ISKCON Newcastle Programs

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) , also popularly known as the Hare Krishna Movement is a spiritual society founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 in New York. ISKCON’s teachings are non-sectarian, following the principle of Sanatana dharma (eternal religion), which denotes the eternal activity of all living beings – loving devotional service (bhakti-yoga) to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Today ISKCON comprises of more than 400 temples, 40 rural communities and over 100 vegetarian restaurants. In the North-East of England the Hare Krishna Temple is on the Westgate Road, Newcastle. Their presence has been felt since 1987 with their popular chanting and dancing on the streets of Newcastle and its surrounding towns. The presiding deities of ISKCON Newcastle are Sri Sri Panchatattva.

The aim of ISKCON is to acquaint all people of the world with universal principles of self-realization and God consciousness so that they may derive the highest benefit of spiritual understanding, unity and peace. The Vedic literature recommends that in the present age of Kali-yuga (the age of quarrel and hypocrisy) the most effective means of achieving self-realization is by always hearing about, glorifying, and remembering the all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. Therefore, it recommends the chanting of the Holy Names.

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare”

This sublime chanting puts the chanter directly in touch with the Supreme Lord through the sound vibration of His Holy Name. ISKCON's primary mission is to encourage all members of human society at least a portion of their time and energies to this process of hearing and chanting about Krishna. ISKCON follows the teachings of the Vedas and Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam which teach devotion to Krishna, the supreme personality if Godhead.