Contrary to some erroneous reports in Indian media, ISKCON of Houston plans to hold its Festival of Bliss on Saturday, November 9th. The following is a statement from Saranga Thakur Dasa, President, ISKCON of Houston:

“ISKCON Houston To Adapt Its Festival for 2024

In the spirit of cooperation, ISKCON Houston is voluntarily adapting its Festival of Bliss plans for 2024, by featuring the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, who famously brought the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra out of the temples to make it available for all, regardless of class, caste, religion, ethnicity, or culture.

The Festival of Bliss event, to be held this Saturday, November 9th, will showcase cultural expressions of the joyful and beautiful practice of bhakti-yoga (devotional service) via a chariot parade, yoga classes, kirtan (musical meditations), a color festival, a free feast of sanctified vegetarian food, and more.

The Houston temple had originally planned for the Deities of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra to be the center of the chariot parade. However, there was a concern raised by some of our friends in the local community, so we decided to make a slight change of plans. For ISKCON, the opportunity to have Festival attendees have darshan of Lord Jagannath is a central feature of the event. For others, however, compliance to ancient tradition and calendars is the priority.

We understand there is a meeting planned in India next month between ISKCON and Puri officials to discuss these points in detail, and to seek mutual agreement whereby–as much as possible–the traditional calendar as well as the Lord’s desire for people all over the world to have His darshan and participate in His festivals can be honored.

Our Houston celebration is called the Festival of Bliss because it highlights the diversity of our culture, the warmth of unity and harmony in our tradition, and the inclusiveness of our Krishna bhakti theology. Therefore, although we are deeply attached to having Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra be the center of our event, in the mood of cooperation and unity, we have decided that for this year, ISKCON of Houston is voluntarily adapting its Festival of Bliss plans and featuring the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai.

For those wishing to have the Darshan of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva & Subhadra, the Deities will be open to the public daily from 4:30 AM to 9 PM at the ISKCON of Houston temple, at 1320 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018 standing and smiling as They always do, along with Sri Sri Radha Nilamadhava, Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, Sri Sri Giriraj Govardhan, Sri Sri Nitai Caitanya Chandra and Sri Sri Gaura Chandra Deities.”