Iskcon temple vrindavan

Built in 1975, Sri Krishna-Balram Mandir is one of the many temples in the world made by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The glowing white marble temple is known for the shrine of brothers Lord Krishna and Lord Balram. On the right side are Radha and Krishna with gopis Lalita and Vishakha. The temple also houses the tomb of Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the founder of Hare Krishna organization. Hundreds of foreigners attend courses and seminars here annually.

The Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, situated in the Raman Reti area of Vrindavan, holds a special significance for the devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. This grand temple represents the fulfilled dream of Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON, who wished to construct a temple of unparalleled beauty for the worship of the transcendental brothers Krishna and Balaram in the same village where they played more than five thousand years ago. Srila Prabhupada directly oversaw all the aspects of design and construction and personally called the Lord to come and accept the worship of His devotees from around the world. He said, “Lord Balaram is the source of spiritual strength, and I have built this temple just to give strength to the devotees”.

Today, the Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir is a booming spiritual center. Every day of the week pilgrims flood in the gate in great numbers from all over the world.

Visitors to the temple first pass under the brilliant white marble archway of Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi, an architectural wonder of winding peacock stairways and intricately carved walls and domes. They then enter through the gigantic wooden temple doors and find themselves transported to the spiritual world upon seeing the palace of Krishna Balaram with its sunken black and white checkered marble courtyard, beautified by a living tamal tree. The music of the kartals, mrdanga and sweet harmonium of the 24 hour kirtaniyas enters the heart, and everyone, young and old, spontaneously raise their arms and dance in ecstasy.

Ascending the courtyard steps, visitors approach the effulgent gorgeous forms of the source of all beauty, the presiding Lords Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Krishna Balaram and Radha Shyamasundar. Standing transfixed with open eyes and folded hands, pilgrims drink in the dazzling vision of the Lord, lovingly decorated with no consideration of expense or effort, truly a festival for the eyes. 

ISKCON

International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON) was established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. International Society for Krsna Consciousness is usually known as Hare Krsna movement and it is authentic, historically authorized, natural and transcendental, because it is based on Bhagavad-gita, the most authorized book about spiritual science. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna repeatedly says that we should worship Him, offer Him our obeisance and then come to Him. Bhagavad-gita clearly points out the absolute necessity of Krsna consciousness and it is accepted as an essence of Vedas and Upanisads.

Careful reader of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita will surely be thrilled by the perfection of Sri Krsna, who by perfect logic, knowledge about karma and soul’s reincarnation, description of different yoga practices and ultimately the highest yoga system bhakti-yoga, or devotional service to the Supreme Lord explains the purpose of human life and practices that every human being should follow.