Vrindavan, the holy land where Lord Sri Krishna performed His transcendental pastimes, is a place of pilgrimage for millions of devotees. It is also the home of many ancient temples and sacred sites that commemorate the divine love of Krishna and His eternal consort, Radha. However, in recent times, Vrindavan has faced many challenges such as urbanization, pollution, encroachment, and neglect. To preserve and revive the spiritual heritage of Vrindavan, a grand temple complex called Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is being constructed by ISKCON Bangalore. This temple is not just a place of worship but also a center for social welfare activities and cultural education. In this article, we will explore the significance of the worlds tallest templ and how it aims to promote Indian culture and spirituality.
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The Worlds Tallest Temple-Cum-Heritage Project
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is a temple-cum-heritage project that will consist of a grand temple of Lord Sri Krishna at its center and will be surrounded by a park with varieties of lush vegetation. The temple will be 700 feet tall and will have 70 floors, making it the tallest religious monument in the world. It will also have a viewing gallery at 700 feet for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Vrindavan.
The temple is inspired by the vision and statement of Srila Prabhupada, the founder and Acharya of ISKCON, who said that devotees should utilize their tendency to construct skyscraper buildings by building a big temple for Krishna. The temple is designed by C. B. Sompura, a renowned architect who has designed many famous temples in India and abroad. The temple will have a Nagara style architecture with modern features and facilities.
The temple will house the deities of Radha-Krishna, Sita-Rama, and Chaitanya-Nityananda on different altars. It will also have a Vedic cosmology exhibit that will showcase the structure and dimensions of the universe as described in the ancient scriptures. The temple will also have a Krishna heritage museum that will display the life and teachings of Krishna through various art forms such as paintings, sculptures, dioramas, audio-visuals, etc.
The temple complex will also have a park that will recreate the twelve forests of Vrindavan where Krishna performed His pastimes. The park will have various attractions such as waterfalls, lakes, gardens, caves, etc. The park will also have a Yamuna creek that will flow around the temple and connect to a large water body called Chandra Sarovar. The park will also have an amphitheater where cultural programs such as dance, drama, music, etc. will be performed.
The temple complex will also have various facilities such as guest houses, restaurants, shops, auditoriums, conference halls, etc. To make our visitors feel at home and provide them with everything they need for a pleasant and comfortable experience. The temple complex will also have a helipad and a parking area for 12 acres.
The temple complex is set in 62 acres of land and is expected to be completed by December 2026. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the temple was done by President Pranab Mukherjee on 16 November 2014. The construction work is being carried out by Larsen & Toubro Ltd., one of the leading engineering and construction companies in India.
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir Seva Programs Initiated by the Temple
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is not just a place of worship but also a center for social welfare activities. The temple has initiated various seva programs such as Akshaya Patra, Vrindavan Eye Hospital, Gaushala, and Old Age Home.
Akshaya Patra is a mid-day meal program that provides nutritious food to school children in various parts of India. The program was started by ISKCON Bangalore in 2000 and has now become one of the largest NGO-run school feeding programs in the world. The program serves more than 1.8 million children every day in over 19,000 schools across 12 states in India. The program aims to eliminate classroom hunger and improve the health and education of children. The program also supports the government’s initiative of universalizing primary education.
Vrindavan Eye Hospital is a free eye care service that provides quality eye care to the underprivileged people in Vrindavan and nearby areas. The hospital was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on 16 March 2014. The hospital has state-of-the-art equipment and facilities such as operation theaters, wards, pharmacy, laboratory, etc. The hospital also conducts regular eye camps and outreach programs to reach out to the rural and remote areas. The hospital has treated more than 1.5 lakh patients and performed more than 15,000 surgeries since its inception. The hospital aims to eradicate avoidable blindness and restore the vision of the needy.
Gaushala is a cow shelter that will be established by the temple to protect and serve the cows, which are considered sacred in Hinduism. The gaushala will have a capacity to accommodate more than 500 cows and will provide them with proper care and nourishment. The gaushala will also produce organic products such as milk, ghee, curd, etc. from the cows and use them for the worship of the deities and the distribution of prasadam (sanctified food) to the visitors. The gaushala will also promote the awareness and appreciation of the cow as a mother and a source of prosperity.
Old Age Home is a facility that will be set up by the temple to provide shelter and care to the elderly people who are neglected or abandoned by their families. The old age home will have comfortable rooms, medical facilities, recreational activities, spiritual programs, etc. for the residents. The old age home will also provide them with an opportunity to associate with the devotees and participate in the temple services. The old age home will also help them to prepare for their final journey by imparting them the knowledge and devotion of Krishna.
How to Visit the Temple and Experience Its Grandeur
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the beauty and glory of Krishna and His abode. The temple is located in Vrindavan, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is a beacon of faith for Hindus across the country, and its easy accessibility allows everyone to experience its spiritual significance.
By Road: Vrindavan is about 160 km from Delhi and 75 km from Agra. There are many buses and taxis available from these cities to Vrindavan. The temple is situated on Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Chhatikara Road, near Akshaya Patra.
By Rail: Vrindavan has a railway station that is connected to Mathura Junction, which is a major railway junction in India. There are many trains available from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. to Mathura Junction. From Mathura Junction, one can take a local train or a taxi to Vrindavan.
By Air: The nearest airport to Vrindavan is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, which is about 150 km away. There are many domestic and international flights available from Delhi to various destinations in India and abroad. From Delhi airport, one can take a bus or a taxi to Vrindavan.
The temple is open for visitors from 4:30 am to 9:00 pm every day. The temple has various timings for different services such as mangala arati, darshan arati, guru puja, bhagavatam class, raj bhoga arati, sandhya arati, gaura arati, etc. The temple also celebrates various festivals such as Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Govardhan Puja, Gaura Purnima, etc. with great pomp and splendor.
The temple also offers various facilities for visitors such as accommodation, prasadam (sanctified food), guided tours, souvenir shops, etc. The temple also has various volunteer opportunities for visitors who want to serve the temple and the society.
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is a grand temple complex that is planned to be set up in the holy land of Vrindavan in Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to broadcasting the glories of Sri Krishna and His transcendental abode, Vrindavana, as taught by Srila Prabhupada, all over the world. The temple is not just a place of worship but also a center for social welfare activities and cultural education. By visiting the temple and participating in its services and programs, one can experience the bliss and peace of Krishna consciousness and enrich one’s life with spiritual values.
How to Support the Temple Construction?
One of the ways to support the temple construction is to participate in the Square Feet Campaign, which is a fundraising initiative for the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir. The goal of the current campaign is to raise 2,50,000 Square Feet for the Phase 1 construction of the temple.
The Square Feet Campaign allows donors to contribute one or more square feet of construction for the temple. Each square foot donation costs ₹ 10,000 (US$ 135) and comes with various privileges and benefits for the donors. Some of these privileges include:
Donor Previlages:
- Tax exemption (80G if requested)
- Prasadam from Sri Vrindavan Dham
- Celebrate the pinnacle of Kartik Month with Online Puja Participation on the Temple Inauguration’s Closing Day
- Digital Certificate of Your Valued Contribution
- Vedic Literatures, 56 Bhog Prasadam Box, Krishna-Consciousness Handbook, Chanting Bag with Beads, Incense Stick, Deities Photo Frame, etc. (based on donation level)
- Membership Privileges such as Passes for Festivals, Lifetime Patronship Card, Guesthouse Stay, Pujas on Special Occasions of your life (Square Feet Campaign donations of ₹ 1.08L & above are eligible for Chandrodaya Patronship)
The Square Feet Campaign is a great opportunity to be a part of the icon in the making and to express your love and gratitude to Lord Sri Krishna and His devotees. By donating one or more square feet of construction, you will not only help in building the world’s tallest temple for Krishna but also receive His blessings and mercy in return.
To participate in the Square Feet Campaign, you can visit this link and fill out the online donation form. You can also contact the temple authorities at +917009870048 or email at [email protected] for more details.
