ISKCON Festivals and Holy Days: A Devotional Journey from June to December 2025

ISKCON Festivals and Holy Days: A Devotional Journey from June to December 2025

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) follows a vibrant calendar filled with spiritually potent festivals, appearance days, and fasting observances that help devotees deepen their connection with Krishna and His devotees. From the sacred Ekadashis to grand celebrations like Janmashtami and Ratha Yatra, each event offers a unique opportunity for purification and devotion.

Here is a devotional journey through the ISKCON calendar, from June to December 2025:

🌾 June: A Month of Divine Celebrations and Fasting

  • Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi & Vyanjuli Mahadvadashi (June 7, Saturday): One of the most powerful Ekadashis, where even water is renounced. Observing this fast is said to grant the benefit of all Ekadashis.

  • Panihati Chida Dahi Utsava (June 9, Monday): Celebrates the pastime of Raghunatha Dasa Goswami and Lord Nityananda with chipped rice and yogurt feasting.

  • Snana Yatra (June 11, Wednesday): The bathing festival of Lord Jagannatha.

  • Appearance Days: Shri Mukunda Datta, Shridhara Pandita, Shyamananda Prabhu (June 11–12).

  • Ratha Yatra Week:

    • Gundica Marjana (June 26, Thursday): Temple cleaning, remembering Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes.

    • Ratha Yatra (June 27, Friday): Grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannatha.

    • Appearance Days: Shri Svarupa Damodara, Shri Shivananda Sena (June 27).

🥛 July: Chaturmasya Begins & Celebrating Saints

  • Hera Panchami (July 1): Celebrates Lakshmi Devi’s journey to Gundica temple.

  • Sayana Ekadashi (July 6): Lord Vishnu enters divine slumber.

  • Guru Purnima (July 10): Vyasa Puja, honoring our guru parampara.

  • Chaturmasya Begins: First month begins with a fast from green leafy vegetables (from July 10).

  • Saints’ Appearance: Shrila Sanatana Goswami (July 10), Gopala Bhatta Goswami (July 15), Lokanatha Goswami (July 18).

  • ISKCON Incorporation Day (July 19): Honoring Srila Prabhupada’s historic step in New York.

  • Kamika Ekadashi (July 21).

  • Appearance of Vamshidasa Babaji and Raghunandana Thakura (July 28).

🌿 August: The Auspicious Janmashtami Month

  • Radha Govinda Jhulana Yatra Begins (August 5): A weeklong swing festival.

  • Pavitropana Ekadashi (August 5).

  • Appearance Days: Gauridasa Pandita and Shrila Rupa Goswami (August 6).

  • Lord Balarama’s Appearance (August 9): Also marks the end of the first Chaturmasya and start of the second (yogurt fast).

  • Srila Prabhupada's Departure for the USA (August 10).

  • Krishna Janmashtami (August 16): Celebrating the divine appearance of Lord Krishna.

  • Nandotsava & Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance (August 17).

  • Annada Ekadashi (August 19).

  • Celebrations continue with the appearance of Sita Thakurani (August 28) and Radhashtami (August 31).

🥛 September: Devotional Fasts and Vamana Dwadashi

  • Parshva Ekadashi (September 3), followed by:

  • Vamana Dwadashi (September 4): Celebrating the appearance of Lord Vamana.

  • Appearance Days: Jiva Goswami and Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Sept 4–5).

  • Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata & Haridasa Thakura’s Appearance (September 6): Final day of 2nd Chaturmasya.

  • Vishwarupa Mahotsava (September 7): Marks the start of 3rd Chaturmasya (milk fast).

  • Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in the USA (September 14).

  • Indira Ekadashi (September 17).

🪔 October: Festival of Lights and Govardhana Puja

  • Ramachandra Vijayotsava & Appearance of Madhvacharya (October 2).

  • Pashankusha Ekadashi (October 3).

  • Triple Goswami Appearance: Krishnadasa Kaviraja, Raghunatha Bhatta, and Raghunatha Dasa (October 4).

  • Krishna Sharadiya Rasayatra & Murari Gupta’s Appearance (October 7): Begins the 4th Chaturmasya (Urad dal fast).

  • Radha Kunda Appearance Day (October 14).

  • Rama Ekadashi (October 17).

  • Dipavali, Go Puja, Govardhana Puja (October 21–22).

  • Appearance of Rasikananda and Vasudeva Ghosh (October 22–23).

  • Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day (October 25).

  • Gopashtami (October 30).

📿 November: Bhishma Panchaka and Devotional Milestones

  • Utthana Ekadashi & Trisparsha Mahadvadashi (November 2): Beginning of Bhishma Panchaka – five days of intense devotion.

  • Last Day of Chaturmasya (November 4).

  • Tulasi-Vivaha & Krishna Rasayatra (November 5).

  • Appearance of Shri Nimbarkacharya and Narahari Sarakara Thakura (November 5, 15).

  • Utpanna Ekadashi (November 15).

📘 December: Closing the Year in Devotion

  • Advent of the Bhagavad Gita & Mokshada Ekadashi (December 1).

  • Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Appearance (December 8).

  • Saphala Ekadashi (December 16).

  • Appearance of Mahesha Pandita and Uddharana Datta Thakura (December 17).

  • Lochana Dasa Thakura & Jagadisha Pandita (December 21–23).

  • Putrada Ekadashi & Jagadisha Pandita Appearance (December 31): A spiritually auspicious end to the year.

🌺 Concluding Thoughts

Each date in the ISKCON calendar isn’t just a historical remembrance — it is a chance to reawaken our devotion, deepen our sadhana, and serve the Vaishnavas with renewed enthusiasm. Whether observing a fast, honoring a saint, or celebrating the divine pastimes of the Lord, these events help us move closer to Krishna consciousness.

Let’s mark these days not just in our calendars, but in our hearts

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