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:
Inspired by the announcement of the upcoming “Safe Families, Strong Communities” campaign from ISKCON's Vaishnavi Ministry, 15-year-old devotee Ila H. shares her reflection “From the Eyes of Our Youth.”
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.
Томас Харибол, управляющий редактор новостей ИСККОН
Within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a question often arises for the devotee—how does one balance family life with dedicated service to the movement? Gaura Narayana Das stands as a testament to transcending this challenge. A former brahmachari, he has seamlessly transitioned into the roles of a family man and a pioneering business owner. His brainchild, Fly Sacred, represents not only a travel agency but also a bridge connecting spirituality, commerce, and community support within the ISKCON sphere.
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.
Brajasundari Dasi, a venerable retired educator, has meticulously crafted educational resources called Shastra Sheets designed to engage and enlighten kids. Drawing inspiration from the profound literary works of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, these worksheets brim with spiritual wisdom.
Кулавати Кришнаприя деви даси, сотрудник отдела новостей ИСККОН
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.
Томас Харибол, управляющий редактор новостей ИСККОН
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.
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.