published by ISKCON News
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is thrilled to announce that it has successfully acquired 7 Bury Place, the site of its original London temple, in an auction held today.
A Historic Homecoming
ISKCON London, also known as the Radha-Krishna Temple, traces its roots to 1968, when Srila Prabhupada sent three American couples to establish a mission in the UK. 7 Bury Place was eventually secured with the help of supporters—including Beatle George Harrison, who co-signed the original lease—to serve as the base for Srila Prabhupada’s early work in the UK’s capital. Ideally located near the British Museum in the Bloomsbury district, the building quickly became a focal point for ISKCON’s emerging presence in the UK. It was here, in December 1969, that A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s Founder–Acarya, formally inaugurated London’s first Radha-Krishna temple and installed Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara. The ISKCON London congregation later moved to its current location on Soho Street, always remembering its origins at 7 Bury Place.
“This is a full-circle moment,” said Praghosa Das, GBC, ISKCON UK. “To reacquire 7 Bury Place is to reclaim our spiritual birthplace in the UK. Our hope is to transform it once again into a living, breathing centre of Krishna consciousness, an ISKCON tirtha, place of pilgrimage for devotees who have only read about ISKCON’s heritage and the pioneering work of the original devotees who established Krishna consciousness in the UK.”
Looking Ahead
With the reacquisition of 7 Bury Place, ISKCON London now has a fresh opportunity to honor its past while expanding its presence in the heart of the city. As plans take shape, the building is poised to become a vibrant hub for outreach, education, and devotional culture, further strengthening ISKCON’s mission in London for generations to come. To read more about the history of Krishna Consciousness in London, click here.