Are you looking for a place to experience the bliss of Krishna consciousness in the heart of Kolkata? If yes, then you should visit ISKCON Kolkata, one of the most beautiful and vibrant temples in the city. ISKCON Kolkata, also known as Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir, is the birthplace of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The temple is a hub of spiritual and cultural activities, where you can immerse yourself in the divine love of Radha and Krishna. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about ISKCON Kolkata, such as its history, location, timings, festivals, activities, facilities, life membership, and donation. Read on to discover why ISKCON Kolkata is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to enrich their soul and mind.
History of ISKCON Kolkata
ISKCON Kolkata was established in 1971 by Srila Prabhupada, who was born in Kolkata in 1896. Srila Prabhupada, also known as Abhay Charan De, was a scholar, philosopher, and spiritual leader, who spread the message of Krishna consciousness all over the world. He founded ISKCON in 1966 in New York, with the aim of propagating the teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the 16th-century saint who revived the bhakti movement in India.
ISKCON Kolkata is the birthplace of Srila Prabhupada, as well as the Bhaktivinode Asan, where he received his spiritual initiation from his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. The temple also houses a museum, where you can see the life and achievements of Srila Prabhupada, such as his books, photos, letters, and personal belongings.
ISKCON Kolkata has witnessed many historical events and achievements, such as the first Rath Yatra in 1972, the inauguration of the new temple in 1996, the centennial celebration of Srila Prabhupada in 1996, and the installation of the deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda in 2002.
Location and Timings of ISKCON Kolkata
ISKCON Kolkata is located at 3C Albert Road, near Minto Park, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as air, rail, bus, metro, taxi, etc. The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which is about 20 km away from the temple. The nearest railway station is Howrah Junction, which is about 8 km away from the temple. The nearest bus stop is Minto Park, which is about 500 meters away from the temple.
You can also reach the temple by metro, by getting down at Rabindra Sadan station, which is about 1 km away from the temple. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to the temple from any part of the city. The temple is open every day from 4:30 am to 9:00 pm. The daily temple program and darshan timings are as follows:
Time Program
4:30 am Mangala Arati
5:15 am Tulasi Puja
5:30 am Japa Meditation
7:15 am Guru Puja
7:30 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class
8:15 am Shringar Darshan
12:30 pm Raj Bhoga Arati
4:15 pm Dhupa Arati
7:00 pm Sandhya Arati
8:00 pm Bhagavad Gita Class
8:45 pm Shayana Arati
The timings of special events and festivals may vary, so it is advisable to check the temple website or contact the temple authorities before visiting.
Festivals and Events at ISKCON Kolkata
ISKCON Kolkata celebrates many festivals and events throughout the year, which attract thousands of devotees and visitors. Some of the major festivals and events are:
Janmashtami:
The birthday of Lord Krishna, which falls in the month of August or September. The temple is decorated with flowers, lights, and banners, and the deities are adorned with jewels and costumes. The devotees observe fasts, chant mantras, sing kirtans, and perform abhishek (bathing) of the deities. The highlight of the festival is the midnight arati, followed by the distribution of prasadam (sanctified food).
Rath Yatra:
The chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, which falls in the month of June or July. The temple organizes a grand procession of three chariots, carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra, from the temple to the Maidan, a large open ground in the city. The devotees pull the ropes of the chariots, dance, and sing along the way. The festival is a symbol of the Lord’s mercy and compassion for all living beings.
Gaura Purnima:
The appearance day of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Krishna in the mood of Radha, which falls in the month of February or March. The temple is decorated with yellow flowers, as yellow is the favorite color of Lord Chaitanya. The devotees fast till moonrise, chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and offer lamps to the deities. The festival commemorates the advent of the sankirtan movement, which is the congregational chanting of the holy names of God.
Nityananda Trayodashi:
The appearance day of Lord Nityananda, who is the eternal associate and expansion of Lord Chaitanya, which falls in the month of January or February. The temple celebrates the festival by offering special worship and arati to the deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, who are the combined forms of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda. The devotees also relish the pastimes and teachings of Lord Nityananda, who is known as the most merciful and joyful personality.
Apart from these, there are many other festivals and events celebrated at the temple, such as Ram Navami, Narasimha Chaturdashi, Radhastami, Govardhan Puja, Gita Jayanti, etc. You can check the temple website or contact the temple authorities for more details on the dates and timings of these festivals.
Activities and Programs at ISKCON Kolkata
ISKCON Kolkata offers various activities and programs for the devotees and visitors, such as:
Daily worship:
The temple conducts daily worship of the deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, and Srila Prabhupada, following the Vedic rituals and standards. The devotees can participate in the aratis, kirtans, and classes, and receive the blessings of the Lord and His pure devotee.
Preaching:
The temple organizes preaching programs, such as house programs, street programs, college programs, corporate programs, etc., to spread the message of Krishna consciousness to the masses. The devotees visit various places and venues, and distribute books, pamphlets, CDs, DVDs, etc., and invite people to join the temple activities and programs.
Book distribution:
The temple distributes the books written by Srila Prabhupada, such as Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita, etc., which are the essence of the Vedic wisdom and the source of spiritual knowledge. The devotees distribute the books to the people, and explain the contents and benefits of reading them.
Food relief:
The temple runs a food relief program, called Food for Life, which provides free vegetarian meals to the needy and underprivileged people, such as slum dwellers, street children, patients, etc. The temple prepares and distributes the meals, which are cooked with love and devotion, and offered to the Lord before serving.
Youth services:
The temple conducts youth services, such as youth festivals, youth camps, youth seminars, youth retreats, etc., to engage and inspire the young generation in Krishna consciousness. The temple provides a platform for the youth to learn, interact, and grow in their spiritual life, and to become the future leaders of the society.
You can contact the temple authorities or visit the temple website for more information on the eligibility and participation criteria of these activities and programs. You can also read the feedback and testimonials of the participants, who have experienced the positive transformation and joy of Krishna consciousness.
Facilities and Amenities at ISKCON Kolkata
ISKCON Kolkata provides various facilities and amenities for the devotees and visitors, such as:
Guest house:
The temple has a guest house, where you can stay comfortably and conveniently, while visiting the temple. The guest house has well-furnished rooms, with attached bathrooms, air conditioners, televisions, etc. The guest house also has a dining hall, where you can enjoy the delicious prasadam, prepared by the temple devotees. The guest house charges a nominal fee for the accommodation and prasadam, which you can pay online or offline. You can book your room in advance, by contacting the guest house manager or visiting the temple website.
Restaurant:
The temple has a restaurant, called Govinda’s, where you can relish the vegetarian sattvic cuisine, made with fresh and organic ingredients, and offered to the Lord before serving. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, such as Indian, Chinese, Continental, etc., as well as snacks, beverages, and desserts. The restaurant is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and charges a reasonable price for the food.
Gift shop:
The temple has a gift shop, where you can buy souvenirs and items related to Krishna consciousness, such as books, CDs, DVDs, paintings, posters, idols, jewelry, clothing, accessories, etc. The gift shop is a great place to find something for yourself or your loved ones, as well as to support the temple’s services and projects. The gift shop is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and accepts cash and card payments.
Library:
The temple has a library, where you can access and read the books written by Srila Prabhupada, as well as other spiritual and religious books, magazines, journals, etc. The library is a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom, where you can learn and study the Vedic scriptures and the teachings of the acharyas. The library is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and offers free membership and borrowing facilities.
Life Membership and Donation at ISKCON Kolkata
ISKCON Kolkata invites you to become a life member of ISKCON, and enjoy the benefits and blessings of being a part of the worldwide family of Krishna devotees. Life membership is a one-time fee that entitles you to free accommodation, prasadam, books, etc., at any ISKCON center in the world, for a period of 15 days in a year. Life membership also gives you the opportunity to participate in the temple’s activities and programs, and to receive the guidance and association of the senior devotees. The eligibility and fee structure of life membership are as follows:
Category Eligibility Fee
Individual Any person above 18 years of age Rs. 35,555
Couple Husband and wife Rs. 51,111
Family Husband, wife, and two children below 18 years of age Rs. 1,01,111
You can apply for life membership by filling an application form, attaching a passport size photo, and paying the fee online or offline. You can also renew your life membership by paying a nominal renewal fee every year. You can contact the life membership department or visit the temple website for more information on the application and renewal process of life membership.
ISKCON Kolkata also requests you to donate generously to support the temple’s services and projects, such as temple construction, deity worship, festival celebration, book distribution, food relief, etc. Your donation will help the temple to spread the message of Krishna consciousness to more and more people, and to make the world a better place. You can donate in various modes and methods, such as online, offline, bank transfer, cheque, etc.
Your donation is eligible for tax exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act, and you will receive an acknowledgment and a receipt for your donation. You can contact the donation department or visit the temple website for more details on the modes and methods of donation.
ISKCON Kolkata is a spiritual oasis in the city of joy, where you can experience the love and grace of Radha and Krishna, and the inspiration and guidance of Srila Prabhupada. The temple is a place of history, culture, and devotion, where you can witness the beauty and glory of the deities, the joy and enthusiasm of the festivals, the service and dedication of the activities, and the hospitality and quality of the facilities.
The temple is a place of opportunity and benefit, where you can become a life member of ISKCON, and enjoy the privileges and blessings of being a part of the global community of Krishna devotees. The temple is a place of gratitude and generosity, where you can donate to support the temple’s services and projects, and contribute to the welfare and happiness of the society. We invite you to visit ISKCON Kolkata and experience the joy of Krishna consciousness, and to share your feedback and queries with us.
We look forward to seeing you soon at ISKCON Kolkata, the spiritual oasis in the city of joy. Hare Krishna!
