Are you looking for a peaceful and serene place to visit in Chandigarh, the city of gardens? If yes, then you should not miss the ISKCON Chandigarh temple, a beautiful and majestic shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna and his devotees. ISKCON, which stands for International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is a global movement that aims to spread the teachings and love of Krishna to everyone.
The ISKCON Chandigarh temple is one of the many branches of this movement, and it offers a unique and enriching experience to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this temple, such as how to reach, when to visit, what to do, and more. Read on to discover why ISKCON Chandigarh is a spiritual oasis in the city of gardens.
How to Reach ISKCON Temple Chandigarh
The ISKCON Chandigarh temple is located in Sector 36-B, near the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). It is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as:
By air:
The nearest airport to the temple is the Chandigarh International Airport, which is about 20 km away. You can take a taxi, a bus, or a metro from the airport to the temple. The taxi fare is around Rs. 400, the bus fare is around Rs. 50, and the metro fare is around Rs. 30. The travel time is about 30 minutes by taxi, 45 minutes by bus, and 40 minutes by metro.
By train:
The nearest railway station to the temple is the Chandigarh Railway Station, which is about 10 km away. You can take a taxi, a bus, or a metro from the railway station to the temple. The taxi fare is around Rs. 200, the bus fare is around Rs. 20, and the metro fare is around Rs. 15. The travel time is about 15 minutes by taxi, 20 minutes by bus, and 18 minutes by metro.
By bus:
The nearest bus stand to the temple is the ISBT Sector 43, which is about 4 km away. You can take a taxi, a bus, or a metro from the bus stand to the temple. The taxi fare is around Rs. 100, the bus fare is around Rs. 10, and the metro fare is around Rs. 8. The travel time is about 10 minutes by taxi, 15 minutes by bus, and 12 minutes by metro.
By car:
You can also drive your own car or rent a car to reach the temple. The temple has ample parking space for visitors. The driving directions are as follows: From the airport, take the NH 5 and follow the signs for Chandigarh. Take the exit for Sector 36 and turn left onto Dakshin Marg. Turn right onto Sector 36-B Road and you will see the temple on your left. From the railway station, take the Madhya Marg and follow the signs for Chandigarh.
Take the exit for Sector 36 and turn right onto Dakshin Marg. Turn right onto Sector 36-B Road and you will see the temple on your left. From the bus stand, take the Jan Marg and follow the signs for Chandigarh. Take the exit for Sector 36 and turn left onto Dakshin Marg. Turn right onto Sector 36-B Road and you will see the temple on your left.
ISKCON Chandigarh Timings and Activities
The ISKCON Chandigarh temple is open from 4:30 am to 9:00 pm every day. The temple follows a daily schedule of rituals and ceremonies, which are as follows:
Time Activity
4:30 am Mangala Aarti
5:15 am Tulasi Puja
5:30 am Japa Meditation
7:15 am Guru Puja
7:30 am Srimad Bhagavatam Class
8:15 am Darshan Aarti
12:30 pm Raj Bhoga Aarti
1:00 pm Prasadam Distribution
4:15 pm Dhupa Aarti
7:00 pm Sandhya Aarti
7:30 pm Bhagavad Gita Class
8:15 pm Shayana Aarti
9:00 pm Temple Closes
The aarti is a ritual of offering lamps, incense, flowers, and prayers to the deities of the temple. The kirtan is a musical chanting of the holy names of Krishna and his associates. The prasadam is a sanctified food that is distributed to the devotees and visitors. The classes are lectures on the scriptures and teachings of Krishna and his followers.
The temple also celebrates various festivals throughout the year, such as Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Gaura Purnima, Ram Navami, Narsimha Chaturdashi, and more. These festivals are marked by special decorations, programs, kirtans, prasadam, and cultural events. The temple also organizes various outreach activities, such as book distribution, youth programs, food relief, and spiritual counseling.
The temple is a place of worship, learning, and service. Visitors are welcome to participate in any of the activities and experience the bliss and joy of Krishna consciousness. However, there are some etiquette and rules to follow while visiting the temple, such as:
- Dress modestly and respectfully. Avoid wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, or revealing clothes. You can also borrow a traditional dress from the temple if you wish.
- Remove your shoes and socks before entering the temple premises. You can keep them in the shoe racks provided outside the temple.
- Do not bring any leather items, such as belts, wallets, bags, etc. inside the temple. Leather is considered impure and offensive to the deities and the devotees.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew anything inside the temple. The temple is a sacred space and should be kept clean and pure.
- Do not touch the deities, the altar, or the offerings. Only the authorized priests and devotees can handle them.
- Do not take any photographs or videos inside the temple without permission. The temple is not a tourist attraction, but a place of devotion and meditation.
- Do not disturb or interrupt the ongoing activities or the devotees. Be respectful and courteous to everyone.
- Do not make any noise or talk loudly inside the temple. Maintain silence and peace.
- Do not bring any pets or animals inside the temple. They are not allowed and may cause inconvenience to others.
- The ISKCON Chandigarh temple has some advantages and disadvantages for the visitors, such as:
Advantages:
The temple is a spiritual oasis in the city of gardens, where you can find peace and happiness.
The temple is a cultural hub, where you can learn about the rich and ancient heritage of India and Krishna.
The temple is a service center, where you can volunteer and contribute to the welfare of society and the environment.
The temple is a friendly community, where you can meet and interact with like-minded people and make new friends.
Disadvantages:
The temple is a bit far from the city center, so you may need to spend some time and money to reach there.
The temple is a bit crowded during the peak hours and festivals, so you may need to wait in long queues and face some inconvenience.
Nearby Places to Visit in Chandigarh
The ISKCON Chandigarh temple is not the only attraction in the city of gardens. There are many other places to visit in Chandigarh, such as:
Rock Garden:
A unique and artistic garden made of waste materials, such as rocks, bottles, tiles, etc. The garden has various sculptures, waterfalls, and mazes that showcase the creativity and vision of its creator, Nek Chand.
Rose Garden:
A beautiful and fragrant garden that has more than 1600 varieties of roses, as well as other flowers and plants. The garden is a popular spot for picnics, walks, and photography.
Sukhna Lake:
A man-made lake that offers a scenic and tranquil view of the water and the hills. The lake is a favorite place for boating, fishing, birdwatching, and jogging.
Pinjore Garden:
A historic and elegant garden that was built by the Mughals in the 17th century. The garden has seven terraces, each with a different theme and design. The garden also has a zoo, a museum, and a heritage hotel.
Capitol Complex:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the seat of the government of Punjab and Haryana. The complex has three iconic buildings, namely the Secretariat, the High Court, and the Legislative Assembly, designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier.
These are some of the nearby places to visit in Chandigarh, where you can enjoy the beauty and diversity of the city. You can also explore other places, such as the Museum and Art Gallery, the Elante Mall, the Leisure Valley, and more.
The ISKCON Chandigarh temple is a spiritual oasis in the city of gardens, where you can experience the joy and bliss of Krishna consciousness. The temple is a place of worship, learning, and service, where you can participate in various activities and programs that enrich your mind, body, and soul. The temple is also a place of culture, where you can learn about the rich and ancient heritage of India and Krishna. The temple is also a place of community, where you can meet and interact with like-minded people and make new friends. The temple is a place that you should not miss when you visit Chandigarh, the city of gardens.
If you are interested in visiting the ISKCON Chandigarh temple, you can book a tour package with us, or contact us for more information or queries. We will be happy to assist you and make your trip memorable and enjoyable.
Thank you for reading this article and we hope to see you soon at the ISKCON Chandigarh temple. Hare Krishna!
