Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the Hare Krishna movement spread devotional worship of Krishna beyond India?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Painting depicting Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma with Ganesha standing and paying homage to Mahadevi, who is seated on a lotus and playing a stringed instrument. — Hinduism Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma (left to right) pay homage to Mahadevi (the great goddess, in white in the form of Saraswati), attended by the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, in a painting dated c. 1750.

The Hare Krishna movement, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), spread devotional worship of Krishna beyond India primarily through the efforts of its founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta (Swami Prabhupada).12

Following instructions from his teacher to bring Krishna Consciousness to the West, Bhaktivedanta moved to the United States in 1965 after taking vows as a sannyasi (renunciant). The movement gained visibility through its early converts, who adopted Indian clothing and engaged in kirtan—the public practice of chanting and dancing—in streets and airports. These devotees also actively distributed their teacher’s books, which were based on ancient Hindu scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.12

By appointing a Governing Board Commission to guide the organization internationally, Bhaktivedanta ensured the movement's expansion. By the end of the 1990s, the organization had established approximately 225 centers across 60 countries, facilitating the practice of bhakti (devotional) yoga among a diverse, global following.1