From March 29th to April 1st, 2025, 70 enthusiastic youth and 20 senior devotees from ISKCON Kuala Lumpur, gathered for an unforgettable journey into not only the heart of nature—but also the soul.

Held at the Gopeng Rainforest Resort, nestled deep in the rural beauty of Perak, Malaysia, this year’s retreat, themed “Coming Back,” invited participants to disconnect from the noise of modern life and reconnect with Krishna, community, and their inner selves.

Organized by ISKCON Kuala Lumpur Youth Department, the retreat brought together youth devotees in a setting that encouraged both adventure and introspection.

The seeds of this transformative retreat were sown six months in advance by a dedicated team working around the clock to coordinate logistics, speakers, meals, and accommodations, ensuring a smooth experience amidst the rugged charm of the rainforest.

The retreat was blessed by the association of special guests: Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, Sri Gauranga Das, Kewal Krishna Das, and Gadadhar Prana Das—each bringing their spiritual wisdom, warmth, and enthusiasm to inspire the youth.

The remote location—with limited mobile connectivity—proved to be a perfect metaphor: to retreat truly is to disconnect from the world and reconnect within.

Day 1 – Into the Cave of Adventure

Departing from Sri Jagannath Mandir, Kuala Lumpur, the group embarked on a five-hour journey to Gopeng. After honoring a quick prasadam lunch, the adventure began with a caving expedition at Gua Kandu—a challenging and thrilling exploration of narrow, steep caves, testing both courage and teamwork.

Later, after a short break filled with games and laughter, the group gathered for Gaura Arati and a heartfelt welcome by Rasa Parayana Das and Rati Gopika Devi Dasi. The night concluded with a Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead book discussion led by Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, and of course, sumptuous prasadam.

Day 2 – Bhakti in the Modern World

The morning began with a vibrating Mangala Arati, followed by a focused and intense Japa session with Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami. He also delivered the Srimad Bhagavatam class on the same day. This was followed by a power-packed seminar titled “Spirituality in the Modern Age,” skillfully delivered by Sri Gauranga Das and Kewal Krishna Das, addressing the real-life challenges youth face and offering Krishna-conscious solutions.

After a rejuvenating nature walk and river play session, the youth participated in a Kirtan Seminar by Gadadhar Prana Das, Sri Gauranga Das, and Kewal Krishna Das, who taught not only how to perform kirtan, but how to feel it—from the heart.

The afternoon brought joyful teamwork during a treasure hunt, organized by Sudharshan Das and Kaumodaki Devi Dasi. The evening unfolded with Gaura Arati, more Krishna katha, and a delicious dinner.

Day 3 – Finding Shelter in Sangha

One of the most touching parts of the retreat was the “Feeling Sheltered” seminar by Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, guiding youth to find strength and support in Krishna, each other, and the loving network of senior devotees. Many participants made heartfelt pledges to strengthen their relationships.

Then came jungle trekking, taking the group through dense trails toward the Aggrotech Park, where they interacted with the natural world—farm animals and crops—reminding everyone of Krishna’s beautiful creation.

The day closed with a deeply soul-stirring bonfire kirtan, led by Sundar Nimai Das, filling the night with divine sound. Pasta and pizza prasadam made for a happy, hearty ending.

Day 4 – Reflections of the Heart

The final morning began with a Gratitude & Appreciation session, where Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami emphasized the healing and joyful power of gratitude, helping the youth overcome awkwardness and foster meaningful connections.

During the realization-sharing session, the youth opened their hearts:

• Bhaktin Narmatha shared that she felt genuinely cared for by everyone around her.

• Bhakta Ventaenc reflected, “The retreat was exhaustingly fun—my body has limits, but my soul is full of energy.”

• Others noted that activities like caving and jungle trekking reflected the challenges of the real world and prepared them to face it with faith and courage.

Spiritual Impact

The retreat provided a sacred space for youth to improve both the quantity and quality of their chanting, deepen their connection with Krishna, and grow together as a community. The presence of advanced devotees made a profound impact, and the friendships forged became a source of ongoing inspiration.

आगे देख रहा

A thrilling development came when Sri Gauranga Das and Kewal Krishna Das extended an invitation to host a future retreat in Nairobi, Kenya! The youth were visibly excited, and Rati Gopika Mataji encouraged everyone to start saving now. Furthermore, Gadadhar Prana Das shared that 10-15 youths from Bali have shown interest in joining the next retreat, paving the way for a Malaysia-Indonesia Krishna Conscious Youth Retreat.

Words of Gratitude

Finally, the organizers would like to offer immense gratitude to all the devotees, youth, facilitators, and donors who helped make this retreat a living reality. Every contribution, big or small, was a thread in the tapestry of this memorable experience. 

As Rasa Parayana Das and Rati Gopika Devi Dasi continue to guide and care for the next generation, their hope remains the same: to raise inspired, joyful, and committed devotees of Lord Krishna.

About our Author

Bhakta Haarshwaran Kumar is currently pursuing a Law degree at the National University of Malaysia (UKM).