The Surprisingly Strict Practices of Hare Krishna

This article was originally published at Lizanest.com.

The Hare Krishna movement might look like joyful chanting and colorful festivals, but behind the drums and dancing is one of the most surprising spiritual communities in modern history. From strict celibacy rules to 4 a.m. worship, vegetarian purity laws, shaved heads, and deeply devoted lifestyles, the group mixes ancient Indian traditions with 1960s New York counterculture energy. Some call it peaceful, others call it extreme, and everyone agrees it’s unforgettable. These facts pull back the curtain on what really goes on inside Hare Krishna life.