Overview - History  

ISKCON became a legally registered organization under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1992. This followed the decline of the Soviet system of government.

For many years the society’s main office was in the Turkshipski Rayon of Almaty, a small house where the members of the society held programs and trained many newcomers in the science of Krishna Consciousness. At that time the charitable and humanitarian organization, Food For Life, was also established.

Food For Life has since fed thousands of needy pensioners, orphaned children, and prisoners in Almaty.

In the summer of 1998 members of the community began discussions to establish a rural community project. Members felt the need to live together in an ecologically pure and wholesome environment, practicing the science and culture of Krishna consciousness.

In March 1999, the society purchased a beautiful fifty-hectare farm, forty kilometers from the center of Almaty, situated near the Kazakhstan Institute of Agriculture. The farm has already become a home to more than 120 members from Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and Russia.

Active in agricultural development and bio farming, annually, the farm has yielded fine harvests. In 2002, the wheat harvest topped 200 tons. Potato, carrot, pumpkin, and beetroot harvests have all topped over 10 tons each.

Since the summer of 1999, members of the community have conducted festivals, hosting hundreds of people from the CIS, as well as senior speakers from around the world.

In the summer of 2002 we began meeting with architects and vastu experts to develop the plans for the Palace of the Soul.

Palace of the Soul offers new horizons in the spiritual development of the citizens of Kazakhstan. We request all of you who visit our site to become a part of “history in the making” by assisting us to make this project a reality.