ISKCON Temple Vadodara
History and Purpose: The ISKCON Temple Vadodara, officially the Shri Radha Shyam Sundar Mandir, is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha. It is part of the worldwide ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) movement, founded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The temp le was inaugurated in 1999 and serves as a major hub for the practice of Bhakti Yoga (devotional service to God). Deities and Atmosphere: The main deities are Shri Radha Shyam Sundar, along with Jagannath, Baladev, Subhadra Devi, and Gaur Nitai (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda). The temple's atmosphere is characterized by vibrant devotion, continuous chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, and the sound of kirtans. Community and Outreach: The temple is built on a large estate (around 6 acres) and includes a main prayer hall, a guest house, a gift shop, and a restaurant, actively promoting Vedic culture, spiritual education, and a vegetarian lifestyle. (Approx. 400 words)
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1 to 2 Hours (excluding travel time)Place Type:
Religious, Spiritual, CulturalEntry Fees:
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee. Entry to the temple and the daily Aartis and kirtans is free for everyone. This aligns with the ISKCON policy of open access to spiritual knowledge.
Govinda's Restaurant: Food and meals at the on-site Govinda's res...Entry Fee: No Entry Fee. Entry to the temple and the daily Aartis and kirtans is free for everyone. This aligns with the ISKCON policy of open access to spiritual knowledge.
Govinda's Restaurant: Food and meals at the on-site Govinda's restaurant are paid for, with costs varying based on the menu and meal choice (e. g. , a full meal might cost Rs.150 to Rs.300).
Gift Shop/Bookstore: Purchases of books, CDs, and spiritual items from the bookstore are paid for.
Accommodation: Staying in the temple's guesthouse (if available to the public) involves a charge, which is usually a modest donation amount. (Approx. )Timing:
Regular Timings: Generally open from 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and then 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The temple has scheduled breaks in the afternoon for the deities' rest (Rajbhog).
Ideal Visit Time: The best time is in the early morning for the Mangala A...Regular Timings: Generally open from 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and then 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The temple has scheduled breaks in the afternoon for the deities' rest (Rajbhog).
Ideal Visit Time: The best time is in the early morning for the Mangala Aarti (around 4:30 AM) for a highly meditative experience, or the evening for the Sandhya Aarti and vigorous Kirtan (around 7:00 PM).
Ideal Duration: 1 to 2 hours to experience the spiritual atmosphere and explore the complex.
Aarti Timings: The major Aartis are Mangala (4:30 AM), Shringar (7:30 AM), Rajbhog (12:30 PM), and Sandhya (7:00 PM). (Approx. )Special Events:
Shree Krishna Janmashtami: The most important festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, is marked by elaborate decorations, midnight Aarti, fasting, cultural programs, and a massive attendance of devotees, making it a spectacular time to visit. Rath Yatra (Chariot Fe...Shree Krishna Janmashtami: The most important festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, is marked by elaborate decorations, midnight Aarti, fasting, cultural programs, and a massive attendance of devotees, making it a spectacular time to visit. Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) This annual procession, where the deities of Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra are pulled on a grand chariot through the streets of Vadodara, is a major, vibrant public event.
Gaur Purnima: The birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, often celebrated with special kirtans and fasting, is a key spiritual festival for the ISKCON community. (Approx. )Best Photo Spots:
The Main Temple Facade: The white and cream facade, often decorated with vibrant flags and banners, makes for a great photograph, especially when framed by the lush green lawns.
The Deities on the Altar: (If permitted) A close-up shot of the...The Main Temple Facade: The white and cream facade, often decorated with vibrant flags and banners, makes for a great photograph, especially when framed by the lush green lawns.
The Deities on the Altar: (If permitted) A close-up shot of the stunningly dressed deities on the main altar, which are changed daily, capturing the beauty of the spiritual artistry.
The Kirtan Crowd: A wide-angle shot of the main mandap during the evening Aarti or kirtan, capturing the energy and devotion of the chanting and dancing devotees.
Pathway to the Temple: The well-maintained, tree-lined path leading up to the main temple provides an excellent perspective shot, emphasizing the tranquility and approach to the spiritual center. (Approx. )Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Attending the Sandhya Aarti and Kirtan: Plan your visit to coincide with the evening Aarti (around 7:00 PM) to witness the most energetic and joyous kirtan and dancing, which is the heart of the ISKCON experience.
Taking Darshan of the Deities: Stand before the beautifully adorned deities of Shri Radha Shyam Sundar and other figures, reflecting on the devotional focus of the temple.
Enjoying the Govinda's Restaurant: Dine at the temple's pure vegetarian restaurant, Govinda's. The food is considered prasadam (blessed food) and is prepared without onion or garlic, offering a clean, traditional Indian meal.
Shopping for Spiritual Items: Browse the gift shop (The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Store) for philosophical books, copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavat...
Information
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Why Famous:
The Kirtan and Aarti Experience: The temple is most famous for its lively and soul-stirring kirtans (devotional chanting and dancing) and the morning and evening Aartis. This vibrant, participatory form of worship is a major draw for both devotees and tourists.The Kirtan and Aarti Experience: The temple is most famous for its lively and soul-stirring kirtans (devotional chanting and dancing) and the morning and evening Aartis. This vibrant, participatory form of worship is a major draw for both devotees and tourists.
Focus on Lord Krishna: As a major center for the global Hare Krishna movement, it draws a steady flow of international visitors and is a key site for the local community's worship of Lord Krishna.
The Sunday Feast: The Sunday love feast (Sunday Sabha) is a well-known ritual, offering a spiritual discourse, kirtan, and a free, wholesome, vegetarian meal to all visitors, symbolizing spiritual brotherhood. (Approx. ) -
Architecture:
Architectural Style and Materials: The ISKCON Temple in Vadodara is a fusion of traditional Hindu temple architecture and modern, functional design, typical of many newer ISKCON structures. It is constructed primarily using marble and stone, featuring clean, flowing lines a...Architectural Style and Materials: The ISKCON Temple in Vadodara is a fusion of traditional Hindu temple architecture and modern, functional design, typical of many newer ISKCON structures. It is constructed primarily using marble and stone, featuring clean, flowing lines and a light color palette that emphasizes purity and serenity.
Key Structural Features: The main temple building is crowned with multiple traditional domes (shikharas) and features beautifully carved pillars and decorative archways that lead to the central mandap (prayer hall). The temple complex also includes a separate hall for the daily bhajans and kirtans, designed for good acoustics and accommodating large gatherings.
Dimension and Interior: The complex sprawls over a significant area, with well-maintained gardens surrounding the main temple. The interior of the main hall is spacious, designed to allow devotees to perform parikrama (circumambulation) and dance during kirtans. The altar is the most highly decorated area, featuring intricate woodwork and vibrant silks for the deities' costumes. (Approx. ) -
How To Reach:
By Air (Approx. 10 KMS) Take a taxi or auto-rickshaw from Vadodara Airport (BDQ) to the ISKCON Temple on Gotri Road. The journey takes about 20-30 minutes. By Train (Approx. 6 KMS) Arrive at Vadodara Junction Railway Station (BRC). The temple is easily reachable by auto-rickshaw or taxi. Gotri... -
Near Tourist Places:
Hazira Maqbara (4 KMS), BAPS Mandir Atladara (5 KMS), Dinesh Mills (4 KMS), Alkapuri Shopping Area (5 KMS), Inorbit Mall (Vadodara) (3 KMS), Sevasi Stepwell (7 KMS), Laxmi Vilas Palace (6 KMS), Khanderao Market (8 KMS), Sursagar Lake (7 KMS), Seven Seas Mall (6 KMS).
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: The floors of the temple can be slippery, especially after the morning Aarti. Be cautious if dancing during kirtan. Keep an eye on your footwear at the deposit area.
Packing: Dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees) a...
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