International Society for Krishna Consciousness
ISKCON was founded by Abhaya Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami (born Abhay Charan De) in New York City, USA, in the year 1966 . The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu religious organization. Its core beliefs are based on Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.
It is one of the major processes of the spiritual service. It is helpful in bringing peace and happiness by enlivening the relationship of humans with God. Believers devote their lives to serving Krishna and spend several hours each day chanting the Hare Krishna mantra.
ISKCON is “the largest and, arguably, most important branch” of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India since the early 16th century and American and European devotees since the early 1900s . Kirtan is both a way to express devotion to God and a way to attract newcomers to the movement. Devotees gather in public, in streets and parks, to sing the mantra accompanied by instruments like the mridanga, hand cymbals, and the harmonium.
IMAGE CREDIT : Flickr
During initiation ISKCON devotees vow to follow four basic rules and regulations
- to follow a lacto-vegetarian diet
- to not consume any intoxicants
- to not gamble
- to not engage in ‘illicit sex
ISKCON had successfully established around 108 temples, educational communities, centers and over 10,000 members.
Several internet projects like ISKCON.com, Krishna.com and more Krishna websites were launched in the beginning of the 90’s. In the present, ISKCON has more than 500 centers globally.
A. C. Bhaktivedanta, also called Swami Prabhupāda, (born Sept. 1, 1896, Calcutta—died Nov. 14, 1977, Vrindāvan, Uttar Pradesh, India .
The Governing Body Commission (or GBC) is the managerial authority of ISKCON in India .
Sri Radha Krishna-chandra Temple one of the largest Krishna-Hindu temples in the world. It is situated in Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka. The main deities enshrines in the ISKCON Temple are Krishna and Balarama, at the central altar.