The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966, is a global movement dedicated to spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna as revealed in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. ISKCON promotes a simpler, more natural, and spiritual way of life for the benefit of all living beings.
ISKCON has established numerous temples and centers worldwide, where devotees and visitors can experience the joy of Krishna consciousness through activities such as chanting, dancing, worshiping, studying, serving, and feasting. One such center is ISKCON Gangasagar, located on Sagar Island in West Bengal, India.
Sagar Island: A Sacred Place
Sagar Island is a revered site where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. It is also the place where Lord Kapila Deva, an incarnation of Lord Krishna, instructed His mother Devahuti on the science of self-realization. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit this holy place to take a dip in the water and worship Lord Kapila Deva.
ISKCON Gangasagar: A Unique Cultural and Vedic Educational Centre
ISKCON Gangasagar is a unique cultural and Vedic educational center spread over 3.6 acres of land. It is situated near the helipad and K2 bus terminal, 1.2 km from the seashore and 500 meters from Lord Kapila Muni Ashram. The project is currently under development, with new temple construction already underway. The upcoming project will offer more than just a temple; it will provide a complete experience beyond imagination. Here are some of the highlights of this project:
Magnificent Temple: Featuring beautiful deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishna, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Jagannath Baladeva Subhadra, and Mother Ganga.
Museum: Showcasing dioramas depicting the appearance of Mother Ganga, as well as the history and culture of Bengal.
Theatre: Equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities for showing movies and documentaries on Vedic topics.
Library: Housing a vast collection of books on Vedic philosophy, culture, science, art, and literature.
Guest House: Offering neat and clean accommodations with comfortable rooms and amenities for visitors and pilgrims. Book your room at https://iskcongangasagar.com/guesthouse/ or call guest house reception 8509405093/ 03210-240127
Restaurant: Serving pure, delicious vegetarian food (no onion, no garlic) prepared with love and devotion. For Prasadam call our Kitchen head +91 84209 20487 or guest house reception on 8509405093/ 03210-240127
Gift Shop: Providing various souvenir items related to Krishna consciousness, such as books, CDs, DVDs, paintings, statues, clothes, jewelry, and handicrafts.
School: With qualified teachers and a modern curriculum for imparting moral, cultural, and value-based Vedic education to people of all ages.
Organic Farm: Planning to cultivate fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, herbs, and more, as well as cow protection and dairy production.
Eco-Friendly Environment: Featuring solar panels, rainwater harvesting, a biogas plant, and a waste management system.
Charitable Wing: Offering various programs for serving the underprivileged, such as free food distribution (prasadam), emergency relief, free medical care (vaidya seva), and free spiritual literature distribution (grantha seva).
Festival Updates
ISKCON Gangasagar hosts several festivals throughout the year, attracting devotees and visitors from around the world. Some of the major festivals include:
Gangasagar Mela: Held during Makar Sankranti, this festival attracts millions of pilgrims who come to take a holy dip in the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. ISKCON Gangasagar organizes night shelters, maha harinam sankirtan, Viswa Shanti Yajnas, and distributes free prasadam to the pilgrims.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrated with great enthusiasm, this festival marks the appearance day of Lord Krishna. Devotees participate in kirtans, bhajans, and various cultural programs, and enjoy a grand feast of prasadam.
Ratha Yatra: The Festival of Chariots, where the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra are taken out in a grand procession. This festival is celebrated with much fanfare and devotion.
ISKCON Gangasagar is a center that will help and guide people living around Sagar Island as well as visitors from around the world. It provides equal opportunities for everyone to learn and practice the techniques of spiritual life in order to achieve real unity and peace in the world. It also encourages spiritual tourism and preserves and spreads Vedic culture.
We invite you to visit ISKCON Gangasagar and experience the bliss of Krishna consciousness for yourself. You can also support this project by donating generously or volunteering your time and skills. Please contact us for more information.
For more information, please feel free to contact our temple president, Shri Sundar Govind Das our temple president at 9735333511 or write to us at iskcongs@gmail.com.
