The Hare Krishna Elm

Scientific Name: Ulmus americana

Common Name: American Elm
Scientific Name: Ulmus americana
Location: New York, New York
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The spiritual leader A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came to the U.S. in 1965. Using an East Village storefront as a headquarters, he set up the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. On October 9, 1966, this Elm became the site for Prabhupada and his followers to hold the first-ever outdoor chanting session outside of India and introduced the East Village to the group’s distinctive 16-word mantra: Consciousness.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

The group chanted for nearly two hours as they danced and played instruments around the tree. The event has been recognized as the founding of the Hare Krishna religion in the United States. Prabhupada’s diverse group that day included Beat poet Allen Ginsberg (1926–1997). Krishna adherents make visits to the tree to acknowledge its significance.