NEW VRINDABAN, West Virginia — For nearly two decades, Dr. Niki Johnson, professor of philosophy and religious studies at the University of Mount Union, has taken students on a daylong trip to the Hare Krishna Hindu community in New Vrindaban, West Virginia.

Founded in 1968 by Srila Prabhupada, the community’s vision includes simple living, spiritual education, cow protection, holy pilgrimage and loving Krishna. As part of the trip, students toured facilities such as the Palace of Gold and gained new insights into how community members live and interact. 

“This trip was incredibly wholesome but also very informative! It expanded my view of different religious systems and how they operate during a service, what they believe, how they worship, and how they interact with one another. It felt like a very close-knit community,” said Hope Baer ’29, a sophomore nursing major who participated in the trip through the REL360 course in Mount Union’s Integrative Core. “I think one of the most interesting things was that it was not awkward or uncomfortable to participate. Everyone moved and chanted, sang and celebrated together, and the food was delicious.”