ISKCON Assam Launches 50th Anniversary Celebrations in Guwahati

Guwahati: Thousands of devotees packed Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on October 30. They gathered for the start of the three-day ISKCON Assam golden jubilee. The event also hosts the Namhatta Sanmilan and Bhakta Mahotsav. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya opened the festivities to celebrate 50 years of the group in the Northeast.

The Governor praised the teachings of Srimanta Sankardev, Madhavdev, and A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He stated these lessons provide a way to beat violence, immorality, and social unrest. Dignitaries including Bhaktipurushottam Swami Maharaj, Gouranga Prem Karunashama Swami Maharaj, and Professor Nani Gopal Mahanta attended. Dr. Babul Chandra Das Kashyap and BJP leader Anup Barman also appeared. The group officially released a souvenir titled 'Panchajanya' to honor the half-century milestone.

Madhav Hari Das Prabhu noted the importance of the timing during the holy month of Kati. He said, "The continuous chanting of Hari Naam in Guwahati would give a new dimension to the propagation of Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam."

Devotees traveled from 25 districts across the state. Media coordinator Sailendra Pandey confirmed the scale of the turnout at the Kalakshetra. The festival program includes Vedic dances, Japa Mala sessions, and recitations of Bhagavad Gita slokas. Performers are slated to showcase Borgeet renditions and Sattriya Nritya. Organizers are also managing large-scale prasad distribution. Karunamaya Chaitanya Das Kaushik Prabhu urged the public to join the events to promote peace, unity, and spiritual values.