Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir is a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple in the holy city of Vrindavan. It is one of the main ISKCON temples in India and internationally. Hare Krishnas from all over the world can be seen here year-round, which adds color to this ancient ethnic holy city.
[edit] History
Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir was built in 1975 on the orders of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Even today, it is regarded as one of the most popular temples in Vrindavan. Klaus Klostermaier in his book Hinduism: A Short History described it as, a big and beautiful temple and one of the main sights of Vrindavan.
[edit] Deities
Radha Syamasundar at the temple on Radhastami
The deities of the temple are Krishna and Balarama, at the central altar. On the right altar are Radha Krishna with Gopi, Lalita and Vishakha. On the left altar is a Murti of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with Nityananda, and of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his spiritual teacher Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Of all the temples in Vrindavan Krishna-Balaram Mandir, adopted one of the highest standards of cleanliness and of deity worship.
Near the temple, at the entrance to the complex is located samadhi shrine (mausoleum) of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, built of pure white marble.
[edit] Schedule
The day begins at 4 o'clock in the morning with a ceremony Mangala-arati. Inside the temple continually goes on a 24 hour kirtan of the Hare Krishna mantra.
Schedule:
- Mangala-Arati 4.30
- Darshan 7.15 - 11.00
- Raj bhoga - Arati - 12-12.30
- Evening Arati 16.00-20.30 in winter, summer - 16.30 - 20.45
[edit] Literature
- Klostermaier, Klaus K. (2000), Hinduism: A Short History, Oneworld, ISBN 1851682139, http://books.google.com/books?id=P45KAAAACAAJ
- Anand, D. (1992), Krishna: the living god of Braj, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 8170172802, http://books.google.com/books?id=EsvSwdUgQYcC&pg=RA1-PA81
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 27°34′21″N 77°40′40″E / 27.5724194544°N 77.6777527878°E / 27.5724194544; 77.6777527878
