ISKCON Temple

Sri Radha Krishnachandra Temple or has deities of Krishna and Radha located at Rajajinagar, in the North Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world. The temple is a huge cultural complex that was inaugurated in 1997 by Shankar Dayal sharma following the wishes of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning.

History

Around 1976, devotees from different parts of India and the world had initiated activities of ISKCON in different parts of South India like Bangalore, Hubli, Madras, etc.

Sankirtans in the streets, enrolling Life Members, arranging programs in the houses, and arranging large public programs in pandals were being conducted.In May 1997, Bangalore ISKCON Temple was inaugurated by the then president of India - Shankar Dayal Sharma.
Features of the Temple

There is a gold-plated dwajastambha (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.

Shrines (altars)

ISKCON Bangalore has six shrines:-

1. Main shrine is of Radha-Krishna.
2. Krishna Balrama.
3. Nitai Gauranga (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda).
4. Srinivasa Govinda ( also known as Venkateswara ).
5. Prahlada Narasimha.
6. Srila Prabhupada.

Krishna Lila Park @ Vaikunta Hills

ISKCON started a second huge temple called Krishna Lila Park in Kanakpura Road. This is being constructed in 70 acres. Planned to complete by 2020. First stage Narasimha Temple is operational and open for visitors for darshan.

Shrines (altars)

1. Sudarshana
2. Narasimha, Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra

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
- Vyasa Puja
- Sri Radhashtami
- Deepotsava
- Govardhan Puja
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi
- Nityananda Trayodashi
- Gaura Poornima
- Krishna Shringar
- Kumbhabhisheka

Social Services

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an initiative of ISKCON Bangalore 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.

Since 2003, the Foundation has been implementing the mid-day meal programme under the guidelines of Government of India.

Akshaya Patra is currently operating in 19 locations across 9 states of India. It is reaching out to over 9000 Government schools feeding 1.3 million children round the year on all school working days. It is steadily moving towards achieving its goal of feeding 5 million children by 2020.

ISKCON Bangalore provides free food to those in need.

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.

Getting There

Nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR, ICAO: VOBL), an international airport serving the Indian city of Bangalore. It is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of Devanahalli and is 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the central business district of Bangalore, (30 kilometres (19 mi) from the Bangalore City Railway Station and covers 4,700 acres (1,900 ha).

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