Name : ISKCON

Location: On West of Chord Road, Bangalore

Main attraction: Neo-classical style of architecture

Sri Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple is accredited for having the ISKCON's largest temple complex in the world. Being made by the Iskcon cult, the magnificent shrine is commonly known as Iskcon Temple. Located on west of Chord Road in Bangalore, the colossal shrine sprawls on seven-acres of 'Hare Krishna Hill'. This outstanding temple is one amongst the best shrines constructed by the ISKCON. Iskcon Temple can be reached easily by taking regular buses, local vehicles or by hiring taxis from the city of Bangalore.

In September 1987, ISKCON Bangalore was operating from a rented house in the city with a handful of devotees. Under the leadership of the temple president, Madhu Pandit Dasa, ISKCON Bangalore applied for a 7acre hillock from the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

The BDA had described it as "karaab land" (waste land) as it was a huge piece of monolithic rock and could not be converted into sites. The BDA sanctioned the land at a cost of Rs. 11 lakhs to be paid in 90 days.
The BDA had described it as "karaab land" (waste land) as it was a huge piece of monolithic rock and could not be converted into sites. The BDA sanctioned the land at a cost of Rs. 11 lakhs to be paid in 90 days. With practically no resources in hand, the team of devotees managed to collect the sum partly with the help of some donors and partly through loan. On Lord  Balarama's appearance day of September 1988, the Deities of Krishna Balarama moved to a temporary shed on this land.  
 
 
 The master plan of the project on the Hare Krishna Hill was conceived by Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, who is a qualified civil engineer from IIT (Mumbai). The initial concept as it stood from outside was conceived by Jagat Chandra Dasa who is a product engineer from IIT (Mumbai). The unique combination of glass and gopuram, blended modern and traditional elements. Considering the nature of the sloping rocky hillock, this unique concept was
further developed architecturally into the present design as it stands by Madhu Pandit Dasa and Bhakti Lata Devi. The entire team of devotees of ISKCON Bangalore were strongly motivated by an intense desire to make this a grand and memorable temple, to be completed and offered to His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Various fund raising schemes were launched to engage the people in this devotional endeavor. Apart from the life membership scheme, sponsors of gopuram, kalashas and vimanas were enrolled. 
 
The whole construction was carried out by the ISKCON Construction Department. Between 1990 and 1997 a total of 10 million man-hours were put by 600 skilled craftsmen, 32,000 cubic meters of stone, 131,250 tones of cement and 1,900 tones of steel were used.

The architecture is a combination of traditional Karnataka and modern styles to give the aesthetic style as well as the best of latest scientific technology. .
 
 The gopurams were made with special technology using Ferro cement. It is for the first time this technology has been used for temples. The basic structure is a main frame of steel and wire mesh covered with cement and concrete of around 6 inch that adds to the dynamics of the structure. The rest is stone and mortar. The unique glass clad connections to the four gopurams makes this temple stand out from the rest of the conventional ones. The glass specially imported from the US is sea blue 6 mm heat strengthened glass.

The 36 feet high and 18 feet base, intricately designed and gold plated kalasham was placed on top by a chain pulley from the floor level to the top about 150 feet high. This was engineering feat considering the risk of lifting 1.5 tones of gold plated kalasham going over a glass canopy to a height of 150 feet.
The original simple temple design started in 1990 and estimated to cost Rs.10 crore gave way to a more stunning, unique architectural model that costed Rs.32 crores and that today represents a fusion between majestic traditional styles and bold new aesthetics. More astonishing is the fact that all these funds were raised from within Karnataka alone. 
 
The prathistha ceremonies or Deity installation ceremonies was conducted in the month of April 1997. The yajnas were held for continuous 45 days non-stop. On 31st May 1997, the President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma inaugurated the Sri Radha Krishna Chandra Temple and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Cultural Complex.

The beautifully ornamental arches and illuminated water jets escort to the richly decorated Rajagopuram (main shrine). The main shrine comprises the stunningly beautiful idols of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. Apart from the main shrine, the temple also comprises four additional shrines dedicated to Sri Sri Krishna Balrama, Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Prahlada Narasimha and Sri Srinivasa Govinda respectively. The main hall that embraces the three shrines, including the main one, is a huge hall of 10,000 sq feet. The ceiling of the hall is festooned with remarkable paintings made by the Russian painters.

The splendid structure of the temple is worth-seeing because the celestial grandeur cannot be bounded in words. Lush green gardens in the campus appear mesmerizing to the onlooker. The temple complex also has an open amphitheatre, where various festivals and concerts are observed. The festival of 'Janmashtami' is the major festival that is celebrated here with loads of enthusiasm and devotion.

Programs:

Shata Koti Nama Japa Yajna
In 2000, this religious program was started to promote world peace and harmony with an intention to chant 1 Billion holy names of Rama and Krishna. The venue for this 'Nama Japa' is 'Harinama Mandapa', which can be found ahead of the first temple of Prahlada Narasimha. Here, one can see two sets of 108 granite steps, where the devotee can chant the 'Hare Krishna Mahamantra' at each step. Following the chant of 'Mahamantra' for 108 times, the devotee can enter the Narsimha Temple.

FOLK Program
This is an unusual program in which, bachelors between the age group of 19 and 29 can take part. The "Friends of Lord Krishna" (FOLK) has been organized to create an understanding of the Vedic culture among the youth of Bangalore. It is held on Saturdays and Sundays, where classes, discussions and practical sessions on Vedic philosophy and lifestyle are undertaken.

Free Prasadam for All
The temple offers a bowl of 'Kichri' (made of rice and pulse) to its each visitor. The vast kitchen of the shrine is equipped with modern equipments and has the capacity to provide food for two thousand visitors per hour. Besides prasadam, the kitchen is also used to prepare variety of delicacies that are offered to the Lord. Recently, they have started a bakery, which has become popular for its egg less cakes and biscuits all over the Bangalore.

Cow Protection Program
Following the knowledge of the Vedas, the temple also promotes protection of cows. Being the primary element, Cows are essential for a prosperous and healthy society. Bangalore Iskcon 'Gaushala' retains not less than 40 cows. The milk of these cows is used in the making of various dishes and delicacies.

Multivision Cinema
The Multivision Cinema at ISKCON Bangalore is accredited for being the first show combining visual projection and animatronics in India. Visualized by the devotees of the United States, the cinema comprises 14 projectors in the company of laser Disc players, the surround sound processors and the animatronics mechanisms. The 40-minute cinema ends on a spiritual note and is organized everyday at regular intervals.

Dakshinakriti
This is another scheme to encourage and preserve the conventional art and craft of South India. It supports and promotes the skilled artisans and craftsmen by providing them a channel for their work. The products made under this project are accessible at "Dakshinakriti" (the temple's sculpture showroom).

Srila Prabhupada Museum
The museum attempts to create, a sense of awareness, among the mass of people, about the contributions made by Swami Prabhupada. This architectural marvel is dedicated to the founder of the entire Iskcon movement.

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is engrossed in translating and publishing Srila Prabhupada's multifarious works in the Kannada language. Various well-known writers of Kannada language are drawn in to translate the books.

Goloka Seva Trust
This project involves promotion and maintenance of the valuable art of incense (agarbatti) creation, by means of pure natural ingredients. This trust produces more than 73 types of incense specifically meant for worship. Their products are available at the temple counters for the visitors.