Krishna House: ISKCON Ashramites in the West

Reviving ISKCON’s Ashram Culture

🕉️ The Beginning

In 1966, Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York.

Within a few months, his simple presentation of Krishna consciousness attracted a small but serious group of bohemian Lower East Side youth.

With Srila Prabhupada’s encouragement, over the next few years his fledgling students opened ISKCON temples across North America.

🌍 The Expansion

These temples quickly filled with young devotees who lived in modest ashrams, first in cities throughout North America, and then across Europe, Australasia, and around the world.

Before Srila Prabhupada’s passing in 1977, ISKCON boasted 108 temples and ashrams.

🕯️ After Srila Prabhupada’s Departure

After Srila Prabhupada left this world, most of the young ashram residents who initially led ISKCON turned their attention to marriage and family responsibilities.

Gradually, there were fewer newcomers to take their place. Ashrams dwindled in importance.

Although the temples founded by Srila Prabhupada carried on, most of their ashrams diminished or closed.

🇮🇳 A New Wave of Leadership

During this time, millions of Indians immigrated to North America and other regions where ISKCON ashramites had established temples.

These immigrants, attracted to ISKCON’s traditional practices, stepped in and took leadership roles to preserve and expand ISKCON temples.

Today, ISKCON North America largely serves these congregational members, who visit temples and perform services as much as their busy schedules allow.

🪷 The Question of Ashrams

With temples solidly established through congregational support, many ISKCON leaders — though concerned about reaching locals — wonder if ashrams are still important or even possible.

Ashrams are, in fact, the key to bringing Krishna to local populations. Why?

While congregational members are steeped in a deep Vedic heritage that makes Srila Prabhupada’s gifts easy to appreciate, those not so fortunate need more.

For most locals, an ashram experience of at least a few months is all but essential for reaching a lasting appreciation of Krishna consciousness.

📘 Purpose of This Book

This book is our humble attempt to explain the vital importance of continuing ISKCON’s ashram culture in the West, particularly in the wealthy, multi-ethnic, democratic countries where ISKCON first took root.

It is precisely in these places where Krishna House programs can help capable young devotees again emerge.