LavernRuss601 at 06:43, 27 February 2026

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{{Short description|Radha Krishna temple in Chennai, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = ISKCON Chennai
| image = ISKCON-Temple-Chennai-3.JPG
| Website =
| caption = The ISKCON temple in Chennai
| map_type = India Chennai
| map_caption = Location in Chennai
| coordinates = {{coord|12|54|22|N|80|14|30|E|type:landmark_region:IN_scale:100|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes=
| native_name = Sri Sri Radha Krishna Mandir<br /> ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீ ராதா கிருஷ்ணர் கோவில்
| country = India
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Kanchipuram]]
| location = Hare Krishna land, Bhaktivedantha Swami Road, Akkarai, [[Sholinganallur]], [[Injambakkam]], [[Chennai]] 600 119
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Radha Krishna]]
| festivals= [[Janamashtami]], [[Radhashtami]], [[Ratha-Yatra]]
| architecture = [[Hindu architecture|Hindu temple architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = {{Start date and age|2012}}
| creator =[[ISKCON]]
| website = {{URL|https://iskconchennai.org/}}
}}

'''ISKCON Temple Chennai''', also known as the '''Sri Sri Radha Krishna Mandir''', is a [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]] temple in [[Chennai]], India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god [[Krishna]] and his consort [[Radha]]. It was formally inaugurated on 26 April 2012.<ref name="TheHindu_ConsecrationOfTemple"/>

==History==
[[File:Iskcon Temple Chennai.jpg|thumb|190px|left|ISKCON temple at night]]
[[ISKCON]] founder [[A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]], wanted to establish ISKCON centers in [[India]]. In 1971, when he returned to India after his success with spread of ISKCON in the Western world, he directed [[Giriraj Maharaj]] to go to Madras and preach activities, resulting in many enlisting as life patrons. Prabhupada wrote in a letter,

{{cquote|In Madras we wanted to start a center and it was almost settled that the Chief Justice (Veeraswamy) would give us a place. So actually, if it is possible to open a center in Madras that would be very nice.<ref name="ISKCONChennai_History">{{cite web
| title = About ISKCON
| publisher = ISKCON Chennai
| url = http://www.iskconchennai.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=2
| access-date = 26 Apr 2012}}</ref>}}

[[File:ISKCON Chennai SwamiPrabhupaadhaa 1.JPG|thumb|140px|left|Life-size statue of Swami Prabhupada]]
Prabhupada visited Madras in February 1972 and delivered lectures. In 1975, a centre was opened at 50 Aspiran Gardens, 2nd Street, [[Kilpauk]], which was later shifted to Kilpauk Garden Road. In 1988, the centre moved to [[T. Nagar]], where the congregation of Chennai ISKCON increased greatly. During a morning walk on 18 December 1975, Prabhupada remarked: "Now our European and American boys are preaching in South India and big, big acaryas have received them."

[[File:ISKCON Chennai PrayerHall.JPG|thumb|180px|left|The central prayer hall]]
In January 1976, Prabhupada visited Madras again and lectured in AVM Rajeswari Kalyana Mandapam, [[Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai]] and in the house of the then Chief Justice Veeraswamy. Inspired by the positive response to Krishna consciousness in Madras, Prabhupada wrote a letter to his disciples in Madras:

{{cquote|In Madras we have to construct a very gorgeous temple… Now immediately find out some land and begin the construction. Never mind what the cost will be. We are not concerned with the amount of money, but we want a very attractive temple. The money should come from the gentlemen of Madras.<ref name="ISKCONChennai_History"/>}}

However, the effort to fulfill the desire of Prabhupada to build a "gorgeous temple" in Chennai did not prove fruitful until 2000 when devotees serving under the leadership of Bhanu Swami located 6.5 acres of land in [[Injambakkam]] and acquired immediately for construction of the temple. The temple was built solely on donations received from people in Chennai. The construction of the first phase of the project began on 17 March 2002. The temple has been built with the support of about 8,000 life patrons and contributions from devotees.<ref name="DC_ISKCONTempleOpens">{{cite news
| title = Iskcon temple opens today
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| date = 26 April 2012
| url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/iskcon-temple-opens-today-886
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426234301/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/iskcon-temple-opens-today-886
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 26 April 2012
| access-date = 26 Apr 2012}}</ref> Built on 45,000 sq ft of land, the temple cost {{INR}} 100 million.<ref name="The New Indian Express_TempleConsecrated">{{cite news
| title = ISKCON temple to be consecrated
| newspaper = The New Indian Express
| location = Chennai
| date = 21 April 2012
| url = http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article384912.ece
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122218/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article384912.ece
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 4 March 2016
| access-date = 26 Apr 2012}}</ref>

The ''prana pratishtha'' (deity installation) ceremony, when the deities of Lord Krishna and Radha and their ''sakhis''—Lalitha and Vishaka—were installed in one of the three teak-wood altars in the main hall, and ''Kumbhabhishekam'' were performed on 26 April 2012. After the ''Kumbhabishekam'' and ''Maha mangala arati''—the first decorated darshan of the deities—flowers were showered from a [[helicopter]] over the ''gopurams'' built in the [[Kalinga architecture|Kalinga style]] with a Sudarshana Chakra on the top of the tallest tower. The deities in the temple on Burkit Road, T. Nagar unit have also been shifted to this temple.<ref name="Hindu_TempleInaugurated">{{cite news
| title = ISKCON temple inaugurated
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 27 April 2012
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3359462.ece
| access-date = 29 Apr 2012}}</ref>

At the time of inauguration, the temple was still under construction with a 90-ft-long construction, which was to function as the kitchen and ''annadhan'' hall, nearing completion.

==Structure==
ISKCON Temple Chennai is part of the Centre for Spiritual Art and Culture and is located off the [[East Coast Road]] at the Hare Krishna land, [[Sholinganallur]]. The deities worshipped in the temple include those of Radha Krishna Lalita Vishaka, Jagannath Baladev Subhadra, and Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga.<ref name="TheHindu_ConsecrationOfTemple"/>

Spread over an area of over 1.5 acres, the temple is constructed on five levels. There is a 7,000 sq ft temple hall on the first floor, an auditorium for cultural and spiritual programmes on the ground floor and a prasadam hall in the basement.<ref name="TheHindu_ConsecrationOfTemple"/>

In the temple hall, there are three [[Teak|teak-wood]] altars which house the deities of [[Lord Krishna]] with his chief consort [[Radha]]rani and their assisting friends Lalita and Vishaka, [[Lord Chaitanya]] with Lord Nityananda and [[Lord Jagannatha|Lord Jagannath]], [[Balarama|Baladeva]] and [[Subhadra]].<ref name="Hindu_TempleInaugurated"/> These deities have been sourced from [[Jaipur]] and [[Orissa, India|Orissa]]. Designed under the guidance of Sri Bhanu Swami, the temple has imbibed various attributes from [[Vedic]] scripture and is inspired by the [[Pallava]] and Kalinga architecture.<ref name="TheHindu_ConsecrationOfTemple">{{cite news
| title = Consecration of ISKCON temple
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| date = 19 April 2012
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article3331867.ece
| access-date = 26 Apr 2012}}</ref>

[[File:ISKCON Chennai CowNCalf.JPG|thumb|180px|right|Statue of a cow feeding her calf]]
[[File:RestaurantISKCONChennai.jpg|thumb|180px|Restaurant and souvenir shop at ISKCON Chennai]]
The entrance to the temple is marked by the representation of the ''bhu-mandala'' or the [[universe]] on the marble floor. According to the [[cosmology]] of ancient [[Vedic mythology|Vedic puranas]], the universe is described as series of circular islands surrounding a central pillar called [[Mount Meru]]. The design on the floor at the entrance depicts the same universal pattern. There is also a life-like statue of a cow feeding its calf at the portico.<ref>{{cite news
| title = ISCKON [<i>sic</i>] to inaugurate spiritual centre
| newspaper = IBN Live South
| publisher = Express News Service
| date = 9 April 2012
| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/isckon-to-inaugurate-spiritual-centre/246466-60-120.html
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120427022630/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/isckon-to-inaugurate-spiritual-centre/246466-60-120.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 27 April 2012
| access-date = 27 Apr 2012}}</ref>

The primary purpose of the temple to transform the material self-centred identity into a spiritual identity of unconditional love is graphically represented by means of a magnificent chandelier that projects various colours on the walls and ceiling. The chandelier has 500 Himalayan [[Quartz|quartz crystals]] supposedly meant to intensify the spiritual energy in the temple.<ref name="The New Indian Express_TempleConsecrated"/>

The temple also visually displays various [[vastu shastra]] features. A booklet explaining all these features is available at the book shop, which is located near the portico. Here you can find books and souvenirs on spirituality and Hindu philosophy. The temple is open from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. However, the last ''aarati'' (worship), called the ''sayana arati'', is at 9:00 pm, which lasts about 15 minutes.

==Celebrations==
The temple conducts an annual [[Ratha Yatra]] (chariot procession) festival in February, where the idols of Krishna, [[Rukmini]], [[Satyabhama]], [[Gaura Nitai]], and Prabhupada were taken on procession on a decorated chariot through the neighbouring areas of [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]], [[Besant Nagar, Chennai|Besant Nagar]], and [[Thiruvanmiyur]], with performances of traditional Tamil art forms, singing, and chanting.<ref>{{cite news
| title = ISKCON conducts 15th rath yathra
| newspaper = The Times of India
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Times Group
| date = 15 February 2026
| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/iskcon-conducts-15th-rath-yathra/articleshow/128356743.cms
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| title = Hare Krishna Movement organises annual Ratha Yatra
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| publisher = Kasturi & Sons
| date = 24 February 2024
| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/hare-krishna-movement-organises-annual-ratha-yatra/article67882531.ece
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref> Besides, the annual Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated in July, where idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken on chariot procession around the neighbouring areas of Pallavakam, Neelankarai, Vettuvankeni, and Injambakkam before reaching its final destination at the ISKCON Temple at Akkarai.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Thousands gather at ISKCON Chennai ECR to participate in Rath Yatra
| newspaper = The Adyar Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Adyar Times
| date = 9 July 2024
| url = https://adyartimes.in/thousands-gather-at-iskcon-chennai-ecr-to-participate-in-rath-yatra/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| title = ISKCON celebrates 40th Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra festival in Chennai
| newspaper = ANI News
| location = Chennai
| publisher = ANI
| date = 25 June 2023
| url = https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/iskcon-celebrates-40th-sri-jagannath-rath-yatra-festival-in-chennai20230625213351/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Other annual celebrations include the following:
* [[Gaura Purnima]] (March), commemorating the birth of Lord [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]], who lived around the 15th century in [[Navadvipa]], [[West Bengal]], to spread the yuga-dharma, which refers to the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra<ref>{{cite news
| title = ISKCON Chennai to Celebrate Gaura Purnima
| newspaper = The Adyar Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Adyar Times
| date = 12 March 2025
| url = https://adyartimes.in/iskcon-chennai-to-celebrate-gaura-purnima/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref>
* Jhulan Yatra and Balarama Jayanthi (August), commemorating the divine love of Radha and Krishna and the birth of Balarama<ref>{{cite news
| title = Jhulan Yatra at ISKCON Chennai
| newspaper = The Adyar Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Adyar Times
| date = 10 August 2024
| url = https://adyartimes.in/jhulan-yatra-at-iskcon-chennai/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref>
* Krishna Janmashtami (August), commemorating the birth of Krishna<ref>{{cite news
| title = Grand Janmashtami celebration at ISKCON Chennai ECR
| newspaper = The Adyar Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Adyar Times
| date = 27 August 2024
| url = https://adyartimes.in/grand-janmashtami-celebration-at-iskcon-chennai-ecr/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref>
* Damodar Month or Karthik Month (October-November), which according to the [[Skanda Purana]] and [[Padma Purana]], marks the time when Krishna allowed his foster mother [[Yashoda]] to tie him to a mortar, which devotees believe symbolize his sweetness and accessibility to devotees.<ref>{{cite news
| title = ISKCON Chennai Celebrates Damodar month from Oct 7
| newspaper = News Today
| location = Chennai
| publisher = News Today
| date = 10 October 2025
| url = https://newstodaynet.com/2025/10/10/iskcon-chennai-celebrates-damodar-month-from-oct-7/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Courses==
The temple conducts regular value education programs including classes on the Bhagavad Gita, stories, slokas, bhajans, rhymes for children, arts and crafts, quiz, non-fire cookery, debates and discussions, role-playing, oratory, and so forth.<ref>{{cite news
| title = Courses by ISKCON
| newspaper = The Adyar Times
| location = Chennai
| publisher = The Adyar Times
| date = 7 June 2024
| url = https://adyartimes.in/courses-by-iskcon/
| access-date = 27 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:ISKCON Chennai LordKrishna Radharani.JPG|Statues of Lord Krishna and Radharani, along with their sakhis Lalitha and Vishaka
File:ISKCON Chennai LordChaitanya LordNityananda.JPG|Statues of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda
File:ISKCON Chennai LordJagannath BaladevaNSubhadra.JPG|Statues of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Mother Subhadra
File:ISKCON Chennai Facade.JPG|The newly built temple soon after consecration
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Hinduism}}
* [[Religion in Chennai]]

==References==
{{Vaishnavism}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | last = Muthiah | first = S. | author-link = | title = Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India, Volume 1 | publisher = Palaniappa Brothers | series = | volume = 1 | edition = 1 | date = 2008 | location = Chennai | pages = 106 | language = | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C&dq=ravishwarar+temple&pg=PA105 | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-81-8379-468-8 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}

==External links==
{{commons category|ISKCON Temple, Chennai}}
* [https://iskconchennai.org/ Iskcon Chennai Website]

{{Chennai Topics}}
{{Places of worship in Chennai}}
{{ISKCON}}
{{List of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Radha Krishna temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Chennai]]
[[Category:21st-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:International Society for Krishna Consciousness temples]]
[[Category:2012 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]

ISKCON Temple Chennai - Revision history

LavernRuss601 at 06:43, 27 February 2026