Syama Gauri Devi Devi and Priya Kunda Das (third and fourth from right).

Syama Gauri Devi Dasi, originally from Hungary, shared some of her spiritual journey in a recent interview with ISKCON News. Her service over the years has taken her around Europe, including temples in Budapest, Scotland, and most recently to Folkestone, UK. She now lives there with her husband, Priya Kunda Das who hails from Liverpool, and together they run a small preaching center called Atma Lounge in the seaside town of Folkestone, in southern England.

From a young age, Syama Gauri sought answers to life’s more profound questions despite being raised in an atheist environment. “I could never reconcile with the atheist idea that we cease to exist,” she recalled. At 18, a friend introduced her to a Catholic priest who helped her believe in God’s existence after hours of conversation. He helped her see that life’s purpose was to connect with Him.

At 21, her path took a profound turn when she attended a Hare Krishna program in Hungary. “Hearing the monk speak about the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita was a ‘lightbulb’ moment. It was exactly what I had been searching for,” she said. After reading The Science of Self-Realization (recommended to her by the monk), she also explored the Bhagavad-gita. Shortly after, she met more devotees and soon surrendered her life to Krishna.

In 1992, Syama Gauri officially joined the Hare Krishna movement. Later in 1999, she moved to the UK, where she dedicated herself to book distribution and congregational preaching. She also performed pujari service in Scotland, where she served as the temple commander for two and a half years.

Her inspiration to start Atma Lounge with her husband came from her early days in Krishna Consciousness, when she opened a small preaching center with three other Vaishnavis. “We would go out on Sankirtan every day—distributing books and leaflets and inviting people to programs. It was a humble start, but those years built the foundation for what I’m doing now,” she shared.

Atma Lounge has since blossomed into a place of vibrant spiritual activity, offering meditation classes, Bhagavatam readings, and community gatherings. Describing the space, she said, “We have a little shop on the first floor where we sell Indian and Nepali goods alongside a temple room and kitchen. On the second floor, we have a meditation room and one guest room where a devotee stays. For 25 years, she has run a vegetarian eatery called Cafe Atma, but now it’s a “Prasadarian” cafe, as everything served has been offered. “We joined the cafe and shop and are running them together,” explained Syama Gauri Devi Dasi.

One of the other vital aspects of their service is the focus on the spiritual growth of their congregation. At its center is a small altar, which has their personal Gaura Nitai Deities, along with Srila Prabhupada and Prahlad Narsimhadev. Syama Gauri said, “The primary focus of the center is preaching, and the Deities serve as a source of inspiration for the devotees. We do home worship. So even though they are on the altar in the preaching center, They are still our personal deities, and the devotees love to bring gifts for Them.”

Syama Gauri and her husband also guide devotees through a structured spiritual progress system called Atma Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Participants gradually increase their commitment to Krishna Consciousness by chanting more rounds and following regulative principles. “Watching someone advance is a truly joyful experience, like seeing a child pass an important exam,” she said.

Instead of giving the class themselves, they broadcast recorded lectures from senior devotees around the world. Following the class, they dedicate half an hour every morning to reading the Bhagavatam.

The Atma Lounge is known for its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant Sunday Feast. One devotee, Bala Nimai Das, shared, “My wife and I found Atma Lounge after the COVID lockdown, and the warm community and spirit of service immediately touched us. Our two-year-old daughter has thrived here, surrounded by love and care. The Deities are adorned with handmade outfits, custom backdrops, and themed decorations that become more elaborate with each festival. I am deeply grateful to Priya Kunda Prabhu and Syama Gauri Mataji for their exceptional service and dedication.”

Luci, another devotee, expressed gratitude for the encouragement and mentorship at the center. “Since being under their care, I have been taking part in their Atma lounge award scheme, which encourages devotees to gradually chant more rounds, read books of Srila Prabhupada, and start to follow the regulative principles under the mentorship of senior devotees. It has been a great help to practicing Krishna consciousness,” she said.

Looking ahead, Syama Gauri and her husband are planning an exciting new initiative called the Little Mayapur Project. It aims to create a Krishna-conscious community in Kent, where devotees can bring their families to stay in caravans or tents for summer holidays, engage in retreats led by devotee yoga teachers, and practice Krishna Consciousness together. “Three families are already committed to living there, and we plan to homeschool the children as a community. More details will be available on the website soon,” shared Syama Gauri.

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