ISKCON Temple, Juhu

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The temple complex was built on land that was formerly marshy and difficult to cultivate, requiring significant soil stabilization.

2. 2

   A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, personally supervised the initial stages of the temple's construction.

3. 3

   The temple walls are adorned with elaborate bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Bhagavad Gita and Puranas.

4. 4

   The marble used in the construction was sourced from Makrana, Rajasthan, the same region that provided marble for the Taj Mahal.

5. 5

   The complex maintains a specialized bookstore that stocks translations of Vedic texts in dozens of international languages.

6. 6

   The temple hosts a prominent bakery that follows traditional Vedic preparation methods for its offerings.

7. 7

   The complex is officially recognized as 'Hare Krishna Land' in local administrative records.

Overview

The ISKCON Temple in Juhu, formally known as Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji Temple, is a sprawling complex situated on four acres of land near the Arabian Sea. It serves as the international headquarters for the Hare Krishna movement in Mumbai. The architecture features white marble structures, intricate wood carvings, and tall shikharas. The complex includes a dedicated residential area for devotees, a large library, and a Vedic educational center. Visitors frequently access the on-site Govinda’s restaurant, which specializes in lacto-vegetarian sattvic cuisine. The main altar houses deities of Radha Rasabihari, Sita Rama, and Gaura Nitai. The temple hosts daily congregational chanting sessions known as kirtans. Extensive landscaped gardens surround the main shrine area. It is widely considered one of the most visited religious sites in the Mumbai suburbs.

Insider tips

• Remove your footwear at the designated counter before entering the main temple courtyard.

• Visit during evening aarti sessions to experience the most intense congregational chanting.

• Check the bookstore early in your visit as it often holds limited edition spiritual manuscripts.