ISKCON Vaishnava Calendar
ISKCON वैष्णव कैलेंडर
The ISKCON Vaishnava Calendar is the official Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition calendar published by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness — founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966. It is followed worldwide by Hare Krishna devotees and provides accurate Vaishnava Ekadashi observances, Janmashtami, Gaura Purnima, and Acharya Tirobhava (disappearance) dates.
Key Facts
| Region | Global (HQ Mayapur, West Bengal) |
| Language | English (also Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, regional editions) |
| Publisher | International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) — Bhaktivedanta Book Trust |
| Founder | A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada — founded ISKCON in 1966 in New York |
| Founded | ISKCON 1966; Vaishnava Calendar published continuously since 1970s |
| Calculation | Drik Ganita with Lahiri Ayanamsa; observes Gaudiya Vaishnava (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) tradition Ekadashi and festival rules |
| Website | www.iskcon.org · www.iskcondesiretree.com |
| Where to Get | ISKCON temples worldwide (Mayapur, Mumbai-Juhu, Bengaluru, Tirupati, Delhi-East of Kailash, plus 800+ centers), Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, ISKCON online stores |
ISKCON & The Gaudiya Vaishnava Tradition
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded in New York on 13 July 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada (1896-1977). It is the global organizational form of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition founded by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) in Bengal — emphasizing Krishna-bhakti through nama-sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra).
Today ISKCON operates 800+ temples and centers worldwide, with major flagship temples at Mayapur (West Bengal, world HQ), Mumbai-Juhu, Bengaluru, Tirupati, Delhi East of Kailash, Vrindavan, and centers in 100+ countries.
Vaishnava Calendar Contents
- All 24-26 Vaishnava Ekadashis per year with Pranama, Parana times
- Janmashtami (Krishna's appearance) per Gaudiya Vaishnava calculation
- Gaura Purnima (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance) — Phalguna Purnima
- Radhastami — Bhadra Shukla Ashtami
- Govardhana Puja, Annakuta, Damodara Vrata (Kartik month)
- Acharya appearance/disappearance dates — Srila Prabhupada, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Six Goswamis, Lord Nityananda, Advaita Acharya
- Chaturmasya observances per Gaudiya tradition (different from Smarta)
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Bhishma Ekadashi, Nirjala Ekadashi
Where to Obtain
The Vaishnava Calendar is freely available at all ISKCON temples worldwide. It is also published as a printed annual calendar by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and distributed at temple stores. Online versions are available at iskcondesiretree.com and via the ISKCON Vaishnava Calendar mobile app.