The ISKCON community in Mogok, Myanmar, has been significantly impacted by a recent armed conflict in the area. One side of the dispute has taken positions within the temple premises. Some devotees have evacuated, while others are taking refuge in a safe room. The Deities have been relocated to safety. Urgent prayers from the worldwide devotee community are requested. See the report below from Tapana Mishra Das, GBC Executive Committee Vice-Chair.

“Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I am writing to you on behalf of the devotees in Myanmar because we would prefer to keep their identities confidential, given the current turmoil. Some of you have traveled to Myanmar previously and would recall the sincere service performed by our late Srivas Pandit Prabhu to build the Yatra despite severe odds.

With heavy hearts, we share with you the grave situation facing the ISKCON temples in Myanmar, specifically in Mogok. Due to the ongoing conflict over the past three days between armed groups in the region, our temple has become a site of turmoil. ISKCON Mogok, which spans 13 acres with hills, in specific has been significantly impacted. One of the armed groups has taken positions within the temple premises, making it their main base, and there is continuous firing. Considering the severity of the situation, all the temple Brahmacharis and devotees have had to evacuate for their safety.

This crisis has brought immense distress and uncertainty. The Temple’s Deities of Gaura Nitai have been relocated to a safer place, an underground devotee house. However, some devotees are still in the temple, taking refuge in a safe room, and we are striving to ensure the well-being of all involved.

We humbly request urgent prayers from the ISKCON community worldwide for the safety and well-being of all the devotees in Myanmar.

Your servant, Tapana Mishra Das.”