OUR MISSION
Krishna Consciousness
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a global spiritual movement rooted in Bhakti Yoga, with a mission to make the world aware of the Supreme Lord, Krishna, and foster deep devotion to Him. ISKCON gently guides you on the path of devotion, helping you cultivate Krishna consciousness while continuing to live in the world and fulfill your worldly duties.
Krishna Consciousness does not ask of you to renounce anything rather it asks that you add Krishna to your life and become Krishna Conscious. The charm lies in the simplicity of the practice; continue to be in the world even as you cultivate deep devotion to Krishna. Chant His name as often as you can, hear of His accounts and sing His glories.
Hare Krishna devotees chant God’s names in the form of the Mahamantra, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare. Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.” The Srimad Bhagavatam states that Krishna, the friend of the devotees, purifies the hearts of those who take His name — that He manifests in their hearts and erases all evil tendencies.
ISKCON is widely acknowledged as the fastest-growing global religious community in the world. Since 1966, when His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada opened his first temple in New York City, today the movement has grown to be a vibrant community of 600 temples, numerous rural projects and educational institutes, thousands of namahattas or local meeting groups, nearly 100 vegetarian restaurants and millions of congregational members worldwide.
ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya, a monotheistic tradition of Hinduism based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Srila Prabhupada, in giving the world Krishna Consciousness, has not only brought the bliss of Krishna to the world but he has also shared India’s Vaishnava spiritual heritage and Vedic culture with the world.
Dissolve in Krishna Consciousness
Krishna consciousness is the awareness of and loving devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna. To be Krishna conscious means to become His devotee (bhakta) and follow the path of bhakti-yoga. Bhakti teaches that the highest duty of every person is to cultivate pure devotion to Krishna. Such devotion is free from selfish motives, remains steady despite difficulties, and fills the heart with lasting peace and spiritual satisfaction.
Srila Prabhupada
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) is widely regarded as the foremost Vedic scholar, translator, and teacher of the modern era. He is especially respected as the world's most prominent contemporary authority on bhakti-yoga, devotional service to the Supreme Person, Sri Krishna, as taught by the ancient Vedic writings of India. He is also the Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada, as he is affectionately known by his followers, translated and wrote extensive commentaries on many of the Vedas' most important bhakti scriptures. These include the Bhagavad-Gita, a concise guide to understanding the purpose and goal of human life, and the multi-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam, which narrates the glories of Lord Krishna, His various incarnations (avatars), and His devotees throughout the history of the universe.
In 1965, at age sixty-nine, with forty rupees and a trunk of his Bhagavatam commentaries – the first ever in English – he made his way to New York with but one aim, “introduce India’s message of peace and goodwill” to the Western world. Only a year later, in 1966, he established ISKCON by way of a humble store-front presence in New York and went on to inspire thousands to devote their lives to Krishna consciousness, launching one of the fastest-growing spiritual movements in the history of the world.
Men and women from all backgrounds came forward and with their help, Srila Prabhupada, as he is known by his followers, established temples, farm communities, a publishing house and educational institutions around the world. Simultaneously he began what has now become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief programme, Food for Life, Annadaan.
Desiring to nourish the roots of Krishna Consciousness in its homeland, Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times after beginning his worldwide mission. There, he inspired a revival of the Vaishnava tradition and established dozens of temples, including major spiritual centers in the sacred towns of Vrindavan and Mayapur.
Among Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contributions are his books. He authored over 70 volumes on the Krishna tradition, which are highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth and clarity. Several of his works are used as textbooks in numerous college courses. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His most prominent works include: Bhagavad Gita As It Is, the 30-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the 17-volume Sri Caitanya Caritamrita.
Srila Prabhupada passed away on November 14, 1977, in the holy town of Vrindavan, surrounded by his loving disciples who carry on his mission today.
For more information on our beloved Founder Acharya, please Learn More
The Story of
ISKCON Bhiwandi
Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir
The magnificent Sri Sri Radha Madhava Temple serves as a centre of Krishna consciousness in the heart of Bhiwandi, an industrial town on the outskirts of Thane (20km from Mumbai). Our temple is home to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai and has quickly become a beacon of bhakti for the people of Bhiwandi and beyond. With a humble beginning in 2015, it was in the month of Kartik in 2021 that the deities of Sri Sri Radha Madhava were installed on the altar of our temple and Lord Madhava took permanent residence at ISKCON Bhiwandi.
Madhava, the Lord who is sweet as honey and the most gracious, is here at our temple to accept the love and devotion of His devotees. Our temple is a sanctuary of peace and inner happiness and we offer a host of specific services to help deepen your connection with the Supreme Lord. ISKCON Bhiwandi is a devotional family and we welcome you to the all-encompassing refuge of Krishna.
Food for Life - Annadaan, one of the most significant initiatives of Krishna consciousness and part of the world’s largest vegetarian food relief programme, began at ISKCON Bhiwandi in 2020. Within just two years, it was distributing over 1,000 wholesome meals daily to beneficiaries within a ten-kilometre radius of the temple.
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We also have a popular street Harinaam programme and a unique Travelling Sankirtan Party, which is a group of 30 devotees who travel all around the country propagating and spreading the nectar of the holy name. Our devotees also conduct seminars in schools, colleges, factories, business centres, and other institutions. Daily classes on Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam are held inside the temple as also online.
We welcome you to the abode of Sri Sri Radha Madhava. Come and engage in the services of Krishna. Hare Krishna!