ABSTRACT
As part of a changing Indian religioscape', the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has grown from its Gaudiya Vaishnava1 roots in India to become an international, missionizing Hindu group. ISKCON's unique identity is based on universalizing the worship of the deity Krishna as a means of salvation and its membership includes people from different countries, cultures and ethnicities. Materials take on a specific cultural resonance in ISKCON since the earthly world is associated with a negative materialism and the sleep-like state of maya (illusion) that has to be transcended. Dressmakers and priests who conduct the deity dressing on the altar help evoke an appropriate mood in the temple that is enjoyed by the deity and the congregation. Deity garments for the day are highly ornate and are hand-embroidered by artisans who work only for the temple. The night dresses are simpler and are generally made from decorative fabrics to save on time and expense.
