Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to your lotus feet! All glories to your extraor-
dinary mission of spreading Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy across the globe!
On this most sacred occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we at ISKCON of New Jersey, offer this
humble homage at your lotus feet. Today, as we stand on the threshold of completing our new
temple, after sixteen long and blessed years, our hearts overflow with gratitude. Every stone that
has been laid, every permit secured, every kīrtana held in the dusty fields and unfinished halls –
all of it has been under your divine direction. You are the real builder. You are the visionary. You
are our guiding light.
Sixteen years ago, when we first acquired the land for this temple, we could not have imagined
the journey ahead. Zoning challenges, legal complexities, design revisions, fundraising efforts –
all stood like Goliaths before us. And yet we pressed on. Why? Because your life showed us how
to face impossible odds with unwavering faith in Kṛṣṇa. You endured far more than we ever
could – journeying to America at sixty-nine with only forty rupees, sleeping in storefronts, endur-
ing two heart attacks while aboard the Jaladuta – all to fulfill the order of your spiritual master
and bring bhakti to the West.
That same courage flows through ISKCON today, and it has brought us to this moment. This
temple in Parsippany is not our offering – it is yours. We are merely placing our sweat, time, and
service into your hands, praying it may please you.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you once said that building temples is not about real estate – it’s about
heart. A temple is a place where people come in contact with Kṛṣṇa, with His devotees, and with
spiritual wisdom that can uplift their entire lives. In your own words: “A temple means people
should come, take darshan, and be purified.” You taught us that a temple is not merely for rituals;
it’s a dynamic center of transformation for both the individual and for society. And that’s what
we’re striving for here in Parsippany: not just to finish construction, but to open the doors of a
spiritual home where the holy name resounds, prasādam nourishes the soul, and everyone feels
welcomed by Kṛṣṇa’s love.
Your example continues to guide us. In Juhu you fought legal battles, faced hostility, and even
personally lived onsite to oversee progress. Your determination, despite physical difficulty and
opposition, is our blueprint. In Māyāpur you stood in muddy fields, envisioning a temple that
would touch the stars. In America, you started with a humble storefront on New York’s Second
Avenue and inspired palatial temples on multiple continents. You didn’t build buildings – you
built hope. You built culture. You built communities centered on Kṛṣṇa.
Our own journey in Parsippany has mirrored your example in small but meaningful ways.
From the day the land was purchased, you were present in every decision. As plans were drawn,
approvals sought, and foundations laid, we remembered how you engaged directly in architec-
tural discussions, city negotiations, and community outreach.
We remember how you personally met with contractors, engineers, and city officials for the
Bombay temple. You weren’t just a spiritual master – you were a master organizer, fully engaged
in every aspect of temple building. Inspired by your holistic example, we too have sought to com-
bine spiritual vision with practical effort.
Many times along the way, obstacles arose that seemed too daunting. Delays discouraged us.
Finances tested our faith. But you taught us that perseverance is a limb of devotion. You said,
“Impossible is a word in a fool’s dictionary.” And so we pushed on – because we knew that this
project was not for our satisfaction but for your pleasure.
Now, with the final walls rising, the marble soon to be polished, and the altar being prepared,
we feel your presence stronger than ever. It is not we who are building this temple – it is you, Śrīla
Prabhupāda, acting through your servants, drawing hearts together in service.
You once told your disciples that your love for them would be shown by how they cooperate
together. This instruction has echoed throughout our community. For sixteen years, our families,
youth, elders, and children have come together – working not as individuals but as a united
offering to you. In this way, the Parsippany temple is more than concrete and carvings. It is the
embodiment of our collective desire to serve you. And as we draw close to its completion, we
recommit ourselves to what this temple must represent:
• A place of loving Deity worship that brings the Lord into people’s lives.
• A center for kīrtana that uplifts and transforms hearts.
• A school of Bhāgavatam where wisdom flows from the lips of devotees.
• A kitchen of compassion where prasādam feeds body and soul.
• A vibrant saṅga where newcomers feel welcomed and seen.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please allow this temple to be a genuine offering of love. We know it can never
repay what you’ve given us, but if even one soul is awakened here, if even one child takes shelter
of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet in this house – you will be pleased. And that is our greatest success.
You once said, “I will never die. I will live forever in my books and instructions.” That is true.
You live in your words, your songs, your temples, and the sincere hearts of your followers.
Many of us never met you in person. Yet we know you. When we hear you chant Jaya Rādhā-
Mādhava, it feels like you’re sitting with us. When we read your purports, we hear your voice cor-
recting, encouraging, uplifting. When we see your mūrti, we feel your presence as real as sunlight.
You are the founder-ācārya of ISKCON – not just in name, but in spirit. You built a movement
to last ten thousand years. And this temple is a small stone in the fortress of bhakti you began
laying in 1965.
It is said in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that the ācārya is the living representative of the Lord. You
exemplified that fully. In your purity, your clarity, your compassion, and your conviction we see
Kṛṣṇa. You are our access point to the paramparā. Without you we would be lost. With you we
have everything.
As we prepare for the grand opening of our Parsippany temple, we pray for one thing above
all else: to remain your servants. Temples may come and go, buildings may rise and fall, but the
service to your lotus feet must continue eternally.
Please empower us to fill this temple not only with beauty but with devotion. Let it not just be
structurally complete but spiritually alive. Let your books be distributed here, your kīrtana ring
through these halls, and your message of love for Kṛṣṇa reach every guest who walks through the
door.
Please protect us from pride, distraction, and complacency. Let us always remember that this
temple is not “ours” but belongs to you. We are only caretakers. It is your offering to your spiri-
tual master, and we are simply praying to assist.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, on this day of Vyāsa-pūjā, we bow down again and again at your lotus feet.
We pray to you to see through to a quick completion of the remaining last stretch of this project.
Without your mercy this will not be possible. You are the blazing sun that has dispelled the dark-
ness of Kali-yuga. You are the captain of the ship, and we are passengers who depend completely
on your mercy.
This temple is our humble garland to offer to you. It is imperfect. But it is made with sincerity
and hope. May it be a place where your glories are sung every day. May you always reside here.
And may we serve you here and forever, life after life.
Your eternal servants,
The devotees at ISKCON of New Jersey
Europe & Russia, Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Please accept our obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet! Thank you for your compassion toward the citizens of Russia and the Soviet Union. Despite difficulties, you came to Moscow fifty-five years ago and carefully planted the seed of devotion in the hearts of the Russians.
Your mission continues to develop in the Russian territory. We have had the honor to develop your mission in Perm and the Perm region. Please accept our yearly report on our activities as an offering to you!
By your grace, we have the opportunity to serve our Deities: Śrī-Śrī Jagannātha-Baladeva-Subhadrā-Sudarśana-cakra, Śrī-Śrī Nitāi-Gauracandra, and Śrī-Śrī Prahlāda Nṛsiṁhadeva.
We conduct training courses on Vaiṣṇava philosophy, courses on receiving the praṇāma-mantra, receiving initiation, and bhakti-śāstra for devotees, as well as courses for studying the Bhagavad-gītā for new people.
Ten training courses on the philosophy and practice of Vaiṣṇavism, ninety-eight students who regularly attend classes, seven teachers, and qualified mentors.
For your satisfaction we distribute books. We hold monthly saṅkīrtana festivals. We organize harināmas – one harināma per week. Devotees pay great attention to building relationships and cooperation with government officials, thanks to which we are allowed to hold harināmas on the streets of the city. We distribute prasādam through our Food of Life program and also run a Gauranga confectionery.
We organize trips for devotees and residents of the Perm region to holy places: Vrindavan, Mayapur, Jagannath Puri, and Kurukshetra.
We organize traditional Vaiṣṇava festivals and the chanting of the holy names on a regular basis. We hold Ratha-yātrā each year. We organize round tables as a way to communicate with the representatives of authorities and other faiths in order to build trust and cooperation: the round table cycle “Spiritual Heritage of Russia: 17 facets” within the framework of Presidential Decree No. 809. In 2025, two events were held, in 2026, five are planned. Interreligious dialogue: visiting the Perm synagogue at the international conference in the framework of the interfaith round table.
In the council at the yātrā, we develop friendly relationships, team spirit, and cooperation. We meditate on expressing your will in managing our yātrā.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, thank you for filling our lives with a higher purpose! Bless us to continue developing your mission.
Your servants at ISKCON Perm
Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept our respectful obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspi-
cious day of your 129th divine appearance on this earth planet.
On this most blessed event, we would like to seek your blessings to glorify you on this special
day. We can only do this by your mercy, like we can only offer Ganges water back to the Ganges.
Your appearance in this world is just to reclaim the fallen conditioned souls and engage them in
the Supreme service of the Divine Couple, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govardhanadhārī.
Here in Perth, we are trying to please you by engaging in some menial services. We are trying
to distribute your books to the people of Perth, Western Australia. We are trying to distribute
through various avenues, like a book table at the temple and at various events, and most inter-
estingly, one of our devotees distributes your books through his occupation as an Uber driver.
He talks to his customers and gives them a book and cookie prasādam. In this way he has dis-
tributed more than two thousand Gītās over the last couple of years. I am sure you will be very
pleased with his sincere efforts. Also, our efforts at distributing sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and
Caitanya-caritāmṛta have increased, and we need your mercy to distribute more so that many can
come to know about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
We are steadily distributing prasādam through our Govinda’s, and nowadays we distribute
close to 150 free meals a week to the needy. Also, our free distribution to the local members by
Bhakta Mark Claes is steadily increasing. He is very enthusiastic in distributing prasādam and
thus bringing awareness of the Hare Kṛṣṇas to the local community.
We are regularly going out on harināma-saṅkīrtana in the streets of Perth, and many onlookers
chant with us and walk away with happy smiles. Also, we are invited to do saṅkīrtana at various
events, such as the Australia Day parade and at a local mall during Diwali, and these organiza-
tions even give a donation to our saṅkīrtana party!
Many of our devotees are conducting bhakti-vriksha programs, outreach programs, and univer-
sity programs, and thus introducing many conditioned souls to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We know
this is not enough, as there are many more who are not aware of our Kṛṣṇa consciousness move-
ment, so we have a long way to go and need your blessings to carry on this difficult service of
going uphill, fighting against māyā (mama māyā duratyayā!).
Another regular activity we are doing is the six-week Bhagavad-gītā intro course along with an
eighteen-week Bhagavad-gītā course, both of which are well-attended. Students are becoming seri-
ous in the process of devotional service due to these courses.
Recently, our devotees have done an outreach program in a nearby town called Bunbury,
which was attended by 150 devotees. We have a regular program in another nearby town, Man-
durah. This shows there are many souls who are very eager to know about Kṛṣṇa and learn about
the process. So please bless us so that we can reach many towns in Western Australia.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, it’s fifty years ago that you put your lotus feet in Perth, considered the
second most isolated city in the world, and thus you made this place a tīrtha. Now this year, in the
month of May, we are planning to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of your visit. We are having
a week-long program of hearing the kathā about your Divine Grace and all the pastimes. We are
very fortunate that two of your dear servants who were with you fifty years ago have accepted our
invitation to join us. They are His Grace Śrutakīrti Prabhu and His Grace Amogha Prabhu. We
are all looking forward to hearing the nectarean pastimes of Your Divine Grace and celebrating
this very special moment with all these wonderful servants of yours. We are also planning to invite
some local officials so that they will be aware of your greatness and recognize your contribution
to human society.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, somehow for reasons known only to you and Their Lordships, our temple
project has taken different directions, and as we write this offering, we are about to settle the pur-
chase of a 2.5-acre piece of land, and Krishna willing and if you so desire, we may get a bit more
land for our future projects. The Council is supportive that we use this land as a place of worship,
and hopefully, by your mercy, we will complete a nice home for Their Lordships and for you. We
are hoping that we will make some progress with our design and other approvals this year.
Please bless us so we can serve you by working cooperatively to increase the preaching and
bring in more conditioned souls to the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Your servants at the ISKCON Perth yātrā
Homages ISKCON Centers, Oceania, VP2026
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to your Divine Grace.
Your glories are unlimited, so how can we glorify you with our tiny brains and inadequate words? We can only do this by your mercy, just as one can offer Ganges water to the Ganges!
Please accept our prostrated obeisances on this, your divine 130th Appearance Day. It has been sixty years since you established ISKCON, your transcendental body. This movement is going very strongly, with many new temples coming up, more books being distributed, and more and more devotees taking to the process of devotional service.
At the same time many of your direct disciples and stalwart devotees are leaving this material world and joining you to serve you and preach in other worlds under your guidance. In the last two months, we have seen the departure of three of your dedicated disciples, each of whom inspired many souls. We are now deprived of their association and can only cherish the sweet memories of their association and their exalted and dedicated service to your movement. This is a fact: as time progresses, we will see many, and then all, of your direct disciples gradually leaving this world. As one of your senior disciples said, “This is a decade of tears,” referring to the departure of so many senior devotees and leaders. So, Śrīla Prabhupāda, please bless us and give us the intelligence to control our minds and take this process seriously, and to do something significant for your pleasure.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, you put your lotus foot on the soil of this place called Perth, which is so far from other cities. Only out of your causeless mercy did you choose to visit Perth. You stayed for ten days, thus making Perth a holy place (tīrtha). The devotees here are trying to do some insignificant service to please you and Lord Caitanya Mahaaprabhu by spreading the saṅkīrtana movement.
Our book distributors are distributing regularly by innovating new ways, such as creating street libraries, distributing to community libraries, doing street distribution, and distributing books from Govinda’s restaurant and the temple. Last year we distributed 42 sets of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 8 Caitanya-caritāmṛta sets, and 1,952 Bhagavad-gītās. This is very, very small, but please bless us so we can improve and distribute more this year. We need your mercy.
Our devotees go out on harināma-saṅkīrtana every Friday into the streets of Perth, and we also take opportunities to participate in other events and spread the holy name. Yes, we agree we need to reach out to more and more people, as the holy name is the panacea for all the problems of this world. But Śrīla Prabhupāda, when will we be able to understand this and become convinced first so we can convince others? We need your mercy.
You said when you were in Australia that we should distribute prasādam, so we are endeavoring to distribute prasādam from our Govinda’s restaurant, the temple, and we are also making home deliveries. We have a well-wisher who is very dedicated to this service. He enthusiastically collects the extra prasādam, packs it up, and delivers it to the needy in our local area. This activity is creating a good impression of your society in our local community.
Many disadvantaged people who have no shelter come to our restaurant, and we happily give them a free meal so they can start their spiritual journey by honoring kṛṣṇa-prasādam. Because of the current situation in the world, these numbers are increasing every day, and as many as 150 people are taking advantage of this service every week.
As you have kindly visited this place, and we want to offer a nice temple for the pleasure of you and Their Lordships, we are working on the new temple project, having acquired another block of land. We are trying to finalize the plans and then submit them to the council by the end of June. Hopefully, by the time of your Vyāsa-pūjā day, we will have some more news about the progress.
We are also trying to reach various groups and different political leaders so that they can appreciate your contribution to humanity and recognize your greatness. Śrīla Prabhupāda, you always remained at the back and put Kṛṣṇa in front. Now it is our duty to bring awareness of your contribution to humankind and let society know how you are saving them from all bad vices.
We are trying to reach newcomers through programs like Ratha-yātrā and other outreach programs and cultural festivals. We know there are many out there who do not know about Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His teachings, so we have a lot of work to do. We need your mercy.
Through our Bhagavad-gītā Intro courses, we’re finding that people are showing interest in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. So after completing the five-week course, they join our bhakti-vṛkṣa programs. Many devotees are studying your books through various programs, like IDC, Bhakti-śāstrī, Bhakti Vaibhava, and other such courses.
Many of our youth are coming forward and making a serious commitment to the process of bhakti by taking shelter and initiation and surrendering to the spiritual master. Recently, many of our youth participated in a bhakti festival in the eastern states, and their performance of kirtan, drama, and dance were well appreciated by many. These youth have so many talents – we need to nurture their devotion. Please give us the intelligence to help and encourage them to serve your mission so that they can take responsibility and lead your movement in the coming years. We need your mercy.
So, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we have a lot of work ahead of us as this world needs a lot of guidance and your books and teachings are the only saving grace. This we can only do if we convince ourselves first. So please give us the intelligence so we can work cooperatively by putting all our selfish motives aside.
Your servants,
The devotees at ISKCON Perth
Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this most auspicious
day of your appearance.
Your presence blessed the city of Philadelphia in July of 1975 for our Ratha-yātrā parade, fill-
ing the streets with devotion and joy. At the parade’s conclusion, you addressed an eager crowd,
sharing your transcendental wisdom and uplifting words: “So our only request is that you chant
Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and you will feel very much happy. There will be no anxiety. And then you
can do your work. It doesn’t matter what you are doing, but chanting of this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra
will make you more and more happy, free from material anxieties. And if we continue this process,
then everything will be clearly understood about spiritual life, and very easily we shall be able to
go back to home, back to Godhead.” (Lecture, Philadelphia, July 12, 1975)
Your instructions are clear: chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra:
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
This is our heartfelt prayer, our call for service. As your disciples and granddisciples, we have
vowed to chant this prayer 1,728 times daily, begging, “Please engage me in Your devotional ser-
vice!” If we sincerely make this plea, how can we refuse the opportunity to serve when it comes?
Sincere chanting naturally leads to action and manifests as devotional service. True happiness, as
you assured us, is found in this engagement.
Moved by this realization, your instructions have taken root in the hearts of your devoted fol-
lowers here in Philadelphia, inspiring us to cultivate a genuine spirit of service. How can we best
serve you? How can we best serve Their Lordships, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Śaradbihārī, Lord Jagannātha-
Baladeva-Subhadrā, and Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi? How can we best serve those seeking guidance at
Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet?
By your mercy, our collective efforts have borne fruit. Thousands of your books have been
distributed, and prasādam is reaching vulnerable communities, touching lives with transcendental
knowledge and mercy. Through dedicated training and heartfelt guidance, devotees are empow-
ered to share in the glories of the holy name. Whether through education, outreach, or Vaishnavas
C.A.R.E., we strive to uphold your instructions and create an environment where both new and
seasoned devotees can deepen their commitment to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, your divine mission continues in Philadelphia as we endeavor to carry
forward the torch of devotion you so mercifully lit. By your grace, we witness the transformative
power of Kṛṣṇa consciousness – hearts awakened, devotees engaged, and the holy name resound-
ing throughout our city. Yet we know there is always more to do. The challenges of this age
remind us of the urgency of your mission, and we pray for the strength to remain steadfast despite
obstacles.
We pray for the strength to serve with humility, the intelligence to organize with care, and the
determination to never tire of spreading this movement. May we serve with integrity, upholding
the principles you so carefully established, ensuring that our actions align with your teachings
and reflect the highest standards of Vaiṣṇava conduct.
As you so mercifully promised, by sincerely chanting the holy names and engaging in devo-
tional service, all anxieties will fade, and true happiness will blossom. Let us embrace this joy by
dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to serving you, Their Lordships, and all who seek shelter in
Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
May we remain instruments in your hands, working together in harmony to build a community
that reflects your vision – a place where all feel welcomed, nurtured, and uplifted. Let our service
be pure, free from personal motivation and offered solely for the pleasure of guru and Kṛṣṇa.
On this most sacred day, we offer our deepest gratitude and rededicate ourselves to service.
Please bless us so that we may always follow your instructions with faith, enthusiasm, integrity,
and unflinching dedication – knowing that in doing so, we will find true happiness, just as you
assured us, with unwavering faith in your mercy and the holy name. All glories to Your Divine
Grace!
Your servant,
Śeṣaśāyī Viṣṇu Dāsa,
on behalf of your humble servants in the “City of Brotherly Love”
Homages ISKCON Centers, VP2025
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
With deep reverence and gratitude we offer our humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
You have gifted the world with the priceless treasure of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, lighting up the path
for us all to follow. Your tireless dedication, boundless compassion, and firm faith and commit-
ment to the mission of Lord Caitanya have transformed our lives and the lives of countless souls
across the globe.
We thank you from the core of our hearts for the priceless gift of the holy names of the Lord,
for your teachings that guide us through the turmoil of this material world, and for the practical
instructions that allow us to remain hopeful and afloat in this age of hypocrisy.
As we navigate the daily challenges of preserving your divine mission, we pray for your eternal
blessings. Please guide us to keep your vision and your mission alive in our hearts, that we may
always act in service to your instructions and the glorious legacy you’ve left behind.
You showed us the way to care for one another. Please help us to do the same, to uplift
one another, to imbibe the essential values of cooperation, humility, and selflessness that you
taught us.
May we be inspired by your example of compassion and dedication so that we may truly do
justice to your instructions and remain steadfast in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa and His devotees.
Please empower us to be worthy instruments in your hands and to continue your mission with
sincerity, determination, and love.
We pray that you continue to guide us and that you forgive our many shortcomings. We pray
that we may serve you and the devotees in the spirit of unity and devotion. We pray that by your
mercy we may always remember Kṛṣṇa and never forget Kṛṣṇa.
With utmost respect, gratitude, and love,
Your aspiring servants at ISKCON Phoenix, Arizona
