George Harrison Produces Govinda by Radha Krshna Temple

Following the success of the Hare Krishna Mantra single by Radha Krshna Temple, plans for a follow-up were made in early 1970. Another traditional chant, Govinda, was chosen. ( From the Sri Brahma Samhita, a Vedic hymn millions of years old recited at the dawn of creation by Lord Brahma to Govinda / Lord Krishna )

George Harrison produced the session, and also played acoustic guitar. Klaus Voormann played bass guitar, while Ringo Starr may have been the drummer or Alan White.

Members of the temple contributed vocals, bells, organ and flute. The song was arranged by Mukunda Das Adkikary, with orchestral instrumentation by John Barham.

Govinda was released in the United Kingdom on 6 March 1970, and on 24 March in the United States, with Govinda Jai Jai on the B-side.

To this day, the track is played each morning at all the ISKCON temples around the world, at the request of the movement’s leader, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.