Goloka Dhama: A Translocal Hare Krishna Community

Abstract

This chapter discussed Goloka Dhama, a Hare Krishna community in Germany, as an example of a translocal rural place. The community is part of a worldwide network of Hare Krishna communities and Goloka Dhama’s members are from various European countries. Most community members are attracted both by the spiritual offerings of the community as well as by its remote location. While living in Goloka Dhama, they are in touch with other Hare Krishna communities throughout the globe. Goloka Dhama is embedded in the local community through contacts with other Hare Krishna followers who live in the region as well as via contact with the local population. Based on in-depth interviews with (former) community members and people living in the neighbouring villages, this chapter illustrates how the religious community of Goloka Dhama contributes to shaping a translocal space, at the international, regional and local levels.