From Vrindavan to Vancouver, Belgium to Bangkok, New York to New Delhi, hundreds of thousands of Krishna devotees are beginning to gather at ISKCON temples and centers worldwide to celebrate Janmashtami. ISKCON devotees first celebrated the festival with Srila Prabhupada at the New York storefront in 1966.
Toowoomba, QLD: In a jubilant display of spirituality and community camaraderie, the city of Toowoomba witnessed its first-ever International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Ratha Yatra Festival on July 22, 2023. Organized by Hare Krishna Toowoomba, the event drew over 900 participants from both Toowoomba and beyond, making it a resounding success and an occasion to remember.
The Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) displayed priceless treasures from their library collection at the 52nd Kolkata Rath Yatra festival held June 20-28th. The Kolkata Rath Yatra is a grand chariot festival celebrated in West Bengal, India. The annual event is organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and welcomes thousands annually.
In the heart of South Africa, a dedicated team of devotees has come together to form the African Ratha Yatra Alliance or ARYA. Led by Baladev Jagannath Das, the coordinator of programs and logistics, ARYA has been enthusiastically working to bring the devotional vibrancy of Ratha Yatra festivals to different corners of Africa. In a recent interview, Baladev shared the inspiring journey of ARYA and shed light on the challenges they have faced along the way.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced this week that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed a bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Huchul.
HARRISBURG, June 27, 2023 - The International Society for Krishna Consciousness of Harrisburg (ISKCON of Harrisburg) is gearing up to celebrate its 13th Annual Hare Krishna Festival of India on Saturday, July 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Island in Harrisburg. Harrisburg is only a short drive from most major cities on the East Coast - 3 hours from New York City and 2 hours from most towns in New Jersey, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.
Devotees recently celebrated the Ratha Yatra festival in the streets of Eindhoven, Holland. Their Lordships, accompanied by marching bands and patriotic floats, bestowed darshan upon the enthusiastic crowds of Eindhoveans.
Narasimha Caturdasi Festival, in ISKCON Simhachalam, situated in the Bavarian Hills in Germany, was a grand collection of festivities, including kirtan, dancing swamis, and spellbinding darshans this year.
When weather reports predicted snow and cold on the day of the legendary Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, this year, Caru took the optimistic approach, “The Festival of Colors has been held ‘rain or shine’ for 28 years continuously,” Caru remarked. “Some of the best, most fun times have been had in rain and snow. It’s a messy event anyway, so what’s the problem? Going to be cold? That’s why we dance!”