Our Founder
Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT) was personally established by Srila Prabhupada on 13th September 1972 at Los Angeles (California, USA) as an independent endowment to manage his personal savings ("Guru Dakshina"), largely in support of ISKCON's activities worldwide.
In 1965, at the age of 69, Shrila Prabhupada travelled to New York City aboard a cargo ship. The journey was treacherous, and the elderly spiritual teacher suffered 2 heart attacks aboard ship. Arriving in the United States with just $7 in Indian rupees and his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts, he began to spread the teachings of Krishna consciousness.
Trustee
Hari Sauri was born in England on November 17th 1950. In May 1971, he emigrated to Australia where, on the second day of his arrival, he met the members of the newly emerging Krishna Consciousness movement. He was duly accepted as an initiated disciple by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on April 9th, 1972 in Sydney.
In August 1975, he moved to the newly opened ISKCON Krishna Balarama temple in Vrndavan U.P. India, where he served as temple commander. In November of the same year, he joined A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s personal entourage, remaining as His Divine Grace’s servant for 16 months. In March of 1977, Srila Prabhupada appointed him ISKCON’s Governing Body Commissioner for Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, a service he performed for over 7 years. During that period, he oversaw the growth of the ISKCON society in the South Seas from 4 temple and ashrams, to 17, including 4 farming communities, 2 schools and several restaurants. He was also instrumental in establishing branches of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in Australia and Indonesia.
Trustee
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja is one of the most senior spiritual leaders in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, and a respected member of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC). Since joining ISKCON in the late 1960s, Jayapataka Swami Maharaja has dedicated his life to fulfilling Srila Prabhupada's mission of spreading Krishna consciousness throughout the world. He has been instrumental in establishing and nurturing numerous preaching, educational, cultural, and humanitarian initiatives across India and internationally.
Maharaja is particularly known for his decades of service in Sri Dham Mayapur, the worldwide headquarters of ISKCON, where he has played a pivotal role in developing major projects that serve millions of pilgrims and devotees. His visionary leadership, deep scriptural wisdom, and unwavering dedication to devotional service have inspired generations of devotees worldwide. As a Trustee of the Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT), Jayapataka Swami Maharaja provides invaluable spiritual guidance and strategic oversight, helping ensure that MVT's activities remain aligned with Srila Prabhupada's vision of offering devotional hospitality, spiritual education, and opportunities for pilgrims and seekers to deepen their connection with Krishna.
Trustee
HG Damodar Vamshidhari Das (Deepak Chandani) is a distinguished technology leader, entrepreneur, mentor, and spiritual practitioner whose life exemplifies the harmonious integration of professional excellence and devotional service. With over three decades of global leadership experience spanning technology, data analytics, artificial intelligence, financial services, and digital transformation, he has held senior leadership positions with some of the world's most respected organizations, including Apple, Infosys, UBS, BP, Teradata, GlobalLogic, AppDirect, and Angel One. Throughout his professional journey, he has been recognized for building high-performance teams, leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and leveraging technology to create meaningful impact across industries and communities. His expertise spans data strategy, artificial intelligence, innovation management, product engineering, organizational transformation, and leadership development.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Damodar Vamshidhari Das is deeply respected within the ISKCON community for his commitment to Krishna consciousness and his dedication to serving Srila Prabhupada's mission. He has consistently utilized his professional capabilities, strategic thinking, and leadership skills in support of devotional projects, community development, educational initiatives, and temple services.
Trustee
His Holiness Guru Prasad Swami Maharaja is a senior leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and a respected member of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC). For more than five decades, he has dedicated his life to expanding Srila Prabhupada’s mission through preaching, leadership, temple development, and spiritual guidance across multiple continents. Born in the United States, Guru Prasad Swami Maharaja pursued studies in Nuclear Physics at Purdue University before continuing his education at the University of Texas, where he first came into contact with the Hare Krishna movement. Inspired by the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, he embraced the path of devotional service and, following the completion of his military service, joined a pioneering group of devotees establishing Krishna consciousness in Central America.
He attended the historic 1976 Mayapur-Vrindavan Festival and received initiation from Srila Prabhupada. His early services focused on distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books through the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) and supporting the development of ISKCON’s preaching mission throughout the Americas. In 1978, he became Temple President of ISKCON Costa Rica and subsequently played a significant role in establishing temples, preaching centers, congregations, and devotional communities across Latin America.
Chairman & Trustee
HG Trinadapi Sunichena Das is a senior devotee, spiritual leader, and trustee within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), currently serving as the Chairman of the Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT). Based in London, he has dedicated decades of his life to preserving and advancing the mission of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada through devotional service, spiritual leadership, community development, and stewardship of sacred pilgrimage sites. As Chairman of MVT, Trinadapi Prabhu provides strategic leadership and governance for the Trust’s activities, helping safeguard and develop projects dedicated to serving devotees, pilgrims, and visitors in the holy dhams of Mayapur and Vrindavan. Under his guidance, the Trust continues its commitment to preserving Srila Prabhupada’s legacy and ensuring that future generations can experience the spiritual atmosphere and heritage associated with ISKCON’s most sacred places.
The foundation of his spiritual life is deeply rooted in the instruction of “Trinad api sunichena”, one of the most celebrated teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu from the Sri Sikshashtakam, emphasizing humility, tolerance, respect for others, and constant remembrance of the Holy Name. These principles have guided his personal conduct, leadership style, and service throughout his devotional journey. Over the years, Trinadapi Prabhu has been actively involved in preaching, congregation development, and organizing major devotional festivals and community initiatives, particularly in the United Kingdom. He is widely respected for his ability to unite devotees, foster cooperation, and inspire spiritual growth through thoughtful leadership and personal example.
Trustee
HG Sesa Dasa is a senior leader, educator, legal professional, and member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Governing Body Commission (GBC). For more than five decades, he has dedicated his life to advancing Srila Prabhupada’s mission through leadership, education, governance, conflict resolution, and institutional development. Sesa Dasa joined ISKCON in 1973 after being inspired by the spiritual and social vision of the In God We Trust Party for Purified Leaders, an initiative organized by ISKCON devotees. In 1974, he received initiation from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada while serving as a member of the pioneering Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) Library Party, helping distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and teachings throughout academic institutions.
His academic background reflects a strong commitment to leadership and public service. He attended the United States Military Academy, later earning a degree in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany. In 1991, he received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the UCLA School of Law, equipping him with expertise in legal systems, governance, ethics, and conflict resolution. Throughout his devotional career, Sesa Dasa has served ISKCON in numerous leadership roles, including Temple President of Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, Managing Editor of Back to Godhead magazine, and North American Secretary of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. His proven leadership and commitment to responsible governance led to his appointment to the ISKCON Governing Body Commission in 1994.
Treasurer & Managing Trustee
HG Daya Gauranga Das is a devotee leader, entrepreneur, strategist, and management professional who brings together corporate excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and dedicated devotional service. He currently serves as the Treasurer and Managing Trustee of the Mayapur Vrindavan Trust (MVT), where he provides leadership in governance, financial stewardship, project development, organizational transformation, and long-term strategic planning. With more than two decades of leadership experience across hospitality, telecommunications, infrastructure, renewable energy, technology, and digital transformation, he has successfully built and scaled businesses, led large teams, raised capital, and executed complex projects across India and international markets. He is the Founder and CEO of an AI-driven infrastructure services company focused on digital infrastructure, telecommunications, renewable energy, and technology-enabled operations. A strong believer in lifelong learning, Daya Gauranga Das is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, and Indian School of Business. He has further completed executive studies in entrepreneurship and leadership from London Business School and Wharton School.
His professional achievements have earned national recognition. In 2015, he was honored as the "Most Influential Marketing Professional" by the CMO Congress, recognizing his contribution to business growth, innovation, and marketing leadership. Earlier in life, he was awarded the prestigious All India Talent Scholarship, reflecting academic excellence and leadership potential from a young age. Spiritually, Daya Gauranga Das has dedicated much of his life to serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada through preaching, leadership, project development, and devotee care. A disciple of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, he has actively served ISKCON in various capacities across India and internationally, including temple management, fundraising, governance, community development,
