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ISKCON Temple, Mumbai Overview
ISCKON Temples all around the world is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Situated very close to Juhu Beach, this temple is a must-visit place if you are looking for some mental peace and seeking spirituality. It is indeed one of the best places to be at to escape the hustling bustling noise of Mumbai. Beautifully built in marble and glass, the shrine radiates serene vibes. There is also a vegetarian restaurant inside the temple that serves delicious food at a reasonable rate.
The spectacular work of art on the walls of this temple will fascinate you. Intricately painted on the walls are the scenes from Mahabharata. The shrine was founded by Swami Prabhupada, a dedicated follower of Lord Krishna, who went to the US at the age of 69 and simultaneously established this holy chain of ISKCON society. The shrine is open to the visitor’s belonging to all walks of life and usually, you can visit this place as early as 4:30 am. Early morning hours are a quite busy time for ISKON residents as all are engaged in preparation for a morning worship session. The idols are adorned with flowers and the entire worship area resonates with hymns and mantras. After this, Prasad is served to all.
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ISKCON Temple Mumbai History
Iskcon Temple in Mumbai was constructed in 1978 and comprises of beautiful statues of Lord Krishna and Radha. There is also a statue of Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman to the left and Lord Hanuman on the right. In fact, these statues were personally installed by Swami Prabhupada.
While his journey to the US in a steamship, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was already fascinated by spiritual ideas. At the age of 69, he was working in a storefront situated at the New York’s Lower East Side. Consequently, in 1966, he founded the spiritual society which he named as International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). During its inception, this society did not have any followers or funding. Swami Ji gradually started involving a few volunteers and those who wanted to attend his lectures on spirituality. Today, ISKCON has more than 100 shrines and 40 communities.
Facilities Offered at ISKCON Temple Mumbai
The ISKCON Temple in Mumbai is equipped with all the amenities that provide a comfortable stay to the visitors. The temple complex comprises of both air-conditioned and non- air-conditioned rooms that are clean, well-maintained and are available at a very reasonable rate. There is also a cyber café and a telephone booth inside the guesthouse from where you can connect to the people outside and perhaps organize a trip to local sightseeing.
A bakery is also housed within the complex that serves delicious food items. Near to the exit of the temple lies a Campus Preaching booth from where you can enquire about various programs and facilities at the temple. It also offers counsel for social, personal and spiritual problems.
Best time to Visit ISKCON Temple
During the festive occasion of Diwali, Janmashtami and Dusshera, this shrine is decorated with beautiful lights and tassels. However, it gets too crowded during such times and hence, you should be careful about your belongings.
Restaurants near ISKCON Temple
There is a vegetarian restaurant inside ISKCON named Govinda. It serves the purest form of Saatvik food at a cheaper rate. In fact, Sattva is one of the three ‘gunas’ (qualities) based on Hindu philosophy. The other two are tamas ( chaos and destruction) and rajas ( passion and activity).
Qualities such as peacefulness, truth and virtuousness are the important components of Sattva and by embracing these qualities one can move in the path of Dharma. Accordingly, Saatvik food items are believed to rich in these qualities and are grown organically. There is another restaurant right across this temple that serves equally delicious food but is usually crowded, especially on weekends.
Tips For Visiting ISKCON Temple
Dress in a decent manner while visiting the temple. Also, take off your footwear before entering the shrine.
How to reach ISKCON Temple?
The best way to travel to ISKCON Temple in Mumbai is via local trains. The nearest station is the Andheri Railway Station on the western line and Harbour Line. You can also hire taxis and auto-rickshaws that are easily available from any corner of the city. You can also take a bus that operates from Arogya Nidhi Hospital. For those travelling in their own vehicle can park their cars at a four-wheeler parking area near Juhu Beach while two-wheelers can also be parked a few meters away from the temple.
