You may have heard the word kirtan at a yoga studio, seen it on an event poster, or come across it online. But what is kirtan, exactly? This guide explains the practice, its origins, its instruments, and why millions of people around the world are returning to it.

Kirtan Defined

Kirtan (also spelled kirtana) is a devotional practice from the Vedic tradition of India involving call-and-response chanting of sacred names and mantras. The lead singer — called the kirtaniya — sings a line, and the group (called the congregation or sangha) repeats it back. This back-and-forth continues, often building in speed and intensity before returning to stillness. The practice is central to Bhakti yoga — the yoga of devotion.

The most widely recognized kirtan mantra in the world is the Hare Krishna mahamantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) is one of the primary organizations bringing this practice to a global audience.

Where Does Kirtan Come From?

Kirtan has its roots in the Bhakti movement, which flourished in India between the 7th and 17th centuries. Saints like Mirabai, Tukaram, Kabir, and — most significantly for the Hare Krishna tradition — Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) popularized the singing of divine names as a direct path to spiritual realization. The Srimad Bhagavatam, one of the central Vedic scriptures, describes sankirtana (congregational chanting) as the primary spiritual practice for the present age.

What Instruments Are Used?

Traditional kirtan uses a small set of instruments:

• Mrdanga — a two-headed clay drum, the foundational percussion instrument of Vaishnava kirtan. Its complex rhythmic patterns set the tempo and energy of the chant.
• Kartaal — small hand cymbals that maintain the rhythmic structure alongside the mrdanga.
• Harmonium — a hand-pumped reed organ introduced to India during the colonial era, now integral to kirtan’s melodic lead.

ISKCON Silicon Valley offers mrdanga and kartaal classes for students age 6.5 and up — one of the few places in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley where you can learn these traditional instruments from practicing musicians in the Vaishnava tradition.

What Are the Benefits of Kirtan?

Research into kirtan and related chanting practices has found associations with reduced cortisol (stress hormone) levels, improved mood, and increased feelings of social connection. From the Vedic perspective, the Sanskrit names of God carry spiritual sound vibration (shabda brahman) — chanting them purifies the mind and awakens the heart. Many practitioners describe kirtan as the most accessible form of meditation they have found, requiring no prior training, no particular belief, and no stillness — you simply sing along.

Do I Have to Be Hindu to Attend Kirtan?

No. Kirtan at ISKCON Silicon Valley is open to everyone. You do not need to be Hindu, Vaishnava, or even spiritually inclined to attend. Many people come out of curiosity and find the experience unexpectedly moving. The chanting requires no preparation — just your voice, even if you think you cannot sing.

How Is Kirtan Different from Bhajan?

Both are forms of devotional music, but bhajan is typically a composed song with fixed verses sung straight through, while kirtan is call-and-response and more participatory. Bhajan tends toward individual performance; kirtan is inherently a group practice. At ISKCON Silicon Valley’s programs, you will encounter both.

Where to Experience Kirtan in the Bay Area

ISKCON Silicon Valley hosts regular kirtan at the Mountain View temple as part of the daily puja schedule, and during special events and festivals throughout the year. Saturday School children participate in kirtan as part of their program, learning to chant Sanskrit verses from an early age. If you want to learn to lead kirtan yourself, the mrdanga and kartaal classes on our classes page are the place to start.

The next time you hear the words Hare Krishna rising and falling in the air, you will know exactly what you are listening to — and you will be welcome to join.

Gaurav Verma

Kirtan Volunteer · ISKCON Silicon Valley

Gaurav has been leading bhajans and kirtans in Bay Area homes for more than 10 years. He teaches harmonium for kirtan on YouTube, shares bhajan albums on SoundCloud, and coordinates the Vrindavan Mellows home kirtan service across the San Francisco Bay Area.