Delhi the land of monuments and structures has a lot to offer to its visitors. If you have ever been to Delhi you would have an idea about the faith people living here have. The religious sites are of pivotal importance for the people residing here. ISKCON Temple in Delhi is one such temple. All of us are somehow familiar with ISKCON Temples and the ISKCON Temple in Delhi is no less than a wonder. The temple is a world on its own. The structure and architecture of this temple is a class apart and the devotion for Lord Krishna will draw his devotees towards this temple. If you are in Delhi then ISKCON Temple Delhi should surely be on your itinerary. Keep on reading this article to know everything about this majestic temple.
ISKCON Temple Delhi Address :-
Hare Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar Main Road, East of Kailash, New Delhi
ISKCON Temple Delhi Ticket Price :-
There is no entry fee.
ISKCON Temple Delhi Timings :-
4:30 am to 1 pm and 4pm to 9 pm on all days.
ISKCON Temple Delhi Aarti Schedule :-
The Mangal Aarti takes place at 4:30 am in the morning
The Japa (MANTRA) Aarti takes place at 5:15 am
Darshan Aarti takes place at 7:15 am
Guru Puja takes place at 7:30 am
Srimad Bhagavatam Discourse takes place at 8 am
Raj Bhog Aarti takes place at 12:30 pm
Usthapana Aarti takes place at 4:15 am
Sandhya Aarti takes place at 7 pm
Bhagavad Gita Discourse takes place at 8 pm
Sayana Aarti takes place at 8:30 pm
How to reach ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
The ISKCON Temple in Delhi is located on top of a hill. No matter whatever form of transport you are availing, the final few steps have to be covered by foot or car. However there are various ways to reach the temple.
How to reach ISKCON Temple Delhi by Metro :-
In Delhi the most convenient option for travelling is the Delhi metro Routes. The ISKCON Temple in Delhi falls under the Violet Line and the ISKCON Temple Delhi nearest metro station is the Kailash Colony Metro Station or the Nehru Place Station. From there you can walk up to the temple.
How to reach ISKCON Temple Delhi by train :-
The nearest railway station is Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station which is 4.5 km. If you are travelling from major cities then the railway station that is closest is the New Delhi Railway Station.
How to reach ISKCON Temple Delhi by bus :-
The bus stop closest to the temple is Mahalakshmi Layout Entrance. It is around 2 km away from the temple. Bus is a cheaper alternative to reach the temple.
How to reach ISKCON Temple Delhi by flight :-
If you are travelling in flight then Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the nearest airport. From there you have to drive through the Outer Ring Road towards Greater Kailash. It would take around 45 minutes to cover the distance of 17 kms from there.
Another route that you can opt for is the Mahatma Gandhi Marg that is about 21 km long.
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About ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
ISKCON Temple or International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the biggest spiritual institutions. Everywhere the ISKCON Temples look magnificent. Ranging from the structure to architecture to the formation, these temples are beautiful and peaceful. These are places of serenity and blissfulness for the devotees. Visitors from across the world visit the temple. The ISKCON Temple in Delhi is also known as the Sri Sri Radha Parthsarathi Temple. Lord Krishna along with Radha Rani is presiding deities here. This temple is one of the largest temple complexes that you can find in the whole country.
History of ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
ISKCON as a brand was founded by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966 in New York. This is a spiritual institution that primarily worships Lord Krishna. The ISKCON Temple in Delhi was opened in 1998. It was inaugurated on 5th April 1998 by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with former Chief Minister of Delhi Sahib Singh Verma and Sushma Swaraj. Padma Shri Achyut Purushottam Kanvinde designed this temple. The total cost of building the huge temple was almost 12 crores and it was majorly funded by Delhi as well as the rest of India. This temple is also one of the largest temples that you can find in India.
Architecture of ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
The ISKCON Temple in Delhi is a magnificent example of modern architecture. This astounding piece of art is made by incorporating ancient Hindu architecture mixed with modern materials and techniques. The exterior of the temple is made of beautiful white marbles. Because of the use of these marbles the temple reflects light in all directions. Also the temple changes its colour throughout the day and therefore creates a beautiful form of illusion. The most striking feature of the temple is the dome which is about 90 feet tall. This dome is supported by eight pillars on all sides. Each of the pillars are beautifully decorated and carved with sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Furthermore, one of the best parts of the dome is an ornate painting of Lord Krishna and his Beloved Radha Rani. The deities inside the temple look divine with magnificent clothes and jewellery. There are a total of 6 sections of this huge temple campus. These are:
The Temple
The main temple structure is located on top of the Hare Krishna Hill. Constructed with marble, wood and carved stones, the temple looks majestic in its appearance. The presiding deities belong here and are worshipped throughout the day following various customs and rituals.
The Centre for Vedic Performing Arts
This section is an open air amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is made facing the temple directly. For the purpose of dance performances and traditional music, the whole area is made.
The Centre for Vedic Studies
This is another section of the temple premise that has various separate halls for classes, seminars and conferences. This section also has a library which is known as the Library of Vedic Research. This library has a good collection of books of Vedic literature in different Indian Languages as well as in English.
The Museum of Vedic Culture
The Museum of Vedic Culture also known as the Glory of India Vedic Cultural Museum is a centre for learning the Vedic Culture. Here you can learn about the different Hindu scriptures with the help of different multimedia technologies. One of the highlights here is the representation of Bhagavad Gita in Animatronics. This uses a lot of laser effects, drama along with narration of the sacred text. The projection includes the 5 major concepts that we can learn from the Gita. Along with that you can learn Yoga and three modes of nature.
There is a light and sound show as well that depicts the story of the great Indian Hindu epic Mahabharata. Along with that you will find a Ramayana Art Gallery that displays a huge collection of oil paintings created by the ISKCON members from different parts of the world. This section also has a Bhagvat Puran Exhibit that projects the Vaishnava customs.
Krishna Jayanti Park
This is a park which is inspired from the stories of Lord Krishna’s early life. The park looks beautiful with ponds and waterfalls and is a serene place to spend some time.
The Ashram
Ashram is a residential complex for the Krishna devotees. Here many Krishna devotees stay and also study Vedic literature.
Read More :- BEST DURGA PUJA IN DELHI
Best time to visit the ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
You can visit the temple during any time of the year. But if you wish to be a part of the special events, festivals and celebrations then you need to visit during those particular times. The temple premise shines in the festive spirit during any such occasion. It will be a divine experience for anyone who visits the temple during any festival.
If you are interested in visiting the temple during the time of Janmashtami, then you can witness a majestic sight of the Temple. The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm here by a 12 day long festival. They even hold a procession or Shobha Yatra outside the temple during that time which is in itself a beautiful sight to experience.
They have a special event called Nauka Vihar or Boat Festival. At that time the Kaliya Krishna Pond is decorated beautifully with flowers and statues of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. Later they are taken on a boat ride while the devotees chant their names. The celebration looks gorgeous and blissful at the same time.
If you wish to visit during the Jagannath Rathyatra then you can take part in the parade of the Ratha or chariot. Also the deities are offered 56 items or Chappan Bhog during this time.
Ramnavami is also another festival that is celebrated here with a lot of grandeur. You can watch a drama enacted on this event and also enjoy a grand feast of Prasad here during this time
Things to do in ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
You can spend some quiet time walking around the Hare Krishna Hill. The complex is beautiful and has a lot of scenic spots to explore.
Explore the bookshops in the temple and you will have a great time if you are a booklover.
Attend the Aartis in the main temple. If you have never seen the sight of the Aarti and the joy that the devotees evoke from that, then you would miss out on a large chunk of the spirituality and uniqueness of this temple. Everyone chants hare Rama Hare Krishna and claps their hands and dances in joy of divinity. It is a wonderful thing to experience.
You can spend some time in the Bhaktivedanta Library. The library has the largest printed Gita in the world. Along with that there is a huge collection of more than 2000 books in the library. The best part is the library here is not just limited to spiritual books. Along with the books you will find documentaries and multimedia videos on spirituality as well.
Do keep an eye on the Youth Forum that ISKCON Delhi has. Many times they organize various events and activities like youth fests, camps, workshops and seminars. And you can very well take part in all these activities.
You can have a meal at the Govinda’s Restaurant inside the temple premise. This place serves pure vegetarian food and all the items served here are first offered to Lord Krishna. They serve around 18 items for their lunch and dinner menus. Along with that they also serve Sattvik Bhojan that is food made without onions and garlic in it. Lunch time begins at 12 pm here and continues till 3:30. Dinner is served from 7 pm and continues till 10 pm.
Some facts about ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
One of the most interesting facts about the ISKCON Temple in Delhi is the largest printed version of the sacred text Bhagavad Gita. This copy was printed in Italy. The book weighs 800 kg and is 2.8 metres in length. This book was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26th February 2019 in the presence of Cultural Minister of India Dr. Mahesh Sharma and Tridandi Sanyasi Gopal Krishna Goswami.
The materials used to make this temple are massive. Almost 880 tons of steel, 25,000 square feet of marble, 5, 500 tons of cement, 75, 000 square feet of stone, 2000 cubic feet of wood and 260,000 cubic feet of stone chips have been used in the whole construction. Doesn’t that sound astonishing?
A whooping budget of 12 crore rupees has been spent in the making of this massive temple.
Almost more than 250 workers were involved in the construction of this temple.
Things to remember before visiting ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
Since this is a religious sight, it is advised that you dress a little modestly. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Refrain from wearing shorts dresses, shorts and revealing outfits with a lot of skin show.
Shoes are not allowed inside the temple premises.
If you are keen on staying in the ISKCON Ashram or the Guest house you will have to book that in advance. More often there is a huge crowd, so pre booking is always advisable.
Photography is not allowed inside the temple. However you can take pictures of the hills and the lake outside.
If you wish to attend any seminar then check with their calendars and website for the dates of the same. These sessions and classes are really enriching ones, so you can think of attending them.
The entry into the premise is absolutely free, however it is advisable to make a voluntary donation from your side especially if you are keen on having the free Bhog Prasad or meals on special occasions.
You can opt for a guided tour of the whole temple complex to get a better understanding of the architecture, history and significance of ISKCON Temples.
Parking facilities are available at the Temple and that is free.
Nearby places to visit from ISKCON Temple Delhi :-
Aastha Kunj park (750 metres)
You can just take a 10 minute walk from the ISKCON Temple to reach this beautiful park. This park has a seasonal lake inside that gets full during the monsoon. Also there is an open air gym. The park is perfect for joggers and morning walkers. Aastha Kunj Park is open from 4 am to 9 pm on all days.
Shri Kalkaji Temple (1.1 km)
This temple is at a 15 minutes walking distance from the ISKCON Temple. The presiding deity here is Goddess Kali. It is believed that the lower lip on the Goddess fell here. The temple is also known as Manokamna Siddha Peeth. ” Manokamna” means desire, “Siddha” means fulfillment. It is believed that the wishes of the true devotees get fulfilled here.
Lotus Temple (1.4 km)
This beautiful temple shaped like a lotus as the name suggests is one of the popular destinations that you can visit nearby. Also known as the Bahai House of Worship, the premise of the temple has 9 ponds along with 9 sides of the structure. The temple is white and made of marble. This temple remains open from 9 am to 6 pm on all days. Mondays are closed.
Moth ki Masjid (6 km)
This Masjid is at a 12 minutes distance from the ISKCON Temple. The architecture of this masjid displays intricate Mughal style and looks magnificent. It is at present preserved by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
Durga Bari Mandir
This temple is another spot near the ISKCON Temple that you can visit in just 10 minutes via car. Goddess Durga is the presiding deity here. This temple is managed by a Bengali community and they also celebrate Durga Puja through various events and programmes. The traditional Bengali Bhog Prasad is also served here during the days of the Puja.
Ashokan Edict
This edict is one of the oldest edicts by the Great emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century BC. Buddhist teachings are engraved in the rock in Prakrit language and Brahmi Script. You can surely think about visiting this site.
Other than these you can also visit :-
Kale Khan Ka Makbara (6 km)
Hauz Khas Fort (7.7 km)
Deer Park (7.7 km)
Qutub Minar (9.3 km)
The Garden of Five Senses (9.5 km)
Chhatarpur Temple (12.7 km)
The ISKCON Temple in Delhi is a place for the devotees. If you are someone who believes in the power of God and divine powers then this temple should be a must visit for you. In ISKCON it is followed that you don’t need to change your religion to visit here. You can belong from any religion and yet can be a devotee of Lord Krishna. This temple is that way open to all and welcomes everyone with open arms. The serene ambience, the blissful atmosphere and the peace that you will get after visiting the temple is incomparable.
If you are in Delhi then this is one temple that you should definitely visit. Among other big temples in Delhi, this one surely shines out. You will understand this when you pay a visit there. So let me know when you are visiting the ISKCON Temple Delhi. Also do let me know if you stay in Delhi, wish to visit or have visited the city already. I would love to know.
