When Srila Prabhupada left India in 1965 to fulfill his spiritual master’s order, he had nothing but a box of books, a pair of cymbals and an unwavering faith in the Holy Name. In just 12 years, he circumambulated the world 14 times, establishing more than 100 temples and transforming the lives of millions. While his teachings have touched hearts everywhere, there are a few countries that have been particularly transformed by his divine mission.
Here are five countries that have been most affected by Srila Prabhupada’s teachings:
- The United States
It’s no surprise—the U.S. was the launching pad of Srila Prabhupada’s global movement. After arriving in New York in 1965, he founded ISKCON on Second Avenue in 1966. The hippie youth of the ’60s, in search of higher meaning, were drawn to his purity, wisdom and chanting of the Holy Name. Soon centers opened in San Francisco (with the historic “Mantra Rock Dance”), Los Angeles, Boston and elsewhere. America became the center of early Krishna consciousness, where books were printed, temples were established and the movement took organizational form. - India
Although Srila Prabhupada had left India to preach abroad, he returned triumphantly in the 1970s – bringing with him Western disciples, vibrant kirtans and newly built temples. His efforts rekindled spiritual interest in his homeland, especially among young people who had begun to lean toward materialism. The Krishna-Balaram temple in Vrindavan and the magnificent ISKCON temple in Mayapur became spiritual centers. They reintroduced the message of bhakti with new vigor and global credibility. - United Kingdom
When Srila Prabhupada sent a group of his disciples to London in 1968, the country was at the cultural peak of the Beatles era. Through the sincere efforts of its devotees and the personal support of George Harrison – ISKCON London was born. George financed the printing of the Krishna book and helped produce the hit single “Hare Krishna Mantra” by the London Radha-Krishna Temple, which climbed the UK charts. Soon, Bhaktivedanta Manor was gifted to ISKCON and remains one of its strongest centers today. - Russia (Soviet Union)
Preaching Krishna consciousness in the USSR was a major challenge because of state-imposed atheism. Yet Srila Prabhupada personally visited Moscow in 1971 and spoke to a young Russian seeker named Ananta Shanti (Anatoly Pinyaev). That one meeting gave birth to an underground bhakti movement that grew despite intense persecution. Devotees risked imprisonment simply to chant and distribute books. Today, Russia has a large and vibrant ISKCON community with countless centers and tens of thousands of devotees.
- Africa (especially South Africa and Kenya)
Srila Prabhupada’s message reached Africa through both personal visits and the dedication of early disciples. In apartheid-era South Africa, ISKCON temples became symbols of spiritual equality and unity across racial divisions. In Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Mauritius, Krishna consciousness took root among both Indian-origin communities and local populations. Srila Prabhupada’s bold directive was: “Krishna is for everyone.” Why it’s worth mentioning: His teachings broke social barriers and spread devotion to communities as far away as India, proving its universal appeal.
Conclusion
Srila Prabhupada’s influence cannot be confined within borders. Whether the streets of New York or the villages of Gujarat, the Red Square of Moscow or the towns of Soweto, his mission is flourishing. These five countries are just the beginning of his worldwide influence, which continues to grow through his books, temples and the lives he has transformed.
His movement was not just global—it was transcendental.