Medical professionals from across the nation gathered at the serene Veda Foundation in DeLand, Florida, February 2nd-4th, for the 6th Annual Conference of the Bhaktivedanta Medical Association US. Inspired by the divine instruction and desire of Bhakti Charu Swami, this transformative retreat, organized by BMA Secretary Dr. Prasanna Tadi and Prasannatma Das, in collaboration with the Veda Foundation, provided a sanctuary for attendees to rejuvenate and realign their focus on holistic well-being.
Floridian youth and young adult devotees participated in the annual Gasparilla Parade held in Tampa, Florida, on January 20th, bringing the mercy of Lord Jagannath to the third-largest parade in the United States.
Eight and a half years ago, Sharana Prada Das came to Mayapur following his spiritual journey in the 1990s when he first discovered the philosophy he yearned for in Srila Prabhupada's "Teachings Of Lord Chaitanya." His relentless dedication in Mayapur has helped transform the Russian-speaking community into a vibrant cultural center.