Overview
Have you ever experienced a tantalizing magical aura around you? Felt the spiritualism in the air, wrapping you in a sense of protection and peace, like the comfort of a mother's lap? This is how visitors often describe their experience at the ISKCON Temple in Delhi.
Fondly known as the ‘Holy Abode of Lord Krishna’, the ISKCON Temple is a significant religious site in India and a popular tourist attraction in the capital. It is one of the most lavish temples in Delhi.
The temple is also called Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir or Hare Krishna Temple. Among the eight ISKCON temples in Delhi, the main one is located in East of Kailash.
Designed and built by Achyut Kanvinde, one of the forefathers of modern Indian architecture, the temple opened in 1998. Since then, it has been preaching the principles of Krishna consciousness as per the Bhagavad Gita.
About 500 years ago, Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the Hare Krishna movement in India. Devotees today consider him an incarnation of Lord Krishna, and ISKCON continues the movement started by him. Across India, there are more than 35 ISKCON temples in cities like Bengaluru, Patna, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Baroda, Haridwar, Hyderabad, Imphal, Kanpur, and Delhi. These temples are famous for kirtans, hymns, and spiritual preaching.
Main Attractions of ISKCON Temple:
Architecture
The temple’s unique architecture is impressive from the outside and celestial from within. Three tall spires shine brightly at sunset. Visitors reach the main shrine via a flight of steps. Kanvinde adopted innovative designs rather than following traditional Vastu Shastra, such as building the temple facing west instead of east. The spires feature round toppings with slits, and the structure uses brown Dholpur stone and white marble.
Deities
There are three shrines dedicated to Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, and Gaura-Nitai. The beautifully sculpted idols are adorned with rich clothes and heavy jewelry, and 24 trained pundits worship them according to strict Hindu rituals. The deities’ clothes are changed twice daily.
Museum
The temple complex houses a museum featuring stunning paintings and artifacts. The Mahabharata and Ramayana are presented interactively using technology, sound, and light. A robot show explaining religious figures and teachings is a must-see.
Nearby Attractions
Other top Delhi attractions include Lotus Temple (4.5 km), India Gate (7.9 km), Qutub Minar (9.4 km), Jama Masjid (12.8 km), Red Fort (13 km).
Timing
The temple is open daily from 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM, with the main shrine closed between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Janmashtami (August-September) is the best time to visit, when devotees celebrate Lord Krishna's birthday with great fervor.
How to Reach
The nearest metro station is Nehru Place Metro Station. From there, rickshaws and autos are available to reach the temple.
So, soak yourself in the devotional ambiance and embark on a soul-enriching trip to ISKCON Temple.
