A new Hare Krishna centre has been opened in Bath as part of efforts to attract new people to the movement.
Nathan Hartley, Director of the B&NES Faith Foundation
Known across the world for their shaven heads, bright saffron robes and famous mantra, the Hare Krishna movement has undergone a makeover in recent years.
Nathan Hartley, Director of the Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation, has recently written a book detailing its historical links with the UK, which can be traced back to the early part of the 1900s.
He said: “The Krishna Consciousness movement saw its first missionary on western shores in 1902 with the arrival of Baba Premananda Bharati in London.
“This was followed by a small, but effective, wave of preachers ‘setting up shop’ with the opening of a temple in Kensington, London in 1933 – some 35 years before the Hare Krishna Movement became popular in Britain with its links to the Beatles.”
The Hare Krishna movement belongs to an ancient tradition of devotional yoga with its roots in the Vedic culture of India, dating back over 5,000 years.
It falls within the Gaudiya Vaishnava branch of Hinduism and accepts as its principal scriptures the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
The new Hare Krishna centre in Bath is located in Crescent Lane and runs a number of workshops throughout the week such as Mantra Sound Therapy, Hatha Yoga and Qi Gong meditation.
Nathan added: “The Faith Foundation will be working with the centre to promote their workshops with the public.
“If you’re part of a faith group that would like the support of the Foundation, please do get in touch.”
