His Divine Grace
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) — a pure devotee of Lord Krishna, a fearless preacher, and a compassionate spiritual father to the entire world.
Author of Timeless Scriptures
Srila Prabhupada translated and commented upon over 80 volumes of Vedic literature, including the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and Srimad-Bhagavatam — works that continue to illuminate millions of lives worldwide.
Global Spiritual Revolution
At the age of 70, with little money but immeasurable faith in Lord Krishna, he sailed alone to America and sparked a worldwide movement that now spans more than 700 temples across 150 countries.
Born in the Holy City of Kolkata
On September 1, 1896 — Nandotsava, the day of Lord Krishna's birth celebration — Abhay Charan De was born into a devout Vaishnava family in Kolkata. From childhood he exhibited deep devotion to Lord Krishna and organised Ratha Yatra processions in his own neighbourhood.
SEP 1
Meeting His Spiritual Master
In 1922, Abhay Charan met Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura — the foremost Vaishnava saint of his era. At their very first meeting, his spiritual master urged him to carry the message of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the English-speaking world.
KOLKATA
Sailing Alone to America — A Historic Voyage
At 69 years of age, carrying only a chest of books, forty rupees, and unshakeable faith in Krishna, Srila Prabhupada boarded the cargo ship Jaladuta. He landed in New York City on September 17, 1965 — beginning a spiritual revolution that would transform the Western world.
NEW YORK
Founding ISKCON — The Hare Krishna Movement
On July 13, 1966, Srila Prabhupada formally incorporated the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York City. From a small storefront, the Hare Krishna movement spread across continents, uniting people of every background under devotional service to Lord Krishna.
JUL 13
His Vision & Mission
Spreading Krishna Consciousness to Every Town & Village
Simply by chanting the holy name of Krishna, one can be freed from all miserable conditions of material existence. — Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada taught that every living being is an eternal spirit soul — a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord Krishna. By practising Bhakti Yoga, loving devotional service, one can revive the soul's original joyful relationship with God. This timeless philosophy, rooted in the Bhagavad-gita, is as practical today as it was thousands of years ago.
From a single rented storefront in New York, Srila Prabhupada's vision grew into a global network of over 700 temples, eco-villages, and cultural centres. ISKCON Ahmedabad — Sri Sri Radha Govind Dham — stands proudly as part of this divine legacy, serving the devotees of Gujarat with daily worship, festivals, and spiritual programmes.
Srila Prabhupada's books are considered the largest single contribution of any individual to Vedic culture and philosophy. Translated into over 80 languages and distributed by the hundreds of millions, his works — especially Bhagavad-gita As It Is — have transformed the lives of scholars, students, and seekers across every continent.
