ISKCON of Houston is preparing to celebrate a decade of joy, spirituality, devotion, and community spirit with a 10th-anniversary celebration of the installation of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari and the opening of our temple in 2014. We are thrilled to extend a heartfelt invitation to you all to join us for this festival on June 8 and 9, 2024. 

The History of ISKCON of Houston

The first community, led by Hridayananda Goswami and HH Vishnujana Swami, began in 1971 in a Montrose area home with deity pictures. 

In 1974, the community relocated to a larger facility on Rosalie Street in downtown Houston, where the Deities Sri Sri Nitai Chandra and Sri Sri Chaitanya Chandra (Gaura Nitai Deities) were installed. ISKCON of Houston was formally incorporated in 1977 as a non-profit organization. 

Subsequently, in 1979, smaller Gaura Nitai Deities, Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Chandra, were also installed. With the growing congregation, the need for more space became evident, leading to the purchase of the current location on West 34th Street in 1984. Previously a church, the building was renovated to become the new temple. With the renovation completed in 1986, our presiding Deities, Sri Sri Radha Nila-Madhava, were installed, followed by Sri Sri Giriraj Govardhan in 1989.

In 1992, smaller Radha Krishna Deities, Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, were brought to the Houston Temple. Gauranga Hall, which served as a cultural center and gathering facility, was constructed in 1996.

Under the guidance and inspiration of HH Tamal Krishna Goswami, the temple management embarked on a monumental project to build a unique temple to better serve the spiritual needs of the community and please Sri Sri Radha Nila Madhava. The culmination of this endeavor was the relocation of all Deities, including Sri Sri Radha Nila Madhava, to their new home. 

Simultaneously, Sri Sri Radha Giridhari were installed at this time. The grand opening festival in 2014 attracted over 10,000 devotees, marking the inauguration of the state-of-the-art new temple with immense fervor and festivity. 

Over the past ten years, the community has expanded with the addition of Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine, the Goswami Academy (a 12,000 square-foot school for children), a 21-unit apartment complex (across from the temple), and the large Bhakti Urban Farm located just a few miles away from the temple. 

Over the past decade, we’ve shared countless moments of devotion, growth, and community spirit. As we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this milestone, we cannot help but feel immense gratitude for every one of you who has contributed to the vibrancy and vitality of our temple life. Join us as we come together to honor this special occasion with joyous festivities, uplifting kirtan, enlightening discourses, Abhisekh of our Deities, a Boat Festival, and the warmth of your association. Your presence will make this celebration truly complete. 

Please join us on June 8 and 9, 2024 (Saturday and Sunday) to rejoice in the divine blessings that have graced our temple over the past ten years and set our sights on an even brighter future ahead. The festival will be from 4 pm to 8 pm on both days. We eagerly anticipate sharing this momentous occasion with you all.

For more information about the event, please visit our website. You can also follow our ongoing events and the latest details about the anniversary celebration on our Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter accounts.