ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), also popularly known as Hare Krishna Movement, was founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (lovingly known as Srila Prabhupada). Since then, it has expanded into a global organization with more than 850 temples; 150 affiliated vegetarian restaurants; thousands of namahattas or local meeting groups; and millions of congregational members worldwide.

Many important leaders around the world including Prime Minister of India, United Kingdom, etc have appreciated the global welfare work done by ISKCON. ISKCON is actively working at many fronts such as food distribution, educational programs, childcare & relationship seminars, wellness programs, meditation programs, tribal care, cow protection and most importantly dissemination of knowledge of Bhagavad-Gita. Lives of millions of people from all races, nationalities, ethnicities, religions and castes have changed due to noble work of ISKCON.

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava lineage, one of the most celebrated branch of Vedanta. It is based on the core Vedic texts such as Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. These ancient texts teach that the ultimate goal for all living beings is to reawaken their love for God, or Lord Krishna, the “all-attractive one”.

ISKCON devotees chant God’s names in the form of the maha-mantra, or the great mantra for deliverance:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Internationally, many leading academics have highlighted ISKCON’s contribution. Diana Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University, describes the movement as “a tradition that commands a respected place in the religious life of humankind.” In the 1980s Dr. A. L. Basham, one of the world’s authorities on Indian history and culture, wrote of ISKCON that, “It arose out of next to nothing in less than twenty years and has become known all over the West. This, I feel, is a sign of the times and an important fact in the history of the Western world.”

Similarly, great religious authorities like saints from Ramanujacharya lineage, Madhwacharya lineage, Ramanandacharya lineage, and other lineages have appreciated the global preaching efforts of ISKCON which has led to acceptance of Bhagavad-Gita all over the world.