Photos: ISKCON Tucson Temple and the Krishna Consciousness Movement
Sandamini Devi Dasi, is the founder and president of the Tucson Iskcon Temple, the first temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in Tucson. She opened the temple in 1987. South Asian families, Indian students from the University of Arizona, and Tucsonans interested in the Krishna Consciousness Movement come to the temple for their religious practices.
The Indian and Hindu community, since the establishment of the temple to today, has gradually grown, according to Dasi, saying there were about 200 families then which have now grown to over 2000.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Tatiana Cueter takes part in the Kirtan, which is a collective chanting with fellow worshippers at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Kirtanesvara Gauranga Dasa, a monk, talks about dharma and karma to worshippers at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Taralakshi Gopi, left, takes part in the artika, a devotional dance, with other worshippers at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Steven Castillo takes part in the Kirtan, which is a collective chanting with fellow worshippers at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Uriel Shalom, right, takes part in the Kirtan, which is a collective chanting with fellow worshippers at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Devotees take part in the artika, a devotional dance, at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Rama Gopala, a priest, holds up a candle to offer prayer as an image of Lord Krishna and the woman he is most often depicted with, Radha, are in the background at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Rama Gopala, a priest, left, stands by the main alter during a worship service at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram
Worshippers bend down in prayer at the ISKCON Tucson Krishna Temple & Ashram on September 22, 2024.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
The Iskcon Temple, the city's first Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, was established in 1987 and has grown to about 2,000 families.