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Home/Retreats & Festivals/Gita Fest 2026
September 25–29, 2026 · New Vrindaban, West Virginia

GitaFest2026
Guru & Disciple.

Five days of spiritual immersion, meaningful association, inspiring talks, kirtan, mantra meditation, and practical exploration of the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita.

Call · Text · WhatsAppRegister now
Limited space available
Gita Fest 2026 — Guru & Disciple, featuring H.G. Mahatma Prabhu and Devakinandana Prabhu
New Vrindaban, West Virginia

Guru and disciple — one of the oldest, most essential relationships on the path back home.

New Vrindaban · West Virginia
This year's theme

Guru & Disciple.

Throughout Gita Fest 2026, we will explore these essential questions through lectures, discussions, workshops, meditation, kirtan, and heartfelt association with devotees.

What does it truly mean to be a disciple?

How can we deepen our relationship with our siksha and diksha gurus?

How can we strengthen our connection with Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-Acharya and principal spiritual teacher of ISKCON?

How do we serve the spiritual master through vani — instructions — and vapu — personal association?

How can we remain faithful to our spiritual shelter throughout our lives?

And how does a disciple continue the spiritual journey after the departure of the spiritual master?

Our speakers

Teachers walking this path with us.

H.G. Mahatma Prabhu

H.G. Mahatma Prabhu

In Person

Mahatma Prabhu is a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and an initiating guru in ISKCON.

A spiritual teacher, author, musician, and mentor, he is widely known for presenting profound spiritual principles in a practical and accessible way. His teachings focus on applying spiritual wisdom to our inner life, relationships, habits, service, and daily choices.

At Gita Fest, Mahatma Prabhu will give lectures and guide special morning japa meditation sessions.

Devakinandana Prabhu

Devakinandana Prabhu

In Person

Devakinandana Prabhu is a Vaishnava teacher, preacher, and educator, and a close disciple and assistant of H.G. Chaitanya Chandra Charan Prabhu.

He is deeply involved in Vaishnava education and has taught courses on the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam for many years.

His seminars combine a systematic understanding of philosophy with practical application to devotional life.

What awaits you

Seven days' worth of substance, in five.

01

Lectures & Discussions

Go deeper into this year's theme, Guru & Disciple, through talks by senior Vaishnavas, interactive discussions, and opportunities to ask meaningful questions — exploring spiritual guidance, discipleship, surrender, service, and the lifelong relationship between guru and disciple.

02

Japa Meditation with Mahatma Prabhu

Begin the day with mantra meditation under the guidance of Mahatma Prabhu. These special morning sessions offer practical guidance for making your japa more attentive, prayerful, personal, and spiritually nourishing.

03

Kirtan & Temple Programs

Immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere of New Vrindaban through temple programs, congregational chanting of the Holy Names, and heartfelt kirtans.

04

Sadhu-Sanga

One of the greatest gifts of Gita Fest is simply having several days to be together — reconnect with old friends, meet new devotees, share realizations, chant together, and experience the strength of genuine spiritual association.

05

Workshops & Practical Sessions

Participate in interactive workshops and practical sessions designed to help bring the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita into everyday life.

06

Gita Game

Experience the transformational Gita Game — an interactive way to explore personal questions and discover the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita from a new perspective.

07

New Vrindaban

Spend five days surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian hills and the unique spiritual atmosphere of New Vrindaban — with an opportunity to experience the Radha-Krishna Temple, Prabhupada's Palace of Gold, and the community's sacred, peaceful surroundings.

Prabhupada's Palace of Gold, New Vrindaban
A journey through history

Prabhupada's Palace of Gold & Old Vrindaban

Step into the living history of New Vrindaban. During Gita Fest, we will take a special guided journey to Prabhupada's Palace of Gold and Old Vrindaban — the original farmhouse where the New Vrindaban community began in 1968.

This will be more than a sightseeing tour. Senior devotees and disciples of Srila Prabhupada will share personal memories from the early days — how the community began, what life was like for the first devotees, and how his vision for New Vrindaban gradually came to life.

At Old Vrindaban, we will visit the historic farmhouse where Srila Prabhupada stayed for 32 days during his first visit in 1969. Walk through the places where history happened — and hear the stories from those who lived it.

Families welcome

Children's Camp

A special Children's Camp will give children an opportunity to learn, create, play, and spend meaningful time together while their parents participate in festival programs. Advance registration for the Children's Camp is required.

Day by day

Festival schedule.

September 25
Festival begins at 4:00 PM
  • Arrival & registration
  • Opening program
  • Kirtan
  • Evening gathering
September 26–28
Full festival program
  • Morning japa meditation
  • Temple programs
  • Lectures
  • Workshops & discussions
  • Kirtans
  • Gita Game
  • Sadhu-sanga
  • Children's programs
  • Special evening programs
  • Guided tours
September 29
Festival closing
  • Morning program
  • Concluding sessions
  • Festival closing

A detailed schedule will be provided closer to the festival.

Registration

Festival fees.

Adult

$300
  • All festival lectures and seminars
  • Workshops and practical sessions
  • Kirtans and special programs
  • Japa meditation sessions
  • Gita Game and other festival activities

Accommodation is not included and must be reserved separately.

Child — with Children's Camp

$150
  • Festival registration
  • Participation in the Children's Camp

Accommodation is not included.

Child — without Children's Camp

$50
  • Festival registration
  • Parents responsible for supervising their children throughout the festival

Accommodation is not included.

Meals

The Retreat Center provides two simple meals per day for festival participants. Additional meals may also be purchased at Govinda's Restaurant at New Vrindaban.

Accommodation

Stay at New Vrindaban.

A limited number of rooms and cabins have been reserved for Gita Fest participants — allowing you to stay close to the temple and festival programs. Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To reserve accommodation
(718) 213-5070
Call now

Private room options

Private Room — 1 Queen Bed

$420total for the festival
  • Palace Lodge — L Room
  • 1 Queen Bed · Up to 2 guests
  • Private bathroom across the hallway

Second floor — accessible by two flights of stairs, no elevator.

Private Room — 2 Queen Beds (L Room)

$540total for the festival
  • Palace Lodge — L Room
  • 2 Queen Beds · Up to 4 guests
  • Private bathroom across the hallway
  • Good for couples, families, or friends

Second floor — accessible by two flights of stairs, no elevator.

Private Room — 4 Twin Beds

$700total for the festival
  • Temple Guest Wing — T Room
  • 4 Twin Beds · Up to 4 guests
  • Private in-room bathroom
  • Ground level of the Temple building

Private Room — 2 Queen Beds (G Room)

$700total for the festival
  • Palace Lodge — G Room
  • 2 Queen Beds · Up to 4 guests
  • Private in-room bathroom
  • Ground floor, exterior entrance

Private Cabin

$1,020total for the festival
  • Wooded area near Swan Lake
  • Up to 6 guests
  • A wonderful option for a family or group of friends

Traveling alone?

You do not need to reserve an entire room. A limited number of individual beds in shared rooms are available — we will place you with other Gita Fest participants.

Bed in L Double Room

$270per person
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Private bathroom across the hallway

Bed in T Room

$175per person
  • 4 Twin Beds
  • Private in-room bathroom

Bed in G Room

$350per person
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Private in-room bathroom

How to reserve your room

There is no online accommodation booking form for Gita Fest. Simply contact us and let us know your name, how many people are coming, and which accommodation option you prefer — we'll confirm availability and send registration and payment information.

Please do not book Gita Fest rooms directly through the Palace Lodge website — contact us first to reserve accommodations allocated for the festival.

Call · Text · WhatsApp
(718) 213-5070
Call now
An alternative

Prefer to stay at a hotel?

If Gita Fest accommodations at New Vrindaban are full — or you simply prefer the comfort of a hotel — New Vrindaban partners with several local hotels and motels. To receive the special rate, call the hotel directly and mention that you are a guest of New Vrindaban and Prabhupada's Palace of Gold.

Hampton Inn — Triadelphia
(304) 233-0440
Ask for the New Vrindaban / Palace of Gold corporate rate.
Sleep Inn
(304) 810-4000
Holiday Inn
(304) 845-8455
McLure Hotel
(304) 232-0300
Super 8
(304) 907-1218
Suburban
(304) 547-1037
Econo Lodge
(304) 547-1380
Comfort Inn & Suites
(304) 547-0610

Hotel reservations are made independently and are not included in your Gita Fest registration. Rates and availability are determined by each hotel and may change — please confirm the New Vrindaban guest rate directly with the hotel when booking.

Also nearby

Private accommodations near New Vrindaban

There are also privately owned guest houses, apartments, and cabins within or very close to the New Vrindaban community — independently operated and not part of the Gita Fest accommodation reservation system, but an excellent option for families and groups. Options listed by the Palace Lodge include properties approximately 1–5 minutes by car from the temple.

For current private accommodation options, availability, and booking information, please visit the Palace Lodge website and select "Local (Private) Accommodation."

Location

New Vrindaban.

3759 McCrearys Ridge Rd.
Moundsville, WV 26041

Nestled in the beautiful Appalachian hills of West Virginia, New Vrindaban offers a unique environment for stepping away from everyday life and spending several days focused on spiritual practice, learning, and association.

Five days away from the noise of everyday life. Five days of hearing, chanting, reflection, and spiritual association.

Guru & Disciple.

September 25–29, 2026 · New Vrindaban, West Virginia

Space is limited — Call · Text · WhatsApp
(718) 213-5070
Register now

We look forward to welcoming you to Gita Fest 2026.