Q4: What is the necessity of such a center in India where people already have some knowledge about the Bhagavad-gita and spiritual life?
To be born in the land of Bharatavarsha is considered most auspicious. It provides the greatest opportunity for spiritual advancement. Culturally, Indians are better situated to understand this knowledge, if they are willing. However in today's spiritually degraded world even Indians have opted to neglect their own precious Vedic culture and follow the materialistic Western civilization. Instead of becoming a spiritual inspiration to the world, Indians have alienated themselves from the responsibility of learning, practicing and promoting the transcendental message of the Vedic scriptures. Unfortunately even the leaders of the country are practically ignorant of India's unlimited spiritual heritage and do not make any attempt to follow or promote it. When Srila Prabhupada was asked why it was easier to preach in the West rather than in India, he said that it is easy to wake up someone who is really sleeping, not someone who is pretending to sleep, Westerners accepted their ignorance about spiritual matters and were eager students. Generally Indians prefer to appear familiar with the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures, although mostly they may know them only by name. Due to this mood, they do not always make receptive learners. ISKCON's attempt is to inspire Indians to give attention to their spiritual aspect as an important part of their life and eventually become the guiding force of the world. We hope that eventually a new generation, who will become knowledgeable leaders of tomorrow, will emerge, to rejuvenate and inculcate these values in the Indian society and all over the world. The money spent by the society on this project is an investment for the revival of our Vedic culture. Eventually if we, who are born in India, learn to appreciate and practice the values of Vedic science and culture, the whole world will follow, as it is based on a holistic vision of life. Srila Prabhupada taught this Vedic knowledge to people all around the world and therefore is truly India's cultural ambassador to the world. What is required is that the Indian take up the spiritual leadership of the world. We are not interested in cheap religious conversion. We are interested in making the world spiritually aware. Srila Prabhupada presented Krishna Consciousness as a science and people all over the world have taken it up and practiced it to improve the quality of life. If Indians pursue this path seriously, they can make a significant contribution to the whole world and India can become the guiding force for the world.

Q5: You claim to have raised all the funds locally, but we have been under the impression that you have access to foreign funds.
The privilege of funding the building of this temple was taken only by the people of 28000 life patrons registered in ISKCON Bangalore. Apart from this many people have become donors and sponsors of specific items in the building. ISKCON Bangalore houses about 60 serious, full-time life dedicated devotees. Many of these devotees are highly educated and have joined the movement, inspired by the lofty instructions of the Vedic scriptures, with a mission to do something constructive and spiritually uplifting for the society, By their effort thousands of people were inspired to contribute for this great cause.

Q6: How has participation in this project benefited donors and life members who have contributed towards it?
The opportunity to engage in the service of the Supreme Lord is very rare and valuable. All our donors and life members are very fortunate to have directly participated in this project, which is a direct service to the Lord's mission. Service rendered to the Lord is also the highest pious activity. Even the smallest service rendered in this direction can save one from unlimited misfortune and become an eternal asset. The greatest welfare activity is to provide society with spiritual knowledge, due to the lack of which it is suffering. Our donors and life patrons have contributed for this cause and can take pride in being involved in it. It will surely be a matter of great satisfaction for them to see the fruits of their charity being distributed to everyone irrespective of caste, creed or color. By serving, Srila Prabhupada they have greatly pleased him. When a pure devotee of the Lord is pleased, the soul is immensely benefited. We are grateful to all of them for helping us in our endeavor, according to their mire, to serve humanity.

Q7: How is the day-to-day running of such a big complex managed?
It is a well known fact from our scriptures that prasadam, food that is offered to the Lord, has a powerful purifying effect on the consciousness, just like the effect of the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. By honoring prasadam one can accrue great spiritual benefit. And it is easily done one just has to literally relish the mercy, to move a step up towards spiritual life. We are feeding the 7000-8000 people who visit the temple on weekdays and about 22000 people on Sundays and holidays. Through this scheme we are not hoping to relieve the hunger of the society. The idea is that everyone who comes to the temple is the Lord's guest. So why not offer a prasadam meal and make their pilgrimage a fulfilling one?