Iskcon Temple

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is the spiritual institution founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 as a continuation of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya. ISKCON was personally directed by its Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada until his departure on November 14, 1977.

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya, or denomination, a monotheistic tradition within the broad Hindu culture. It is scripturally based on the 5,000-year-old Sanskrit text Bhagavad-gita.

In ISKCON’s incorporating document, Srila Prabhupada imparts the “Seven Purposes of ISKCON”:
(1) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples 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 as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
(3) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop 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 Sankirtan movement of congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya 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 and more natural way of life.
(7) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

One of the 40 temples belonging to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the ISKCON Temple in Delhi was built in the year 1998. Located on the Hari Krishna Hill in the East of Kailash Area, it happens to be one of the most lavish temples in the capital. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna precisely and is also known as Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir. The ISKCON temple was built by the devotees of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna cult to propagate the message of Srimad Bhagvad Gita.

The ISKCON temple in Delhi stands as one of the largest temple complexes in India with a large number of rooms and halls. The architecture of the temple is a fine example of artistic splendor with “Shikharas” standing at height of 90 meters. The interiors of the temple have been beautifully decorated with works of Russian artists depicting the various phases of life of deities like Radha-Krishan and Sita-Ram. A special mention for the Central hall which houses exquisitely sculpted idols of Radha-Krishna and other deities. The heavenly sight of the hall provides spiritual enlightenment to the visitors. A feeling of peace and calm strikes the soul as soon as one enters the premises of the temple. The atmosphere inside is joyous and illuminating. Priests and devotees sway their arms up in the air and blissfully enchant the holy mantra “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”. The best time to visit the temple is at the time of Aarti when the melodious chants and euphonious rhythm of the drums captivate your senses bringing you closer to God.