Kirtan & japa
Chanting the Holy Name
Congregational singing of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and quiet chanting on beads — the heart of the practice.
THE HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT
About ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement, is a modern expression of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition — a monotheistic devotional path within the Vedic culture of India whose roots reach back five thousand years to Lord Krishna Himself and the Bhagavad-gītā He spoke at Kurukshetra.
In the fifteenth century Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu renewed that tradition in Bengal, teaching that the simplest way to awaken love of God in this age is to chant His holy names together — the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra. In 1966, on the order of his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada carried that message to the West and founded ISKCON in New York. What began in a small storefront has grown into a worldwide confederation of more than five hundred temples, centres, farm communities, schools and restaurants.
ISKCON’s mission is to promote the well-being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and by offering everyone the practice of bhakti-yoga — chanting, study, deity worship, prasādam and service. ISKCON Brahmapur carries this mission forward in the land of Lord Jagannath, as one of the society’s centres in Odisha.
- Founded in New York in 1966 by Srila Prabhupada
- Rooted in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
- More than 500 temples, farms and centres worldwide
OUR MISSION
The Seven Purposes of ISKCON
When Srila Prabhupada incorporated the society in New York in 1966, he set down seven purposes. They remain ISKCON’s mission statement and guide every centre, including Brahmapur.
Spiritual knowledge for all
To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people 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.
Krishna consciousness from the scriptures
To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Closer to each other, nearer to Krishna
To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
The sankirtan movement
To teach and encourage the sankirtan movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
A holy place for everyone
To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
A simpler, more natural way of life
To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
Books and publications
With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
AN UNBROKEN TRADITION
From Sri Chaitanya to Brahmapur
ISKCON did not begin in 1966 — it continues a line of teachers stretching back through Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Lord Krishna Himself.
- 1486
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Appears in Navadvipa, Bengal, and inaugurates the sankirtan movement — chanting the holy names together, open to everyone regardless of birth or background.
- 1500s
The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan
Rupa, Sanatana, Jiva and the other Goswamis rediscover the holy places of Vrindavan and set down the philosophy of bhakti in Sanskrit works that remain ISKCON’s foundation.
- 1838–1914
Bhaktivinoda Thakura
A magistrate and prolific author who revives the tradition in Bengal and foresees a day when people of all nations would chant the holy name together.
- 1874–1937
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Founds the Gaudiya Math with 64 centres across India and asks his disciple Abhay Charan De to carry Lord Chaitanya’s message to the English-speaking world.
- 1966
ISKCON is founded
Srila Prabhupada incorporates the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York City and sets down its seven purposes.
- Today
A worldwide family
WHAT WE PRACTISE
The pillars of Krishna consciousness
Simple practices that anyone can take up, taught by Srila Prabhupada exactly as they have been passed down for centuries.
Gītā & Bhāgavatam
Studying the Scriptures
Daily classes on the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, using Srila Prabhupada’s translations and commentaries.
Arati & darshan
Deity Worship
Loving worship of the Lord in His deity form through daily aratis, offerings and festivals.
Sanctified food
Prasadam
Pure vegetarian food offered to Krishna and shared freely — no one near an ISKCON temple should go hungry.
EXPERIENCE IT IN BRAHMAPUR
Come for darshan, kirtan and prasadam
The best introduction to ISKCON is a visit. Join the Sunday Love Feast or any evening arati at the Brahmapur temple.