Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the insignificant servants of your mission here in Halifax, offer our heartfelt gratitude and humble words at your lotus feet. Though our words are limited and imperfect, still we pray that you kindly accept this small offering as an expression of our appreciation for your causeless mercy.
You once said, “I have simply tried to give them Kṛṣṇa.” (Back to Godhead magazine #10-10, 1975: Summer Sessions With Śrīla Prabhupāda – Philadelphia: July 11–15) In this simple statement lies the depth of your compassion and the essence of your life’s work. Because of your determination and surrender, even a small place like Halifax in Nova Scotia has now been touched by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is your miracle, not ours.
By your mercy, our temple completed one full year on March 28, 2026. What once was just a hope has now manifested into a beautiful spiritual center spread across nine acres, with a usable temple space of 7,700 square feet. We see this not as a material achievement, but as your invisible hand guiding everything.
Under the visionary leadership of our Zone-1 GBC, His Grace Indreśa Gaura Prabhu, ISKCON Halifax is preparing to serve as the anchor temple for the entire Atlantic Canada region. We envision our center as a spiritual hub, where upcoming centers in Moncton, Fredericton, PEI, New Glasgow, and St. John’s will receive the essential training, guidance, and support they need to blossom. By your grace, we hope to establish a strong, unified network of Kṛṣṇa consciousness across the Maritimes.
You taught us, “Everything must be done in the spirit of cooperation, without any irritation.” (Letter to Jagadisa, Hyderabad 18 November 1972). Keeping this instruction in our hearts, we are striving here to work together in harmony. In 2026, we have formed dedicated department heads, clearly defining roles and responsibilities so that service can be performed more efficiently and with greater devotion. We are witnessing how your instructions are practical and transformative when sincerely followed.
By your mercy, a brahmacārī has joined us from Toronto and is now residing at the temple. Because of this, the temple is now open five days a week, and we have also arranged basic facilities such as showers, allowing devotees and visitors to stay and engage more deeply in devotional service. These small steps feel significant to us because they bring your vision of a living, vibrant temple closer to reality.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your desire to spread the holy name is becoming visible here. In 2025, we successfully held our Fourth Annual Festival of the Chariots (Ratha-yātrā), welcoming around 2,500 to 3,000 visitors. The enthusiasm among devotees is growing, and we are preparing for our 5th Annual Ratha-yātrā on June 6, 2026. By your grace, this event has even received endorsements from the Canadian Prime Minister, the immigration minister, the Premier of Nova Scotia, and the mayor of Halifax. We see this as your influence expanding beyond boundaries.
Beyond these large festivals, our devotees are consistently taking to the streets. Every two weeks, a dedicated group of seven to eight devotees performs harināma-saṅkīrtana, filling the air with the holy name and distributing your transcendental books to the people of Halifax.
Under the leadership of His Holiness Bhaktimārga Swami, who has been a key instrument in the success of the Maritime region, your instructions and blessings are becoming alive. His presence, guidance, and inspiration directly connect us to you. In June 2025, he initiated eight devotees, and we are hopeful for three to four more initiations in June 2026. During Janmāṣṭamī 2025, for the first time, our temple witnessed an unprecedented gathering of more than 3,000 visitors. It felt like a historic moment for our community. We remembered your words, “If you simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, everyone will follow.” (Room conversation with French Commander, 3 August 1976, New Mayapur). Truly, by the chanting of the holy name, people are being attracted.
Our congregation is slowly growing and new leaders are emerging. We are also focused on reaching hearts through the arts. We are slowly building a team of devotees who can spread the message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness through the medium of spiritual plays, using drama to make the deep philosophy of the Vedas accessible and engaging for all. We see devotees taking responsibility with sincerity, and this gives us hope that your movement here will continue to flourish beyond our current capacity.
Inspired by your instruction that no one within a ten-mile radius of a temple should go hungry, in Mayapur in 1973, our Food for Life program is expanding. In 2026, we have set a target of distributing 5,000 meals. We pray that we can serve not only prasādam but also spiritual nourishment to all.
We have also begun organizing monthly kirtan festivals, attracting an average of 150 to 200 newcomers and introducing them to bhakti-yoga. Your instruction to “chant, dance, take prasadam, and be happy” (Letter to Saksi Gopala, Vrindaban, 6 December 1975) is becoming a lived experience for many who come in contact with these programs.
At present, the altar for our Deities, Gaura-Nitāi-Sāgaraiśvarya, is being prepared in India, along with a vyāsāsana for Your Divine Grace. We eagerly await the day when you will be properly seated in your rightful place, and the Lord will be worshiped with full opulence. We are also planning to expand our kitchen facilities with the hope of establishing a Govinda’s restaurant so that more people can receive sanctified prasādam.
In the matter of book distribution, we are trying to improve. During Gītā-jayantī, we received sponsorship for over 1,075 books. Recently, we have also received approval to set up a bookstall at Dalhousie University and to start a bhakti-yoga club there for the youth. We are hopeful that the younger generation will come closer to Kṛṣṇa through your books, which you described as the “law books for the next ten thousand years.”
Furthermore, we are excited to announce the launch of the Little Krishna Vedic Club this year, dedicated to nurturing children between the ages of 6 and 14. As we expand our outreach to the next generation, we are proceeding with great care and responsibility. We are ensuring that all legal compliance is strictly met and that the temple, our volunteers, and the devotees are fully protected by comprehensive insurance. It is our humble prayer that these young souls find a joyful and secure home in your movement.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, this year also marks sixty years since you came to North America, carrying the mission of your spiritual master across the ocean with complete faith. We wish to celebrate this historic moment in a grand way, remembering your sacrifices and determination.
We are deeply indebted to you. You have given us Kṛṣṇa, a purpose in life, and a spiritual family. Without you, we would have remained lost in material existence. Whatever little service we are able to perform is simply by your mercy.
Kindly bless us so that we may remain humble instruments in your mission. Please give us strength to overcome our shortcomings, unity to work together, and sincerity to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness in Halifax and throughout Nova Scotia.
We pray that one day you may be pleased with our efforts.
Your insignificant servants,
The devotees at ISKCON Halifax,
(written by Vidyāpati Dāsa)