Authored Article by D Srinivas, a devotee
HYDERABAD, AUGUST 13, 2026: International Society for Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON… This name today is synonymous with a spiritual revolution… the very name of Krishna Consciousness.
With Harinam Sankirtan as its goal, Srimad Bhagavad Gita as its foundation, and Srimad Bhagavatam & the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as its support, it shines brightly.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Devotees chant this Maha-mantra hundreds and thousands of times daily, and immerse themselves in the spiritual world. Without hankering for material pleasures, they yearn to reach the eternal Goloka Vrindavan.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is the Founder-Acharya of this institution. Later he came to be known as Srila Prabhupada.
ISKCON was established by Bhaktivedanta Swami on July 13, 1966 in New York. Thus, the institution has completed 60 years. Celebrations have recently taken place, and are still ongoing.
After establishing ISKCON, he set up 108 Krishna temples worldwide. As part of this, in our country he personally inaugurated ISKCON temples in Mayapur, Kolkata, Vrindavan, and Hyderabad.
The ISKCON – Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple in Abids, Hyderabad was inaugurated on August 18, 1976. That means with this 18th of this month, the temple will complete 50 years.
On this auspicious occasion of ISKCON completing 60 years and the ISKCON Hyderabad – Abids temple completing 50 years, let us look at their details.
Srila Prabhupada’s Life
Bhaktivedanta Swami was born on September 1, 1896, in Kolkata in a traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava family. His parents named him Abhay.
Along with higher education, Krishna devotion was also his own. Along with the traditional devotion he inherited, the immense devotion his father Gour Mohan De, had also come to him from childhood itself. That later laid the path for his spiritual journey.
As part of his spiritual journey, in 1922 Vedanta Swami met Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. On this occasion Thakur said, “Since you know English, you should preach Krishna Consciousness in Western countries.”
Again in 1932, Saraswati Thakur gave Vedanta Swami another instruction: “If you have money, publish books on Krishna Consciousness and do writings.”
In 1935, Vedanta Swami took initiation from him.
In 1944, he started the Back to Godhead newspaper from Kolkata. Despite facing many obstacles, he published the paper. He worked for Krishna Consciousness. For the purpose of publishing the paper and for Krishna Consciousness, he would frequently go to Delhi. He met many people and requested their help. But he did not get support.
In the struggle to preach Krishna, he shifted his base to Vrindavan. He also accepted sannyas in 1959. As per his Guru’s order, he began publishing and translating books.
Realizing that the spiritual journey was not progressing as desired, he decided to go to America to preach. He had no money. He did not know where he would stay after going. But his determination did not waver.
Finally, Vedanta Swami convinced and pleased Smt. Sumati Morarji, head of the Scindia Steamship Line, and secured a free seat on their cargo ship to go to America and return.
Thus, on August 13, 1965, he set sail from Kolkata Ship Harbour on a ship named “Jaladuta”. After a 37-day journey, he reached New York on September 19. He went to the home of Gopal Agarwal in Butler city, Pennsylvania.
After that, he travelled to many places and began giving teachings on Krishna Consciousness.
At that time, in many parts of America, the youth were into hippie culture and addicted to intoxicants, drugs, and drinking. Vedanta Swami surprisingly had to live among them.
Overcoming so many obstacles and hardships, after more than 9 months of uninterrupted Krishna teachings in America, with the help of some artists, musicians, and people who had faith in Indian spirituality and Krishna Consciousness, Vedanta Swami established a shelter for himself.
He was shifted to a building at 26 Second Avenue, New York, which had a hall to give Krishna messages and a room to live in. From there, Bhaktivedanta Swami gave programs on Krishna Consciousness preaching, bhajans, Harinam Sankirtans, and lectures on Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam, and other Krishna-related scriptures.
To make this Krishna Consciousness movement permanent, he established ISKCON there on July 13, 1966. He implemented many programs and systems. He structured it as a full-fledged institution.
For book writing, translation, and publication, he established the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. He expanded Krishna Consciousness greatly.
Sri Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami later became famous as Srila Prabhupada. He gave initiation to many people. He wrote, translated, and commented on more than 70 Vedic scriptures and Krishna Consciousness books. His books have been translated into more than 80 languages. Some of his famous books are: Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Bhakti-rasamrita, Sri Ishopanishad, Nectar of Instruction, Krishna – The Supreme Personality of Godhead, etc.
Srila Prabhupada visited many countries several times in just a span of 11 years.
Srila Prabhupada, who spent his entire life in Krishna service and under the guidance of the Acharyas, departed from this world on November 14, 1977.
ISKCON Today
Today there are ISKCON – Krishna temples in many countries and devotees in crores.
Through various service programs – free food distribution, educational institutions, goshalas, gurukulas, varnashrama, and works for social welfare- and, on the other side, through devotional service, ISKCON today has been shaped into a spiritual “Vrindavan on Earth”. Especially, Jagannath Rath Yatras are conducted everywhere.
ISKCON – Krishna Consciousness programs are going on in more than 150 countries worldwide. More than 900 ISKCON Radha Krishna temples have been established.
75 crore devotional books have been distributed in many languages across the world. 600 crore plates of free prasadam meals have been distributed.
50 Years Completed: Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple
The ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple in Abids, Hyderabad, completes 50 years on the 18th of this month and has attained the glory of a Golden Jubilee celebration.
On August 18, 1976, Srila Prabhupada installed the deities of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Jagannath, Subhadra, and Baladev in this temple.
The temple committee is conducting the 50-year journey in a very grand manner.
On this occasion, various programmes are being conducted on August 15, 16, 17, 18 at Nampally Exhibition Ground.
As part of this, 5 lakh meals will be distributed free. A special song will be released. It has been decided to honour those who served during the 50-year journey.
Srila Prabhupada’s Devotional Selfless Service is Exemplary
Leaving behind wife, children, family members, and material wealth, at the age of 70, even after suffering two heart attacks, he obeyed his Guru’s order and travelled by ship with unwavering faith in Krishna.
Transforming unfavourable conditions in America to his favour and bringing people there, especially the youth, into Krishna Consciousness is not an ordinary thing. It is a very great episode.
Simple living, selfless devotional service, dedication, and determination to achieve – these from his life are always exemplary for us.
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Authored Article by A Devotee: D Srinivas
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