The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially

as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious

organisation.[1] ISKCON was founded in 1966 in New York City by A. C. Bhaktiveda
nta Swami Prabhupada who is worshipped by followers.[2] Its core beliefs are bas
ed on select traditional Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad-gt and the rmad
Bhgavatam. ISKCON says it is a direct descendant of Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Vaishn
ava Sampradaya.[3] The appearance of the movement and its culture come from the
Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India since the late 15t
h century and American and European converts since the early 1900s in North Amer
ica,[4] and in England in the 1930s.[5]
ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of bhakti yoga, in which those involved
(bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing the Supreme Lord
, Krishna.[6][7] ISKCON today is a worldwide confederation of more than 550 cent
res, including 60 farm communities, some aiming for self-sufficiency, 50 schools
, and 90 restaurants.[8] In recent decades the most rapid expansions in membersh
ip have been within Eastern Europe (especially since the collapse of the Soviet
Union) and India.[9]