Śrī Rāmacandra Vijayotsava, celebrated on Vijayā Daśamī, commemorates the glorious victory of Lord Śrī Rāmacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, over the powerful demon king Rāvaṇa. This sacred occasion reminds us that dharma triumphs over injustice, truth over falsehood, and devotion over pride.
Lord Rāmacandra appeared in the dynasty of King Ikṣvāku as the ideal king, son, husband, brother, and protector of His devotees. His life, beautifully narrated in the Rāmāyaṇa, teaches us how to remain steadfast in dharma even in the most difficult circumstances.
Although destined to become the king of Ayodhyā, Lord Rāma willingly accepted fourteen years of exile to honour His father, Mahārāja Daśaratha. Accompanied by Sītā-devī and Lakṣmaṇa, He entered the forest without resentment, demonstrating the highest standard of truthfulness and duty.
During Their exile, Sītā-devī was abducted by Rāvaṇa, the powerful ruler of Laṅkā. Lord Rāma then began His search for Her, accepting the loving service of Śrī Hanumān, Sugrīva, and the vāṇara army.
Hanumān's extraordinary devotion became a shining example of selfless service. Crossing the ocean and entering Laṅkā, he found Sītā-devī and delivered Lord Rāma's message to Her.
With the help of the vāṇaras, Lord Rāma's army crossed the ocean and reached Laṅkā. A great battle followed. Despite Rāvaṇa's immense power, wealth, and formidable army, his pride and unrighteousness ultimately brought about his downfall.
Finally, Lord Rāmacandra released His divine arrow and Rāvaṇa was defeated. Thus, righteousness was restored, and the Lord's victory became a timeless celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
Rāvaṇa represents the darkness that can arise within the heart—lust, pride, greed, anger, and the desire for control. Although he possessed great knowledge, wealth, and strength, he lacked humility and devotion.
Lord Rāma teaches us that true strength lies not in material power, but in truth, surrender, service, and devotion to the Supreme Lord.
For devotees, Vijayā Daśamī is therefore also a time for inner reflection:
Where there is pride, may humility arise.
Where there is anger, may compassion arise.
Where there is selfish desire, may the desire to serve arise.
Where there is forgetfulness of the Lord, may remembrance arise.
The greatest victory is not merely the defeat of an external enemy. It is the victory of the Lord's remembrance over the darkness within our own hearts.
His example continues to inspire us to live with integrity, responsibility, compassion, and devotion.
On this auspicious occasion, let us pray to Lord Rāmacandra for the strength to follow the path of dharma, the humility to serve, and the devotion to remember Him in all circumstances.
May the victory of Lord Rāmacandra become a victory within our own hearts.
A Sacred Pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Lord Jagannātha 26th – 29th. November 2026
Śrī Kṣetra Parikrama is a cherished annual pilgrimage to Jagannātha Purī, the sacred abode of Lord Jagannātha, where devotees come together to walk through the holy land, chant the Lord’s names and remember the divine pastimes of Lord Jagannātha and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Organised by ISKCON, this pilgrimage marks its 22nd year in 2026, continuing a tradition that brings devotees, senior Vaiṣṇavas and spiritual leaders together in the service of the Lord.
Śrī Kṣetra, also known as Puruṣottama Kṣetra, holds a special place in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition. Lord Jagannātha resides here with Baladeva and Subhadrā, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu spent many years in Purī immersed in deep love for Kṛṣṇa. The Dhāma is revered as a place of the Lord’s eternal pastimes, and pilgrimage through its sacred land offers devotees an opportunity to deepen their connection with the Lord through prayer, kīrtana, hearing and remembrance.
The parikrama is not simply a walk through a holy place; it is a devotional journey undertaken with humility and a desire to receive the mercy of the Dhāma. The Śrī Kṣetra Parikrama website describes the pilgrimage as a 21-kilometre journey through Purī, where devotees walk together in kīrtana and remembrance, seeking the causeless mercy and blessings of Lord Jagannātha and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Even the act of walking through the sacred land becomes an opportunity to turn the mind towards the Lord, hear His glories and associate with devotees who share the same aspiration.
The pilgrimage is especially meaningful when undertaken during an auspicious period of devotional observance, when devotees make a special effort to increase their hearing, chanting and service. By walking together through Śrī Kṣetra, honouring the holy places and remembering the pastimes of the Lord, pilgrims can deepen their appreciation for the spiritual significance of the Dhāma and strengthen their devotional practice.
Śrī Kṣetra Parikrama invites devotees to step away from their usual routines and spend time immersed in the atmosphere of the holy Dhāma. With every step, every kīrtana and every prayer, the pilgrimage becomes an opportunity to seek the mercy of Lord Jagannātha and experience the sacred land cherished by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
For registration please visit the LINK BELOW!
Register Here: Śrī Kṣetra Parikrama 2026
On 17 September 1965, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda arrived at Boston’s Commonwealth Pier aboard the cargo ship Jaladuta. He was sixty-nine years old, alone in a foreign land, carrying only a few personal belongings and boxes of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Yet Śrīla Prabhupāda carried something far greater: the order of his spiritual master and a profound desire to share the teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Kṛṣṇa with the Western world.
Śrīla Prabhupāda departed from Calcutta on 13 August 1965. The journey across the Atlantic was extremely difficult. He suffered severe seasickness and experienced two heart attacks during the voyage. Still, he continued with determination, placing himself completely in the hands of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
His journey was the fulfillment of an instruction he had received years earlier from his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, who had urged him to present the message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the English-speaking world.
After years of preparation and publishing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Śrīla Prabhupāda finally received the opportunity to travel to America.
When the Jaladuta reached Boston on the morning of 17 September, Śrīla Prabhupāda saw the vast city and harbor before him. He had no established institution, no wealthy supporters and no large group of followers awaiting him.
Instead, he had complete faith in Kṛṣṇa.
During his stay at Boston Harbor, Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote a heartfelt Bengali prayer expressing his dependence upon the Lord. He acknowledged his own helplessness and prayed that Kṛṣṇa would empower him to deliver His message to the people of America.
His prayer reveals the mood with which he undertook his mission—not as a personal achievement, but as the service of his spiritual master and the Supreme Lord.
The Jaladuta departed Boston on 18 September, and on 19 September 1965, Śrīla Prabhupāda arrived in New York Harbor. He later traveled to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was received by Gopal Agarwal, who had helped sponsor his journey.
From these humble beginnings, Śrīla Prabhupāda began teaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness through Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, hari-nāma saṅkīrtana and devotional service.
In July 1966, he established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in New York.
What appeared to be the arrival of one elderly sannyāsī in a distant land became the beginning of a worldwide spiritual movement.
Śrīla Prabhupāda had crossed the ocean with very little materially, but he carried the timeless treasure of bhakti. Through his books, teachings, kīrtanas and personal example, the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and the teachings of Lord Kṛṣṇa spread across the world.
His arrival in America stands as a powerful example of faith, determination, surrender and service to the spiritual master.
From Boston Harbor began a journey that would transform countless lives and carry the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu far beyond the shores of India.
All glories to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Yudhishthira Maharaj said, "Oh MadhusUdana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Ashwin (September-October)? Please describe its glories to me."
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna then replied, "This Holy day is called Indira Ekadasi. If a person fasts on this day, all his sins are eradicated and his forefathers who have fallen into hell are liberated. Oh best of kings, one who simply hears about this sacred Ekadasi achieves the great merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice.
In the Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena, who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies. His kingdom was called Mahishmati-puri. The glorious and highly religious King Indrasena took good care of his subjects, and therefore he was rich in gold, grains, sons, and grandsons. He was greatly devoted to Lord Sri Vishnu as well. He especially enjoyed chanting My name, calling out 'Govinda! Govinda!'. In this way King Indrasena systematically dedicated himself to pure spiritual life and spent much time meditating on the Absolute Truth.
One day, as King Indrasena happily and peacefully presided over his assembly, the perfect orator, Sri Narada Muni, was seen descending. White as a conch, shining like the moon, like a jasmine flower, like a lightening bolt, Narada Muni descending from the sky. He is decorated with matted locks of reddish hair. The king offered Devarishi Narada, the saint among the devas (demigods), great respect by greeting him with joined palms, inviting him into the palace, offering him a comfortable seat, washing his feet, and speaking sweat words of welcome. Then Narada Muni said to Maharaj Indrasena, 'Oh king, are the seven limbs of your kingdom prospering?'
The seven limbs of a king's domain being; the king's well being himself, his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmanas, the sacrifices performed in his kingdom, and the needs of the king's subjects. 'Is your mind absorbed in thinking of how you can properly perform your occupational duty? Are you becoming more and more devoted and dedicated to the service of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu?'
"The king replied, 'By your kind grace, Oh greatest of sages, everything is quite well. Today, just by your presence all the sacrifices in my kingdom are successful ! Please show me mercy and explain the reason for your kind visit here.'
"Sri Narada, the sage among the devas, then said, 'Oh lion among kings, listen to my astonishing words. When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me very graciously and offered me an excellent seat. As I glorified his truthfulness and wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja's assembly. Though he had been very religious, because he broke an Ekadasi fast prematurely, he had to go to the Yamaloka. Your father gave me a message for you. He said, "In Mahishmati lives a king named Indrasena. Please tell him about my situation here - that because of my past sinful deeds I have somehow been forced to reside in Yamaraja's kingdom. Please give him this message from me: 'Oh son, kindly observe the coming Indira Ekadasi and give much in charity so I can go upward to heaven.' "
Philosophically we can understand that every living entity is an individual, and individually everyone has to practice Krishna consciousness to traverse back to home, back to Godhead. As stated in Garuda Purana, someone who is suffering in hell cannot practice Krishna consciousness, because this requires some mental peace, which the reactionary tortures of hell make impossible. If a relative of a sinner suffering in hell gives some charity in the name of the sinner, he can leave hell and enter the heavenly planets. But if the sinner's relative observes this Ekadasi fast for his suffering kinsman, the kinsman goes directly to the spiritual world, as stated in this narration based on Brahma-vaivarta Puranam.
"Narada continued, 'Just to deliver this message, Oh king, have I come to you. You should help your father by observing the fast of Indira Ekadasi. By the merit you gain, your father will go to heaven.' "King Indrasena asked, 'Oh great Naradji, please be merciful and tell me specifically how to observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi, and also tell me during what month and on what day it occurs.'
"Narada Muni replied, 'Oh king, please listen as I describe to you the full process of observing the Indira Ekadasi.
1. This Ekadasi occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
2. On the Dashami tithi, the day before Ekadasi, rise early in the morning, take bath, and then do some service for God with full faith.
3. At noon, bathe again in running water and then offer oblations to your forefathers with faith and devotion.
4. Be sure not to eat more than once on this day and at night sleep on the floor.
5. "When you awaken on Ekadasii morning, cleanse your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion for the Lord take this sacred vow: 'Today I shall fast completely and give up all kinds of sense enjoyment. Oh lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, Oh infallible one, please give me shelter at Your lotus feet."
6. At noon, stand before the sacred form of the Sri Shaligram Shila and worship Him faithfully, following all the rules and regulations; then offer oblations of ghee into the sacred fire, and tarpana directed to help your forefathers.
7. Next, feed qualified Brahmins (obviously non-grain prasadams) and offer them some charity according to your means.
8. Now take the food pindas you offered to your forefathers, smell it, and then offer it to a cow. Next, worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense and flowers, and finally, remain awake all night near the Deity of Lord Sri Keshava.
9. "Early in the morning of the next day, Dvadasi tithi, worship Sri Hari with great devotion and invite Brahmin devotees to a sumptuous feast.
10. Then feed you relatives, and finally take your meal in silence.
Oh king, if you strictly observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi in this way, with controlled senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of lord Vishnu.' After saying this, Devarishi Narada immediately disappeared from the scene to bless someone else with his presence.
"King Indrasena followed the great saint's instructions perfectly, observing the fast in the association of his relatives and servants. As he broke his fast on the Dvadasi tithi, flowers fell from the sky. The merit that Indrasena maharaj earned by observing this fast released his father from the kingdom of Yamaraja and caused him to attain a completely spiritual body. Indeed, Indrasena saw him rising to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda Vahan. Indrasena himself was able to rule his kingdom without any obstacles, and in time when he handed over the kingdom to his son, he also went to the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha.
"Oh Yudhishthira, these are the glories of the Indira Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
Whoever hears or reads this narration certainly enjoys life in this world, is freed of all reactions to his past sins, and at the time of death returns home, back to Godhead, where he lives eternally."
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashwin-krishna Ekadasii, or Indira Ekadasi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
Reference: ISKCON Desire Tree
