About Us | ISK### Temple

Our Organization

What is ISK###?

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISK###), popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. ISK### was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

ISK###'s core beliefs are based on traditional Hindu scriptures such as the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita. Devotees of ISK### practice bhakti yoga and spread the Krishna consciousness movement throughout the world.

Today, ISK### has more than 800 temples, 65 rural communities, 110 vegetarian restaurants, and millions of followers worldwide.

Our Founder

Srila Prabhupada

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) is the Founder-Acharya of ISK### and the world's foremost Vedic scholar, translator, and teacher.

At the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada traveled from India to New York on a cargo ship with just forty rupees and a trunk of books. Despite numerous hardships, he established ISK### and opened 108 temples across six continents within just 11 years.

He translated and published over 70 volumes of transcendental literature, including the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, which has been translated into over 80 languages.

70+ Books Written

14 World Tours

108 Temples Opened

10,000+ Disciples

Our History

ISK### Timeline

Key milestones in the Hare Krishna movement

1965

Journey to the West

Srila Prabhupada arrives in New York on the cargo ship Jaladuta at the age of 69.

1966

ISK### Founded

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is officially incorporated in New York City.

1968

New Vrindaban

The first ISK### farm community is established in West Virginia, USA.

1971

Return to India

Srila Prabhupada returns to India and opens temples in major cities including Mumbai and Vrindavan.

1972

BBT Established

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is established to publish and distribute spiritual literature.

1975

Mayapur Chandrodaya

The foundation is laid for the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, West Bengal.

Today

Global Movement

ISK### has grown to 800+ temples, millions of followers, and operates in every continent.

Our Beliefs

ISK### Philosophy

The spiritual principles we follow and teach

Bhakti Yoga

The path of devotional service to Lord Krishna. Through chanting, worship, and service, one can develop pure love for God and achieve liberation.

Kirtan & Japa

Chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the most effective spiritual practice for this age, purifying the heart and awakening Krishna consciousness.

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad-gita spoken by Lord Krishna is the essence of Vedic wisdom, teaching the science of self-realization and the goal of life.

Vegetarianism

Following the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), we practice and promote a lacto-vegetarian diet by offering food to Krishna as prasadam.

Guru-Disciple

Spiritual knowledge is received through a chain of disciplic succession from Krishna, through the spiritual master to the student.

Reincarnation

The soul is eternal and transmigrates from one body to another based on karma until it achieves liberation through Krishna consciousness.

Temple Deities

Our Divine Lords

The presiding deities worshipped at our temple

Sri Sri Radha Krishna

The Divine Couple - Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Srimati Radharani, the personification of divine love.

Sri Sri Gaura Nitai

Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda, who inaugurated the sankirtana movement - the congregational chanting of the holy names.

Lord Jagannath

The Lord of the Universe - Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi, worshipped in the famous Ratha Yatra festival.

Our Mission

Seven Purposes of ISK###

As established by Srila Prabhupada

Spread Spiritual Knowledge

To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life.

Propagate Krishna Consciousness

To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Unite Members

To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, and thus develop the idea that each soul is part and parcel of God.

Teach Sankirtana

To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement - the congregational chanting of the holy names of God.

About ISK###