Hare Krishna Mandir is a part of ISKCON or the International Society For Krsna Consciousness, which was started by his divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The movement he started spread everywhere, and currently, there are more than 500 ISKCON centres worldwide.
Ahmedabad, however, has two ISKCON Centers managed by two different factions within the movement. One is called the “Hare Krishna Mandir or HKM” by Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON Bangalore. And the other is governed by GBC or the Governing Body Commission centred in Mayapur. I will not get inside the philosophical side of each ISKCON, but I will talk only about the temple as a tourist destination.
Review
ISKCON Hare Krishna Mandir is a newly constructed temple inaugurated in April 2015. The presiding Deities of the temple is Sri Sri Radha Madhav. The temple looks big, but the main temple altar is much smaller than what’s visible from the outside.HKM in Bhadaj is built beautifully like a blend of Gujarati Haveli and Rajasthani architecture.
The temple also has attached shops selling products that aren’t Krishna Prasadam. But one thing about this temple is the free food for those who want to eat. A small restaurant-type hall called “Annakuta” serves delicious vegetarian food. I loved the 5-course meal that I received. The Annadana seva within ISKCON is a well-thought seva. I personally gave a few thousand rupees as donations, and you can do it too. I am not promoting the charity but giving food is the best seva that you can participate.
ISKCON HKM also has a Gaushala, which you can explore, as well as, Akshaya Patra Kitchen, which feeds thousands of children every day.
Visit HKM, Ahmedabad, at least once and take the blessings of their lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhav.
Address
Hare Krishna Movement Ahmedabad,
Opp. Ahmedabad Dental College,
Santej Village, Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat – 382721
