ISKCON Temples

» Take a tour to ISKCON Temples. Contact us.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the founder acharya of the hare krishna movement.
Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. The International Society for Krishna
Consciousness (ISKCON) was initially raised as a spiritual society in New York to Propagate the
message of the Bhagwad Gita. It was founded by Swami Prabhupada. In India there are about
40 ISKCON temples. Contemplating the traditions of the ancient Vaishnava tradition, its
philosophy and practice, these spiritual temples have left a mark on all mankind. Visiting these
temples proves to be a pleasant and revealing experience.

ISKCON temples are dedicated to Lord Krishna and were built by the Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna
cult followers. These complexes are elegantly built and are few of the largest temple
complexes in India. There are beautiful paintings of Russian artists on the different past times
of Radha Krishna, Sita, Ram, Laxman, Hanuman and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Special
programmes like Kirtan, Aarti, Pravachan and Prasadam are held every Sunday.

Famous ISKCON Temples In India :

• ISKCON Temple, Delhi
For many this is just a temple, for finding solace, peace and quiet. Sitting amongst Lord
Krishna and his devotees with Hare Krishna chants going around is indeed an
experience. But for those who are seeking more, there is so much to learn and see,
than what meets the eye.

• ISKCON Temple, Bangalore, Karnataka

The ISKCON Temple was built recently by the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness. As you climb the granite steps you will encounter three small shrines
before the main temple. The three idols of Lord Krishna in the main shrine are made of
brass.

• ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

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.

• ISKCON Chandradoya Mandir, Mayapur, West Bengal

This is the international headquarters of ISKCON. Surrounded by: a Vedic city, the main
Deities are Sri Radha Madhava. The Deities are larger than life-size. There are also
eight Gopis, four on each side of Radha-Madhava. Also on the main altar is a small set
of Radha-Krishna Deities. On the left altar are Deities of the "Pancha-Tattva-Advaita
Acarya", Lord Nityananda, Lord Chaitanya, Gadadhara, and Srivasa Thakur. To the left
of this altar is another altar with an impressive Deity of Lord Narasimha.

News and Events

Mumbai Part of Global Chant-Fest

The Mumbai chapter of the International Society for Krishna

Consciousness (ISKCON) will observe “World Holy Name Week,” a
celebration of the spiritual practice of chanting God’s names beginning
from 6 – 20 September 2009.

The event also marks the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON’s founder-acarya,

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ‘s accepting vows of
renunciation, or sanyasa, thus launching his mission to spread the
chanting of God’s names around the world.>>read more

Radharani Adorns Outfits by India’s Youngest Fashion Designer

Srimati Radharani expressed her inconceivable benevolence to India’s

youngest fashion designer Nishka Lulla when she benignly adorned the
outfit designed by Nishka on Her auspicious appearance day –
Radhastami which fell on 27 August 2009 this year.
Nishka won the ‘Creative Excellence Award’ for the Barbie all Doll’d–up
show at the Lakme India Fashion Week 2009 where many of India’s
leading designers participated to design an outfit for Barbie for her 50th
anniversary.>>read more

Upcoming Radhastami Celebrations 2009

Radhastami is the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. She appeared

in Raval (near Vrindavan) a fortnight after the appearance of Lord
Krishna (celebrated as Janmashtami).

Srimati Radharani is the eternal consort of Lord Krishna. Radharani’s

special qualification is that She is the best devotee of Lord Krishna.
Krishna therefore loves Her the most.>>read more

Watch Janmashtami Festival LIVE

Watch Janmashtami festivities, including Kalash abhishek, Radha

Krishna Utsav, Maha Abhishek, Maha Arati and more LIVE on:

- www.iskconmumbai.com
- Active Darshan channel by Tata Sky
Date: 14 August 2009
Time: 6pm - 2 am

Janmashtami Celebrations 2009

Janmashtami Celebrations 2009

14 August 2009

04:30 am Mangala arati

05:00 am Tulsi arati
07:30 am Guru Puja
08:00 am Sringar darshan
>>read more
Sri Krishna Bhagavad Katha at ISKCON juhu

Relish several pastime of Lord Krishna and his glories over the week-
long festival of spiritual discourse.
Date: 6 - 12 August 2009
Time: 5 - 7:30 pm
Speaker: Devakinandan Das
Venue: Mandapam Hall
Katha shall conclude with scumptous prasad for all.

Radhakrishna Utsav 2009 At ISKCON Auditorium

Since its inception, ISKCON's Bhakti Kala Kshetra is a showcases the

talents of India' venerable artists. Several artist including Hema Malini,
Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Anup Jalota and many others shall perform at
ISKCON Auditorium on the occasion of Janmashtami 2009 for the
pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari. The RadhaKrishna Utsav begins on
8 August 2009 with a dance ballet by Hema Malini. Enclosed are
program and booking details for the upcoming RadhaKrishna Utsav
2009.>>read more

Upcoming Jhulan yatra

ISKCON Juhu shall celebrate the Jhulan-yatra festival from 1-5 August
2009 . The festival will be conducted in the temple courtyard where a
flower-bedecked ornate silver swing shall hold the utsav-murti of Sri Sri
Radha Rasabihari. Life members, donors, devotees and hundreds of
citizens of Mumbai are expected to participate in the festivities and
personally swing the Lord.>>read more

Chaturmasya period begins

Guru Purnima, which fell on 7 July this year, also marks the beginning
of the four months of Chaturmasya period . Srila Prabhupada explains
the meaning and the purpose of Chaturmasya in the Sri Caitanya
Caritamrita Madhya - lila 4.169 purport:

"The Chaturmasya period begins in the month of Asadha (June-July)

from the day of Ekadasi called Sayana-ekadasi, in the fortnight of the
waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kartika (October-
November) on the Ekadasi day known as Utthana-ekadasi, in the
fortnight of the waxing moon.>>read more

Devotees participation in Gundica Cleaning

 Resident and congregation devotees, temple management and a few
visitors came together to enthusiastically participate in the Gundica
Marjana festival which was observed on 23 June 2009.

While the pujaris cleaned the main altar, several other devotees
scrubbed clean Prabhupada’s Vyasasana, the marble pillars, courtyard,
stairways, floor and the parikrama path. Many department members
also cleaned their respective offices.>>read more

Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi Celebrations at ISKCON Juhu

This year Nirjala Ekadasi was on 3 June 2009. Nirjala Ekadasi is an

extraordinary Ekadasi where devotees fast not only from grains but also
from water.

Vedic scriptures mention that if during the hottest season (northern

hemisphere) on Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi if one performs fasting without
water one is performing a great feat.>>read more

Historical Chandan Yatra Celebrations at ISKCON Juhu

After a week of intense sandalwood grinding by devotees and

congregation members at Srila Prabhupada Quarters, the paste was
ready for Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari and Sri Sri Sita
Rama Laxman Hanuman. For the first time in its history, ISKCON Juhu
celebrated chandan yatra on 17 May 2009 . After mangala arati, Bhima
prabhu (Zonal Secretary) along with several other brahmana initiated
devotees, applied chandan to all the Deities. All devotees eagerly
beholded the Divine darshan of the Lord during Sringar-darshan and
danced joyously to the melodious kirtan.>>read more

Narsimha Caturdasi Celebrations

Narsimha Caturdasi : 8 May

Sri Narsimhadev is Lord Krishna’s half-man and half-lion incarnation.
Lord Krishna appeared in This form to protect His devotee Prahlada
Maharaj from the atrocities of his father Hiranyakashipu and reestablish
religious principles.
After the death of his brother Hiranyaksha at the hands of Lord
Varahadev, Hiranyakashipu wanted to avenge his brother’s death and
thus performed severe austerities to rule over the universe.>>read
more

Sitanavmi Celebrations & Photo Gallery

SITANAVAMI : 3 MAY
Devotees at Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari temple celebrated Sitanavami on
Sunday, 3 May 2009. Sitanavami is auspicious day of the appearance of
Srimati Sitadevi, the eternal consort of Lord Rama.

The festivities began early in the morning with a shobha yatra at Juhu
beach. The utsav murti of Sri Sri Sita Rama toured the Juhu beach in a silver flower bedecked palanquin and
blessed several citizens of Mumbai en route.>>read more

Amrita Vani Seva

IPP has come up with a special project which will help Mass Book
Distribution This Project is named "Amrita Vani Seva" THE NECTOR
OF BOOK DISTRIBUTION".Whole purpose of the project is to increase
the book distribution and special engagement for the congregation
devotee.>>read more

‘ISKCON LEADS’ initiates training in India

Under the direction and inspiration of the GBC Succession Committee,

Indian Regional Governing Body Members and Zonal Secretaries met
with top ISKCON educators in India on numerous occasions since
November 2008. This resulted in the birth of the ISKCON LEADS
training program. ISKCON LEADS is an acronym for ISKCON
Leadership Education and Development System.>>read more

Japa Marathon

JAPA MARATHON : 1 MAY

ISKCON Juhu hosted Japa Marathon on 1st May, 2009 which was Public
Holiday.
It was a very special effort to uplift the spiritual Consciousness of the
devotees and citizens of Mumbai. Around 180 people came together to
participate in Japa Marathon and they chanted Mahamantra whole day.

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

International Society for Krishna Consciousness, also popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement is a
spiritual society founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 in New
York. ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya, a monotheistic tradition within Vedic culture.
Today ISKCON comprises of more than 400 temples, 40 rural communities and over 100 vegetarian
restaurants. It also conducts special projects throughout the world, such as “Food for Life”, the only free
vegetarian relief program in the world.

The aim of ISKCON is to acquaint all people of world with universal principles of self-realization and God
consciousness so that they may derive the highest benefit of spiritual understanding, unity and peace. The
Vedic literature recommend that in the present age of Kali-yuga the most effective means of achieving self-
realization is always hear about, glorify, and remember the all-attractive Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.
Therefore, it recommends the chanting of the Holy Names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This sublime chanting puts the chanter directly
in touch with the Supreme Lord through the sound vibration of His Holy Name.

ISKCON follows the teachings of the Vedas and Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad
Bhagavatam which teach Vaishnavism or devotion to God (Krishna) in His Supreme Personal aspect of Sri
Sri Radha Krishna.

These teachings are received through the preceptorial line known as the Brahma-Madhav-Gaudiya
Vaishnava sampradaya. ISKCON is part of the disciplic succession which started with Lord Krishna Himself
and continued with Srila Vyasadeva, Srila Madhavacharya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and in the present day
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his followers.

ISKCON’s teachings are non-sectarian, following the principle of sanatana dharma or eternal religion, which
denotes the eternal activity of all living beings – loving devotional service (bhakti-yoga) to Supreme
Personality of Godhead.

When Prabhupada began the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (in New York City in 1966),
he formulated a clear mission statement. Thus the 7 Purposes of ISKCON are as follows:

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the
techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and
peace in the world.
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India,
Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity,
thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the
quality of Godhead (Krishna).
4. To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as
revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the
personality of Krishna.
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, natural way of life.
7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals,
magazines, books and other writings.

HISTORY OF HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT

In 1965, at the age of 69, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada boarded the steamship ‘Jaladuta’ from
Mumbai on his way to United States. At an age when most people think of retiring Srila Prabhupada
undertook this arduous journey to fulfill the mission of Lord Caitanya and follow the instruction of his
spiritual master Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur to carry the message of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad
Bhagavatam to Western world.

After arriving in New York City in September 1965, Srila Prabhupada struggled alone for the first year to
establish his Krishna conscious movement. He lived simply, lectured whenever and wherever he got the
opportunity and gradually began to attract some small interest in his teaching. In July of 1966, while still
working from an obscure storefront on New York City’s Lower East Side, Srila Prabhupada nonetheless
founded a spiritual society intended for worldwide participation. He called it International Society for
Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON for short and thus began the Hare Krishna movement in America.

At the time of incorporation, Srila Prabhupada had not attracted even one committed follower. Undeterred,
he enlisted volunteers from among the small group of regular attendees at his evening lectures to act as
ISKCON’s first trustees. That was then. Today, ISKCON comprises of more than 400 temples worldwide, 40
rural communities and over 100 vegetarian restaurants. It also conducts special projects throughout the
world, such as “Food for Life”, the only free vegetarian relief program in the world.

LORD CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU

Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a hidden incarnation of Lord Krishna, appeared in Mayapur in the town of Nadia just
after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Phalguna 1407 Sakabda, answering to the 18th of February, 1486, of
the Christian era. His father, Jagannatha Misra, a poor brahmana of the Vedic order, and his mother, Saci-
devi, a model good woman, both descended from brahmana stock originally residing in Sylhet. Mahaprabhu
was a beautiful child, and the ladies of the town came to see him with presents. His mother's father, Pandita
Nilambara Cakravarti, a renowned astrologer, foretold that the child would be a great personage in time; and
he, therefore, gave him the name Visvambhara. After his fifth year, he was admitted into a pathasala where
he picked up Bengali in a very short time.

It was at the age of 14 or 15 that Mahaprabhu was married to Laksmidevi, the daughter of Vallabhacarya,
also of Nadia. He was at this age considered one of the best scholars of Nadia, the renowned seat of nyaya
philosophy and Sanskrit learning. It was at this time that he preached Vaisnavism at intervals. After teaching
him the principles of Vaisnavism, he ordered Tapana Misra to go to and live in Benares. During his residence
in East Bengal, his wife Laksmidevi left this world from the effects of snakebite. On returning home, he
found his mother in a mourning state. He consoled her with a lecture on the uncertainty of human affairs. It
was at his mother's request that he married Visnupriya, the daughter of Raja Pandita Sanatana Misra. His
comrades joined him on his return from pravasa or sojourn. He was now so renowned that he was
considered to be the best pandita in Nadia

Nimai Pandita was naturally a soft-hearted person, though strong in his principles. He declared that party
feelings and sectarianism were the two great enemies of progress and that as long as he should continue to
be an inhabitant of Nadia belonging to a certain family, his mission would not meet with complete success.
He then resolved to be a citizen of the world by cutting his connection with his particular family, caste and
creed, and with this resolution he embraced the position of a sannyasi at Katwa, under the guidance of
Kesava Bharati of that town, on the 24th year of his age.

Caitanya visited numerous places in Southern India as far as Cape Comorin and returned to Puri in two
years by Pandepura on the Bhima. From this time, that is, from his 31st year, Mahaprabhu continually lived
in Puri in the house of Kasi Misra until his disappearance in his forty-eighth year at the time of sankirtana in
the temple of Tota-gopinatha. During these 18 years, his life was one of settled love and piety. He was
surrounded by numerous followers, all of whom were of the highest order of Vaisnavas and who were
distinguished from the common people by their purest character and learning, firm religious principles and
spiritual love of Radha-Krsna. His sentiments carried him far and wide in the firmament of spirituality every
day and night, and all his admirers and followers watched him throughout. He worshiped, communicated
with his missionaries at Vrindavana, and conversed with those religious men who newly came to visit him.
He sang and danced, took no care of himself and oft-times lost himself in religious beatitude.

Humility was personified in him. His sweet appearance gave cheer to all who came in contact with him. He
appointed Prabhu Nityananda as the missionary in charge of Bengal. He dispatched six disciples (Gosvamis)
to Vrndavana to preach love in the upcountry.

Lord Caitanya's Mission

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the Science of Krishna, a task which
those who follow Him have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions
on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact most voluminous, exacting and consistent due to the
system of disciplic succession. Although Lord Caitanya was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth, He
left only eight verses, called Siksastaka. These eight verses clearly reveal His mission and precepts. These
supremely valuable prayers are translated herein.
1.
Glory to the Sri Krishna sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and
extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime
benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all
transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the
nectar for which we are always anxious.
2.
O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benedictions to living beings, and thus You have hundreds
and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your
transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of
kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no
attraction for them.
3.
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw
in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be
ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord
constantly.
4.
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any
number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth.
5.
O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the
ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at
Your lotus feet.
6.
O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy
name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of
Your name?
7.
O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are
flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.
8.
I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His
embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything
and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord unconditionally.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Founder-Acharya, International

Society for Krishna Consciousness)

A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was born Abhay Charan De, on the 1 September 1896, in Calcutta. In
1922 he met His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur, Founder of Gaudiya Math, who requested
Abhay to broadcast Vedic knowledge in the English medium. In 1933, at Allahabad, Abhay was formally
initiated and made it his life ambition to expound the Vedic conclusion that real freedom means liberation
from the miseries of material life : birth, death, old age and disease, a state that can be permanently attained
by awakening one’s pure love for God, Krishna-prema or Krishna-bhakti.

In the ensuing years Abhay Charanaravinda (his initiated name), wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita.
In 1944 he started the Back to Godhead magazine, which to this day is being continued by his disciples.

In recognition of his philosophical knowledge and devotion the Gaudiya Vaishnava Society honored him
with the title Bhaktivedanta in 1947. Following his retirement from married life, A.C. Bhaktivedanta traveled
to Vrindavan where he lived in the humble surrounding of the Radha Damodar temple. In 1959 he took the
sannyasa order of life and, as A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, started his work on the multi-volume translation
and commentary of the 18,000 verse Srimad Bhagavatam. In 1965, at the age of 69, when ordinary persons
are thinking of retirement, he went to the United States to fulfill the mission of his spiritual master and
founded ISKCON.

He brought to the West the divine teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu who taught the public
glorification of Hare Krishna mantra. Srila Prabhupada, (as he was affectionately called by his followers),
taught on a non-sectarian level that every living being is an eternal servant of Lord Krishna with a dormant
natural propensity to experience the eternal bliss of pure love of God.

Srila Prabhupada was not ‘just another swamji’ starting ‘just another movement’. The standard of purity and
dedication he demanded of his followers testifies to his genuineness, as well as his unwillingness to
compromise for the sake of having many admirers.

By 1977 when Srila Prabhupada left this world in Vrindavan he had completed over 70 volumns of
authoritative translations and commentaries including the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya-
caritamrita and several Upanishads. These literary contributions are today higly respected by the academic
community for their authoritativeness, depth and clarity. Srila Prabhupada’s works have been translated into
all the major languages of world and are used as standard textbooks in college courses. Srila Prabhupada
also brought India’s cultural and religious festivals, such as Ratha-yatra to the West.

Srila Prabhupada continues to live up the reputation as a spiritual revolutionist who instilled in many
millions Krishna-prema. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is considered as India’s
foremost spiritual ambassador. It was through his spiritual dedication and unprecedented achievements that
India’s cultural richness was introduced in the West and is now practiced, throughout the world

HEAVEN ON EARTH
In India, Srila Prabhupada’s main program for revitalizing the Vedic teachings was the construction of major
temples. In 1972, he laid the foundation stone of the temple in Juhu, Mumbai. Opened in 1978, ISKCON
Juhu has become a must visit pilgrim center with nearly 25000 pilgrims streaming in daily.

ISKCON Juhu conducts several projects for spiritual, educational and cultural upliftment of all sections of
society. These programs include distribution of free meals (Food for Life), workshops and seminars, yoga
retreats, distribution of spiritual literature and much more. However, over the years ISKCON Juhu lacked
sufficient space and infrastructure to accommodate the increasing number of people interested to participate
in these events. ISKCON Juhu’s Heaven on Earth project fulfills these needs and helps one to elevate his
spiritual consciousness.

The very name ‘Heaven on Earth’ was given by Srila Prabhupada. In a letter to Giriraja Das, dated 21 June
1972, Prabhupada had mentioned “I always think of our Juhu place, and I want that it shall be the model for
all the world to emulate and respect as the perfect example of Krishna Conscious community”.

In 1995, ISKCON Juhu Temple Management Council formed the Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Committee
(SSRRC) to help implement the Heaven on Earth project. The SSRRC members, who are prominent
members of society, helped the project in terms of advice, funds and management. The construction took
little more than 2 years and the project is now open to the citizens of Mumbai.

Heaven on Earth Project

Center for Vedic Education

The Center for Vedic Education conducts Stress Management workshops, yoga retreats, research cell and a
Vedic education and courses based on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, including the Bhakti-vriksha
program.

Govinda’s Restaurant
One can enjoy karma-free food, both physically and spiritually nourishing, at Govinda’s restaurant.
Prasadam at Govinda’s is prepared from carefully chosen ingredients and offered to Lord Krishna, which
makes you healthy and peaceful. The present Govinda’s is almost three times larger than earlier and offers
an extensive variety of meals and snacks.

Library
The Heaven on Earth complex houses a spacious library which not only has an extensive collection of
spiritual books but also a multi media section. One can watch ISKCON’s many international videos and
relish hundreds of lectures, kirtans and bhajans. The library contains the entire encyclopedia of Vedic
literatures and publications of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, the world’s largest producer of Vedic
literatures.

Guestrooms
Apart from the existing 40-room guesthouse the Heaven on Earth project have an additional 40 guest
rooms. One can have the privilege of staying in a temple atmosphere, partaking in temple programs and
prasadam to gain a totally spiritual enlivening experience away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Vedic Samskara Hall

The Vedic Samskara Hall is available for vivaha yajnas and any such Vedic samskaras and celebrations. This
facility is elegantly designed with a large space and large dining hall. The Samskara hall offers a rare and
sacred privilege of performing auspicious functions in Lord Krishna’s beautiful temple.

Spiritual Boutique
A shopping section for your body and soul packed with spiritual paraphernalia from books to audio
cassettes, VCDs and DVDs to traditional garments, paintings of Lord Krishna, diaries and puja items.

Car Parking:
An underground car parking facility will enable nearly 150 cars to be parked inside the complex.

News and Events

Gaur Purnima Festival
 Gaura Purnima is a Gaudiya Vaishanva festival that celebrates the
divine appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Navadwipa,
India. Gaura Purnima means “Golden Full Moon”. The name
signifies that Lord Caitanya took birth at time of full moon and He
blesses everyone with the moonlike rays of His teachings.

Lord Caitanya is non-different than Lord Krishna appearing as His

own devotees. He spread the congregation chanting of Holy Name
and taught that one can gain enlightenment by chanting Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare
Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. >>read more

Gopal Agarwal Visits ISKCON Juhu

In the last week of February 2009, Gopal Agarwal (who resides in

USA) along with his son Brij spend a couple of days in Mumbai and
one of their first trips in the city of Mumbai was to ISKCON Juhu to
take darshan of Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari.

On 19 September 1965 when Srila Prabhupada had arrived for the

first time in USA and got off Jaladuta steamship at the Brooklyn pier
one of his contacts in the new land was Gopal Agarwal, the son of a
Mathura businessman who had requested his son to host
Prabhupada to America. Gopal Agarwal’s wife Sally, an American
citizen, had sponsored Srila Prabhupada to America.>>read more

Memorial In Honor Of P.L. Sethiji

Devotees at ISKCON Juhu hosted a memorial service for Shri P. L.

Sethiji on 16 March 2009. Shri P.L. Sethiji, a devotee of Krishna and
an ardent follower of Srila Prabhupada left the mortal world a month
back on 16 February at his home Vrindavan in Mumbai. He was 88
years old.
Sethiji was a building contractor and one of the first persons in
Mumbai who came forward to assist Srila Prabhupada in his mission
to acquire Hare Krishna Land in Juhu and thereafter build a
temple.>>read more

Upcoming Sambandha,Spiritual Camp for youth

SAMBANDHA : 9-10 MAY

ISKCON Youth Forum welcomes the city youth to participate in Sambandha, a fun-filled
spiritual camp which includes group activities, video shows, dancing kirtan, fun games,
guest lectures and several special seminars. The seminar shall be organized on 9 – 10
May 2009 at Hare Krishna Land, ISKCON Juhu.
Limited seats are available and registration is on first come first serve basis. For free
registration, kindly contact IYF Office: 022 – 26255614

Bhagavad Katha Festival

ISKCON shall host a 7-day Srimad Bhagavad Katha from 10 – 17 May 2009. The
Bhagavad-katha shall be presented by Raghubir Das (Rajasuya Das). In the seven-
day katha, he shall include the pastimes of Lord Varaha, Lord Kapila, glories of
Dhruv Maharaj, appearance pastimes of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama, Krishna’s childhood pastimes and
much more. Sumptuous prasad shall be served for all.
Time: 6 – 9 pm
Venue: B.B.T. Ground, Opp ISKCON, Near Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Srishti, Mira Road (E), Thane 401107
More details kindly call: 9820515127 (Jagjivan Das), 9223286816 (Kamal Locana Das)

His Holiness Mukunda Goswami Visits Mumbai

Mukunda Goswami visited Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari temple en route to Australia on 17
April 2009.

Mukunda Goswami was in Udipi from mid-March to mid-April to receive intensive

ayurvedic treatment. His visited Mumbai while in transit to Australia. He arrived at Sri
Sri Radha Rasabihari temple from the airport late in the morning of 17th April. After
honoring prasad and brief rest, he walked down to Juhu beach for an evening walk.
>>read more

Ramnavmi Celebration

The appearance of Lord Rama is celebrated as Ramanavmi. Ramnavmi

falls on the ninth day of waxing fortnight of the month of Chaitra. In
Treta-yuga, the Supreme Lord appeared as son of King Dasharath as
Lord Ramachandra. Although he appeared as a man out of kindness to
His devotees, along with His brother Lakshman, He is the Supreme
Lord.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, had

beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman installed at
ISKCON Juhu. >>read more

Safari Tour Visits Mumbai

The devotees of the Safari Tour paid a four-day visit to Mumbai from 24
– 27 March 2009.

The Safari Tour was founded by Jayapataka Swami in 1986. Every year
after Gaura Purnima festival, Jayapataka Swami and several sannyasis
and senior devotees led devotees from across the world set on various
safari expeditions to Holy places in and around India.>>read more

Utsav Murti Installation At Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

The Utsav Murti Deities of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Glory of
Maharastra temple shall be installed on 27 March 2009 at Khargar, Navi
Mumbai.
The festivities shall begin on 26 March with several fire sacrifices (yajna),
netronmilana (opening the Deities eyes) and Keshavaadi Nyasa Homa
(invoking all the Divine limbs of the Deities).>>read more
For Previous Articles, kindly visit Click Here

Mid Day Meal kitchen Inauguration at Juhu

On the auspicious occasion of Narasingha Chaturdashi the ceremony of

Kalash Sthapna was performed at the fifth Mid Day Meal kitchen of
ISKCON Food Relief Foundation in Maharashtra at Hare Krishna Land
Juhu. This kitchen will be formally inaugurated on Sunday the 31st May
2009.>>read more

TEMPLE MANAGERS
Governing Body Commissioners

H H Gopal Krishna Goswami

H H Radhanath Swami

Zonal Secrataries

Bhima Das
Devakinandan Das

Excecutive Committee Members

Brajhari Das
(Temple President)
Mukunda Madhava Das
(Vice Temple President)
Pundarik Govinda Das
(General Manager)

Directions to ISKCON Juhu(Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Temple)

Airport
ISKCON Juhu is 4 kms from Chatrapati Shivaji (Sahar) InternationalAirport.
It is 3.5 km from DomesticAirport.
Prepaid taxis are available from International and Domestic Airport to ISKCON Juhu (or popularly known as
Hare Krishna Temple).

Trains
The two main Train Stations for outbound and incoming trains (within India are Mumbai Central Station
and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Station. The distance from ISKCON Juhu to the above mentioned
stations is 16 kms and 19 kms respectively.
The two nearest local Train Stations to ISKCON Juhu are Vile Parle -West and Andheri – West stations. Auto
rickshaws are available from these stations to reach ISKCON Juhu.

Public Bus Service

JVPD Bus Depot is the closest Bus Depot to ISKCON Juhu with buses departing almost every 20 mins to
Andheri Station and certain areas of downtown Mumbai.

Kindly Note

 Kindly contact Travel Desk for Airport and Train Station Pick-Ups, Train and Flight Ticket
Bookings, Sightseeing and local Guide bookings.
Contact Rohit on: 022-26239704 or +91 9819925594
Email: rainbowtravelgroup@gmail.com.

 ISKCON Juhu is listed as ‘Radha Rasabihari Tem

Travel Assistance
The Travel Desk located at ISKCON Juhu can offers you the following facilities:

 Airport Pick-Ups and Drop-offs

 Train Station Pick-Ups and Drop-offs

 Train and Flight Ticket Bookings

 Sightseeing and local Guide bookings.

For booking and more information kindly contact Rohit on:

022-26239704 or +91 9819925594
Email: rainbowtravelgroup@gmail.com
 BHAKTIVEDANTA INSTITUTE
The Bhaktivedanta Institute is a non-profit, research and educational institution specializing in the newly
emerging field of consciousness studies within science. The Institute conducts multifarious activities.

It offers a M.S. /PhD. program in Consciousness Studies. Also an in-house research program which aims at
offering new perspective in allied fields of modern science like the quantum physics.

An exhaustive library of journals and books in the field of consciousness studies the first of its kind in India.

Bhaktivedanta Institute organizes international conferences to create and maintain dynamic interaction with
distinguished scholars and researchers including Nobel Laureates. The Institute interacts with academics
from other leading universities and research establishments through short and long-term research
fellowships.

Bhaktivedanta Institute produces educational videos for school and college students as well as general
educated public.

For more information kindly contact:

Ph: 26200312 or 26206860 Ext. 153/154

Public Statistics...
Total Entries: 771 Temples: 415 Affiliates: 36

Countries: 97 Farms: 51 Get-togethers: 167

Cities: 598 Restaurants: 99 Businesses: 25

Websites: 327 Schools: 21 Individuals: 6

From the Cradle to the Pyre:

ISKCON and Education
In 1996, ISKCON’s Ministry of Education (MED) convened a conference in Germany to examine
where ISKCON was going in terms of education.
 Change of direction
It was felt that the Society’s formal educational structure, which was then almost entirely at the
primary school level, was tackling education from the wrong end: that a class of teachers would
need to be developed first. And not just teachers for children, but teachers for all levels of
education.

Fostering individual talent

Once this strategy was decided the next step was to encourage talented individuals to go out and
form the basis of institutions based on their own expertise and abilities. These individuals were
given the opportunity to flourish. A number succeeded and began to gather the necessary premises,
staff, resources, and experience to begin running viable educational programmes.

Synthesis
Together these institutions are aimed at creating a space for educationally-minded people to share
their experience, not only with their students, but with each other as well. There is a need to
develop a social interaction for thinkers, an interchange of thought and experience, so they can be
most productive and benefit all levels of society.

There is some distance to travel but there are already notable

successes.

Bhaktivedanta College is ISKCON’s first seminary college. It exists to develop a class of priests,
counsellors, ministers, and preachers. It trains them to a high level of understanding of Western and
Eastern philosophies; it gives many practical skills including teaching and leadership; and it provides
a constant focus on the introspective life.

Many of Bhaktivedanta College's teachers are Oxford graduates, and the Bhaktivedanta College
(now recognised by the University of Wales, Lampeter) is sending students to Oxford for
postgraduate studies.
This section exists to give an overview of some MED approved institutions and to share some of the
materials that have been developed from these programmes.
ISKCON Worldwide
In the sixteenth century Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
said that in the future Krishna consciousness would
be spread across the globe. For most of the
centuries since then that has seemed a highly
unlikely idea.

However, since Srila Prabhupada, in direct disciplic succession from Sri

Caitanya, founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON) it has grown to include 300 temples, 40 rural communities,
and 80 restaurants in 71 countries.

People worldwide are given the opportunity to pursue spiritual life

according to their abilities and can pursue Krishna conscious culture
within their own culture and in their own language.

ISKCON centres can cover a wide range of activities from temple

worship to preaching, book distribution, farming, free food distribution,
restaurants, education, and more. There is plenty of scope in the types
of activities that can be offered as service to Krishna, God.

ISKCON centres are autonomous bodies that place themselves under

the authority of ISKCON's Governing Body Commision (GBC). Centres
are affiliated with ISKCON by adhering to certain standards and
accepting the teachings of Srila Prabhupada as their basis. Click here to
find your

Firm to fund ISKCON

temple
Our Bureau / New Delhi July 28, 2006

The Narayan Group, a leading township developer in Rajasthan, has joined hands with ISKCON for the
completion of SRI, a temple being built at Dohli in Jaipur.

The contribution from the Group will be used for the construction of the temple, and additionally, a guest
house, an office complex, a conference room, lecture halls, etc. and other facilities on the temple premises.

Besides the Jaipur temple, the group will support the construction of more temples, preaching centres in
Rajasthan.

Panchratna Das, president, ISKCON, Jaipur, has recognised the support of the Narayan Group and has
decided to name the Jaipur temple project as "The ISKCON-Narayan Glory of Rajasthan".

According to Gyan Chand Agarwal, Director, Narayan Group, "Narayan Group has always been inclined
towards contributing to the good of the society. This project is our way of contributing to the development of
the society and spreading the message of the god."

According to Sanjay Agarwal, Director, Narayan Group, "We are honored to be part of such a glorious
project. ISKCON is doing commendable work in spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna and Narayan
Group will help the society with whatever it takes to fulfill its mission in Rajasthan".
ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, was founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada in 1966. The aim of the society is to "promote the well being of the society by teaching the
science of Krishna consciousness according to the Bhagavad-Gita and other ancient Vedic scriptures of
India."

Narayan Group is one of the developers and builders who brought the concept of private colonies and
townships to Rajasthan. The group has over one crore square yards of land under various stages of
development. Over 20,000 families have placed their trust in the various projects of Narayan Group.

The group's portfolio spans residential townships and schemes, shopping malls, commercial complexes,
residential apartments, multiplex cinemas, farm houses and an industrial estate.

Some of its notable projects are Narayan Vihar, Narayan City, Narayan Sarovar, Parsvnath Narayan City,
Narayan Business Towers, Narayan Metro and Narayan Industrial Estate.