Everything you need to know about ISKCON- Bengaluru!

|| Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata ||
|| Abhythanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham ||

”  I am coming, I am coming, when there is a loss of religion, then I am coming, when the iniquity increases, then I am coming to protect the gentlemen, to destroy the wicked I am coming in to establish religion and I am born in the age of era. ”

– Lord Krishna.

About 

There are over 1,000 temples in Bengaluru, both old and new. Temples dating back to the 10th century can be found in the heart of this modern IT hub. Mostly a Hindu-rich city in the past, Bengaluru has many historic and magnificent temples that are worth a visit.

One such is the Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Rajajinagar, Bangalore, is one of the world’s largest ISKCON temples and one of the city’s most important religious attractions. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then-President of India, dedicated the temple and its cultural complex on May 31, 1997.

Architecture

The architecture of Bangalore’s ISKCON temple is a magnificent presence and is credited with being the largest ISKCON complexes in the world. The most distinctive feature of this temple is its gold-plated flag post which stands at a height of 17 meters, followed by its gilded Kalash Shikharas which is at a height of 8.5 meters. An example of the neoclassical style of architecture, the ISKCON temple is embellished with the most exquisite style of stone carvings.

The main shrine which is also called the Rajagopuram has beautiful archways and water fountains welcoming you into the temple. Inside, beautifully ornamented idols of Shri Radhe Krishna adorn the temple.

In addition to these shrines, separate prayer halls are dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Srinivasa Govinda and Sri Prahlada Narasimha are present here as well. The ISKCON temple complex has an expansive verdant garden and an amphitheater for conducting various cultural programs as well.

This temple’s construction showcases an amazing combination of glass and gopurams that represents the fusion of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Other notable characteristics There are two gold-plated structures: an 8.5 m (28 ft) high Kalash shikhara and a 17 m (56 ft) high Dhwaja-Stambha (flag post).

Location

ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010, Karnataka, India.

Darshan Timings:

• 4:15 am to 5:15 am
• 7:15 am to 1:15 pm
• 4:15 pm to 8:00 pm

Entry fee :

No entry fee

How to reach?

The ISKCON Temple is located on the Hare Krishna Hills, in the North Bangalore. It is well-connected to the various parts of the city through different modes of transport. Bangalore has an extensive bus network operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). You can easily find buses to reach the Hare Krishna Hills. 

There are mainly three ways to reach here. 

• Car/Cab (Parking facility available)
• Ksrtc bus
• Namma Metro – The nearest metro station is Mahalakshmi on the Green Line of the Namma Metro. Then 5 minutes of walking. (50 Per person one way )

Alternatively, you can also hire a taxi from any part of the city to reach the temple.

The temple is approx. 34 KM from Kempegowda Airport.

Things do to

The temple authorities conduct a number of different activities aimed at different groups of people. Cultural education classes are conducted for children studying in classes V to IX to imbibe spirituality and Krishna Consciousness in them, and youth programs are held along the same lines for young adults. Similarly, Krishnashraya and Life Sublime are spiritual programs conducted in different locations including houses so as to bridge the gap between people and Krishna, the Supreme Lord. The temple also focuses on protecting and providing better living conditions to cows, which are Lord Krishna’s favorite animals.

• Prabhu Darshan 

Aartis :

• 4.30 a.m. – 5.00 a.m. – Mangal Aarti,
• 5.00 a.m. – 5.15 a.m. – Tulsi-Aarti,
• 7.15 a.m. – 7.30 a.m. – Darshan Aarti,
• 12.30 p.m. – 12.55 p.m. – Raj Bhoga Aarti,
• 4.20 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. – Dhupa Aarti,
• 7.00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.– Sandya Aarti,
• 8:30 p.m.-8.45 p.m. – Shyan Aarti

• Classes & Lectures : 

Live Bhagavad Gita Classes

Daily morning lectures begin at 8.30 a.m. in the Lecture Hall of the Isckon temple. The lectures are based on the Bhagavatam, an epic poem of over 18,000 verses that portrays Lord Krishna as the ultimate, ancient, transcendental source of the Universe. The Bhagavatam is strewn with stories and teachings about Krishna and his various devotees.

Bhajans and Kirtans: Participate in one of the many festivals being held, Japa Meditation

Prasadam :

” Whatever you do, make it an offering to me. The food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering” – Bhagavad Gita

Time: 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, delicious prasadam of rice, sambar, sabji, sweet, and buttermilk at Annadana Hall.

ISKCON Temple, Bangalore Overview

Located in the Rajajinagar area, ISKCON Temple is a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple, under the guidance of Madhu Pandit Dasa, was inaugurated in the year 1997 by Shankar Dayal Sharma. Apart from a religious shrine, ISKCON temple is a cultural complex accommodating dedicated deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Srinivasa Govinda, and Sri Prahlada Narasimha.

ISKCON Temple is known for its activities of engagement involving ardent devotees of Lord Krishna. The temple enrolls members for life and arranges programs in their community centers for Krishna’s consciousness and awareness of the Lord. The temple community also organizes songs and recitals admiring and praying to Krishna in public processions. Lectures and prayer services are regularly conducted here as well. In addition, the ISKCON temple community conducts a wide variety of activities directed towards rediscovering spirituality on an individual level as well as creating a spirit of harmony in the community.

This festival is followed by the celebration of Sri Nityananda Trayodashi in February when Lord Balarama appeared as Nityananda Prabhu. March sees festivities around Sri Gauri Purnima which is the birth anniversary of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Ram Navami and Brahmotsav are celebrated in April. Sri Narasimha Jayanti and Sri Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated in the month of May and Panihati Chita Dahi is celebrated in the temple during June.

Following these is the yearly celebration of Garuda Panchami which is celebrated at the end of July. August is a big month of celebrations, as several important festivals such as Shri Radhashtami, Jhulan Utsav, Sri Balarama Purnima, and  Shri Krishna Janmashtami are celebrated in this month. Other festivals that are celebrated here include Vamana Jayanti, Deepotsav, Govardhan Puja, and Shri Vaikuntha Ekadashi.

The temple has impeccable food and prasadam services within its complex. Nitya Annanda in ISKCON provides sumptuous lunch from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Krishnamrita is another prasadam distribution program under the temple’s premises, which prepares delicious food using Sattvic techniques. Mid-day meals under the name of Akshaya Patra are also provided for underprivileged children in partnership with various government and government-aided schools.

Places to Visit Nearby

Orion Mall

Sankey Tank

JP Park

Mantri Mall

Mahua Art Gallery

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Fun World, Bangalore

Snow City