Thousands of devotees attend the famous Sri Sri Jagannath Baladeva Suhadra Rath Yatra

Mumbai, 5th February 2016: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year by organizing a special three-day spiritual-cultural festival starting from today till February 7, 2016 at Jamnabai Narsee School Grounds, Juhu, Vile Parle (West).

 

The festival started with the famous Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra from Bhaktivedanta School, Andheri West to Juhu today. The Rath Yatra was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Water Conservation, Women & Child Development & Employee Guarantee Scheme – Govt. of Maharashtra, Smt. Pankaja Mundey and Member of Parliament Shri. Gajanan Kirtikar

 

The Golden Jubilee Celebrations witness a three-days of activities comprising of spiritual discourses, cultural and musical programs. All the four ISKCON temples in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai will participate in the festivities along with numerous devotees from India and abroad. National and international devotees to participate in this special three-day spiritual-cultural festival.

 

HG Sura Das, National Convener for 50th Anniversary Celebrations – India said, “This year, ISKCON is celebrating 50 years of its Inception way back in 1966 in New York by our Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ISKCON has emerged in these fifty years, as a strong centre, propagating the ancient Vedic philosophy and Krishna Consciousness, not just in India but all over the world. The event on 5th, 6th & 7th of February is the first leg of our celebrations. It is our way to pay homage to our Founder Acharya and also bring to the world the achievements of ISKCON. More importantly, spread the message of “The joy of devotion”, as the legacy and teachings of Srila Prabhupada not just in Mumbai but all of India and the world.“

ISKCON temples across the globe will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ‘Journey to West’ of its founder who was originally known Abhay Charan when leaving in August 1965 to spread the message of Lord Krishna and Bhagavad-Gita in USA. He founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York on July 13, 1966. While it was not unusual for immigrants from India to head to the United States, Srila Prabhupada did not seek riches. Instead he wanted to distribute the greatest wealth of India which is the timeless knowledge of Bhagvad-gita.

 

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya (denomination or tradition), an ancient monotheistic tradition within Vedic or Hindu culture. It propagates the timeless Vedic philosophy which is not limited to any religion. The concept of God consciousness, devotional service and associating with god by remembering His name, His pastimes and following His instructions is universally preached in all spiritual walks of life and is explained in the Vedas as the ‘sanatana dharma’, the basic duty of all living entities. The message of Bhagvad–Gita is more a manual for life and is relevant even in today’s times and thus has a universal appeal.