ISKCON temple in Delhi
Being one of the 40 temples built by ISKCON in India, the Sri Radha Parthasarathy Temple is one of the most famous and finest examples of architecture, being dedicated to the glory of Lord Krishna by the Vaishnavi sect of Hinduism. The temple is in India making it a much sought-after heritage site to visit. It was inaugurated on 5 April 1998 by Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was built by the devotees of Hare Rama Hare Krishna sect who were members of the International Society ‘Krishna Chetna’.
The ISKCON Temple in Delhi was built by Padma Shri Achyut Purushottam Kanvinde, the famous architect who won the Padma Shri in 1974. The temple covers an area of three acres and is divided into three parts.
In the first part of the temple complex, there is an elaborate structure of Sri Gauri Nital wherein one can see the incarnation of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Chaitanya Prabhu. The second part consists of the idols of Lalita and Vishaka and their Gopis remain with the deity of Sri Radha Krishna Parthasarathy. In the Third part, idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshmana, and Vanararaj Hanuman ji are prevalent.
The ISKCON temple in Delhi boasts a variety of shows and exhibits such as the Glory of India Vedic Cultural Centre, the Ramayana Art Gallery, Light and sound shows depicting the Mahabharata, and the stunning Krishna Jayanti Park. It also consists of a 375-seater auditorium which is used for various functions both cultural and religious with a large number of halls that are used for administrative purposes and organising seminars.
The ISKCON Temple in Delhi is known to always resonate with the constant humming of “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama” offering visitors and devotees a tranquil and holy experience like no other. Six different types of aartis are performed every day so it is recommended to stay for prayer time in order to witness the sacred worship of Lord Krishna. The walls of the temple have also been decorated with the works of artists from Russia which depict various scenes from the lives of deities like Lord Krishan, Radha, Lord Ram, and Sita.
History of ISKCON Temple in Delhi:
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Master Prabhupada dreamt of building an ISKCON temple in Delhi was realized when he visited the capital city during the 1970s. The temple project was hence taken up by his followers, who raised funds and secured land for the development of the temple.
Years later, the ISKCON temple in Delhi stands to become a marvelous piece of architecture and a holy place of worship attracting tourists from all over the country and abroad. The temple has much to offer in terms of knowledge, and entertainment with its dance performances, library with over 2000 books, eatery, and exhibitions along with its multimedia technologies which have set a new standard for spiritual education across the globe.
Architecture of ISKCON Temple in Delhi:
ISKCON Temple in Delhi is a spectacular example of modern temple architecture in India. The design blends elements of ancient Hindu architecture with modern construction techniques and materials. The entire temple complex was designed by Padma Shri-winning architect Achyut Kavinde who believed that a temple was not just a sacred space but also where people assembled as a community hence, he designed it by keeping these two contrasting factors in mind.
The materials used in the construction of the ISKCON temple in Delhi consist of 880 tons of steel, 5,500 tons of cement, 25,000 square feet of marble, 75,000 square feet of stone, 260,000 cubic feet of stone chips, and 2,000 cubic feet of wood. It is estimated that only 250 construction workers were employed for this massive project with a total of 12 crore rupees spent on the entire construction project. The ISKCON Temple in Delhi features impressive towers with latticed walls made from marble, wood, and carved stone standing erect over an impressive ninety feet which towers over awed visitors. The three towers also known as Shikaras are topped with amalakas which are segmented or notched stone disks. The shikaras consist of circular openings that are removed with a slit which achieves an old temple look that also provides good ventilation and abundant lighting.
The temple’s exterior is primarily made of white marble which allows the temple to reflect light and change colors throughout the day creating a strikingly beautiful illusion. Its most outstanding feature is its 90 feet tall dome which is supported by eight pillars, each decorated with complex carvings and sculptures of various Hindu Deities. The dome’s interior is equally impressive with ornate paintings portraying scenes from the life of Lord Krishna and his Beloved Radha.
There also lays a life-like idol of Swami Prabhupada, the leader of ISKCON, with all the idols being made by Russian sculptors, and there even lays a seven-foot tall statue of Krishna dancing on the 7-headed serpent Kalia Naag within one of the fountains in the lush gardens.
Information about ISKCON Temple in Delhi
Location:
The ISKCON temple in Delhi is located on Temple Road, Sant Nagar, Hare Krishna Hills, East of Kailash near Nehru Place in New Delhi. The temple is easily accessible by road, and there are ample parking facilities available for visitors.
Entry and Timings:
Entrance Fee: Free for all, but additional charges may apply inside (restaurant, gift shop, exhibition)
Visiting Time: 4:30 am – 12:00 pm
3:00 pm– 9:00 pm.
Closed: 12:00 pm -3:00 pm (due to special programs such as aarti, kirtan, and prasadam)
Time to see: 2-3 hours
Temple Schedule:
Mangala Arati: 4:30 am
Japa (Mantra) Meditation: 5.15 am
Darshan Aarti: 7:15 am
Guru Puja: 7:30 am
Srimad Bhagavatam Discourse: 8:00 am
Raj Bhog Aarti: 12:30 pm
Usthapana Aarti: 4:15 pm
Sandhya Aarti: 7:00 pm
Bhagavad Gita Discourse: 8:00 pm
Sayana Aarti: 8:30 pm
Temple Hall Closes: 9:00 pm
How to Reach ISKCON Temple in Delhi:
Nehru Place Metro Station (Violet line)
1. Leave the station and hail an auto or rickshaw.
2. First metro timing: 6:23 am
3. Last metro timing: 11:16 pm
From Indira Gandhi International Airport (20km)
1. Reach the New Delhi Metro Station by taking the Orange Line.
2. Get off at the Metro Station in New Delhi
3. Use the Yellow Line to travel to HUDA City Centre.
4. Change at Central Secretariat Station to Violet Line.
5. Head towards Raja Nahar Singh on the Violet Line.
6. Arrive at Nehru Place Metro Station and exit.
New Delhi Railway Station (12km)
1. Walk 100 meters towards New Delhi Metro station (yellow line).
2. Use the Yellow Line to travel to HUDA City Centre.
3. Change at Central Secretariat Station to Violet Line.
4. Head towards Raja Nahar Singh on the Violet Line.
5. Arrive at Nehru Place Metro Station and exit.
Nizamuddin Railway Station (5km)
1. Go to the nearest metro station Hazrat Nizamuddin Metro Station (pink line) which is 5 minutes away.
2. Head towards Majlis Park on the Pink Line.
3. Change at Lajpat Nagar to Violet Line.
4. Head towards Raja Nahar Singh on the Violet Line.
5. Arrive at Nehru Place Metro Station and exit.
Explore the ISKCON temple in Delhi:
1. The Centre for Vedic Studies: This center has many halls where seminars and conferences on Vedic philosophy are held. It also consists of a library, called the Library of Vedic Research where there are several precious books on Vedic literature in various local and international languages.
2. The Centre for Vedic Performing Arts: This center is an open-air amphitheater where many traditional musicals and dances are performed.
3. The Museum of Vedic Culture: This museum, also called the Glory of India Vedic Cultural Centre is the most popular destination which helps visitors learn about Hindu scriptures. A variety of multimedia technologies are used for the presentation of these ancient texts.
a) These include the Bhagavad Gita Animatronics which uses narration, drama, laser effects, and projections to show the five major concepts of Bhagavad Gita, Yoga, and the three modes of nature where visitors can experience an enriching and entertaining time.
Indians Rs 100/- per person
Foreigner Rs 300/- per person
b) The Mahabharata Experience is a light and sound show where visitors can get a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the unique depiction of the epic, Mahabharata.
Rs 100/- per head
Duration: 1 hour
c) The Ramayana Art Gallery displays a collection of dozens of oil paintings by ISKCON members from various parts of the world such as Russia, the USA, UK that visitors can admire.
Rs 100/- per head
Duration: 1 hour
d) The Bhagavat Puran Exhibit visually presents one of the most significant texts in the Vaishnava tradition.
• Rs 100/- per head
• Duration: 30 minutes
e) Another thing to mention is that the World’s Largest Sacred Book is held in Bhaktivedanta Library which is also called the ‘Astounding Bhagavad Gita’. It weighs 800 kg and measures over 2.8 meters and is known to be the largest printed book of a major text of any world religion. This book was unveiled by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 26 February 2019.
4. Krishna Jayanti Park: This park, inspired by Krishna’s carefree days when he played with milkmaids in gardens consists of ponds and waterfalls which add to the peace of the temple.
5. The Ashram: It is a residential complex where Krishna devotees can stay to study and teach Vedic literature and the Vedic way of living.
6. Govinda Restaurant: The restaurant serves pure vegetarian food which is first offered to Krishna before being served to the customers. The food is also satvik, which means that onion and garlic are not used in any of the preparations.
Lunch: 12 pm- 3 pm
Dinner: 7 pm-10 pm
7. Govinda’s Gift Shop: Visitors are welcome to buy merchandise and tokens of Lord Krishna be it books, discs, etc. according to individual use and interest.
Nearby Hotels
There are several hotels near ISKCON Temple in Delhi, India, offering a range of accommodation options. Here are a few hotels located in close proximity to the temple:
1. Eros Hotel: It is located 0.83km away from the temple and is a five-star hotel with deluxe amenities such as a pool, special diet menus with a fitness center with a spa and gym.
2. The Legend Inn: It is 1.3 km away from the temple and is a mid-range hotel ideal for travelers and tourists located in a premium area in South Delhi with impressive amenities.
3. Grand FFOUR: It is located 0.99 km away from the temple and is budget-friendly with a 24-hour front desk and other fine facilities also providing airport transportation for guests.
4. The Muse Sarovar Portico: It is located 1.3km away from the temple and offers a “boutique” experience with conference facilities meeting rooms for business and black-out curtains for privacy.
5. Hotel Blue Stone-Nehru Place: It is 1 km away from the temple and is specially designed for business travelers and tourists. A business center and facility for up to 80 guests and a board room for up to 15 guests are provided along with soundproof rooms.
Nearby Places
1. Kalkaji Temple: The temple is known to be one of the most ancient shrines in the nation. It is believed that devotees who visit the temple and worship Goddess Kali, attain everything they want in life.
2. Humayun’s Tomb: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a magnificent Mughal-era mausoleum and a must-visit attraction. It is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens.
3. Lotus Temple: Located a little more than a kilometer away from ISKCON, the Lotus Temple is famous for being shaped like a lotus, and is also called the Bahá’í House of Worship. It is surrounded by 9 ponds along the 9 sides of its lotus structure, making it appear very appealing to the eye.
4. Khirki Masjid: The masjid is the only historical architecture in Northern India that is a blend of both Hindu and Muslim architecture, and was built by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah who was the prime minister of Feroz Shah Tuglaq, during the Tughlaq Dynasty from 1351 to 1388.
5. Ashokan Edict: Half a kilometer from the temple, one of several edicts erected by the 3rd century BC emperor of India, Ashoka, can be found. The rock has inscriptions on Buddhist teachings written in the ancient Prakrit language in the Brahmi script.
These are just a few of the many attractions near Akshardham Temple. Delhi is a city with a rich cultural and historical heritage, offering a plethora of places to explore and experience.
also Read about ISKCON Temple Ujjain
FAQs
1. Is photography allowed inside the ISKCON temple in Delhi?
A. Photography is prohibited and cameras are not allowed inside.
2. Does the temple have parking space?
A. Yes, there is free parking available at the temple.
3. When is the best time to visit the ISKCON temple in Delhi?
A. It is best to visit in September to witness the Shri Krishna Janmashtami which is heavily celebrated in the temple.
4. What clothes can be worn to the temple?
A. It is advisable to wear decent clothing in order to protect the sentiments of the custom and be respectful. Shoes are also not allowed inside the temple complex.
5. Is it possible to donate to the temple?
A. There are donation boxes available throughout the complex.
6. Is outside food allowed inside the temple?
A. Outside food is not allowed, however, there is the Govinda restaurant inside the temple premises which serves vegetarian food.
7. Are visitors allowed to attend aarti?
A. Yes, the visitors are allowed to attend the six aartis that are performed every day and are encouraged to sing and chant along as well.
8. On which day is the ISKCON temple in Delhi closed?
A. The temple is open all week every day, and it is recommended to go on weekdays since weekends may be full of rush. It is advisable to check with temple authorities regarding the timings or research beforehand.
9. Is there any wheelchair facility available?
A. There are ample ramp and lift facilities available throughout the complex for both elderly and physically disabled devotees.
If you have any queries or need assistance regarding your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to Devdham Yatra. We are dedicated to providing you with the help and support you need to ensure a smooth and memorable experience. Whether you have questions about the best routes to take, accommodation options, or any other travel-related concerns, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Feel free to contact us, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you.
