Holidays & Festivals Archives

406433005_861097499356020_5183565768032587851_n

Dec 05, 2023

Festival of the Holy Name Welcomes Hundreds to Annual Alachua Kirtan Event

This year's Festival of the Holy Name, held over Thanksgiving weekend (November 24-25, 2023) in Alachua, Florida, was another spiritual success, welcoming hundreds of devotees to the two-day kirtan event.

ISKCON News

Holidays & Festivals North America

Nov 23, 2023

Grateful for the Gifts

As I stand where earth, sea, and sky meet, and watch the sun rise before me, it’s easy to feel the emotion of gratitude. Who am I to be so blessed and where does all this life and beauty come from?

Ananda Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi

Holidays & Festivals

Nov 23, 2023

Thoughts on Thanksgiving and Gratitude

I write a journal daily (well, almost daily), and sometimes, when I can’t think of anything to write, I just type “Thank you, Krishna …” and let my fingers move on the keyboard. I thank Krishna for whatever good things have happened in my life. I thank him for whatever good ideas I have got for my writing because writing is my main service and I can’t write without ideas. And I thank him for whatever good service I was able to do, being grateful that whatever needed to go right for doing that service did in fact turn out right and the many things that could have gone wrong didn’t go wrong.

Chaitanya Charan Das

Holidays & Festivals India

Nov 19, 2023

1000s Gathered in Vrindavan for 46th Disappearance Day of Srila Prabhupada

Celebrating the 46th Disappearance Day of Srila Prabhupada was a jubilant and spiritually uplifting affair for thousands of devotees gathered at the revered samadhi in remembrance of the remarkable life and teachings of the founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

ISKCON Vrindavan

Holidays & Festivals India

Nov 15, 2023

Diwali Celebrations Create Meaningful Connections and Spark Creative Service

Diwali celebrations have been happening worldwide, and for ISKCON devotees, these festivities can often create strong connections with their local communities and even inspire creative service opportunities. We looked at four examples, from Bloomington to Brooklyn and Utah to the UK. Diwali, or the "Festival of Lights," is a five-day celebration widely recognized as the Hindu New Year. It is traditionally marked by the illumination of candles or other lights in homes, temples, and public spaces, accompanied by the offering of lavish food preparations to the Lord. In the West, Diwali is increasingly serving as a point of connection and interest for spiritual seekers, an "entry point" to learn about the philosophy and sacred texts behind the stories it celebrates. Here's a look at four examples:

ISKCON News Staff

Holidays & Festivals

399603564_775542187943348_2211271067784029171_n

Nov 09, 2023

Devotees Hold Tucson’s First Ratha Yatra in the City’s Largest Annual Parade

Known for its creative and successful outreach efforts, ISKCON Tucson integrated its first Ratha Yatra event into the city's 34th annual All Souls' Procession on Nov. 5, 2023.

Thomas Haribol, ISKCON News Managing Editor

Book Distribution Holidays & Festivals North America

387762184_3540579122879596_8127746157277406686_n

Nov 03, 2023

New Talavana Building a Spiritual Haven in Rural Mississippi

Nestled in the serene heart of Mississippi, the New Talavana community has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to construct a grand new temple, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. This dynamic community, part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is well-known for its vibrant culture, devotion to cow protection, and emphasis on sustainable living. On October 6-8th, 2023, New Talavana celebrated its 17th Annual Cow Festival, a fun, welcoming outreach to the larger Mississippi community that serves as a fundraiser for their cow protection programs. New Talavana cares for fifty cows on their expansive 1,200 acre property.

Atma Tattva Das, ISKCON News Staff Writer

Holidays & Festivals North America

Oct 31, 2023

2023 Diwali in London Hosted by Bhaktivedanta Manor

The 22nd Annual Diwali in London (DiL) celebrations brought hundreds of people to Trafalgar Square for the annual “Festival of Lights” on Sunday, October 29th. ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor was this year’s hosting organization for the joyful event, which is a partnership between the DiL Committee and London’s Mayor representing diverse organizations and religious traditions across the city.

Thomas Haribol, ISKCON News Managing Editor

Europe Holidays & Festivals Performing Arts

Oct 30, 2023

Meditating on the Damodarashtakam with Chaitanya Charan Das (Part 2 – Verses 5 to 8)

Chaitanya Charan Das, "The Spiritual Scientist," is one of ISKCON's premiere teachers and prolific authors. He graciously agreed to share his two-part reflections on the Damodarashtakam with ISKCON News to help devotees enter this month of spiritual auspiciousness more fully. Here is Part II.

Chaitanya Charan Das

Holidays & Festivals