WHAT IS ISKCON?

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly referred to as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu religious organization. It was founded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on 13 July 1966 in New York City. ISKCON's main headquarters is in Mayapur, West Bengal, India and it claims approximately 1 million members globally. ISKCON members practice a distinct form of monotheistic Hinduism, grounded in Hindu scriptures and especially guided by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's commentary and translation of the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana. Described as “the largest and arguably most important branch” of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, ISKCON traces its roots in India to the early 16th century and expanded to gain followers in America, Europe, and Africa from the mid-to-late 20th century. The Hare Krishna movement advocates for lacto-vegetarianism and was initially founded to promote bhakti yoga. Followers, known as bhaktas, dedicate their thoughts and actions to devotion toward Krishna, whom they honor as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.