Are you looking for a place to experience peace, joy, and devotion in Hyderabad? If yes, then you must visit the ISKCON Temple Hyderabad, one of the most beautiful and vibrant temples in the city. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this temple, its history, architecture, activities, and tour packages. Read on to discover why the ISKCON Temple Hyderabad is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves spirituality and culture.
History of ISKCON Temple in Hyderabad
The ISKCON Temple Hyderabad is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a global movement founded by Swami Prabhupada in 1966. The movement aims to spread the teachings and practices of Bhakti Yoga, or the yoga of love and devotion, based on the ancient Vedic scriptures.
Swami Prabhupada visited Hyderabad in 1972 and was impressed by the city’s culture and hospitality. He expressed his desire to establish a temple in Hyderabad and instructed his disciples to find a suitable land for it. After several years of struggle and perseverance, the ISKCON Temple Hyderabad was finally inaugurated in 1976 by Swami Prabhupada himself.
Since then, the temple has grown into a thriving spiritual community that serves thousands of devotees and visitors every day. The temple has also made significant contributions to the society and the culture of Hyderabad by organizing various welfare programs, educational initiatives, cultural events, and festivals.
Architecture of ISKCON Temple in Hyderabad
The ISKCON Temple Hyderabad is a stunning example of a blend of modern and traditional styles. The temple building is designed to resemble a lotus flower, symbolizing purity and beauty. The temple has four domes that represent the four directions and four Vedas. The temple also has eight pillars that support the main dome, representing the eight principles of Bhakti Yoga.
The temple is surrounded by lush green gardens and water fountains that create a serene and soothing atmosphere. The temple also has a spacious hall that can accommodate up to 1500 people for lectures, seminars, and cultural programs. The temple also has a library that houses a collection of books on Vedic philosophy, spirituality, and culture.
Deities and Programs at ISKCON Temple in Hyderabad
The ISKCON Temple Hyderabad is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead, and his eternal consort Radha. The temple also houses other deities such as Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother, Gaura Nitai, the incarnations of Krishna and Balarama in the 16th century, Jagannatha, Subhadra**, and Baladeva, the deities of Puri, and Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, the half-man half-lion form of Lord Vishnu.
The temple offers various daily programs for devotees and visitors to participate in. These include:
Arati: The ritual of offering lamps, incense, flowers, and music to the deities at different times of the day.
Kirtan: The chanting of sacred names of God accompanied by musical instruments such as mridanga, kartalas, harmonium, etc.
Bhajan: The singing of devotional songs composed by saints and poets such as Narottama Dasa Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, etc.
Pravachan: The discourse on Vedic scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, etc. given by senior devotees or guest speakers.
Prasadam: The sanctified food offered to the deities and then distributed to everyone as a blessing.
Celebrations at the Temple
The temple also celebrates various special festivals and events throughout the year. Some of these are:
Janmashtami:
The birthday of Lord Krishna celebrated with great pomp and splendor. The temple is decorated with flowers, lights, and banners. The deities are dressed in new clothes and ornaments. The devotees fast till midnight and then break their fast with prasadam. The highlight of the festival is the abhisheka or bathing ceremony of the deities with milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, etc.
Rama Navami:
The birthday of Lord Rama celebrated with joy and devotion. The devotees recite the Ramayana and sing bhajans in praise of Rama. The deities are offered special dishes such as panakam (a drink made from jaggery and water) and neer mor (a drink made from buttermilk and spices).
Gaura Purnima:
The appearance day of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and the incarnation of Krishna and Radha in the 16th century. The devotees fast till moonrise and then feast on prasadam. The deities are adorned with yellow clothes and garlands. The devotees perform a grand procession of the deities around the temple premises.
Rath Yatra:
The chariot festival of Lord Jagannatha, Subhadra, and Baladeva celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor. The deities are taken out of the temple on a huge wooden chariot and pulled by thousands of devotees along the streets of Hyderabad. The devotees dance, sing, and chant in front of the chariot. The festival is a symbol of God’s mercy and love for his devotees.
Things to do at ISKCON Temple in Hyderabad
Apart from attending the regular programs and festivals at the ISKCON Temple Hyderabad, there are many other things that you can do to enrich your spiritual experience. Some of these are:
Praying:
You can offer your prayers and requests to the deities and seek their blessings. You can also write your prayers on a piece of paper and drop it in a box kept near the altar. The temple priests will read your prayers and offer them to the deities on your behalf.
Meditating:
You can meditate on the beautiful forms of the deities or on the sacred sound of Hare Krishna mantra. You can also join the japa or chanting sessions conducted by the temple devotees every morning and evening.
Attending lectures:
You can attend the lectures given by senior devotees or guest speakers on various topics related to Vedic philosophy, spirituality, and culture. You can also ask questions and clear your doubts during the interactive sessions.
Visiting the Bhakti Vriksha centre:
You can visit the Bhakti Vriksha centre, a branch of the temple that provides training and guidance for newcomers and aspiring devotees. You can learn more about the basics of Bhakti Yoga, such as chanting, reading, serving, etc. You can also join a small group of like-minded people who meet regularly for spiritual discussions and activities.
Shopping at the gift shop:
You can shop for various items at the gift shop located inside the temple premises. You can buy books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, posters, stickers, calendars, etc. related to Krishna consciousness. You can also buy clothes, accessories, jewelry, idols, paintings, etc. inspired by Vedic art and culture.
Dining at Govinda’s restaurant:
You can dine at Govinda’s restaurant, a pure vegetarian restaurant that serves delicious and healthy food prepared with love and devotion. You can choose from a variety of cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, Continental, etc. You can also enjoy some special dishes such as pizza, pasta, burger, etc. made with sattvic ingredients.
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The ISKCON Temple Hyderabad is a spiritual oasis in the city of pearls. It is a place where you can experience peace, joy, and devotion in the presence of Lord Krishna and his devotees. It is also a place where you can learn more about the Vedic philosophy, spirituality, and culture that have shaped the history and heritage of Hyderabad. Whether you are a religious person or not, you will surely find something that appeals to your mind, heart, and soul at this temple.
If you are planning to visit Hyderabad, do not miss the opportunity to visit the ISKCON Temple Hyderabad. You will not regret it. In fact, you may even want to come back again and again.
To make your visit more convenient and memorable, you can book a tour package with us that includes a visit to this temple along with other attractions in the city or nearby places. We assure you that you will have a wonderful time with us.
You may also like to check out: Family Trip to Annavaram Dhraksharamam
So, what are you waiting for? Book your tour package today and get ready to explore the ISKCON Temple Hyderabad, a spiritual oasis in the city of pearls. Hare Krishna!
