Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances at Your lotus feet.
On behalf of the entire Izhevsk yatra, we express our deepest gratitude to you for your boundless mercy, for your feats, and for what you have done for the entire world – and for each of us personally.
Thanks to your fearlessness, your faith, and your devotion to the Lord, the fire of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is burning even in the distant city of Izhevsk. This fire is a living force that changes destinies, unites people, and brings the soul back to its true purpose.
Izhevsk is known as the “arms capital” of Russia. It is a place where weapons capable of protecting the body are created. However, through your grace, our city has gained something much more valuable – spiritual weapons capable of protecting the soul.
Your books, the holy name, and knowledge about God have become the very weapons that destroy ignorance, fear, and illusions. Previously, there was an external struggle, but now, by your grace, there is a deeper battle in Izhevsk – a battle for consciousness, for people’s hearts, and for the return of the soul to its original nature.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your mission came to Izhevsk through sincere devotees in the 1980s. The first steps were very simple and at the same time heroic: devotees gathered in apartments, opened small ashrams, and distributed books that were literally brought in bags from other cities.
In 1991, the Krishna Consciousness Society in Izhevsk was officially registered. From that moment on, the gradual development of the yātrā began: from apartment programs to rented premises, from small gatherings to regular Sunday programs and celebrations.
Throughout these years, the main service remained the distribution of books. Already in 1992, a powerful record was set: more than 34,000 books per year. And this line of service continues to this day.
Over 35 years 265,857 books have been distributed in Izhevsk, and in 2025 alone, 8230 books. Through these books, thousands of people had the opportunity to come into contact with spiritual knowledge for the first time.
Today, the Izhevsk yātrā has about 200 devotees. 80–100 people regularly attend Sunday programs, 150–200 people attend holidays, and about 300 people attended Janmāṣṭamī in 2025. But, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we understand that the most valuable thing is not the numbers but the people. Behind each number is someone’s destiny, someone’s heart, someone’s meeting with the truth.
By your grace, saṅkīrtana is developing in the yātrā. In 2025, we held 39 harināmas, with a total of about 100 devotees participating, and an average of about 24 people per event. About 6,000 prasādam balls were distributed. By comparison, in 2024, 36 harināmas were held with about 101 people participating, with an average of 22 people per event, and about 5,400 prasādam balls were distributed. We see how gradually the engagement and inspiration is growing.
By your grace, the service of distributing prasādam is also developing. In 2024, 24 programs were held, during which 2,987 portions of consecrated food were distributed to the residents of the city. Such monthly events become a living manifestation of compassion in action. Over the past year, new devotees have joined the saṅkīrtana and a team has been formed, which is a special joy for us. Devotees also actively participate in city and national events, sharing their spiritual culture with thousands of people:
- Mantra concert “Awakening” – attended by about 200 people
- Ectonica Festival (main stage) – attended by about 6,000 people
- Window to the Sky Festival – attended by about 2,000 people
- Yoga Day – attended by about 500 people
- Janmāṣṭamī festival – attended by about 300 people
- Other city events – attended by up to 300 people
Through music, kirtans, communication, and prasādam, people get the opportunity to come in contact with spiritual life for the first time.
A special stage in the development of the yātrā was the transition to its own space. For a long time, programs were held at rented premises, but gradually there was a desire and need to have our own place for service. In 2020, the first building, with an area of about 60 square meters, was built. And then in 2021, the construction of a large pandal began.
This project was a real manifestation of unity. Devotees built with their own hands, donated funds, supported one another. Gradually, the pandal grew into a full-fledged space with an area of about 420 square meters, with an altar of 170 square meters, designed for about 250 people. This pandal is not simply a building; it is the result of cooperation, faith, and inspiration. It is a place where people can come, listen, serve, communicate, and develop their spiritual lives.
The yātrā offers various forms of service: worshiping the Deities, preparing prasādam, organizing Sunday programs, taking care of families and children, conducting kirtans, decorating the altar, sewing clothes, distributing books, and providing education and support to new people. Everyone from children to senior devotees has a place to serve.
Financial support for the mission is also growing. Devotees are donating as much as they can, and there are even some philanthropists who have made significant contributions to the construction of the pandal. We see how your mission is bringing people together at different levels.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you write: “Kṛṣṇa is powerful enough to give His devotee whatever opportunities he desires, provided that the devotee works very sincerely for His pleasure.” We are trying to live with this understanding. Sometimes we lack strength, sometimes we have doubts, but your mission inspires us to keep going. The most important thing we want to say is:
You didn’t just start a movement. You gave us life. You gave us direction. You gave us the opportunity to be part of a spiritual family.
Please allow us to continue being a part of your mission. Give us the sincerity, humility, and determination to keep serving.
Let our yātrā become a tool in your hands. May each of us be able to use the spiritual weapons you gave us to help others and spread the light of knowledge.
Thank you for everything, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Thank you for the books. Thank you for the holy name. Thank you for the spiritual family. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
With deep gratitude and love,
Your servants at ISKCON Izhevsk