ISKCON Temple, Bangalore

Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra Temple (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಧಾ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಂದಿರ) is one of the largest Krishna-Hindu temples in the world. It is situated in Bangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Hindu deities Radha Krishna and propagates monotheism as mentioned in Chandogya Upanishad.

History
In May 1997, Bangalore ISKCON Temple was inaugurated by the ninth president of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma. The society was registered in the year 1978 under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960. The objectives of the society are derived from the Seven Purposes of ISKCON as stated by Srila Prabhupada.

Features of the temple
There is a gold-plated dhwaja-stambha (flag post) 17 m (56 ft) high and a gold plated kalash shikhara 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 deities 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

Daily ceremonies
The day begins at 4:30 with a ceremony called mangala-arati followed by worship of Tulasi Devi, Sri Narasimha Arati, and Suprabhata Seva for Sri Srinivasa Govinda. Later there is Shringara Darshana Arati, and Japa Meditation session. At 19:00 arati starts, where devotees sing kirtan. In the main temple, the arati is performed by three priests. This arati is followed again by kirtan where devotees can be seen dancing to the rhythm of "Hare Krishna Hare Rama".

ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill
ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill in Bangalore is the destination for a visit to Lord Venkateshwara’s abode. This stone temple is constructed as per traditional Shilpa shastras (designs as mentioned in scriptures) in the Dravidian style of architecture. The design and aesthetics, including the seven doors to the sanctum, are inspired by the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple in Tirumala. The deity of Lord Srinivasa is nearly the same height, and has been named Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda, which means He is the King of all kings. This project was conceived and executed by the devotees of ISKCON Bangalore, in pursuance of Srila Prabhupada's desire to build a grand temple like Tirumala, on his 125th birth anniversary.

About ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda temple Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple is surrounded by the shrines of Sri Sudarshana Narasimha, Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhakta Hanuman, and Sri Garuda. A separate shrine has been constructed for Srila Prabhupada, where his Achala Shila Murti, a black stone deity, is installed. Story of Vaikuntha Hill and its connection with Lord Srinivasa Govinda The hill on which the temple resides is related to the divine story of a muni, Shri Mandavya muni, who performed very severe penance in a cave on this hill. Lord Srinivasa Govinda, pleased, wanted to grant a boon and a blessing to Shri Mandavya Muni, so promised him that after he married Princess Padmavathi Devi at Tirumala, he would come to the hill, where he had performed penance, to perform the Leela of vihara or honeymoon. This sacred place thus came to be known as Vasanthapura. The name Vasanthapura signifies the place where Lord Govinda had arrived for his Vasantha Vihara (spring outing).

The divine opening ceremony The temple was inaugurated in a grand ceremony on 14 June 2022, by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Former President of India. He dedicated ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple & Cultural Complex in a grand ceremony of Lokarpana on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. The opening ceremony was also presided over by the Governor of Karnataka Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Member of the Legislative Assembly Shri M Krishnappa, in the presence of Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Rajajinagar, Bangalore.

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 Utsav
 * Ratha Yatra
 * Balaram Jayanti
 * Jhulan Utsav
 * Sri Krishna Janmashtami
 * Vyasa Puja
 * Sri Radhashtami
 * Deepotsava
 * Govardhan Puja
 * Vaikuntha Ekadashi
 * Nityananda Trayodashi
 * Gaura Poornima

Social services


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' former President Barack Obama for feeding and educating children across India.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is principally involved in implementing the Mid-Day Meal program for 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. It was set up in the year 2000 and runs the world's largest NGO-run Mid-Day Meal Programme. Akshaya Patra is currently operating in 27 locations across 11 states of India. It feeds 1.6 million children from over 13,500 government and government-aided schools every day.