"In Madras, we have to construct a very Gorgeous Temple"

ISKCON is famous all over the world for its Radha Krishna temples which are acclaimed for their breath-taking beauty, high standards of worship and cleanliness, and satisfying spiritual vibrations. These temples act as centers from where krishna nama sankirtana and the science self realization and God realization are spread based on the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatham and Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya.

Srila Prabhupada carried the message of Lord Chaitanya to all parts of the world but was very anxious to establish strong centers in India. South India being the seat of culture, he was very eager to see a center come up in Chennai. The Srimad Bhagavatham testifies,

"My dear King, the inhabitants of Satya-yuga and other ages eagerly desire to take birth in this age of Kali, since in this age there will be many devotees of the Supreme Lord, Narayana. These devotees will appear in various places but will be especially numerous in South India. O master of men, in the age of Kali those persons who drink the waters of the holy rivers of Draviòa-deça, such as the Tamraparni, Krtamala, Payasvini, the extremely pious Kaveri and the Pratichi Mahanadi, will almost all be pure hearted devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva." - Srimad Bhagavatham 11.5.38-40.

Srila Prabhupada returned to India in 1971 after his success with Krishna consciousness in the west. In the same year, HH Giriraj Maharaj under the direction of Srila Prabhupada came to Madras and began preaching activities here. Several of them enlisted as life patrons. Srila Prabhupada writes in a letter, "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."

Srila Prabhupada visited Madras in February 1972 and delivered lectures which were received with a lot of applause.

A center was later opened in 1975 in No.50, Aspiran Gardens, 2nd St., Kilpauk, Madras-600010, which later shifted to Kilpauk Garden Road and in 1988 to T.Nagar, where the congregation of Chennai ISKCON increased greatly.

Srila Prabhupada remarked during a morning walk on December 18, 1975: "Now our European and American boys are preaching in South India and big, big acaryas have received them."

Srila Prabhupad visited Madras again in January 1976 and gave lectures in AVM Rajeswari Kalyana Mandapam, Radhakrishnan Salai and in the house of the then Chief Justice, Sri Veeraswamy. Here are some excerpts from the question answer session that Srila Prabhupada held at the end of the lecture on January 1, 1976.

Indian (5): Swamiji, what is the color of Krsna? It is blue or black? Not according to Shaastra, but your experience. Prabhupada: So if you kindly advance in Krsna consciousness, then you will understand. (applause and laughter)

Indian (9): May I ask a question, sir. The movement is very popular in the USA and few other countries. To my experience it is not quite popular... This is the country where originated... [break] ...not so much in India. Prabhupada: It is very popular here also. Otherwise why you have come here? (laughter) Indian (9): But it is not so popular. Prabhupada: So Krishna is popular in India very much. Every house, they observe Krishna Janmashtami. Unfortunately (applause) you are forgetting. You are forgetting this. That is the misfortune. (laughter)

Inspired by the positive response to Krishna consciousness in Madras, Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter to his disciples in Madras, in 1976 as follows:

"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."

Ever since the order to build a "gorgeous temple" was expressed by Srila Prabhupada, several devotees of ISKCON have been serving in Chennai striving with great dedication to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's order to build a "Gorgeous temple".

However, by the own will of Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, all efforts to find a suitable piece of land did not prove fruitful until recently. Devotees serving under the leadership of His Holiness Bhanu Swami located 6.5 acres of land in Injambakkam and these were immediately acquired for construction of the temple.

This Hare Krishna Land in Injambakkam is located in a most delightful spot with the awesome beach just a few minutes walk across the road and the sparkling Buckingham Canal flowing refreshingly a few yards behind.

Construction on the first phase of the project began on the 17th of March 2002 after the performance of the appropriate pujas and worship.

With the contributions of the pious people of Chennai city, construction is progressing rapidly. A ninety feet long construction, which will function as the kitchen and anna dan hall is nearing completion. The 11,000 square feet temple is still under construction.

To enable all people to participate in this wonderful project, a simple proposal is offered whereby everyone can contribute to the construction of the temple.

The opportunity to participate in the construction of a temple comes very rarely and blesses the devotee with extraordinary benefits. As the Sananda Samhita states, "He who sponsors a temple Lord Vishnu gains ten million times the merit accrued by Yajna, austerities, charities, pilgrimage and study of the vedas".

For more details, please visit our donations page