Our Story
ISKCON Leicester is a spiritual centre at the heart of England
ISKCON is dedicated to the practices of spiritual life based on the Vaishnava tradition that emerged in the 1600’s through the teachings of Sri Chaitanya. With a focus on mantra meditation, cultivation of spiritual wisdom and working in devotion, we welcome you to join the many programmes, festivals and celebrations held around the City.
The Grand Hall prior to renovations
Since the 1970s, ISKCON devotees have come to Leicester to share the message of Lord Krishna. A temple was established in the early 1980s on Belgrave Road, before moving to a terraced house in the same area. As activities grew, it was time to move to a larger property, and so a temple was established on Thoresby Street, North Evington. This remained a temple and a home for ISKCON Leicester for many years and saw a growth in the community, its celebrations, festivities and ISKCON’s presence in Leicester.
On 3rd September 2010, a massive gas explosion destroyed the temple. By the grace of the Lord, no one was harmed and, miraculously, the presiding Deities Sri Sri Pança Tattva, together with the murti of Srila Prabhupada were untouched in the devastation.
In the following months, the community moved from venue to venue to hold weekly Sunday programmes and festivals, while during the week, many families opened up their homes to host reading groups and kirtan programmes. The search for a permanent base continued.
In December 2011, ISKCON acquired one of the most iconic buildings in Leicester – the former HSBC Bank on Granby Street, right at the heart of the City. Gifted to ISKCON by a very generous family from Leicester and London, this is now the home of ISKCON Leicester.
The building is currently having renovation work, and once complete it will be a very active community hub for the entire community.