Food For All
Registered charity no. 1077897
foodforalluk@aol.com
Tel: 02071685732
Matchless Gifts: The Legend
In 1965, at the age of 70, Srila Prabhupada left India for the U.S.A. with 40 rupees and a case of copies of a three volume set of translations of ancient Vedic literature. He had come on the order of his spiritual master, to spread the science of Krishna consciousness beyond India to the western world. He nearly died from a heart attack in rough seas on his voyage to the west, then spent a lonely winter in New York, living and working in a tiny uptown room, lecturing to small groups on the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. Young guys from the nearby Paradox cafe started to come along to the classes and suggested Prabhupada move downtown to the East Village, the epicentre of the burgeoning “hippie” movement, where they thought
his teachings and mood might be better appreciated. After a short spell on the Bowery, where his young flatmate “freaked out” at him one night on LSD, friends and followers from his small gatherings chipped in to rent him a place of his own - the first Krishna temple outside of India. That small storefront, at 26 2nd Avenue, was called “Matchless Gifts”...
From here Prabhupada built up a devoted following, holding kirtans (musical chanting sessions) in nearby Tompkins Square Park, attended by hundreds of hippies. He moved on in 1967 to San Francisco, memorably appearing at at a specially organised rock concert featuring the likes of the Grateful Dead, Allen Ginsberg, Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape and others from San Francisco’s new music scene. In 1968
young devotees came to England, and by 1969, George Harrison’s recording of the new devotees singing the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, which reached number one in many countries, attracted the devotees new attention with appearances on “Top Of The Pops” and other TV shows around the world. By the time of Srila Prabhupada’s departure from this world he had opened more than 100 temples, translated 60 volumes of Vedic literature, travelled around the globe 11 times, and initiated thousands of disciples. But it all began at a little place called Matchless Gifts.
40 years later, his followers continue his mission, to bring Krishna consciousness to the western world through music, chanting, dancing and taking prasadam (spiritualised vegetarian food) in the original Matchless Gifts style. A lot of things have changed since then, the music, the trends, the times, but the vibe is still very much the same: One Love, One God, One World, and One Mantra...
Come and experience it for your self!
view our latest boat trip video
Mayapur to Ganga Sagar
This time it is the big run "The LONDON MARATHON".
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: "FOOD FOR ALL" will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor me now! Every little will help will "FOOD FOR ALL" and as a result change the lives of many people in a big big way.
Once Again thanks very much for you support.
Kay Scherrer