ISKCON Temple, Bangalore

ISKCON Temple, located in Bangalore, India, is a beautiful and iconic temple at the city’s heart. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Radha; deities held sacred by millions of Hindus. The temple was built in 1997 as part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) movement, and it has since become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India.

About Bangalore ISKCON Temple

Iskcon Temple, located to the west of Chord Road on ‘Hare Krishna Hill,’ is renowned for its religious significance and architectural beauty. This temple, also known as Hare Krishna, was constructed in the Neo-Classical style, showcasing a wonderful combination of ultra-modern and traditional design, and is equipped with all kinds of modern conveniences. This Bangalore temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, as are numerous other Iskcon temples located throughout the globe.

This temple was constructed to commemorate Sri Prabhupada’s birthday, the founder of ISKCON. Each of the temple’s four ‘gopurams’ is joined to the others by a lighting glass canopy. The mesmerising waterfalls, sculpted arches, and finely crafted ceilings contribute to the temple’s overall attractiveness. The ceilings of the 10,000-square-foot “Hari Naam Kirtan” hall have also been adorned with magnificent artwork.

The Iskcon Vedic Theatre is an additional well-known feature of the temple. The luxuriant green garden with beautiful flowering plants enhances the temple’s splendour. The open-air amphitheatre that accommodates a variety of concerts and festivals further distinguishes this temple from others. In addition, the temple features a Vedic museum and exhibition space.

Temple History

ISKCON Temple Bangalore is part of a humanitarian organisation whose mission is to spread Krishna Consciousness through the Bhagavad Gita. The society was established in 1987 after being registered in 1978 under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act of 1960. In the same year, the society’s leaders addressed the Bangalore Development Authority over allocating land for the temple’s construction. On August 3, 1988, the ISKCON temple officials were given possession of a seven-acre hill, including a massive rock. Due to the site’s unsuitability for development, a temporary temple was erected there.

Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, a licenced civil engineer who was also the president of the ISKCON Bangalore Society, conceptualised a beautiful architecture for the temple with the assistance of Sri Jagat Chandra Dasa, who was himself an architect, to overcome this dilemma. The construction of the ISKCON temple began in earnest in 1990, and 600 experienced artisans laboured nonstop for seven years to complete the structure. On May 31, 1997, the ISKCON temple and cultural complex were inaugurated by then-President of India, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Temple Architecture

The ISKCON temple in Bangalore is renowned for having the largest ISKCON complexes in the world, as well as a spectacular architectural design. This temple is most notable for its 17-meter-tall, gold-plated flagpole, followed by its 8-meter-tall, gold-plated Kalash Shikharas. The ISKCON temple, an example of neoclassical architecture, is adorned with the most stunning stone sculptures.

The main shrine, also known as the Rajagopuram, includes stunning arches and water basins that serve as an entrance to the temple. Inside the shrine are exquisitely adorned Shri Radhe Krishna statues.

In addition to these shrines, there are also separate prayer halls for Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, Sri Srinivasa Govinda, and Sri Prahlada Narasimha. The ISKCON temple complex includes a large, beautiful garden and an amphitheatre for hosting cultural events.

Festivals at ISKCON Temple Bangalore

On the grounds of the ISKCON temple, several festivals are celebrated with tremendous zeal and joy. Lord Krishna and Balarama appear in gorgeously decked chariots to bless their devotees at the festival of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra at the beginning of the year.

This festival is followed in February by celebrating Sri Nityananda Trayodashi, the day Lord Balarama appeared as Nityananda Prabhu. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s birthday, Sri Gauri Purnima, is commemorated in March, while Ram Navami and Brahmotsav are observed in April. In May, Sri Narasimha Jayanti and Sri Hanuman Jayanti are observed, while in June, the temple observes Panihati Chitta Dahi.

Garuda Panchami, an annual festival held at the end of July, follows these. August is a very festive month, as several important festivals, including Shri Radhashtami, Jhulan Utsav, Sri Balarama Purnima, and Shri Krishna Janmashtami, are celebrated during this month. Vamana Jayanti, Deepotsav, Govardhan Puja, and Shri Vaikuntha Ekadashi are other festivals held here.

Darsan Info

Bangalore Iskcon Temple timings: 4:30 AM TO 8:15 PM

• Everyday Morning: 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM
• Monday to Friday: 7:15 AM to 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM to 8:15 PM
• Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays: 7:15 AM to 8:15 PM

Temple Rituals

Darsan Dresscode

It is advised that devotees wear modest attire.

Local Culture

Bangalore is one of India’s most vibrant cities due to the harmonious blending of its rich cultural past with contemporary culture. Despite being the country’s IT capital, the city is experiencing a renaissance of ancient traditional art forms. This blend of old and new is evident in Bangalore’s culture, from its theatre to its arts and crafts, and lends the city a global air.

Best Time to Visit

Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the ISKCON Temple Bangalore’s most important celebration. The temple is accessible throughout the year. Tourists can arrange their visits to coincide with the temple’s different festivals, such as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Sri Gaura Purnima, Sri Rama Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Sri Hanuman Jayanti, and Garuda Panchami.

How to Reach Temple

By Bus: The closest bus stop to the ISKCON Temple is 1.2 kilometres away.

By Rail: The closest station to the ISKCON temple is Yesvantpur Junction, which is 4.3 kilometres away. From here, the temple is easily accessible by rickshaw.

By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Jakkuru airport, which is 14.3 kilometres away; from here, it is simple to hire a taxi.

Location Map

Quick FAQ – ISKCON Temple, Bangalore