Main Info
ISKCON Guwahati
An Overview
The ISKCON, is a full fledged society. The name is an acronym of ISKON is International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The society is a Hindu religious society that was established in the year 1966 by revered Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The religious society was established in New York City.The holy Hindu books called Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam is what shaped the religious society’s belief and what those beliefs were built on. The society is well known around the world and it is recognized. There are various temples in several locations in the world. The ISKCON in Guwahati is a part of the numerous temples which is under the head organization that is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu.
The name of the temple is Shri Shri Rukmini Krishna, which happens to be named after Rukmani, who is the wife of Lord Krishna. The temple resides quaintly on the top of a hill in Ulubari Chariali. The temple is a very beautiful sight to behold. The temple is built with white marble which brings out a captivating architectural effect of the building. The ISKCON Guwahati has really green gardens that rounds it. It gives the worshipers a serene environment to spend time communicating with God.
Inside the temple, there are deities of Krishna and Rukmani adorned in very beautiful clothes. You can also find a number of halls which are used when preaching the teaching about society. The teachings in the temple are largely based on Vaishnavism and it places Lord Vishnu as the society’s ultimate power. Krishna was one of Lord Vishnu’s avatars.
What is taught at the society
The teachings in the ISKCON society is based mainly on the “Hare Krishna Mantra”. The matra is respected all over the world by Hindus and is considered life lessons.
Inside the temple, you’ll find several sessions where these life lessons are taught and preached strictly on the basis of the beliefs if the ISKCON society.
As a devotee, there are several programs available such as: personality development classes, Vita classes, stress management classes etc, these classes are organized for the devotees by the authorities available in the temple.
The temple preaches life lessons that are based on the four Dharmas. These are said to help people achieve a spiritual life. The four different Dharmas are:
Tapas: self-control which is also called ‘Austerity’
Satyam: Truthfulness
Sudan: Cleanliness of the mind and the body.
Daya: Mercy
Activities of spirituality at ISKCON
The activities of spirituality teaching of living a spiritual life isn’t all there is about the ISKCON society, many other activities takes place in the life of the devotees.
Some of such many activities are: the fiat discourses, mantras, Bhajans, Krishna Mantra chants is also a daily activity in the temple, there is also daily aarti in the mornings and evenings. All Devotees are entitled to partake in any or all of the activities of the temple regardless of their social status and religion.
The guests can partake in what is called ‘prasadam’ and it is available at the temple. The time for ‘prasadam’ is usually when it’s lunch time at about 1:30 PM.
The guests can also have what is called a ‘sunday Bhog’, this is made available for guests at the cost of INR 30 and it is made available just on Sundays.
The Janmashtami and Jagannath yatra are two festivals which are very well celebrated at the temple.
A few guidelines For Visiting the ISKCON Guwahati
1. There is a compulsory visit on Sundays to enable you to attend the aartis which starts from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
2. You can come along with your phones and cameras as they are allowed inside the temple.
How can you reach the famous ISKCON, Guwahati The ISKCON temple is situated at a height of nearly two kilometers away from the famous Guwahati Temple. You can walk there or take a short auto rickshaw ride from the railway station. The rickshaw ride will take you directly to the temple.