- MotelGita attended AAHOA convention for the 16th consecutive year.
- Initiative raises $4,730 and secures 1,000 Bhagavad Gita orders.
- The program is now active in more than 20 U.S. cities and countries.
The initiative, run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, distributes a translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita by Srila Prabhupada in more than 20 U.S. cities. At AAHOACON26, it also distributed books in five languages alongside other titles by Prabhupada, according to ISKCON.
AAHOA provided the initiative with a complimentary booth at its annual convention in recognition of its work, allowing more resources to go toward book distribution.
"Yet another year of overwhelmingly positive response from hotel owners. They highly praised our work and unity," said Nandini Kishori Devi Dasi from Florida, who helped man the ISKCON booth at AAHOACON26.
The initiative was started by Mayapur Bihari Dasa and Dilip Patel, who approached Vaisesika Dasa, president of ISKCON Silicon Valley, with the idea of placing Prabhupada's books in hotel rooms. The effort was inspired by the Gideons' century-long practice of placing Bibles in hotel rooms worldwide.
The first participating property was Dilip Patel's Sea Breeze Motel in Pacifica, California. One of the earliest motel owners to join donated $4,000, showing the support the initiative received from the hospitality community.
The initiative once raised more than $5,000 in a single hour at a Diwali fundraiser. Over time, it expanded well beyond South Asian-owned properties. In Austin, Texas, multiple hotels at a single intersection now place the Bhagavad Gita in guest rooms, with most properties owned by non-Indian proprietors.
AAHOACON26 was held on April 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, marking Rahul Patel’s start as AAHOA chairman and Dhiren Masters’ election as secretary.
