Hare Krishna Sunday School
Education of children was especially dear to ISKCON’s Founder Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, who inspired the first ISKCON Gurukula for children in the early 1970’s in the USA. Indeed Srila Prabhupada would say many times that these children are very fortunate and are not ordinary children. He stressed the importance of teaching the children from an early age in Krishna consciousness.
With humble gratitude at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda, we present this summary of the Hare Krishna Sunday School, an offering of devotion aimed at nurturing the next generation of Vaishnavas.
With just 12 students in 2014 and a heartfelt desire to provide children with Krishna conscious education, the Sunday School ran as a fortnightly program. By Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercy, it has grown into a thriving weekly initiative now serving nearly 90 children from Kindergarten to Year 12 successfully running every Sunday of the school term.
The core mission of the Sunday School is to provide age-appropriate Krishna consciousness education, deeply rooted in the teachings of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Through this, we aim to build strong spiritual character and instill lasting faith in the hearts of our children. Our curriculum includes Krishna conscious rhymes, bhajans, sloka recitation, storytelling, arts and crafts, simple cooking, and value-based discussions that promote devotional practice and personal growth in a fun and engaging environment.
A major highlight of our calendar is the Janmāṣṭamī Drama, where children bring to life the divine pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa on stage. Over the years, we have enacted beautiful dramas such as Dāmodar Līlā and Govardhan Līlā.
Another cherished tradition is the Children’s Ratha Yātrā, inspired by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s own childhood pastime of organising a chariot festival in Kolkata.
Sunday School students regularly contribute to our temple’s major Vaishnava festivals, including Gaura Pūrṇimā, Rāma Navamī, Nṛsiṁha Caturdaśī, Govardhan Pūjā, and Ratha Yātrā. Their offerings—whether in the form of dramas, kīrtans, or sloka recitations—are heartfelt expressions of their bhakti and learning.
Beyond the classroom, we organise outdoor and outreach programs such as picnics, city Harināma, and participation in community festivals hosted by the Multicultural Association of WA and Vishva Hindu Parishad of WA. These events give our children a chance to share Krishna consciousness with the broader society.
We are also blessed to host guest sessions by senior devotees and travelling preachers such as HG Gokuleśvara Prabhu, HG Caitanya Caran Prabhu, HG Gauranga Darśan Prabhu, and HG Braj Vihārī Prabhu, who provide deep spiritual insights and inspiration to students and volunteers alike.
From 12 children in 2014 to 86 in 2025, the journey of Hare Krishna Sunday School is a testament to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision of training young minds in the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
A special mention goes to our music team, who tirelessly train the children in playing mṛdaṅga, karatāls, and singing bhajans and kīrtans, fostering a culture of congregational chanting.
For more information contact –
Dayāmayī Saci Devi Dasi – 0416 109 997