The “World Holy Name Festival,” commemorating the September 17th arrival of Srila Prabhupada in America on September 17, 1965, will be marked by devotees worldwide on September 17-23, 2023. This expression of gratitude to ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya is organized by ISKCON’s Kirtan Ministry, headed by Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami, Jagannatha Kirtananda Das, and Dinanukampa Devi Dasi. 

The annual “World Holy Name Festival,” branded the “World Kirtan Festival” in North America and Europe, hopes to equip and inspire devotees to more fully and joyfully embrace and spread the Holy Names. This year, they have added a new feature, a pre-festival global Japathon, on September 10, CST 9 am to 9 pm (IST 7:30 pm to 7:30 am, Sept 11).

Organizers encourage creative celebrations at every ISKCON Center, Namahatta, and Bhakti Vrksa, and devotees are encouraged to share how they are preparing for and celebrating the festival this year on the ministry’s Facebook page. ISKCON’s Kirtan Minister Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami is proposing three primary ways to engage this commemoration, “Devotees are encouraged to have Fresh Air Kirtans, to go out of the temple, out in the streets. Secondly, join the Fortunate People campaign. You can download the app (Apple, Android) and share your videos of people chanting the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra,” he continued, “The third invitation is to participate in our daily online festival, September 17th-23rd from 6-9 pm IST.” These engaging daily sessions will include kirtan standards, Sanskrit pronunciation, kirtan instrument lessons, and classes on the Holy Name from some of ISKCON’s most realized and senior teachers. 

“Our mission is to light the fire of enthusiasm for chanting the Holy Name in every person you meet,” said Sri Krishna Chaitanya, “starting with yourself!”

Visit their website to discover all the details, download resources, and more. Promote and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Telegram. You can also share their promotional videos 1, 2 on your social media or temple channels. For specific questions or to share your reports, realizations, and experiences, please email whnfestival@gmail.com.