Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to inaugurate the grand temple of International Society for Krishna Consciousness, at Kharghar ( Iskcon), major preparations are underway. The complex is bearing a festive long with constant flow of devotees and guests and distribution of Prasadams to mark the auspicious occasion.
Over 300 odd guests have arrived at the temple; around 80 odd visitors have come from countries like Germany, US, Australia, Japan etc.
The temple spread over 9 acres of land and the brainchild of Dr Sura das, President and temple trustee is to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on January 15.
Over 1700 volunteers are working at the temple in addition to 100 brahmins performing yagnas on a daily basis. The temple is serving almost 70,000 devotees with 3 course prasdams until 10 pm.
“There are steady arrivals of learned Sanyasis and disciples from across the world to the temple before the major event. The sanyasis and disciples arriving at the temple are given a grand reception that includes welcoming them with recitation of hare rama hare krishna kirtan. Their feets are washed with warm water and thereafter aarti is performed before being taken to the guest house in the complex,” said a temple representative
In continuation to the grand reception of the guest, during mangala aarti held in the morning each of the guests are felicitated with a garland and their arrival is announced with a Hari bol and Hare Krishna kirtana.
From January 13 the ceremonial events began with Netromilan utsav and shayana divas were held. “The process of letting the lord to sit and sleep on the bed has commenced. This day also marked the giving of the offerings to the gods by the Brahmans began after 6 pm. The sanyasis , senior vaishnavas and devotees witnessed the events,” said the representative.
#WATCH | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra: On PM Modi to inaugurate ISKCON-Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple, Khargar on 15th January, temple priest Sur Das Maharaj says, “This centre is spread across 9 acres of land. Of which 5-6 acres of land is filled with greenery. I request people… pic.twitter.com/bOcEcD5jTm
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
Ahead of the visit, there are multiple meetings going with the government authority with emphasis on the security measures to be followed. This includes installing a control room, placing of metal detectors and stationing of dog squads. “ The whole temple is functional with a series of cultural activities happening since the past few days. There were motivational seminars were also held, there was a dance performance by MP Hema Malini and there are series of felication programs happening of Sanyasis and vaishnavas ,” informed the personnel.
On the inaugural day, the plans of the temple administration includes giving a grand welcome to the PM by the senior dignitaries and monks of Iskcon. PM will be taken to the Prabupad memorial quarter wherein he will offer his respect to the founder Acharya of Isckon and followed by performing aarti.
“From the quarter he will be taken to the new temple hall and he will perform the Yagya as well as aarti of Sri Sri Radhan Madan Mohanji, Sri Sri Sita Rama Lakshman Hanuman and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai. Then he will address the public. Apart from this he will also be served with the prasadam, It is like a major festival is going on as this temple is for the whole of the state ,” added the official.
