An unforgettable two days with Krishna Das in Rishikesh
October 25, 2025
The October 2025 KD kirtan was the biggest event seen in Rishikesh in recent years, making Ganga Prem Hospice a household name in many hearts in many parts of India and outside
On October 25 & 26, 2025, thousands of people from all over India and the world gathered in Rishikesh to chant, sing and dance to Krishna Das’ kirtan and God’s name. The two-day concert was held for the benefit of Ganga Prem Hospice (GPH) and raise awareness about hospice care.
It has been a memorable and almost unreal journey for Ganga Prem Hospice, who gained Krishna Das as a friend sixteen years ago, when KD began to spread the word about Ganga Prem Hospice and chanted to support the project. In every corner of the world where KD went, he did something for GPH – whether by performing to raise funds, or donating proceeds of his concert, or just speaking to people about a hospice in far-away Rishikesh.
With KD, came the support of his assistant and team member, Nina Rao, whose bond with GPH’s spiritual advisor Nani Ma only deepened with time. As KD would land in Rishikesh in the autumn/winter months, the GPH patients, their caregivers and staff would be graced by a visit to the hospice. To hear the Hanuman Chalisa sitting on the floor, in the corridors of Ganga Prem Hospice was an experience that would not leave one.
Every year KD came to Rishikesh, the number of his admirers grew. From a few hundred who gathered excitedly for the GPH programme to a record nearly eight thousand who attended the October 2025 two-day concert, it has been a journey of faith, grace, and unbelievable hard work put in by GPH’s volunteers, supporters, and team members, who gave their heart and soul to organising the events.
In 2025, KD had a packed schedule for his India-trip, starting with Rishikesh. The Diwali weekend had gone by, but the kirtan festivities and excitement had just begun. Planning for the mega two-day event had started nearly six months prior and dozens of volunteers and staffers were involved. Many dignitaries of Rishikesh threw their weight behind the concert, donating resources and infrastructure needed to organise the kirtan successfully.
Estimated four thousand people attending the kirtan
With an estimated four thousand people attending the kirtan on each day, chants of Om Namah Shivay, Radhe-Radhe Govind, Hanumate Namah, the electric Kashi Vishwanath Gange, and the meditative Sita Ram had listeners chanting, dancing, crying and meditating for three immersive hours. GPH patients, who were strong enough to attend, came happily with their family members to enjoy the kirtan.
For the hundreds who had made the trip to Rishikesh specifically for the concert, it was a wish fulfilled to see KD, Nina Rao, and Arjun Bruggeman. Huge support and goodwill were raised for Ganga Prem Hospice at the event and in the days before and after it. Attendees made donations for the various programmes of Ganga Prem Hospice and offered their services as volunteers.
