ISKCON Temple Bangalore
Sri Radha Krishna Temple ( Kannada - ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಧಾ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಂದಿರ ) is one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world. It is located at Rajajinagar, in North Bangalore in the Indian State of Karnataka.[3]
ISKCON Bangalore | |
---|---|
Temple at night | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Bangalore |
Deity | Sri Sri Radha Krishna-chandra |
Festivals | Janamashtami |
Location | |
Location | Rajajinagar |
State | Karnataka |
Country | India |
Architecture | |
Type | Hindu temple architecture |
Completed | 1997[1][2] |
Temple(s) | 3 |
Website | |
ISKCON Bangalore |
Hare Krishna Hill
Hare Krishna Hill is the hillock on which this temple is situated. ISKCON Bangalore is a charitable society with the objective of propagating Krishna Consciousness all over the world, as explained by Srila Prabhupada, whose teachings are based on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
In 1987, the society was operating from a rented house in Bangalore. In the year 1987, the leaders of the society applied to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for allotment of land to construct a grand temple and cultural complex. The land was allotted on 3 August 1988 – a seven-acre hillock, which was nothing but a huge piece of monolithic rock that could not be converted into sites. The BDA described it as "karaab land" (waste land). A temporary shed was constructed to set up a makeshift temple and the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama moved to this shed on the appearance day of Lord Balarama (September 1988).
History
The ISKCON society was registered in the year 1978 under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960. The objects of the society are derived from the Seven Purposes of ISKCON as stated by Srila Prabhupada. In May 1997, Bangalore ISKCON Temple was inaugurated by the ninth president of India - Shankar Dayal Sharma.[2][4]
About Temple
Features of the temple
There is a gold-plated dhwaja-stambha (flag post) 17 m (56 ft) high and a gold plated kalash shikara 8.5 m (28 ft) high. There is free distribution of Sri Krishna prasadam to all visitors during the darshana hours.[5]
Shrines (altars)
ISKCON Bangalore has six shrines:
- Main shrine is of Radha-Krishna.
- Krishna Balrama.
- Nitai Gauranga (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda).
- Srinivasa Govinda ( also known as Venkateswara ).
- Prahlada Narasimha.
- Srila Prabhupada.[6]
Darshan Timings
The temple is open from 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 am. The day begins with a Grand arati ceremony called mangala-arati followed by worship of Tulasi Devi, Sri Narasimha Arati and Suprabhata Seva for Sri Srinivasa Govinda. The temple again opens at 7:15 a.m. for Shringara Darshana Arati. 5:15 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.: Japa Meditation session. The temple remains open until 1:00 p.m. In the evening the temple is open from 4:15 to 8:15. During weekends and public holidays Temple timings are 4:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. without any break in the afternoon. The evening arati starts at 7:00 where devotees sing kirtan. In the main temple the arati is performed by three priests. This arati is followed again by kirtan where devotees can be seen dancing to the rhythm of "Hare Krishna Hare Rama".
Festivals
ISKCON Bangalore celebrates festivals that are either related to avatars of Lord Vishnu or with Vedic culture. Main festivals that are celebrated within the temple are:
- Rama Navami
- Brahmotsava
- Narasimha Jayanti
- Panihati Chida-dahi
- Ratha Yatra
- Balaram Jayanti
- Jhulan Utsav
- Sri Krishna Janmashtami
- Swagatam Krishna
- Vyasa Puja
- Sri Radhashtami
- Deepotsava
- Govardhan Puja
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi
- Nityananda Trayodashi
- Gaura Poornima
- Krishna Shringar
- Kumbhabhisheka[7]
Social services
ISKCON Bangalore provides free food to those in need.[8] The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one initiative started by members of the temple, which has received praise from United States President Barack Obama for feeding and educating children across India.A TV documentary has also been made on Akshaya Patra Foundation[9]
The Akshaya Patra Foundation is principally involved in implementing the Mid-Day Meal programme to the children in Government and Government-aided schools across India. It follows a Public-Private Partnership model of operation, and hence has been working in partnership with the Central and State Governments. It was set up in the year 2000 and runs the world's largest NGO-run Mid-Day Meal Programme. Akshaya Patra is currently operating in 27 locations across 11 states of India. It is reaching out to over 13,500 Government and Government-aided schools feeding 1.6 million children every day.
Gallery
- Iskcon Temple at night, Bangalore
- 'Iskcon Temple'(2013)
- 'A Pond near the Temple campus'(2013)
- 'Gopuram'(2013)
- ISKCON Bangalore, Krishna Lila Park @ Vaikunta Hills, Kanakpura Road
- Krishna Lila Park Shrines (altars): Sudarshana
- Krishna Lila Park Shrines (altars): Narasimha, Jagannadha, Baladeva, Subhadra
See Also
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to ISKCON Temple, Bangalore. |
References
- ISKCON Temple Bangalore website, Temple Information
- ISKCON Temple Bangalore website, Temple History
- Jones, Constance; D. Ryan, James (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. U.S.A.: Facts on File. p. 512. ISBN 0-8160-5458-4.
- "Visit these popular ISKCON temples in India, dedicated to Lord Krishna". Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- "Temple Schedule". ISKCON Bangalore. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ISKCON Temple Bangalore website, Deities page.
- ISKCON Temple Bangalore Website, Festivals and Events
- Kumar Singh, Yogesh (2007). Sociological Foundation of Education. New Delhi, India: APH Publishing Corporation. p. 320. ISBN 81-313-0193-1.
- "Obama’s accolade for Akshaya Patra" from Bangalore Mirror, 12-12-2008, hosted on the ISKCON Temple Bangalore website.