ISKCON

Origins

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement, was founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (1896–1977) in New York City in 1966. It is a Western branch of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, bringing the teachings of Caitanya Mahāprabhu to a global audience.

History

Prabhupāda, a disciple in the line of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, arrived in America at age 69 and established the first temple in New York’s Lower East Side. The movement grew rapidly during the 1960s and 1970s, spreading to Europe, Asia, and beyond. After Prabhupāda’s death in 1977, ISKCON experienced internal conflicts over leadership but has since stabilised and expanded its educational and charitable work.

Key Teachings

ISKCON follows the standard Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava theology: devotion to Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mahāmantra, and the guidance of a disciplic succession of gurus. The tradition emphasises prasadam (sanctified food), book distribution, and temple worship as means of spreading Krishna consciousness.

Modern Status

ISKCON operates over 500 temples worldwide, including major centres in Mayapur (West Bengal), Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), and London. It runs educational institutions, food distribution programmes, and rural communities.

Verification Notes

Lineage verified through well-documented disciplic succession (guru-paramparā) and extensive institutional records.

• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).