The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, widely known as ISKCON, traces its origin to the spiritual vision and effort of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. This movement was formally founded in 1966, when he established the organization in New York City. That founding moment marked the institutional beginning of a global effort to share Krishna consciousness beyond its traditional cultural setting.

The specific date of ISKCON’s establishment is recorded as July 13, 1966, in New York City. This formal act of founding gave a structured form to teachings and practices that Swami Prabhupada was presenting to seekers who were drawn to the path of devotion to Krishna. From that point, the movement began to take on a recognizable identity, with its own name, legal standing, and communal life centered on devotional practice.

Understanding ISKCON’s foundation in this way highlights how a single event—its establishment by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York City in 1966—became the seed for a much wider spiritual outreach. The date and place are not merely historical details; they symbolize the crossing of a threshold, as a devotional tradition rooted in ancient teachings took organized shape in a modern, urban environment.