New Delhi, [India], May 20, 2024: The ISKCON Dwarka, Delhi, hosted a grand memorial ceremony in honor of His Holiness Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, a revered spiritual master, at the Deendayal Upadhyay College auditorium in Sector-3, near the ISKCON temple. The event commenced at 10 am and witnessed heartfelt tributes from many sannyasis, senior disciples, and devotees from across the globe, celebrating the life and teachings of Guru Maharaj.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Holiness Guru Prasad Swami Maharaj, the newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Body Council of ISKCON India (GBC, ISKCON), and HG Ved Vyas Prabhu, a renowned industrialist and senior disciple of Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. The event also featured HG Rukmini Krishna Prabhu, Zonal Secretary of the Northern Region, along with HG Pradyumna Priya Prabhu, President of ISKCON Dwarka, and HG Shri Gaur Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON Dwarka, who shared their insights and memories of the beloved spiritual master.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the passing of Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, who left his mortal body on May 5, 2024. Taking to the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Prime Minister Modi posted, “Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja was a revered spiritual icon, globally respected for his unwavering devotion to Bhagwan Shri Krishna and his tireless service through ISKCON. His teachings emphasized the importance of devotion, kindness, and service to others. He also played a significant role in expanding the community service efforts of ISKCON, particularly in areas like education, health, and serving the needy. My thoughts are with all devotees in this tragic hour. Om Shanti.”
The memorial meeting highlighted the profound impact of Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, who entered Nitya Leela on May 5, 2024, with his Samadhi taking place on May 6 in Vrindavan. As one of the first Indian disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON, Maharaj played a pivotal role in spreading Krishna Consciousness globally for the welfare of humanity. His unwavering dedication inspired millions to embrace the spiritual path, and he was instrumental in the construction of 18 ISKCON temples in Delhi and NCR, including the prominent Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathy Temple in East of Kailash, New Delhi.
Throughout the event, senior disciples and devotees praised Maharaj’s lifelong contributions and spiritual guidance, acknowledging his role as a central pillar of ISKCON. The program included the Charanpaduka abhishek of Guru Maharaj by all devotees, and a special darshan of Maharaj’s personal belongings. Devotees were also treated to a feast of Ekadashi Prasadam, which was distributed throughout the day.
ISKCON Dwarka organized this memorial to honor the enduring legacy and teachings of Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, ensuring his spiritual contributions continue to inspire and guide future generations.