The Reawakening of Kirtan in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Tradition

Kirtan — the collective chanting of sacred mantras — is the heart of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. In the 16th century, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ignited a spiritual revolution in Bengal by popularizing sankirtan — congregational chanting of the holy names of Krishna.

Rather than reserving spiritual practice for scholars or renunciants, Lord Chaitanya opened the path of divine love to everyone. Through ecstatic public chanting, dancing, and devotional song, he taught that sacred sound itself is the most direct way to awaken love of God in this age of Kali Yuga.

Kirtan in this lineage is not performance — it is prayer. It is meditation through melody. 

The Gaudiya tradition continues today through teachers and lineages that trace directly back to Lord Chaitanya’s movement of sacred sound.

Raghunath

Founder of Supersoul Academy

Raghunath has been transforming people's life since he was a teenager when he got into yoga and clean healthy living from a young age. Considered a teacher's teacher, Raghunath is a gifted speaker, story teller, educator of self-transformation & spirituality. He leads yoga trainings, sold-out pilgrimages to India, and has been living the life of a yogi for 40 years. He has studied and teaches asana, pranayama, sacred literature, kirtan, and sacred ritual. He is the co-founder of Wisdom of the Sages, a bhakti yoga podcast which has been ranked #1 by Apple podcast in spirituality.

Bobbie Marchand

Lead Instructor

Bobbie’s path into kirtan leadership is rooted in both devotion and artistry. With a professional background in theater and dance, she brings a refined awareness of movement, voice, rhythm, and presence into the sacred flow of mantra and chant. Over the past two years as a lead teacher in Kirtan School, she has seamlessly woven her formal artistic training into the devotional current of Bhakti, helping students embody both structure and spontaneity. Bobbie has guided holistic and yoga retreats worldwide, creating spaces that feel grounded, transformative, and deeply nourishing. 

Hladini Shakti

Assistant Instructor

Hladini’s relationship with sacred sound began early — she first touched the harmonium at just two years old. Raised in a culture of devotion and mantra, she grew up immersed in kirtan, rhythm, and sacred sound meditation. Over the years, she refined her mastery of both harmonium, kartals and mrdanga, developing a deep sensitivity to rhythm, melody, and the subtle energy that connects us to the divine through sound. Hladini has shared her soulful music with audiences around the world, offering kirtan not as performance, but as prayer — an invitation into presence, joy, and spiritual connection.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT GOVARDHAN ECO VILLAGE

Govardhan Eco Village is an internationally recognized award-winning spiritual community rooted in bhakti yoga, sustainability, and conscious living.

Rooms are clean, comfortable, and intentionally simple, allowing students to step out of excess and into presence.

𖥸 Designed with earthen architecture, natural materials, and handcrafted details

𖥸 Each space reflects a quiet elegance — uncluttered, peaceful, and grounding

𖥸 Comfortable beds, private or shared options (depending on selection), and modern bathrooms

𖥸  Daily vegetarian and vegan meals, freshly prepared and deeply nourishing

𖥸 On-site amenities include laundry services, a swimming pool, an Ayurveda clinic, and village shops