Founding of ISKCON
On July 11, 1966, Srila Prabhupada officially registered his organization in the state of New York, formally founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The history of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and its founder, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
On July 11, 1966, Srila Prabhupada officially registered his organization in the state of New York, formally founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Srila Prabhupada was born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896 to a pious Hindu family in Calcutta. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a leader in the Gaudiya Vaishnava denomination within the broad Hindu culture, asked Abhay to bring the teachings of Lord Krishna to the English-speaking world. Abhay became his disciple in 1933 and resolved to carry out his mentor's request.
In 1965, at the age of sixty-nine, Srila Prabhupada traveled to New York City aboard a cargo ship. The journey was treacherous, and the elderly spiritual teacher suffered two heart attacks aboard ship. Arriving in the United States with just seven dollars in Indian rupees and his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts, Srila Prabhupada began to share the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness.
In the eleven years that followed, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times on lecture tours, bringing the teachings of Lord Krishna to thousands of people on six continents. Men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life came forward to accept his message, and with their help, Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON centers and projects throughout the world. Under his inspiration, devotees established temples, rural communities, and educational institutions, and started what would become the world's largest vegetarian food relief program.
Before Srila Prabhupada passed away on November 14, 1977 at the age of 81, his mission had proved successful. He had founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and saw it grow into a worldwide confederation of more than 100 temples, ashrams, and cultural centers — a legacy that continues to grow today, including at ISKCON Guntur.
Source: iskcon.org/history