ISKCON temple in Chennai is dedicated to Lord Krishna under the movement “Hare Krishna” which was first started by Swami Prabhupada. In South-Chennai, the temple is located on the East Coast Road in the Sholinganallur. It is known as one of the biggest Radha Krishna temples in India as well as Tamil Nadu.
The construction of ISKCON in Chennai first began in 1990 and was completed in 2012. There are the idols of Radha Krishna and their companions such as Baladeva, Lalita, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Jagannath, and Subhadra. The architecture speaks the Kalinga and Pallava kingdoms, and it was performed under the guidance of Sri Bhanu Swami.
The temple depicts cultures plus technology as several audio-video programs dedicated to Lord Krishna are conducted here. The mission is to spread the Hindu philosophy among the devotees and make people realize the existence of Krishna. It covers a total area of 1.5 acres, and there are a total of five floors in ISKCON Chennai.
Reaching ISKCON
One can reach Chennai by air, bus, or railway network. Every major airport is connected to Chennai airport. Via any daily flight, one can reach Chennai, and from there, hire a personal cab to reach the temple. There are Govt. buses running from the airport to ISKCON Temple as well.
If you are planning to reach ISKCON by bus, then the VGP Bus stop is the nearest to the temple. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation runs buses to the VGP Bus stop. From there, the distance to the temple is just 2 km that one can cover by hiring a personal cab or the autorickshaw. It would not be very expensive to reach the temple via buses.
If you enjoy the train journey more than the above options, then there are plenty of options available. All the major cities are connected to the Chennai Central railway station. After that, you would have to change the train from Chennai Central and take the local train to Kodambakkam station. From there, the distance of the temple is just 3 km.
Digging into the History of ISKCON Chennai
Krishna Consciousness was started by Swami Prabhupada first in New York. When he returned to India, he started ISKCON as the “Hare Krishna Movement.” In 1972, Swami visited Chennai, and there, he opened a small center in Kilpauk which was later shifted to T. Nagar.
While moving, Swami gave the ideology of constructing ISKCON to his disciples who later under the guidance of Bhanu Swami acquired a piece of land in Chennai. The constructed then began in 1990 and it was completed by 2012 using the donations of devotees at that time.
Travelers’ Tips Before Visiting ISKCON Temple
One should always visit ISKCON Chennai during winters or October to February since the weather remains mild and cool instead of hot and scorching. To see the temple in its most adorned form, one must visit between 8 pm to 9 pm and you will also be able to see the night arti.
If one desires to be at the beach after the arti, then you can visit Palavakkam Beach. It is around 7 km from the ISKCON where you can soothe your mind and enjoy the waves.
• One should visit in decent clothes that are temple-appropriate such as ethnic wears.
• You should carry a water bottle as it takes 2 hours to visit the temple completely.
• You should visit the souvenir shop and buy something as a reminder and cherish the memories.
The temple committee organizes various events throughout the year, so it would be best to check the temple’s website first and you won’t miss an important event.
Places to Eat near ISKCON
While visiting ISKCON, don’t miss out on savoring yourself delicious food.
• Around 1 km from the temple, there is Delhi Dhaba which is known as one of the finest North-Indian restaurants in Chennai.
• If you are a fan of chicken dishes particularly, then Famous Theory restaurant is the right choice.
• Malgudi is another restaurant for vegetarian food. To enjoy the authentic South Indian cuisine, it is a must-visit place.
People who desire to visit one of the most beautiful Krishna temples should visit ISKCON Chennai. Get spiritual relief in this hectic lifetime, and seek the blessings of Krishna.