About Us

The Formulation of ISKM

The International Sri Kṛṣṇa Mandir (ISKM) has its roots in Singapore. Sri Kṛṣṇa Mandir (SKM) is the original name by which the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement has been operating in Singapore since 1997.

In 2006, we spread to Malaysia in a small way when we purchased a 4-acre land for a farm near a town called Kota Tinggi in the state of Johor. But it was only from 2011 that the expansion started to happen rapidly and the footprint of ISKM has expanded to more than 12 countries. On the 27th of June, 2016, the day after the grand and popular Ratha-yātrā celebration in Singapore, all the SKM leaders from our different countries assembled and we had our first international meeting.

In that meeting, we decided that we would rename ourselves as International Sri Kṛṣṇa Mandir as we have become truly international. The formulation of the website iskm.international was also one of the points of discussion, showcasing news and philosophical articles from all our different temples across our ever-increasing spectrum of countries.

Our Two-Fold Mission

International Sri Kṛṣṇa Mandir (ISKM) represents the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as presented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the modern world, following the instructions of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā.

Our mission is two-fold:

1. To propagate the science and practice of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness in this world for the ultimate benefit of the entire humanity at all levels of consciousness: physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual.
2. To offer a viable alternative to ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the original movement started by Śrīla Prabhupāda but which is now infested with scandals and malpractices of pseudo-followers owing to their disobedience and non-allegiance to Śrīla Prabhupāda, its Founder-Ācārya, and his sacred instructions. The ultimate aim is to reform and revive ISKCON to its original glory.

Propagation of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the original eternal consciousness of every living entity. But due to being embroiled in material existence since time immemorial, we have forgotten our real identity and have been struggling in different bodies one after another. The soul needs to be liberated from material existence altogether and reinstated back home, back in the kingdom of Godhead, to live a life of eternity, knowledge and complete bliss in His company.

This sublime culture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness includes:

1. Congregational chanting of the holy names of Kṛṣṇa (saṅkīrtana)
2. Distribution of transcendental literatures through outreach programs
3. Disseminating Kṛṣṇa conscious philosophy from the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
4. Distributing sumptuous Kṛṣṇa prasādam, pure vegetarian food offered to Lord Kṛṣṇa
5. Conducting festivals to commemorate the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa
6. Introducing the process of Deity worship as a perfect form of meditation on the Supreme Lord

Offering a Viable Alternative to ISKCON

ISKCON stands for International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the great society started and nurtured by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda from 1966 to 1977. Its institution marked a historic moment in the entire history of Vaiṣṇavism in kali-yuga. For the first time, the treasure house of Kṛṣṇa consciousness crossed the borders of India and was made available to all people of the entire planet.

After his disappearance on the 14th of November, 1977, his disciples disobeyed him and tried to usurp his position by becoming so-called spiritual masters, being neither qualified nor authorized by him to do so. What followed was a dark history that continues to this day. We have covered the topic of initiations after 1977 extensively on the ISKM website.

At ISKM, we aim to provide a viable alternative to present-day deviated ISKCON for devotees who have the greatest respect and a feeling of deep gratitude for Śrīla Prabhupāda. In this way, devotees can peacefully continue with devotional service in the association of like-minded devotees and also be initiated duly by Śrīla Prabhupāda through his ṛtvik representative.

It is our greatest desire to join back with ISKCON if they become honest and are willing to follow Śrīla Prabhupāda's instructions on the system of initiations he set up. But until then, we will operate in a parallel fashion having no other recourse.

To understand the r̃tvik system of initiation as established by Śrīla Prabhupāda , and why it is the only legitimate form of initiation today. You can watch this series of lectures: