ISKCON Bengaluru Temple

ISKCON Temple is a revered temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, situated in the Rajajinagar, Bangalore. The temple was inaugurated in 1997 by Shankar Dayal Sharma under the guidance of Madhu Pandit Dasa. Besides a holy shrine, the ISKCON temple is a cultural complex that houses devoted deities such as Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Srinivasa Govinda, and Sri Prahlada Narasimha.

ISKCON Temple is known for its commitment activities involving Lord Krishna’s ardent devotees. The temple enrolls members for life and arranges services for the Lord’s consciousness and knowledge in their community centers. Through public processions, the temple community also organizes songs and recitals that praise and pray to Krishna. Here, too, there are daily lectures and prayer services. Furthermore, the ISKCON temple group carries out a wide variety of activities aimed at rediscovering spirituality on an individual level as well as fostering a spirit of peace within the community.

History of ISKCON Bengaluru Temple

ISKCON Temple Bangalore is part of a charitable society that aims to propagate Krishna Consciousness through the Bhagavad Gita teachings. The business was incorporated under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act of 1960 in the year 1978 and became operational in 1987. The same year, the company leaders approached the Bangalore Development Authority for land allocation to build the temple. On August 3, 1988, the ISKCON temple authorities were awarded a seven-acre hillock with a huge rock in the middle. Since the site was not appropriate for construction, there was arranged a temporary temple premise.

To resolve this predicament, with the aid of Sri Jagat Chandra Dasa, who was also the president of the ISKCON Bangalore Society, Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, a trained civil engineer, conceptualized a beautiful temple architecture. Construction of the ISKCON temple began in full swing in 1990 and for seven years six hundred skilled craftsmen worked ceaselessly to complete the building. On May 31, 1997, India’s then President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, inaugurated the ISKCON temple and cultural complex.

Festivals of  ISKCON Bengaluru Temple

On the grounds of the ISKCON temple, a variety of festivals are celebrated with great vigor and gaiety. The year starts with the celebration of Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra, in which Lord Krishna and Balarama appear to bless their devotees in beautifully decorated chariots. After this festival was Sri Nityananda Trayodashi’s celebration in February when Lord Balarama appeared as Nityananda Prabhu. March sees festivities around Sri Gauri Purnima, the birthday of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and in April are celebrated Ram Navami and Brahmotsav. 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.

This is accompanied by Garuda Panchami’s annual celebration at the end of July. August is a big month of celebration, as this month many important festivals such as Shri Radhashtami, Jhulan Utsav, Sri Balarama Purnima, and Shri Krishna Janmashtami are held. Vamana Jayanti, Deepotsav, Govardhan Puja and Shri Vaikuntha Ekadashi are other festivals that are celebrated here.

Restaurants near ISKCON Bengaluru Temple

The temple has in its complex impeccable food and prasadam services. Nitya Ananda offers sumptuous lunch at ISKCON from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Krishnamrita is another prasadam distribution system at the temple premises that uses Sattvic techniques to prepare delicious food. Mid-day meals are also offered for underprivileged children under the name of Akshaya Patra in association with various government and government-aided schools.

How to Reach ISKCON Temple, Bengaluru

The ISKCON Temple is located in the north of Bangalore on the Hare Krishna Hills. It is well connected through different modes of transportation to the different parts of the city. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates an extensive bus network. The Hare Krishna Hills can be reached conveniently by bus.

Mahalakshmi Station is the nearest metro station to the temple. The temple is only a 5-minute walk away. Alternatively, you can also rent a taxi to reach the temple from any part of the city.

ISKCON Bengaluru Temple Timings

It Opens all days and no entry fee