Prabhupada Commemorative Bench at Stow Lake S.F.

Hare Krishna!

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to our beloved Srila Prabhupada.

Dear Friends,

My name is Dhanistha devi dasi, I am an early disciple of Srila Prabhupada initiated in San Francisco at the Valencia Street temple in 1974. I am one of the principal organizers & guide of the Hare Krishna! A San Francisco Srila Prabhupada Pilgrimage (Parikrama) in collaboration with the Graduate Theological Union at UC Berkeley. I lead visitors to the various points of interest where A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, (affectionately known as Srila Prabhupada) and his devotees, launched the 1967 West Coast Hare Krishna movement in San Francisco. One of the most cherished & serene stops on the pilgrimage is Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. This was Prabhupada’s favorite settings where he would walk daily and engage in spiritual discourse with his devotees.

Today, the San Francisco Parks Alliance offers a Commemorative Bench Program, which allows park lovers to support SF parks through a tax-deductible donation toward a personalized plaque installed on a park bench. The purpose of this crowdfunding campaign is to raise the necessary money to preserve the memory of Prabhupada with a commemorated bench at Stow Lake—His most beloved site in San Francisco. Similar to the Hare Krishna Tree in Tompkins Square, NYC; pilgrimage participants and park visitors will be able to have a personal experience with Prabhupada while visiting Stow Lake and sitting on the bench enjoying the scenery as He once did.

The cost of purchasing the commemorated bench is $6,000 for a 10 year period. The remaining $2,000 will cover the fees for each donation, along with the necessary administrative and marketing costs.

After many years organizing this parikrama, it has been a dream of mine to arrange for a commemorated bench in Prabhupada’s remembrance. Without the encouragement of many devotees and support from friends, this could not be possible. Let this be a collective contribution from the global community.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Your well wisher,

Dhanistha devi dasi