ISKCON 26 2nd Avenue Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of ISKCON

ISKCON 26 2nd Avenue celebrated the 60th Anniversary of ISKCON with eight days of spectacular events. The festival ran from 6th to 13th July, bringing together devotees from around the world. Over 20 disciples of Srila Prabhupada were present, sharing their cherished memories of the movement’s early days. Each day featured harinam to Tompkins Square Park, followed by evening programs filled with kirtan, heartfelt memories shared both in person and online, and concluded with sumptuous prasadam.

The festivities commenced with HH Candrasekhara Swami, Gaur Kumar dasa, and Yadunath dasa cutting a ribbon and breaking coconuts outside the historic storefront at 26 2nd Avenue, while Jai Nitai dasa recited auspicious mantras. This joyful ceremony set the mood for the sacred yajna that followed. Throughout the festival there was a deep sense of appreciation for all that our Founder-Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, has done for the world and the extraordinary achievements of the movement he established.

Seating was at a premium throughout the celebrations, with many guests standing outside the sacred storefront while others watched the live broadcasts on their phones. Due to overwhelming attendance, one of the programs featuring HH Radhanath Swami was relocated to the Bhakti Center to accommodate the large audience.

Many of the guests, including Jadurani devi dasi, returned to the dham after many years and expressed heartfelt appreciation for once again being among their godbrothers and godsisters at the very place where ISKCON began sixty years ago.

The original Radha-Krishna Deities, worshipped and installed at 26 2nd Avenue by Srila Prabhupada, made a special appearance during the celebrations. Also displayed were the original shoes Srila Prabhupada wore when he first arrived in the United States in 1965. These sacred items were brought from ISKCON New York for the occasion.

A sacred places bus tour was organized aboard an open-top bus, where Rama Raya dasa served as tour guide, sharing the historical locations connected with Srila Prabhupada’s first days in New York. Later that day, attendees were deeply moved by a theatrical production directed by Yadunath dasa depicting the incorporation of ISKCON.

In honor of the original Sunday Feast held at 26 2nd Avenue, a traditional Hare Krishna feast was served during the festival. The menu featured delicious preparations including paneer, puri, sweet rice, pakoras, and many other offerings.

The celebrations were the result of many months of planning and the dedicated service of an enthusiastic team of volunteers under the coordination of the project lead, Jai Nitai dasa.

Every program was livestreamed, with recordings preserved on the 26 2nd Avenue YouTube channel to ensure that this historic milestone remains available for future generations.

Social Media

• Instagram: @26_2nd_avenue_matchless_gifts_
• YouTube: ISKCON 26 2nd Avenue Matchless Gifts
• Facebook: 26 2nd Avenue Bhakti Yoga Official Programs