ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill in Bangalore is the divine destination for a visit to Lord Venkateshwara’s abode.
Here’s some delightful news for all the devotees of Lord Venkateshwara. You can seek the Lord’s blessings in the new ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda temple at Vaikuntha Hill, Vasanthapura, Bangalore (Route map).
This stone temple is constructed as per traditional Shilpa shastras (designs as mentioned in scriptures) in the Dravidian style of architecture. The design and aesthetics, including the seven doors to the sanctum, are inspired by the famous Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple in Tirumala. The deity of Lord Srinivasa is nearly the same height and has been named Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda, which means He is the King of all kings. This project is conceived and executed by the devotees of ISKCON Bangalore, in pursuance of Srila Prabhupada’s desire to build a grand temple like Tirumala, on His 125th birth anniversary.
Why was the temple built in Vasanthapura? Read on to know all this and more.
About the ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda temple
Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple is surrounded by the shrines of Sri Sudarshana Narasimha, Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhakta Hanuman, and Sri Garuda. A separate shrine has been constructed for Srila Prabhupada, where his Achala Shila Murti, a black stone deity, is installed. This has been done for the first time in the history of ISKCON.
A large queuing hall is designed for devotees to comfortably have the darshan of the Lord. The campus also provides spiritual and cultural education for children, youth, and families.
Story of Vaikuntha Hill and its connection with Lord Srinivasa Govinda
The hill on which the temple resides has exceptional significance. It’s related to the divine story of a muni, Shri Mandavya muni who performed very severe penance in a cave on this hill. Lord Srinivasa Govinda was very pleased with the penance. Lord wanted to grant a boon and a blessing to Shri Mandavya muni. Lord promised him that after he got married to Princess Padmavathi Devi at Tirumala, he would come to the hill, where he had performed penance, to perform the Leela of vihara or honeymoon. This sacred place thus came to be known as Vasanthapura. The name Vasanthapura signifies the place where Lord Govinda had come for his Vasantha Vihara (spring outing).
The divine opening ceremony
The temple was inaugurated in a grand ceremony on Jun 14, 2022, by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Former President of India. He dedicated ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple & Cultural Complex in a grand ceremony of Lokarpana on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.
The auspicious opening ceremony was also presided over by the Governor of Karnataka Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Ex Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Basavaraj S Bommai, Member of the Legislative Assembly Shri M Krishnappa, in the august presence of His Grace Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore.
Related links: Temple Schedule | Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda temple | How to reach | Route map | Why Vaikuntha series