Srila Prabhupada and his early band of disciples played an intrinsic part in the spiritual and cultural revolution of America in the 1960s. Both in the Lower East Side of New York in 1966 and in the Haight-Ashbury of San Francisco in 1967, preaching the sublime message of Krishna consciousness.
In fact, Srila Prabhupada put Hare Krishna on the map, both literally and figuratively. In the lower left diagram of Haight-Ashbury during the historic year of the “Summer of Love,” the “Radha Krishna Temple” (in red) was established at 518 Frederick Street, nestled right next door to the Digger’s Free Store. Also shown are other notable landmarks of the day:
– The Trip Without a Ticket
– The Straight Theater
– The I/Thou Coffee Shop
– The Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic
– Mnasidika (boutique)
– The Psychedelic Shop
– Grateful Dead House
In his book, “The Haight-Ashbury: A History,” Charles Perry writes: “Dozens of hippies were quickly converted to Krishna with the aid of a testimonial from Allen Ginsberg, who said that the Hare Krishna mantra ‘brings a state of ecstasy.’“ By virtue of his complete faith in Krishna and His holy name, Srila Prabhupada rapidly established Krishna consciousness as the genuine “peace and love” movement which so many young people were earnestly seeking at the time. As a result, his movement spread like wildfire during the ’60s and ’70s with enthusiastic support from many of the countercultural heroes of the day.
