The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was established in 1966, in New York City, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada). Better known as “The Hare Krishna Movement,” ISKCON has expanded widely since its founding and now has 500 major centers and temples, 60 rural communities, 50 schools, 100 restaurants, and millions of congregational members worldwide.

​ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradāya, a monotheistic spiritual tradition, which is philosophically based on the Sanskrit texts of the Bhagavad-gītā and the Srimad Bhagavatam (aka Bhagavata Purana). The mission of this nonsectarian movement is to promote the wellbeing of society by teaching the science of Krishna (God) consciousness according to these ancient Vedic texts that date back over 5000 years.

​Devotees of the Hare Krishna Movement practice Bhakti-yoga, which teaches that the ultimate goal of life is to reawaken our dormant love for God, or Lord Krishna, the “all-attractive one.” Essential practices of Krishna Consciousness involve the chanting of God’s holy names—among several processes of devotional service—to revive our loving relationship with Him.

​Devotees promote bhakti-yoga, or Krishna Consciousness, through festivals, the performing arts, yoga seminars, public chanting, and the distribution of the society’s literatures. ISKCON members have also opened hospitals, schools, colleges, eco-villages, free food distribution projects, and other institutions as a practical application of the Bhakti-yoga path.

For more information on the teachings of ISKCON, please visit www.iskcon.org