Birmingham Rathayatra · Festival of Chariots · Sunday 5 July 2026 · 12pm New Street Join the Procession →

Our Mission

Seven sacred purposes, set down by Srila Prabhupada in July 1966.
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The founding vision

Seven Purposes of ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York in July 1966. The founding documents set out seven purposes that continue to guide every ISKCON temple — including Birmingham — to this day.

1

Propagate spiritual knowledge

To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life — in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

2

Bhagavad-gita & Srimad Bhagavatam

To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

3

Unite humanity in the Divine

To bring members closer together, and closer to Krishna — developing the idea that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead.

4

Congregational chanting

To teach and encourage the Sankirtana movement — the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of God — as revealed by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

5

Sacred spaces for Krishna

To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

6

Simpler, natural living

To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

7

Publish & distribute teachings

With a view towards achieving these purposes — to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

In Birmingham

Since 1976, the Birmingham temple has carried these seven purposes into daily kirtan, Sunday Sanga, the Rathayatra festival, and free vegetarian prasadam for everyone who walks through our doors.

Be part of the mission

Join us for kirtan, Sunday Sanga, or the Rathayatra Festival of Chariots — or support our work through seva.

See our programmes Offer seva ↗