Travel

Iskcon temple on Raman Reti Road in Vrindavan is the hub of the market sprung around it. Internet cafes, shops and stalls selling lemon soda, fruit, lassi, ethnic Indian clothes (very reasonably priced), perfumes, idols and a bank stand right across the road from the temple. The temple opens for Mangala arti at 4 a.m. and closes at 8.30 p.m. after Shayan arti worship. Through the day it is thronged by visitors from Delhi and other places. Vrindavan, a two hour drive from Delhi and an hour's drive from Agra is the headquarter for Vaishnav devotees the world over. Iskcon is an organisation with international branches, and hosts visitors from abroad. The month of Kartik in November is particularly busy at Iskcon temple.

Entrance to Iskcon temple, Vrindavan

The Govinda restaurant behind the temple is quite popular.

On entering through the Raman Reti road entrance, the hall on the ground floor is where we pick up books, ready to eat snacks – Pizza slices, samosa, cake, laddoo, etc. The top floor is a museum recording the life of Srila Prabhupada ji, the founder of the Iskcon movement. Opposite this structure is Sri Prabhupada's samadhi.

Samadhi mandir and Chanting balcony

Inside view of Samadhi mandir

Video tour, Samadhi temple, Iskcon, Vrindavan

This picture has been taken from the first floor of the samadhi mandir. The samadhi mandir closes for the afternoon after Rajbhog arti, like the rest of the temple.

This first floor is more of a balcony with 108 flowers painted on the floor for devotees to use as a counter as they walk and chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra.

Temple courtyard

The temple courtyard is surrounded by verandahs which have beautiful wall paintings depicting the life of Sri Radha-Krishna and Sri Gaur-Nitai.

Wall painting at Iskcon temple, Vrindavan

The left verandah is converted into a garden each morning when women gather to makes garlands and flower decorations for the temple deities: Sri Radha-Shyamsunder, Sri Krishna-Balarama, Sri Gaur-Nitai and Sri Prabhupada.

The base around the tamal tree in the temple courtyard is my favourite seat. It is opposite the altar of Sri Radha-Shyamsunder. Other devotees sit here and chant the mahamantra with fingers moving steadily on tulsi-bead-counters hidden in beautifully embroidered bags which hang around their necks.

Sri Radha Shyamsunder, Lalita Sakhi and Vishakha Sakhi at Iskcon temple, Vrindavan

Sri Krishna Balarama

Sri Gaur Nitai

Travel facts: Vrindavan

Map: Vrindavan

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Places to stay in/near Iskcon temple, Vrindavan

More: Glimpses of Vrindavan and Bhajans from Vrindavan (Braj sahitya)