Meeting Millie (Ram Dashi devi dasi) – Daisy Bowtell’s ONLY disciple – 12th February 2026

Last Thursday afternoon, The Hare Krishna Project’s Narada Prabhu was invited to a house in North London to meet a very special lady.

A lady that holds an incredibly unique position in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition – she is the ONLY disciple of Daisy Bowtell (Vinod Vani devi dasi).

👉 Historical Context 👈

Between 1933 – 1937 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur sent five disciples to London to spread the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with the western public. Regular meetings were taking place with kirtan, Krishna katha and prasadam.

At least 5 westerners were initiated during this time. One of them was a lady called Daisy Bowtell, who was given the name Vinod Vani devi dasi.

After Bhakti Saranga Goswami (the 5th Indian disciple Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur who spent time in Britain) left the UK in 1937 Daisy continued to practice Krishna Consciousness in her own home, albeit privately and in seclusion.

👉 Daisy Bowtell / Vinod Vani devi dasi awards diksha to her ONLY disciple – 1971, London, UK 👈

In 1971, in London, UK, Daisy Bowtell awarded diksha to her only disciple, 25-year-old Millie, who (with her family) had historical links with the Gaudiya Mission in India.

Millie’s parents and grandmother were disciples of Srila Bhakti Keval Audulomi Goswami Maharaj, the acharya of the Gaudiya Mission at the time.

“It was a huge honour to meet Millie at her home last Thursday in North London,” said Narada das, “she is an incredible woman with a unique story to tell.”

Narada presented Millie with a copy of his book ‘The Hare Krishnas in Britain’, which goes into detail looking at the history of the Gaudiya Mission in London, and provides information about the 1933-1937 wave of Gaudiya missionaries who came to the UK.

For more details check out: www.amazon.co.uk/Hare-Krishnas-Britain-movements-diversity/dp/B098CQY3LR