Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 12 CITY VIEWS August 7, 2026 ISKCON Launches 60th Anniversary Celebrations With Gala In NYC A n estimated five hundred guests gathered on July 31, 2026, evening at The Glasshouse in Manhattan to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Interna- tional Society for Krishna Conscious- ness (ISKCON), marking six decades since ISKCON’s Founder, referred to by devotees as Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, formally established the Society in New York City in 1966. The sold-out gala opened ISKCON’s “Origins” 60th AnniversaryWeekend which, according to organizers, brought together devotees from North America and around the world, as well as leaders from numerous faiths, government of- ficials from NewYork City and State ad- ministrations, philanthropists, religious freedom advocates, temple presidents, and longtime supporters. Among the chief guests was India’s Consul General in NewYork Binaya Sri- kanta Pradhan. In his address, CG Prad- han appreciated ISKCON’s six decades of spiritual education, youth engagement, cultural outreach and compassionate humanitarian service, including food distribution. Major donors as well as representa- tives from the Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Latter-day Saint communities were present. “ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhu- pada did a great service by introducing the Krishna movement to theWestern world,” Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, President of the Global Associa- tion of Physicians of Indian Origin, and Chairman of ParikhWorldwide Media, who was among the attendees, told Desi Talk. “I have followed the growth of ISK- CON in the USA over many decades, as a resident of the greater NewYork City area. And as always, this event was most mov- ing and full of devotion. What stood out was the people of other faiths who came, as well as the sense of peace and good fellowship that prevailed,” Dr. Parikh added. The evening featured presentations celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s life, ISKCON’s history, and the movement’s worldwide impact through kirtan, music, dance, and an AI presentation. Attendee Satyaraja Das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, said of the event, “The gala was a first-rate celebration, display- ing high-class expressions of bhakti from beginning to end: the venue, the aesthet- ics, the hors d’oeuvres, the good com- pany, the prasadam dinner, the enter- tainment, the talks, the AI Video bringing Prabhupada to life in a unique way — Vrinda [my wife] and I both walked away feeling exhilarated and proud to be part of ISKCON.” One of the evening’s highlights was an address by Archbishop Felix Machado, Archbishop Emeritus of Vasai, India, who previously served as Undersecretary of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter- religious Dialogue. A longtime friend of ISKCON and respected advocate for dialogue between religious traditions, Archbishop Machado congratulated the Society on its 60th anniversary and re- flected on the spiritual values that unite people of faith. “The only medicine for today’s global problems is love of God,” Archbishop Machado told the audience. “It is what the world is hungering and thirsting for.” The Gala event was organized by a team of devotees led by Kumari Kunti Devi Dasi. The cultural program was directed by Goura Prema Das, Director of Cirque de India, along with his wife Vasu. The diverse slate of musicians included Dh- anya Rico singing “My Sweet Lord” to the dancing of Sara Kamala, as well as other dances by Anapayini. Other anniversary events took place over the weekend honoring the birth- place of the Hare Krishna movement in theWest, continuing with a pilgrimage to locations associated with Srila Prabhupa- da’s early mission in NewYork, a sold-out sunset kirtan cruise around Manhattan, a public festival, a youth musical, and a commemorative Love Feast. By a StaffWriter PHOTO X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK PHOTO X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK PHOTO:SWAMI GAURANGA DAS,COURTESY ISKCONNEWS.ORG India’s Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, speaking at the ISKCON event. Hema Malini, actress and Indian Lok Sabha member, reflects on Srila Prabhupada’s legacy. Radhanath Swami prays at ISKCON Gala held at The Glasshouse in Manhattan. Mayuri Gandharvika, a 3rd generation devotee, sings at the sold-out 60th Anniversary ISKCON gala in NYC. Dr. Sudhir Parikh with Swami Gauranga Das and India’s CG Pradhan interact at ISKCON event. Gaura Vani and a stage full of devotees sing devotional music at gala launch of ISKCON’s 60th Anniversary. PHOTOS:GAURANGA DAS,COURTESY ISKCONNEWS.ORG PHOTO:KRIPA PRASAD,ITV GOLD