ISKCON, fully described as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is a movement also called the Hare Krishna movement, and is a religio-political organization belonging to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Founded in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the city of New York.

Starting at the very base of it, ISKCON founder Swamiji, was a single-handed man who came to India as an ascetic and wore a saffron robe with nothing much. From the land where Lord Krishna was born, Swamiji had many expectations to spread the holy message of Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavad Purana. He was a preacher of Bhakti-Yoga i.e. the love for God. Horrifically, the people in India were indulged in the pleasures of their luxurious life, hence not ready, so he left here and went to the USA. From there it didnt take much to escalate his views and as a result about 1000 white hippies joined him in the Hare Krishna movement establishing ISKCON.

Since the late 1960's ISCKON's Mahamantra was presented by George Harrison as a hit single in those days and not much the later whole of the Americans, whoever wanted a deep insight into the Hindu Culture started taking the spiritual tour of the “Mystic India” as created by ISKCON. 

The keen interest in ISKCON a nonsectarian traditional monotheistic movement led many western countries like the USA, Europe, Canada, and many other countries to join in the cause. As we look around us today ISKCON has spread about 600 temples worldwide along with almost 110 vegetarian restaurants running around including India. A few major reasons for such a widely accepted notion of this organization are as follows:-

1. The popularity of Yoga- It is a well-known fact that people around the world are stressing about their dire need of being healthy. In this situation, the Gurus of ISKCON their programs and workshops teaching Yoga and chanting 'OM' has been a great influence on people to join in the cause.
2. Distribution of Literature- ISKCON has been giving out free copies of Bhagavad Gita in accessible languages all over their temples so that people could read and understand the core values of the scripture. Making them curious about Hinduism and more importantly Lord Krishna.
3. Real Public Engagement- Unlike the other Gurus and devotees the Hare Krishnas did not stop the purges of their temples instead, they chanted Hare Krishna amidst the public gathering spots like at hotels, parks, shopping complexes, and whatnot. People were attracted to such simplicity and aesthetic nature of such a mission. Hence, compelled to join it.

In concluding the talk for today, it would be in the best interest to say that, ISKCON has not only been a movement or a chain of beautifully built temples spreading Hinduism and teachings of holy scriptures around the world but it also has been a way of life, which is peaceful, easily passed upon and soothing to look at. That's what I think is the main reason for the Hare Krishnas to spread and flourish after five whole decades of their establishment.