Iskcon Temple
About Iskcon Temple Vrindavan :
The ISKCON temple in Vrindavan is also known as Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir.The Krishna Balaram Mandir was personally established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on Rama Navami in 1975. The temple is situated in Raman Reti, Vrindavan, U.P., where the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna displayed His transcendental pastimes 5,000 years ago. Sri Krishna and Balaram would herd Their cows at Raman Reti near the Yamuna River. The temple has three altars. On the first altar are Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, the most merciful incarnations of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu who appeared about 500 years ago at West Bengal.
The divine brothers, Sri Krishna and Balaram, are worshiped on the central altar and on the third altar are Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara along Their confidental gopis, Lalita and Vishakha.Since 1975, the Sri Krishna Balaram Temple Complex has expanded considerably to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s vision for an international center in Vrindavan. Upon his return to Vrindavan in 1977 Prabhupada entered into Samadhi Mandir (memorial) in his honour. It is located within the premises of the Krishna-Baldev Temple in Vrindavan. Beautiful paintings depicting the life of Lord Krishna adorn the galleries leading to the main temple. ISKCON devotees from various parts of the world can be spotted manning the library or ISKCON book stalls and partaking in temple rituals with gay abandon.
At Vrindavan the ISKCON society also runs a boarding school on the lines of a Gurukul with classes being run from I to VII. A Gurukul is a holistic kind of educational system whereby students and teachers live in the same complex so students may learn by observing the teacher. There are guest houses for devotees within the premises so they may take part in the day to day activities of the temple.
History of the ISKCON Temple Vrindavan :
The very well-known ISKCON Temple is a must visit while in Vrindavan. Dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna the ISKCON Temple belongs to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and was established personally by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder ISKCON, in 1975. The temple is dedicated to both Lord Krishna and his brother Balaram.
Also known as Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, the ISKCON Temple is situated in Raman Reti, which is believed to be the place where Lord Sri Krishna spent the younger years of his life on earth. It is believed that Lord Krishna along with his brother Balaram used to herd their cows at Raman Reti near the Yamuna River.
The ISKCON temple has three altars. The central altar of the ISKCON Temple holds the sacred and mesmerizing ornamented-idols of the divine brothers-Sri Krishna and Balaram. Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON died in 1977 and the Samadhi Mandir within the temple premises is his memorial. The walls of the beautiful ISKCON temple are enriched with gorgeous paintings depicting the life of Lord Krishna.
In 1966 Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founded the ISKCON also known as Hare Krishna movement in New York City. The core beliefs of this society are based on traditional Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita. ISKCON was basically formed to spread the practice of bhakti yoga, in which a devotee dedicates his thoughts and actions towards pleasing the supreme power, Lord Sri Krishna.
Being in the temple one can witness devotees from various parts of the world dressed in traditional Indian clothes and managing the ISKCON library/book stalls or partaking in temple rituals. The evening Sri Krishna Aarti (prayer) of the ISKCON, held by priests and devotees is very popular. The renowned song “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare” is chanted collectively by the priests and devotees during the aarti and the devotees dressed up in traditional dhotis, ghaghras and cholis perform beautifully in the temple courtyard.
Within the temple premises there is a small area with few stalls that sell religious books, jewellery and traditional clothes. You can buy some handmade knick-knacks to take back home for friends and family.
Festivals:
Every day is a new day at Iskcon Temple, where ceremonies and rituals keep the festivities alive. However, there are many festivals that are celebrated at a grand level in the temple. Amongst the festivals, Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Gaura Purnima, Diwali, Annakut, Chandan Yatra, Jhulan Yatra (Swing festival), Kartika (Oct/Nov), Gaura Purnima, Balaram Purnima, Radhashtami and Govardhana Puja are the major festivals that bring special celebration at Iskcon Temple.
Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is observed with full gusto and fervor. The whole temple is decorated with flowers, flags, ribbons and garlands. People keep fast for the whole day and at midnight; they take grain-less meal. At the time of Janmashtami, the whole of town of Vrindavan gets drenched in the gala of Lord Krishna’s Birthday. The deities are dressed up in rich clothes and ornamented with dazzling jewellery.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit ISKCON is during the winter months between November and March as the summers tend to get extremely hot in Vrindavan. ISKCON is also renowned for its Holi celebrations during February/March.
Timing :
The Temple is open from 5:00 am till 12:00 pm in the morning and then it is closed for four hours. It reopens in the evening from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm. Entry to the Temple is free.
How to reach:
By Air: the nearest airport is Agra which is 66 km away and is well connected to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi by regular flights services.
By Rail: Mathura Junction is well connected to Delhi by numerous trains including in its route. The nearest rail head is at Mathura that is 15km from Mathura and 145 kms from Delhi.
By Road: Mathura and Vrindavan are well connected with Agra, Delhi, Bharatpur, Alwar and Lucknow by well maintained road.
Deities: Krishna-Balaram
Location: Raman Reti in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Built in: 1975
Also known as: Sri Krishna-Balrama Temple
Significance: First Temple made by ISKCON
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