His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja is a dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada, currently serving as the GBC representative of the ISKCON Ghaziabad temple.
Appearance
Born on the auspicious day of Annada Ekadashi, August 14, 1944, in New Delhi, Maharaj’s original name, Gopal Krishna, was retained by Srila Prabhupada after his Harinama initiation.
Maharaj spent his early years in India, graduating from the University of Delhi. He then pursued further studies abroad, securing a scholarship from the French Government to study Business Management at Sorbonne University in Paris. Later, he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from McGill University in Montreal.
Maharaj was always a keen student of spirituality. In his youth, he explored various paths, visited churches, and gurudwaras, and listened to many spiritual discourses in India as well as in the West. Being a sincere student of spirituality, maharaja quickly grasped the unique guru-shishya relationship when he met Srila Prabhupada for the first time.
Meeting With Srila Parbhupad
When he met His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the founder-Acharya of ISKCON, at an ISKCON temple in Montreal. In a humble yet significant beginning, he cleaned Srila Prabhupada’s apartment as his first service. He soon accepted Srila Prabhupada as his spiritual master, becoming a surrendered soul at the lotus feet of a pure devotee. The relationship between him and Srila Prabhupada deepened over time as Srila Prabhupada guided him through letters to grow on his spiritual journey.
In 1975, Srila Prabhupada appointed Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj as the General Body Commissioner (GBC) of India and entrusted him with critical projects to expand book distribution in the country. Srila Prabhupada encouraged Maharaj to utilize his marketing knowledge in the service of Lord Krishna. With unwavering determination and firm faith in Guru Maharaj’s words, Maharaj made India a leading hub for book distribution.
Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj was also entrusted with the pivotal task of preaching in the communist Soviet Union, where he risked his safety to spread the message of Krishna and distribute books in difficult times.
Contribution towards Various Temple Construction
In 1981, Gopal Krishna Goswami took the sannyasa order, and a year later, he became a ‘diksha’ guru, accepting disciples worldwide.With over 50 years of relentless efforts to promote the culture of Krishna consciousness in cities, towns, and villages, Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj serves as the GBC for various regions, including Mumbai, Northern India, Mayapur, Kenya, Canada, and parts of the United States. He also chairs the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of Vedic literature.
Temples are spiritual sanctuaries that nurture our souls, making us better individuals. Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj is deeply committed to temple construction, and under his guidance, numerous grand temples have been completed in India and in west.
Following are the list of temples which has been serving and dedicated to preaching for society and expanded by Delhi NCR under the guidance of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj ji-
- ISKCON East of Delhi
- ISKCON Ghaziabad
- ISKCON Wave city
- ISKCON Punjabi Bagh
- ISKCON Faridabad
- ISKCON Rohini
- ISKCON Dwarika
- ISKCON Gurugram
- ISKCON Gurugram Badshahpur
- ISKCON Gurugram Sector 45
- ISKCON Noida
- ISKCON Sahibabad
- ISKCON Mahipalpur
- ISKCON Panchsheel
- ISKCON Bahadurgarh
- ISKCON Chhatarpur
- ISKCON Chhipiwara
- ISKCON GK3
In ISKCON Ghaziabad, around total no. of congregation devotees has reached the mark of 5000+, 2000+ Youth Devotees, 10 Preaching enters, and 5 BACE Centers.
Annually, there are 12 Rath Yatras, more than 25 festivals are conducted and 30 Lakhs meals has been distributed by the ISKCON Temple Ghaziabad.
Role in Book Distribution
Inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s vision, Gopal Krishna Goswami has played a significant role in introducing youth preaching, house programs, book translation, book publishing, and extensive distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books. His leadership has taken book distribution to new heights in ISKCON.
Gopal Krishna Goswami’s service and compassion have inspired thousands to explore spirituality. His unwavering dedication, clarity of purpose, and profound wisdom make him a revered spiritual leader, wholly committed to spreading the message of Lord Krishna and Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu globally.
Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj, through his steadfast commitment to Krishna’s mission, radiates as a guiding light of selfless service, inspiring and enlightening countless souls on their spiritual quests.
