Vedic Culture
Students are introduced to Vaishnava culture through kirtan, japa, scripture, temple etiquette, festivals, service, and daily association.
Hare Krishna Training CentreHKTC
HKTC
Nairobi
A Prabhupada-centered home for university students: study, sadhana, prasadam, service, and mentorship in the heart of Nairobi.
Student FormationUniversity Life
University Life
Rooted in Bhakti
The Hare Krishna Training Centre serves mostly university students, giving them a serious spiritual foundation while they continue their academic and professional development in Nairobi.
The centre is headed by Govinda Prem Prabhu, Regional Secretary for ISKCON Nairobi and the devotee guiding HKTC's student training, devotional education, and community care.
HKTC is part of the vision carried forward from Srila Prabhupada's mission for Africa. Public reports record its work beginning in Kenya in April 2011, with an official opening on 11 January 2017 under the blessings of H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja.
10,000+
Students Reached
10+
Years Active
15+
Nations
2
Student Homes
Four Regulative Principles
Students are trained in disciplined devotional life through the four regulative principles:
No meat eatingNo intoxicationNo illicit sexNo gambling
Life as a StudentA Living Introduction
A Living Introduction
to Vedic Culture
Life at HKTC is a fascinating introduction to Vedic culture: its food, philosophy, attire, music, discipline, service mood, and community life. Students are not forced into an artificial pace. They explore, ask questions, practice, and grow under expert guidance.
Public articles about the centre describe a rhythm of simple living and high thinking, with students rising early, attending temple programmes, chanting, studying, serving, cooking, taking prasadam, and building character through Srila Prabhupada's books.
Food and Prasadam
Life at HKTC includes a practical experience of sanctified vegetarian food, simple cooking culture, and honoring prasadam together.
Attire and Identity
Students naturally encounter tilaka, dhoti, kurta, sari, bead bags, and other visible parts of devotional culture in a guided setting.
Guided Growth
The centre gives students room to explore Krishna consciousness at their own pace, with expert guidance from senior devotees.
Daily ClassesHearing,
Hearing,
Study and Prasadam
HKTC follows the same Prabhupada-centered learning culture described on the Learn page. Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam are studied verse by verse, with attention to Srila Prabhupada's purports and the teachings of the Goswamis.
Daily Srimad-Bhagavatam
One verse is studied with Srila Prabhupada's purport and practical discussion for devotional life.
8:00 A.M.
HKTC Philosophy Classes
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday classes serve residents and students from the wider community.
7:00 P.M.
Community Student Class
Wednesday and Saturday evening classes run for one hour and are followed by prasadam.
8:00 P.M.
Special Bhagavatam Class
A focused Saturday morning study session for deeper hearing, reflection, and discussion.
Saturday, 6:00 A.M.
Book ProgrammeSequential Study of
Sequential Study of
Srila Prabhupada's Books
Students move through Srila Prabhupada's books in sequence, growing from introductory philosophy to deeper scriptural study. The year culminates in examinations and an annual graduation ceremony for those who complete the prescribed study.
01Nectar of Instruction
02Science of Self Realization
03Journey to Other Planets
04Laws of Nature
05Life Comes from Life
06Beyond Birth and Death
07On the Way to Krishna
08Sri Isopanisad
09Bhagavad-gita As It Is
10Srimad-Bhagavatam
Our StoryA Decade of
A Decade of
Building Students
- 2011
HKTC Activities Begin
Public reports record HKTC activities in Kenya starting in April 2011, planting the seed of a dedicated student training programme in Nairobi.
- 2017
Official Opening
HKTC Nairobi was officially opened on 11 January 2017, blessed by H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja.
- Ongoing
Annual Study Cycles
Each year, students move sequentially through Srila Prabhupada's books, culminating in examinations and a graduation ceremony.
- Today
A Growing Community
HKTC has reached 10,000+ students from 15+ nations, now supporting two dedicated residences for men and women in Nairobi.
Moments at HKTCLife in
More on Instagram @hktc.africaLife in
Pictures
A glimpse into daily life at HKTC Nairobi. Tap any photo to see it full size.
Student CareAccommodation,
Accommodation,
Meals and Guidance
HKTC is more than a classroom. It supports a protected devotional environment where students can learn, live, serve, eat prasadam, and receive guidance in Krishna consciousness.
Two Nairobi Residences
HKTC supports separate accommodation for male and female students, held under dedicated and unified guidance.
Daily Sanctified Meals
Students receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a purely vegetarian prasadam culture.
University Student Community
Most students are drawn from Nairobi's university community, with outreach extending across Kenya and beyond.
Common QuestionsFrequently
Frequently
Asked Questions
HKTC primarily serves university students in and around Nairobi, welcoming those exploring Krishna consciousness for the first time as well as those continuing an existing practice.
No prior background is required. Students are given room to explore at their own pace, with guidance from senior devotees at each step.
Residents follow the four regulative principles and take part in the daily programme of classes, chanting, service, and prasadam described on this page.
Costs vary by arrangement. Reach out to the temple office for specifics, and see the Support section below for student sponsorship options.
Students who complete the book sequence and sit for examinations are recognised at HKTC's annual graduation ceremony.
Support HKTCHelp Sponsor
Help Sponsor
Student Formation
Support can help provide study materials, prasadam, student accommodation, retreats, examinations, visiting speakers, and the daily service that keeps the centre running.
Follow HKTC Africa
Classes, students, and updates
Notes from public reports
ISKCON News describes HKTC Nairobi as an ashram-style student experience near major universities, with morning programmes, Bhagavatam class, japa, service, kirtan, Bhagavad-gita study, and certificates after character training.
People Daily describes Kenya's young Vaishnava monks through simple living, early rising, chanting, temple classes, devotional attire, vegetarian culture, and service.
Dandavats reports that students joined HKTC Nairobi to chant, study Srila Prabhupada's books, follow the four regulative principles, and respond to Srila Prabhupada's desire to preach to local Africans.
A public Dandavats graduation report records HKTC activities in Kenya from April 2011 and an official opening on 11 January 2017, attributed in context to H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja.
For visits, sponsorship, class enquiries, or student support, contact ISKCON Nairobi through the temple office.