The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna Movement, is a worldwide spiritual organization dedicated to practicing and sharing Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotional service to Lord Krishna.
Founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON has grown into a global community with over 700+ temples, cultural centers, rural communities, restaurants, and mobile food relief programs. Our organization follows the ancient Vedic tradition, presenting timeless spiritual wisdom in a way that's relevant to modern life.
The Seven Purposes of ISKCON
- To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
- To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
- To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
- To teach and encourage the Sankirtan movement of congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
- To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
- To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
- With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
Our Activities
ISKCON centers worldwide offer:
- Daily temple worship and cultural programs
- Educational courses on Vedic philosophy and lifestyle
- Free vegetarian food distribution through Food for Life
- Community festivals and celebrations
- Books and publications sharing Vedic knowledge
- Sustainable living and farming communities
Our Founder-Acharya
Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON to systematically share spiritual knowledge and create a more balanced, peaceful world. His translations and commentaries on Vedic texts, comprising over 70 volumes, are respected worldwide for their authenticity and depth, serving as standard textbooks in many academic institutions.
Learn more about our Founder-Acharya here.
Join Our Community
Whether you're interested in exploring spiritual philosophy, learning meditation, enjoying prasadam (sanctified vegetarian food), or simply seeking a supportive community, ISKCON welcomes everyone. Visit our temple to experience the timeless practice of Krishna consciousness firsthand.
