Devotion. Service. Love.
A great ancient spiritual tradition, dating back over 5,000 years, was revived by the saint Srila Prabhupada on July 13, 1966. This Global Hare Krishna Movement, predicted by Vedic scriptures and nurtured over centuries by a lineage of spiritual disciples and teachers, has the core mission to help all souls in this world renew their loving connection with God.
Alone, without friends or resources, he wandered the city streets in his saffron robes. What he saw around him did not inspire confidence. "What can I do? Who will accept this message, especially in this country so consumed by a materialistic way of life? These people love meat, wine, and illicit sex. I will say, 'Leave everything.' Who will accept this? How will they understand this message? They will say, 'please, go back home.' I have no hope, but I will try...," — Srila Prabhupada recalled.
WORLDWIDE HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT
ISKCON
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
BBT
BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST
His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

ISKCON Today.

Incredible statistics. The Hare Krishna Movement, also known as ISKCON or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is a global spiritual community that unites millions of people in over 80 countries. This movement of mercy has spread to all continents of the world.

  • 10+

    million followers worldwide

  • 2 000+

    temples worldwide

  • 65+

    agricultural communities

  • 8,7+

    billion servings of prasadam distributed globally

  • 55+

    educational institutions

  • in 89

    languages books published

  • 300+

    restaurants

  • 100+

    gurus, spiritual masters

SRILA PRABHUPADA
HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT
ISKCON
THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
BBT
THE BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST
The ultimate Goal.

The Hare Krishna Movement explores the science of pure devotional love for God, embodied by the divine couple: Krishna and His Supreme energy of Love, Shrimati Radharani (Hare).

Hare Krishna Mantra.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

Everyone can benefit spiritually by the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. When the transcendental vibration of Hare Krishna is sounded, even the trees, animals and insects benefit. Thus when one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra loudly, he actually shows mercy to all living entities.

After a year of wandering and gathering a few followers in New York, Srila Prabhupada registered the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) — colloquially known as the Hare Krishna Movement — in July. A month later, an article, “Swami's Flock Chants in Park to Find Ecstasy,” appeared in the New York Times, about ‘50 Followers Clap and Sway to Hypnotic Music at East Side Ceremony.’ In no time, the Hare Krishna movement’s popularity exploded.


The Supreme Lifestyle.
The spiritual path of Bhakti Yoga involves the practice of loving devotional service to God, embodied by the eternal divine couple, Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare). The lifestyle of a Vaishnava (practitioner) is deeply intertwined with devotion to these two beautiful personalities.
Mantra
The sound form of Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare). Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra (silent — japa, loud — kirtan) helps purify the mind and heart, instantly connects you with Them, and allows you to feel Their presence.
Books
The literary form of Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare). Reading sacred texts such as the "Bhagavad-Gita," "Srimad Bhagavatam," and "Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita" enables you to encounter God within the pages of these scriptures.
Deities
The manifested forms of Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare) in this world are indistinguishable from their eternal spiritual forms, allowing devotees to serve Them directly.
Prasad
Vegetarian food offered to Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare) becomes sanctified and conveys spiritual strength and love, helping to purify the mind and body and establish a connection with God.
Sadhu
Saints, bearers of Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare) in their hearts, are spiritual masters and mentors, sources of inspiration, demonstrating a living example of devotion, service, and love.
Dhama
A Holy place indistinguishable from the spiritual world, where Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare) reside. Visiting Dhama deepens spiritual consciousness and helps you feel closer to God. Examples of Dhama include Vrindavan and Mayapur.
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Billion Spiritual Books.
ISKCON globally disseminates ancient spiritual sacred literature in 89 languages, helping individuals find meaning in life, organize their lives according to spiritual principles, and learn to serve and love God.
Bhagavad Gita As It Is
This is an eternal dialogue between Krishna (God) and Arjuna (the soul), in which Krishna provides practical advice, recommendations, and guidance on how to properly organize one's life and achieve spiritual perfection, in order to return home to God.
Read Online
Srimad Bhagavatam
A grand ancient text that describes how the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, manifests in various forms, across different epochs, and to individuals of varying degrees of devotional closeness to God.
Read Online
Sri Caitania-Caritamrita
A sacred text that recounts the divine stories of the most merciful form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead — Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He is the combined incarnation of Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare) and came to this world to bestow pure love for God upon all souls.
Read Online
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HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Srila Prabhupada.

The founder of the Hare Krishna Movement or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), made a significant impact on modern spiritual history, including the global dissemination of key concepts. Here are some fascinating insights into his life and legacy that highlight not only his religious influence but also his contributions to cultural and social changes globally.

Circled the globe 14 times, preaching and establishing
108 temples.
Today, more than five decades after ISKCON’s founding, you can still hear the Hare Krishna's chanting in Union Square in New York City, listen to their music memorialized in a George Harrison song, and find millions of devotees around the world. And this is story.

Journey to America

Renowned as a revered sadhu and saint, epitomizing the highest level of divine love, Srila Prabhupada left the sacred city of Vrindavan for New York at the age of 69. With only $7 and a few holy scriptures, he faced numerous challenges upon his arrival. Despite these obstacles, he steadfastly continued his mission to propagate the teachings of bhakti-yoga — pure devotional love for God.

Global Preaching

Beginning with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra in a park, he established the first temples, which catalyzed the rapid global expansion of the Hare Krishna Movement.

Literary Legacy

Srila Prabhupada authored and translated over 70 books into English, including foundational texts such as "Bhagavad-gita As It Is," "Srimad-Bhagavatam," and "Sri Caitanya Caritamrita." These works have significantly influenced the spread of Vedic knowledge worldwide.

Musical Influence

Srila Prabhupada introduced kirtan (the chanting of holy names) as a form of meditation, which gained popularity not only among his followers but also in broader circles, including celebrities like The Beatles.

Spreading Cultural Concepts

Srila Prabhupada played a crucial role in popularizing concepts such as karma, reincarnation, and yoga among a global audience, making these terms widely recognized.

Assistance to the Needy

Srila Prabhupada was dedicated to ensuring that everyone in the world could receive sanctified food, known as prasadam. To date, approximately 8.7 billion servings of prasadam have been distributed, roughly equivalent to the global population.
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Nothing Superfluous.
Four regulative principles of Freedom.
1
No Meat Eating
Devotees abstain from eating meat, fish, and eggs, promoting a diet that is in harmony with ahimsa, the principle of non-violence.
2
No Illicit Sex
Members are encouraged to practice celibacy (brahmacharya) before marriage and fidelity within marriage.
3
No Gambling
This principle avoids gambling and speculative activities to foster a lifestyle of honesty, reliability, and mindfulness.
4
No Intoxication
Devotees refrain from the consumption of intoxicating substances such as alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, aiming to maintain a clear and focused mind for spiritual activities.
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HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Took Over the World.

Leaders about ISKCON and the Hare Krishna Movement.

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HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
Over the past half-century, ISKCON has established an impressive track record of public service, community activism and charitable work. Its global vegetarian food relief program, for example, has responded to the needs of people all over the world, including victims of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and victims of Hurricane Katrina the following year in the United States. Every day 1.2 million school children are fed daily in schools across India by an ISKCON-run food relief program. Bhaktivedanta Hospital, one of nine ISKCON-affiliated hospitals and medical clinics, treated over 200,000 patients this past year.

Forbes
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
7 Purposes of ISKCON.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna Movement, was founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He personally established seven core purposes, reflecting the movement's commitment to spreading compassion and spiritual knowledge.

1
To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
2
To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
3
To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
4
To teach and encourage the Sankirtan Movement of congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
5
To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
6
To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
7
With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
A Great Tradition.
The Hare Krishna Movement adheres to the spiritual path of Bhakti Yoga, which is defined as pure devotional service and the source of love for the Godhead, within the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. This tradition was founded in the 16th century by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered a special incarnation of both Krishna and Shrimati Radharani (Hare).
Krishna
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, source of all Vedic knowledge, over 5000 years ago.
Brahma
The first created being in the universe, the creator of the universe, who received teachings directly from Krishna.
Narada
A great sage and itinerant preacher, disciple of Brahma.
Vyasa
Compiled and systematized the Vedic scriptures, lived around third millennium bce. Author of the "Srimad Bhagavatam".
Madhvacharya
Founder of the Dvaita Vedanta philosophical school. 1238-1317
Madhavendra Puri
Spiritual teacher of Ishvara Puri and others, key figure in the devotional school. 15th century.
Ishvara Puri
Spiritual teacher of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 1430-1520
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, is an incarnation of Krishna and Radharani. 1486-1534
Six Goswamis of Vrindavan
Direct disciples of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, including Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami.
Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami
Author of the "Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita". 1510-1590
Narottama Das Thakur, Srinivasa Acharya, Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur
Prominent figures in maintaining and expanding the Gaudiya Vaishnavism lineage.
Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Revitalized interest in Vaishnavism in modern India. 1838-1914
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
Son of Bhaktivinoda Thakur, spread the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu extensively. 1874-1937
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The founder of ISKCON, he expanded the reach of Gaudiya Vaishnavism worldwide to an unprecedented extent and fulfilled Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's prophecy that the holy names of Hare Krishna would be sung in every town and village. (1896-1977).