ISKCON Temple – ( Banglore, Karnataka )

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Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple is accredited for having the ISKCON’s largest temple complex in the world. Being made by the Iskcon cult, the magnificent shrine is commonly known as Iskcon Temple Iskcon Temple Bangalore is situated on a seven acre hillock called ‘Hare Krishna Hill’ on West of Chord Road. This outstanding temple is one amongst the best shrines constructed by the ISKCON. Iskcon Temple can be reached easily by taking regular buses, local vehicles or by hiring taxis from the city of Bangalore. ISKCON Temple, Bangalore or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is a replica of the Gaudiya Vaishnava faith based on the teachings of Bhagvad Gita and the Bhagvad Purana.

It is well known all over the world for its architectural style. Built in neo-classical style of architecture, the temple bands together conventional architecture with ultra-modern services. The ardent devotees like Madhu Pandit Dasa (President and Project director) and Jagat Chandra Dasa designed the structure of this remarkable shrine, mingling the elements of traditional South-Indian with contemporary style of architecture. The elaborate temple complex is divided into various sections and sub-sections.

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The splendid structure of the temple is worth-seeing because the celestial grandeur cannot be bounded in words. Lush green gardens in the campus appear mesmerizing to the onlooker. The temple complex also has an open amphitheatre, where various festivals and concerts are observed. The festival of ‘Janmashtami’ is the major festival that is celebrated here with loads of enthusiasm and devotion.

The beautifully ornamental arches and illuminated water jets escort to the richly decorated Rajagopuram (main shrine). The main shrine comprises the stunningly beautiful idols of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. Apart from the main shrine, the temple also comprises four additional shrines dedicated to Sri Sri Krishna Balrama, Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Prahlada Narasimha and Sri Srinivasa Govinda respectively. The main hall that embraces the three shrines, including the main one, is a huge hall of 10,000 sq feet. The ceiling of the hall is festooned with remarkable paintings made by the Russian painters.

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The huge shrine was started under the global project of ISKCON to memorialize the birthday of its founder, Sri Prabhupada. In May 1997, Bangalore Iskcon Temple was inaugurated by Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (former President of India). Ever since, the temple has been visited by far more than 5.1 million visitors. In the vein of other Iskcon Temples round the World, the shrine is mainly dedicated to Radha-Krishna.

Iskcon Temple ( Delhi )

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ISKCON Temple is located at Hari Krishna Hill, in the East of Kailash area of New Delhi. It was built as recently as 1998 and is one of the most lavish and grand temples of the city. A fine example of architecture, it sports ‘Shikharas’, rising to a height of 90-ft above ground level. The temple has air-conditioned hall that can hold as many as 1,500 people at once. The fine art paintings by Russian artists here depict lives and events related to Hindu mythological characters, like Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, Laxman, Hanuman and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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Features of ISKCON Temple in Delhi - ISKCON Temple in Delhi is an artistic splendor. The interior walls of the temple have been decorated with aesthetic works of Russian artists representing the different phases of life of various deities like Radha-Krishan, and Sita-Ram.

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Special sermons and prayer meeting are held at the temple, every Sunday afternoon. Dedicated mainly to Lord Krishna, the elegant temple was built by the followers of ‘Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna’ cult. One of the largest temple complexes in India, it also boasts of a Robot, which was built especially to enact and preach ‘Gita’. The temple remains opened every day from 4.30am to 12:00pm and from 4.00pm to 9.00pm.

The festival of Janamashtmi (the birth of Lord Krishna) is celebrated here at a very large scale. It falls between the month of August and September. Thousands of devotees throng the temple on this auspicious occasion. The temple is beautifully decorated on this day and the enthusiasm of the pilgrims is on the peak level. It is definitely a worth watching sight. Aarti, Bhajans and sermons are a regular feature of the temple, which provide peace to body, mind and soul.

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There is a museum in the temple which organizes multimedia shows to explain the philosophy and teachings of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The main attraction of ISKCON Temple in Delhi is its central prayer hall and the temple museum. Treat your eyes with the wonderfully sculpted idols of Radha-Krishna with other deities present in the central hall with informative religious lines and shibboleths. Another attraction of ISKCON Temple in Delhi is the temple museum. The museum organizes multimedia shows. It not only helps the devotees understand the story of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, but also gives a brief interpretative understanding of views, philosophy and practice of the Hare Krishna cult. Don’t miss this is an interesting feature of ISKCON Temple in Delhi.

Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple ( Gandhinagar, Gujarat )

Akshardham Temple is situated in the Gandhinagar district ( Capital ) of Gujarat, which stands bounded by Ahmedabad city in the southwest. One of the largest temples of Gujarat, Akshardham is a place where you can find a rare amalgamation of devotion, art, architecture, education, exhibitions and research. The temple has been constructed under the aegis of Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) of India, which was and is headed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple of Gujarat was inaugurated on 2nd November 1992. The inauguration ceremony of the temple coincided with the centenary celebrations of Yogiji Maharaj and was conducted by Pramukh Swami Maharaj only. Akshardham Temple enshrines a seven-foot high, gold-leafed, idol of Lord Swaminarayan. It stands tall with a height of 108 feet and 6000 tones of stone were used in its construction. The magnum opus monument in rock is built according to the Vaastu Shastra (architectural treatise) and not even an inch of steel has been used. The main shrine contains a 1.2 ton gold plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan. The 7 foot high idol is built in a sitting posture, with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is accompanied by two other idols of his disciples on both sides. Swami Gunatitanand is on his right and Swami Gopalanand on his left.

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Sahajanand Van – Sahajanand Van is a garden around the temple. It has a lake, a waterfall, a children’s park, rides and games and an herbal garden. You can enjoy and relax here. It also contains a marble statue of Lord Swaminarayan. Six thousand tonnes of pink sandstone were used in the construction of the monument. Akshardham Temple of Gujarat stands tall at a height of 108 feet and is 240 feet in length and 131 feet in width. The colonnade around the monument measures 1,751 feet (534 meters) in length. The garden surrounding the sanctum sanctorum is known as Sahajanand Van and represents a unique blend of contemplative garden and children’s park. There is a marble sculpture of Lord Swaminarayan inside the garden also.

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Akshardham temple complex also has a research center, known as the Akshardham Center for Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH). The research center has facilities like an extensive library, study stations and archives, but only enlisted scholars can enter the library and make use of its facilities. The first floor of the temple has a museum, which has a gallery with a collection of over 500 ‘parahansas’. Other items displayed inside the temple complex include the letter to Swaminarayan’s guru, Ramanand; an art object from an old tree from Chapaya; Swaminarayan’s shawl and an image of the Lord on a horse. The exterior galleries serve as the venue for artistic exhibition and offer Chez Integrovision shows, audio-visuals, multi-media and the works of Lord Swaminarayan from the Hindu epics. There are three permanent exhibition halls inside the complex, set up with the aim of educating people on spiritual matters and BAPS movement.

There are three halls in the temple premises and exhibitions are held here from time to time…

Hall 1 : Sahajanand

This hall exhibits the life history of Lord Swaminarayan, via imaginative settings and shows.

Hall 2 : Sat-Chit-Anand

This hall is used to present an IMAX large format film named ‘Mystic India’. It is an epic on the history of India. It also elaborates on the journey of the Lord to various places since childhood.

Hall 3 : Nityanand

The message of Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata is given to the people, via wall paintings and figures. There are even exhibitions on the ancient Indian era and world religions.