Natasha Menon
ISKCON UK Recreates Abbey Road Album Cover to Celebrate 50th
On September 15th, brahmacharis from the Radha Krishna Temple in London celebrated the 50th anniversary of ISKCON UK by recreating The Beatles’ iconic Abbey Road album cover and sharing the photos throughout social media.
50 Years of Hare Krishna in the UK: Feature Article in the Latest Edition of Back to Godhead Magazine
In 1944, on the auspicious appearance day of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Prabhupada started the English magazine, Back to Godhead.
75 years later, and during the 50th Golden Anniversary year of the incorporation of ISKCON UK, it is a great honour that the unique story of ISKCON-London - the first ISKCON centre in the UK (opened in 1969) - is shared with the world in this international publication - a publication that Srila Prabhupada later referred to as the beginning of his spiritual life.
Fifty Years of Hare Krishna in the UK: London, Where It All Began
Srila Prabhupada considered London one of the most important cities in the world for spreading Krishna consciousness. This December marks fifty years since the opening of ISKCON's first temple in London and the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Londonishvara. London plays an important part in ISKCON’s incredible history.
Day 9: The Golden Anniversary: Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara, the Lords of London
MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER
The finale of Golden Anniversary Week! Join us on the most special of days – the day where 50 years ago (on Odana Sashti, as per the Gaudiya Vaishnava calendar), Srila Prabhupada installed Their Most Beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara. There will be three special darshans (with three new outfits offered to Their Lordships), the biggest of harinamas across Central London, drama, mantra choir, a glorious pushpa abhishek, lila kirtan, and more. One not-to-be-missed, well we can say that for all of the days…it’ll be a week to remember!
Day 8: Krishna’s Holy Names: The greatest treasure
SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER
A special morning on memories of the early days of spreading the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra – interaction with George Harrison and the Beatles, recording with Apple Records, performing in places such as Top of the Pops and at a concert in Hammersmith Town Hall, and all the media attention received. Following this, fully absorb yourself in the holy names with a magical 12 Hour Kirtan, which includes special renditions of tracks recorded in 1969 and 1970.
Day 7: The Glorious Sankirtan Mission
SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER
The Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon 2019 takes place from Saturday 30th November to Tuesday 24th December. After attending an uplifting sankirtan-themed morning programme, make it a mission to go out on books, whether you have distributed books before or not. You can distribute books outside the temple or go to one of the specified locations. There are awards up for grabs also (have a look in the Temple Room)! A special treat awaits afterwards...bus harinama around the sights of London.
Day 6: London is Vrindavana
FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
In a popular British TV talk show that Srila Prabhupada was invited to, when asked by the interviewer, "Do you have a concept of hell in your religion?", Srila Prabhupada replied "London is hell." His response became a newspaper headline the next day. But by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, he then turned London into a spiritual abode by installing Their Most Beautiful Lordships, Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara, who he said are Radha and Krishna Themselves who have appeared in London.
Day 5: Opening of the Radha-Krishna Temple and the Installation of Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara
THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
14th December 1969 was a date set by Srila Prabhupada for the temple opening and the installation of Radha-Krishna Deities, a date that was set without yet having any Radha-Krishna Deities.
Day 4: Srila Prabhupada's Arrival in London
WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER
The devotees had sent Srila Prabhupada regular updates on activities in London and he became keen to visit them. He arrived in London on 11th September 1969. Apple Records and Lufthansa Airlines helped the devotees arrange a reception for him at Heathrow Airport. As soon as Srila Prabhupada arrived at the VIP lounge that had been set up for his reception, the many devotees who had by now joined the original six pioneers ran out of the terminal, offered obeisances, and joyfully surrounded Srila Prabhupada.
Day 3: London's First Rathayatra and Lord Jagannatha’s Glories
TUESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER
Did you know Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi appeared before Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara, and therefore were the first ISKCON Deities in the UK?