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ISKCON launches 60th anniversary celebrations in NYC
The gala marked the start of a weekend of events commemorating the birthplace of the Hare Krishna movement in the West.
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Staff Reporter - Tue, 04, Aug 2026
- 16:55 EDT
- 41
Mayuri Gandharvika, a third-generation devotee, sings at the sold-out event in NYC. / iskconnews.org
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) launched its 60th anniversary celebrations in New York City on Aug. 1.
The celebrations began with a sold-out gala at The Glasshouse in Manhattan, commemorating six decades since Founder-Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada established the organization in New York City in 1966.
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The gala opened ISKCON's "Origins" 60th Anniversary Weekend, bringing together devotees from around the world alongside representatives of multiple faith traditions, government officials, philanthropists, religious freedom advocates, temple leaders, and longtime supporters.
The evening celebrated Prabhupada's life, ISKCON's history, and the movement's global growth through devotional music, kirtan, dance performances, and an artificial intelligence presentation highlighting its legacy.
Among those in attendance were representatives of the Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Latter-day Saint communities, along with New York City and State officials, religious freedom attorneys, major donors, and ISKCON leaders from North America and other parts of the world.
The cultural program, directed by Goura Prema of Cirque de India and Vasu, featured performances by devotional artists including Dhanya Rico, Sara Kamala, Anapayini, Mayuri Gandharvika, Gaura Vani, and Mani Manjari.
The program also highlighted ISKCON's six decades of growth and interfaith engagement. Participants included Archbishop Emeritus Felix Machado of Vasai, India, who previously served as undersecretary of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and actress and Indian lawmaker Hema Malini, who reflected on Prabhupada's legacy.
The gala was organized by a team of devotees led by Kumari Kunti Devi Dasi.
The anniversary celebrations will continue with a pilgrimage to sites associated with Prabhupada's early mission in New York, a sold-out sunset kirtan cruise around Manhattan, a public festival, a youth musical, and a commemorative Love Feast honoring the origins of the Hare Krishna movement in the West.
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