On Tuesday, October 17, Gopi Gita Schomaker, aka Mother Gopi Gita, Founder of Leadership Parenting, presented a western song, bhakti mantras and Leadership Parenting to a full concert hall at the Portland House of Music. This was the culmination of many months of internal work. A live band with drums, two guitars, keyboard, trumpets and more, accompanied the performance. Gopi Gita is a leader in ISKCON, coaches parents and educators internationally, and has served children directly in the classroom for over 20 years.
What began as a heartfelt endeavor to share the joys of spirituality and unity has blossomed into a global phenomenon known as the Festival of Colors (FOC). Caru Das, popularly known as Caru-MC, held his first FOC in Spanish Fork in 1995. Little did he know that his unique approach to the Holi Festival, preserved in Indian tradition, would be successfully duplicated across North America and worldwide.
San Antonio, Texas, often renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic beauty, is also home to a thriving and dynamic ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) community that is making waves in the world of spirituality and the arts. Led by the dedicated couple Bhagavan Narada Das and his wife Naradi Lila Devi Dasi, this community is fostering spiritual growth, artistic expression, and unity through a series of initiatives that have garnered attention far beyond the Lone Star State.
On September 26, ISKCON devotee Kunti Devi Dasi, representative of ISKCON Rio de Janeiro to the inter-religious movement since 2020, took a public oath as a counselor of COMPIR-RIO (the Municipal Council for the Promotion of Religious Freedom of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro).
YouTube has recently bestowed Bhuvanasundari Radha Devi Dasi with the coveted Silver Button Award for her channel, "Krishna's Cuisine," which she began in May 2020. The social media honor is for YouTube creators who have reached the milestone of 100,000 subscribers, a feat only achieved by 0.28% of all YouTube channels.
Nityananda Dasa (Artyom Hvans) offers exceptional courses on the art of chanting shlokas and mantras through his online learning platform, "Sanskrit Sense." He has tutored more than 3,000 students from 90 countries and has also created a special course on the pronunciation of all ISKCON standard chants and prayers.
In the annals of South African Krishna consciousness, few names shine as brightly as that of Mukhara Devi Dasi. Her life story is a testament to unwavering dedication, selfless service, and an unshakable commitment to spreading the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. With a legacy deeply woven into the fabric of ISKCON South Africa, Mukhara Devi Dasi's journey is a source of inspiration for generations of devotees, illuminating the path of devotion with her exemplary life.
Amidst the rich revelations of spiritual literature, some works possess a transcendental charm that captivates both the heart and mind, leaving an indelible mark on those who encounter them. The Mahabharata is one such text, and Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel, an ardent seeker, storyteller, and devoted disciple of Srila Prabhupada has distilled the essence of the Indian epic into a series of creative endeavors. One of those offerings, his award-winning book, "Mahabharata The Eternal Quest: India's Ancient Epic" is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its publication.
It is with gratitude and deep sadness that ISKCON extend their heartfelt condolences to the Family of Prince Buthelezi, the Zulu Nation, and followers of Prince Buthelezi, Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party.