ISKCON NewsThe News Agency of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Nearly 500 people visited ISKCON Boise, Idaho this August 21st, to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmastami, as well as the 25th anniversary of “the family temple.” Today, the family is a big one, but the same spirit of togetherness holds from back when Ananta Rupa Dasa and his wife Aruddha Dasi started the temple in their home in 1986.

Every year since 2006, a handful of devotees from Chicago and across the United States have participated in Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade, the largest African American parade in the country.

One professor and seven university students from France, Germany, the US, and Belarus attended a seven-day mud house building workshop at Krishna Valley from June 6th to 12th, as part of their landscape development and management study.

The Israeli ambassador to the United States hosted a dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Thursday, marking the first time an ambassador from the Jewish state has hosted such a dinner in the United States, the embassy said.

Living in close proximity with nature and with devotees who are serious farmers gives a deeper insight in what is involved to grow food and to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Martin Scorsese’s new documentary pic about former Beatles George Harrison is to be broadcast over two evenings on HBO in October, it’s been revealed.

The world’s largest Janmashtami festival outside of India at Bhaktivedanta Manor attracted more than 60,000 pilgrims on 21st and 22nd August. This year celebrated the launch of the Ahimsa Dairy Foundation, which sells milk from cows that will be retired when their milking days are over and uses bulls to work the land.

Devotee and divisional health inspector Rakesh Kumar said the donation marked their respect for Lord Krishna and their love for the people all over the world. "We don't believe in racism and discrimination but we strongly believe in sharing and loving one another', he added.

"During the final kirtan, I watched a lady rush to our Restaurant Tent from a nearby apartment building in her pajamas and a long robe, her hair in curlers. For a moment I thought the building might be on fire, but a few minutes later she headed back to her apartment armed with two plates of prasadam." Indradumna Swami`s offering on Srila Prabhupada`s appearance day.

Scarcity and price rise loom over celebrations though people throng Imphal temples in scores.

The international Society for Krishna Consciousness Ulubari has arranged for a series of vedic competitions for school children which include Vedic art and Bhagawat Gita sloka recitation on Sunday.

Lord Jagannath of Puri has perhaps courted more controversies than any other deity in India. The gigantic 12th century edifice has been the scene of several conflicts and debates, the latest being the right of non-Hindus to enter the temple.

ISKCON News wishes a happy and blissful Janmasthami to all of its contributors and readers!

Lugging along their varied collection of instruments, kirtan group the Hanumen followed their tour organizer Jennifer Canfield into the grim building, and down a long corridor lined with barred windows.

Today, possibly more than ever before in ISKCON’s history, kirtana—the ancient call and response chanting of God’s names—has become a major focus. Devotees in Germany headed by Sachinandana Swami and local GBC Dina Sharana Dasi hope to take this focus to a new level: they have invited 1,000 devotees from all over the world for four days of uninterrupted kirtana.