Although the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also known as the Hare Krishna movement, is relatively new in the West, its roots date back to ancient India, to the most advanced civilization the world has ever known.

The most important witnesses of this era are the Vedic scriptures, written in Sanskrit. Outstanding among these writings are the texts that deal with philosophy and religion. The Vedic religion is monotheistic and teaches the worship of one Supreme God (named Krishna in Sanskrit), and it was this God conscious lifestyle that ensured the long lasting prosperity of the Vedic culture.

Under the influence of time everything in this world is subject to a cycle of revival and destruction. About 5000 years ago Kali-yuga, the iron age of quarrel and hypocrisy, began. In due course of time kings, priests and teachers, followed by the rest of the populace, slowly lost their qualities of cleanliness and godliness, and with it the principles of their spiritual society.

Still, even in Kali-yuga for a long time India remained a country possessing legendary opulence. Again and again we find how throughout history great powers have tried to exploit its treasures. All those who penetrated the Indian sub-continent -- from Alexander the Great in 327 BC up to the Muslims and Englishmen -- were astonished at the sight of this country with its imposing temples and palaces. But what these conquerors saw (and often also destroyed) were merely the remains of an earlier and even greater civilization.

ISKCON Nowadays
ISKCON, founded in 1966 in New York by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is the contemporary representative of the ancient religion of Krishna consciousness. It is a cultural and religious movement that offers humanity facilities to acquire, study and practice Vedic knowledge.