- 🌆 New York City, USA – Birthplace of ISKCON
“Chant Hare Krishna and your life will become excellent.”
In 1966, on the Lower East Side, Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness at 26 2nd Avenue. With barely any money, he attracted hippies, seekers, scholars – and ignited a spiritual revolution.
- 🇮🇳 Vrindavan, India – Final and Eternal Home
“This is my home. I will never leave it.”
Despite being born in Kolkata, Srila Prabhupada’s deepest connection was with Vrindavan. Here he wrote volumes of translations and commentaries, founded the Krishna-Balarama temple and spent his last days remembering Krishna.
- 🎶 London, UK – The city that gave the message of Hare Krishna to the world
“If you can influence London, you can influence the whole world.”
With the help of George Harrison, Srila Prabhupada launched the ISKCON movement in the UK with astonishing success. The Hare Krishna mantra topped the singles charts, and public kirtans became common in Hyde Park and the West End.
- 🌴 Los Angeles, USA – Western Headquarters
“This is the new Dwaraka.”
Prabhupada spent more time in LA than almost any other US city. He established top-class deity worship, personally trained disciples, and founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) – the center of ISKCON publishing.
- 🏙️ Mumbai (Juhu), India – Hard-won Victory
“Krishna has given us this land – it must become glorious.”
Srila Prabhupada struggled for years to secure the Juhu land for ISKCON, facing legal battles, real estate corruption, and even betrayal. But he never gave up. Today, this temple is one of ISKCON’s most revered temples.
- 🚢 Boston, USA – Where the Jaldoot docked
“Lord, why have you brought me here?”
When Prabhupada reached Boston Harbor in 1965, he wrote the now famous prayer “Markin Bhagavata Dharma.” He had no followers, money or support – only faith in Krishna’s mission.
- 🧳 San Francisco, USA – Where the Rath Yatra touched America
“This is the new Jagannath Puri.”
San Francisco was home to the first Rath Yatra in the West, the first ISKCON temple outside of NYC, and many musical innovations (including Prabhupada’s harmonium recordings). It was here that he met Allen Ginsberg and spread Krishna’s name through art and activism.
- 🕌 Mayapur, India – The Global Spiritual Capital
“This will be the spiritual city of the world.”
Mayapur is where Srila Prabhupada established the headquarters for Lord Chaitanya’s movement. He personally selected the land, oversaw the masterplan and conceived the huge temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
- 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Japan – Eastern Gate
“Print books in Japanese, Chinese and Russian.”
Prabhupada preached in Tokyo and encouraged the spread of Krishna consciousness throughout Asia. His trips to Japan were strategic and prophetic, opening the way to China and Southeast Asia.
- 🇰🇪 Nairobi, Kenya – Africa’s First Light
“The people of Africa are very fortunate.”
Srila Prabhupada personally preached in Africa, established deities in Nairobi, and encouraged indigenous Africans to take the lead. His presence inspired the movement to establish lasting roots throughout the continent.