ISKCON Temple, Delhi

Arti March 09, 2011
It is such a coincidence that our first stop of the trip was a place I had started my wonderful blogging journey with… almost exactly a year and a half ago…

ISKCON Temple, Delhi

After unpacking our luggage in the pre-booked ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) guest house room in South Delhi, we freshened up and went to the temple.

The ISKCON Temple, Delhi

ISKCON Temple as viewed from the terrace of the guest house

Circular in shape, the temple is very beautiful, decked up with Krishna leelas at the ceiling. The aarti was about to begin. The circumambulation path shows the various ISKCON temples situated all around the world. It was fascinating to look at how ISKCON temples are built abroad.

Beautiful Krishna Leelas at the temple ceiling…
captured just moments before the prayers began

Divine image of Mother Yasoda with Lord Krishna inside the temple

Idols of Sita, Ram, Laxman and Hanuman at the ISKCON temple

Idols of Shri Radha Parthasarthi at the ISKCON temple

Idols of Sri Gaura Nitai at the ISKCON temple

After the prayers, we headed straight towards the snacks counter where I had some Sandwiches and Samosas washed down with a cool glass of Lassi. In addition, the temple premises also houses the Govinda’s restaurant serving buffet meals priced at Rs. 330/person.

Govinda snacks counter in the temple premises

From our balcony we had a good view of the very famous Lotus Temple of Delhi and decided to visit the same in the evening. But unfortunately, as we came to know later on, the temple was closed that day (Monday).

A view of the Lotus Temple (in white) 
from my balcony at the ISKCON guest house Delhi

With nothing much to do that day, I decided to spend the rest of the day at the temple itself. The temple premises are huge; of all the ISKCON temples I have written about till now, this one is definitely the biggest.

Divine image of Lord Krishna along with His 
beloved Radha with the ISKCON Temple in the background

Kaliya Nag Uddhar at the ISKCON temple Delhi

Before retiring for the day, I attended their Vedic sound and light show titled ‘Gita Saar’ which was a 25 minute show aimed at Self realization through Lord Krishna’s teachings.


A life size image of Lord Vishnu with Goddess Laxmi inside the Vedic expo hall

Next morning, we caught the Shatabdi train to reach our next destination Haridwar...

Address of ISKCON Delhi :

Hare Krishna Hill,
Sant Nagar Main Road,
East of Kailash.
Contact no. : 011-26235133,4,5,6,7 / 011-26288816
E-mail : iskconpb@pamho.net

Previous posts from this trip -

1. Char Dham Yatra
2. Planning the Char Dham Trip
3. Introduction to Uttarakhand and Char Dhams
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Arti

Posted by Arti

Hi there! I am Arti - constantly on the road, both figuratively and literally, unwrapping my unique gift called life. My blog, which focuses on spiritual journeys, is all about my love of sharing, exploring and learning; a continuous journey where I strive to seek the truth, discover myself, the world, my place therein and experience the real treasures of life along the way. I hope to help those planning to make a trip to these places or simply provide a virtual tour to the rest. If you have any queries, do leave a comment, I will be pleased to help! You can also contact me at - 22arti@gmail.com

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60 Comments

  1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 9, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    I have been here, but ages back! am looking forward to your journey!

    ReplyDelete
  2. TomokoMarch 9, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Congratulations to a year and a half birthday blogging of yours.
    Thank you for sharing your travel to ISKCON Temple and many photos. Your temples are very beautiful. Also I am intrigued by the Lotus Temple seen from your balcony. Literally, the shape of the temple looks lotus. I went to the beautiful Country Myanmar twice. The photo of boating in your header reminds me of Inrei lake in Myanmar. Thank you for visiting “Green Tomato” and your sweet comment. Look forward to your next post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SridharanMarch 9, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Beautiful pictures Arti.. This reminds me of my stay at ISKCON Pandharpur

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  4. mermaid galleryMarch 9, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    sigh! i would love to spend the day at the temple....

    ReplyDelete
  5. SimranMarch 9, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Delightful post :)
    Loved the images you added ..
    You seems very adventurous !

    thank you so much for stoping by blog..
    Keep Blogging Dear :)
    Take care

    ReplyDelete
  6. NilamburMarch 9, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Good writing and beautiful pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  7. MichelleMarch 9, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    A wonderful view of your trip. I enjoy seeing your culture through this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. zephyrMarch 10, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    Nice pictorial round-up of the temple. Waiting for the Char Dham yatra.

    ReplyDelete
  9. RIZALENIOMarch 10, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    This kind of story interests me more about India. The ISKCON Temple looks like it has a modern touch (design wise) compared to the other temples in India.

    Thanks for sharing your stories. I love reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. aipiMarch 10, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    What a beautiful beautiful temple..the pics are divine !! Loved the last pic and one with Yasodha n kanhaiya..


    US Masala

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ginny HartzlerMarch 10, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    This has to be the fanciest temple you've posted yet!!! So much to see, and really great pictures, some look like twilight. Our Ash Wednesday is once a year, the sign of the cross is put on our foreheads by the priest, It is made from ashes. It is the beginning of the lent season, leading up to Easter. The ashes represent penitence and coming from ashes. They are made from last year's palm fronds at Easter.

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  12. Felicity Grace TerryMarch 10, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Wow, this is such a modern temple - its great to see the contrast with the older temples I am used to 'visiting' with you and several of my other good blogger buddies. As always many thanks for the the photos, I especially loved the last one of Lord Vishnu with Godess Laxmi who i have not heard of - could we perhaps have a post about her? I know there is always Google but there is nothing like a more personal view.

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  13. TeamgsquareMarch 10, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    had visited this place 7 years back .

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sallie (FullTime-Life)March 11, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Thank you for the tour of this beautiful temple - lovely that you are able to take pictures inside the temple; it helps your readers to understand.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Awsome Pics..

    ReplyDelete
  16. ArtiMarch 11, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    @ Petty Witter

    One can indeed see a lot of contrasting features between old and modern Temples, even temples of different regions differ in their make, architecture and structure depending on the customs, traditions and culture prevalent among the people of that particular region

    I will definitely put up a post on Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth sometime next month.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    What a gorgeous temple!

    And I love Govinda's - we have a Govinda restaurant in Stockholm!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMarch 11, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Your photos today are truly inspiring! I enjoyed the post too.
    I visited a Krishna Conscience community in the UK many times, many years ago. I found it quite fascinating.
    Thanks for your continuing interest in my blog.

    Have a good weekend, Boonie

    ReplyDelete
  19. betty-NZMarch 12, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    As always, you have lovely photos and infom.

    ReplyDelete
  20. SailorMarch 12, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    This is a nice travel diary!

    ReplyDelete
  21. NilamburMarch 12, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    Nice Blog!

    ReplyDelete
  22. SatyaMarch 12, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Hi Arti,
    The ISKCON Temple looks magnificent ... I have never been to Delhi so next time I am in Delhi I will plan accordingly.
    The last picture is my favorite it looks so beautifull. I feel you are doing a great service by sharing your experiences...in olden days people would return from religious trips and all relatives would hear about the wonderfull journey ...you blog has filled the gap and making me enjoy every moment of your trips...
    thanks for sharing.

    btw with regards to a substitute for eggs this link will be very informative
    http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/f/eggsubstitute.htm

    take care and look forward to your next post

    Super Yummy Recipes

    ReplyDelete
  23. SatyaMarch 12, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    With regard to you query this is another informative link for egg substitutes
    http://www.vegrecipes4u.com/eggless-baking.html

    Super Yummy Recipes

    ReplyDelete
  24. KarthickMarch 12, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    the temple looks beautiful... the statues and idols are gorgeous... haven't seen such wonderful statues anywhere... photos are good and seems this place is situated among nature with trees all around...

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  25. Castles Crowns and CottagesMarch 12, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Dearest Art,

    WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD!!!! And thank you for your visit and kind, sweet comments! I have a child in my class who is of Indian descent and her and her family travel to India twice the school year; what a BRIGHT child she is and she often shares dances and music from her land. It is such a rich experience as an American to also have a two heritages to draw from and then also see those of others such as yourself who share all its beauty. THANK YOU and have a pleasant weekend!!! Anita

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  26. Pooch Purple ReignMarch 12, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    im curious ... what is lassi? if you dont have time to respond, i will google it.
    you surely have some beautiful photos of this temple.
    have a good week
    ~laura xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Great pics. I remembered my trip to that Iskcon. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  28. ArtiMarch 13, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    @ Pooch Purple Reign
    Oh, Laura, please don't say like that... I always make it a point to respond to all the questions that my readers leave here! It may take a bit of time for me to respond but i definitely do it :)

    Lassi is a blend of yogurt with water and tastes sweet, a very good refreshing drink in summers!
    You could see a photograph of Lassi in one of my previous posts here--


    Lassi in Jaipur

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  29. Neeraj GuptaMarch 13, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    nice photos....

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  30. PurbaMarch 13, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Been in Delhi all my life and yet to visit Iskcon. High time I did!

    ReplyDelete
  31. MartinaMarch 14, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Such a beautiful temple! I once read the Bhagavad Gita - an issue of ISCON - and so i know a little bit about all these godesses and Krishna. A fascinating world! Have a lovely rest of sunday Arti!

    ReplyDelete
  32. smMarch 14, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    beautiful pictures
    Hare Rama Hare krishana

    ReplyDelete
  33. Red Nomad OZMarch 14, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    What a magical place! I LOVE the statues - so colourful and interesting in their representations! And lassi? I've had it downunder here in OZ and loved it - but don't know how authentic it is!

    Thanx for visiting my blog - drop back anytime!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. SahanaMarch 14, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Beautiful captures Arti!
    And very informative write-up :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. francisMarch 20, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    thank you for your kind comment . I'm very surprised by your visit on my blog . How did you find me , that is so wonderful because now I have found your blog too .
    A whole other world . I'm living in Holland .
    Enjoy your weekend !

    ReplyDelete
  36. RajeshMarch 28, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Wonderful shots. The temple is very different from the one in Bangalore.

    ReplyDelete
  37. DefiantMarch 28, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Wowiee.. u completed a year n half vth ur blog!! :)

    nd d pics of lord krishna's r delightful :)

    I loved dem.. :) Happy journey aarti :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Deepa GopalMarch 29, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Hi Arti
    You seem to travel a lot. Sharing those places and the anecdotes sure helps ppl like me;Gr8!!!
    This temple looks so perfect with lovely sculptures and paintings and architecture. I adore Krishna, I think almost all women do. My daughter is nick named Krishna:))
    Good Day!
    Deepa

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  39. NethraMarch 29, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    The one that's at bangalore is very different from this one. The murtis are bigger here but this temple is surely bigger than the one here. Anyway, thanks for sharing the pictures!

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  40. pramod lohiaMarch 30, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    great pictorials and well chronicled.

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  41. Lakshmi RajanMarch 30, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    ISKCON has as special bond in my life. Once after graduation, I really thought of becoming a sanyasin and went to ISKCON bangalore and an young Sanyasin there (who also told he himself is an IITian) opened up my heart and told it is indeed possible to be spiritual without taking sanyasa. The brief talk I had with him, enlightened me immensely.

    Will go through all your ISKCON posts. Thanks for sharing.

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  42. ArpanaMarch 30, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    magnificent!

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  43. Mohini PuranikMarch 31, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Hi Arti! Great to see ISKON temple, never seen any ISKON temple yet. Divine darshan! Thanks a lot! Thanks for the images too!

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  44. T F CarthickApril 4, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Very nice. You should write a book - Arti's 52 weekend getaways from Delhi.

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  45. Ushnish GhoshApril 20, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Dear Arti
    Great! Even staying in Delhi for last few decades , I did not know so much more to see!! It is like " Ghar-ka Murgi Dal barabar"...
    I stayed close to this temple but never gone inside ..humm will make a trip soon when the rain starts.
    Have a nice day

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  46. AnonymousApril 23, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Nice post!! And, the images taken from that height, from the guest house show the temple from a whole new angle. Just like looking down a model of it :)
    I've covered the ISKON temple too, on my blog here..
    Have also liked provided a link to this post under further reading, right at the end...

    ReplyDelete
  47. sushMay 31, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    This is one of your posts I loved. Had been doing most of your archices! hurray. nice yaar. nice. thnx for sharing.
    I have seen Iskon temple in Delhi in sept 2006. Its sheer beauty. Must visit Delhi again with my little one no more little- shes growing and is seeing India mostly in pictures and your blog now. She loved watching all your posts u know...she thinks this blog like a tourist guide itself.

    ReplyDelete
  48. ArtiJune 1, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    @sush Thanks a lot for your encouraging words... I am really glad you and your little girl is liking my work, gives me a lot of motivation :) Hope to see each other often :)

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  49. Sanjay GoelAugust 17, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Hare Krsna Artiji

    Thank you for sharing about the ISKCON Delhi temple. I live in US and visited India this March after a long gap. Was planning to visit the Delhi ISKCON temple - but could not do due to lack of time.

    I do have a request for you - please avoid the english word "idols" as it has very negative perspective from the Christian and Muslim perspective who denounce "idol worship". The correct word to use is "deity" or "deities" - which means form of God representing His Divinity.

    Will definitely try to visit the Delhi temple on our next visit to India.

    Hare Krsna
    Sanjay

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  50. ArtiAugust 21, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    @ Sanjay Goel
    Thanks for that suggestion Sanjay ji. I will keep that in mind from now on.
    Hope you visit the Iskcon temple during your next visit to India.
    Hare Krsna.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Aakash KokzSeptember 26, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    Beautiful pics. Loved the Iskcon temple.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Megha SarinNovember 9, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I have been to the Iskcon temple in Bangalore.


    Nice post and very detailed

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Jai TridevJanuary 11, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Glad to view the post and blog, best wishes...

    ReplyDelete
  54. PalakMarch 7, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    Hare Rama Hare Rama
    Rama RAma Hare Hare
    Hare Krishna Hare
    Krishna Krishna
    Hare Hare...I love kanha n lov to be a part of iskon community ....visit to this place is like meeting vid ma kanha so....i jst lov this place...

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  55. Saumendra TechyogMay 5, 2012 at 3:24 PM

    Hello Arti,
    Thanks a lot for the extensive information. One thing I am in confusion with the iskcon membership is when I try to book for the Room they said that a Member have to pay Rs 200 for normal room and Rs 600 for the AC room. AS you have been to most of the ISKCON Centers can you please tell us on the same. Is it right to charge the members and do you face any such situation where you have to pay.

    ReplyDelete
  56. ArtiMay 7, 2012 at 3:21 PM

    @techyog

    Hello,

    Thanks for the appreciation, I am glad you liked going through it.

    Regarding the membership and the room charges, there are many ISKCON centers that don't charge a fee for your stay and the only amount that you give is a donation, that too at your free will.

    On the other side, many centers today have a tariff even for their members where the members do have to pay a nominal predefined rate for maintenance. That tariff amount, however, is less than the amount fixed for the non members who have to shell out a lot more from their pockets for the same type of room.

    Hope this helps in clearing out your confusion.

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  57. Suneel GudipatiAugust 9, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    Yeah! Great job.. Nice blog!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Explorable IndiaApril 14, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    I also visited this ISKCON temple when I was in Delhi. ONe of my friend is member of ISKCON. IN your picture you use word Idols but ISKCON people use deity. you may correct it.

    ReplyDelete
  59. SimranOctober 15, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    Amazing!
    A must visit place... will surely visit ISKCON temple. Thanks dear for for sharing your experience with us :-)

    ReplyDelete
  60. SHRIDecember 3, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    Awesome...post your wrote about ISKCON..!

    ReplyDelete

Delighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!

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