As we are approaching JANMASTAMI, I have very fond memories of how we started ISKCON in salem. 18 years ago. We were just 6 people for the first JANMASTAMI 4 devotees from Europe, me & another devotee. It was a small independent house that can seat 15 persons in the hall. 
Intense discussions on spiritualism, vedas, reincarnation, BhagavadGita, Srimad Bhagavatam, prasadam, music, dance , it was the turning point in my life , that's when knowledge started replacing sentiment. I was a Madhwa by birth but was not an orthodox one.
Once I decided to take a plunge, no looking back . I was addicted to coffee before joining Iskcon, but now it's 18 years since I have sipped coffee. Every evening spent 3 hours manning a book stall in crowded salem market. Distributed hundreds of Bhagawad Gita's & others books
Went around villages around salem, we were preaching BhagavadGita, distributing prasadam , interracting with people , it was pure bliss. But collecting money & material for JANMASTAMI was an Himalayan task.We went through the grind.
Over one lakh people took part in last year's JANMASTAMI in Salem. Let the pictures speak
JANMASTAMI prasadam counter.
18 years ago they said ISKCON has no chance in Salem a Dravidian heartland. Today thousands are chanting , you can't see such a turnout in many places. You have to see it to believe it. This is Salem. Tamil Nadu.
18 years ago they said ISKCON has no chance in Salem a Dravidian heartland. Today thousands are chanting , you can't see such a turnout in many places. You have to see it to believe it. This is Salem. Tamil Nadu.
This year's JANMASTAMI celebrations are going to be much bigger in scale. Hundreds of devotees have spent countless hours to make this celebration a success. Dandavat pranam to all of them. This year's JANMASTAMI is on the 2nd September , I welcome you all to take part
I bet this year it's going to be much much bigger . This picture was taken at midnight on JANMASTAMI day. This is Salem.
Some images from last year's celebrations
Program schedule for this year's JANMASTAMI in Salem. Its in tamil
We are serving prasadam for over one lakh people this year. This is feast that we are serving. Over 10 varieties of prasadam in each plate. Those willing to help & donate , kindly find the details attached . You can also get tax benefits for your contribution. Hare Krishna 🙏
Just look at Salem Iskcon temple under construction
Iskcon temple in salem under construction
Just see how prasadam is cooked for 1000 people for every Sunday feast. See it to believe it
