Iskcon Temple, Chennai: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Iskcon Temple Overview

Located on the East Coast Road in the Sholinganallur locality of South-Chennai, ISKCON Temple is the spiritual and cultural hub of the city. This temple in Chennai is not only the biggest Radha Krishna temple in Tamilnadu but one of the biggest ISKCON temples in India.

With the history of the ISKCON temple in Chennai dating back to the late 1970s, the construction of the temple began in the late 1990s and was completed in 2012 in many phases. The temple houses the deity of Lord Krishna, alongside Radharani and their friends Lalita, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra inside three teak-wood alters which are one of a kind. These deities are sourced from Rajasthan and Orissa.

Under the guidance of Sri Bhanu Swami, the beautiful architecture is inspired by the Kalinga and Pallava kingdoms’ architecture. At the entrance of the temple, one would see the wonderful design of various Hindu universes on the marble flooring. The various universes are circled a central pillar called Mount Meru. The design is implicated from the ancient Vedic Puranas where Mount Meru is described as the centre of all the universes.

The temple is a blend of various cultures with modern scientific technology. To attract more and more people in the ISKCON movement, the authorities of the temples organize lectures and audio-visual programs about the Hindu philosophy.

Spread over an area of 1.5 acres, the ISKCON temple or the Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is built on five floors.

How To Reach

By Air: Chennai Airport is connected to all the major airports of India. There are daily flights that fly between Chennai and other cities in India. From the airport, one can hire a private cab to ISKCON Temple. Also, one can opt for the government buses from the airport to ISKCON Temple.

By Bus: The nearest bus stop near ISKCON Temple is VGP Bus stop, which is around 2 km from the temple. The MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) buses run from different corners of the city to VGP Bus stop. These buses are run by the government and hence, they are cheap. The frequency of the buses is quite good but one would also experience traffic on the busy streets of Chennai which will eat up your time.

By Rail: Trains from all corners of the country come to the Chennai Central railway station. Although, one will have to change trains from Chennai Central and take the local train to Kodambakkam station. From Kodambakkam station, ISKCON Temple is around 3 km.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit the ISKCON temple is during the winter season (October-February) as the climate is mild and cool.

In regards to the day, the best time of the day to visit the ISKCON temple is between 8 pm to 9 pm as the special and last aarti of the temple starts around 8.30 pm. Also, in the night time, you will be able to see the wonderful lights and decorations of the temple.

Other Essential Information

Location: Hare Krishna Land, Bhaktivedanta Swami Road, Off ECR, Sholinganallur, Chennai-600119

Timing: Daily 7.30 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM

Fee: No entry fees

History of ISKCON Temple

The foundation stone of the ISKCON ideology was laid in the city of New York, USA by Swami Prabhupada. After New York, Swami returned to India and started preaching the ideology of Krishna and peace across many Indian cities.

Swami Prabhupada visited Chennai in 1972 and delivered lectures in and around the city. After three years, a small centre was opened in Kilpauk and was later moved to T. Nagar. There the ideology of ISKCON gained its pace and it widely spread among the citizens of Chennai. Then Swami Prabhupada wrote a letter to the ISKCON disciples and put forth the idea of constructing a temple. As the devotees serving under Bhanu Swami acquired a piece of land in Chennai, the construction of the temple began in 2000. The temple was built by the donations of the devotees and it was completed in 2012.

Places to Eat Near ISKCON Temple

ECR (East Coast Road) in Chennai is known for the various famous restaurants. Below are some of the places to eat near the ISKCON temple.

1. Delhi Dhaba

Located around 1 km from the ISKCON Temple, Delhi Dhaba is one of the finest North-Indian restaurants in Chennai. The place serves some of the finest North-Indian chicken dishes with a blend of the typical Chennai taste.

The restaurant is located on the East Coast Road and has a spacious parking facility. It also has a small game-zone with a few electronic games.

2. Famous Theory

This restaurant is very famous for its international chicken dishes. Famous Theory serves many chicken dishes and one of them, Texas Grilled Chicken, is popular in the locality.

3. Malgudi

Malgudi serves the finest vegetarian food in the locality. The restaurant has ample parking space and is popular for its authentic South Indian cuisine. Also, the ‘Murungakkai Soup’, a spicy soup is the most famous dish of Famous Theory. Embrace Misun Japanese Ramen and Chinese CuisineThis restaurant is the only place in Chennai where one can buy the Original Malaysian KAYA Butter. The restaurant serves food from the kitchens of Japan, Malaysia, China, Korea, and Central Asia. Have the best and mouth-watering soups and noodles here.

Travelers’ Tips Before Visiting ISKCON Temple

1.There is a souvenir shop in the temple premises. Make sure you buy something from the shop as the products you get here are not available anywhere else.

2. It is advisable to wear decent clothes as the place is of religious importance.

3. Maintain silence in and around the temple.

4. It takes around 2 hours to visit all the places in the temple premises. So it is advisable to carry a water bottle.

5. The ISKCON Temple organizes various events throughout the year. Before planning your visit, it is advisable to check the temples’ website.

Iskcon Temple FAQs

What is Iskcon Temple famous for?

ISKCON Temple is famous for its spirituality and various cultural programs about the ideology of Lord Krishna.
Also, the ISKCON temple is known for its architecture as the various structures and designs in the temple is one of a kind.

How can I get to Iskcon Temple?

ISKCON temple is easily connected by road and railways. The temple is located on the popular ECR and one can take cabs and buses to reach.
One can reach Kodambakkam railway station and then take up rickshaws to the ISKCON temple.

Is photography allowed in Iskcon Temple?

No, photography is not allowed in the ISKCON temple.
Although if you are a photographer visiting ISKCON Temple, you may have to take prior permission from the authorities. One can take photos of the various gardens and lawns in the temple premises. But to maintain security, one cannot click pictures in some places inside the temple. Also, videography is strictly prohibited near the main temple.

Does the temple have parking facilities?

Yes, the ISKCON Temple has ample parking space.
Since the popularity of the temple is increasing day by day and more and more people are visiting the temple, the authorities have built and maintained a huge parking lot facility near the temple premises.

Is the Iskcon Temple worth visiting?

Yes, the ISKCON Temple is worth a visit. The temple is a cultural and spiritual hub in the city. The authorities organize various events and lectures teaching about the ideology of Lord Krishna.

Also, the ISKCON temple is one of the marvelous temples in Tamilnadu. The various ancient architectural patterns and the unique designing in the temple premises is one of a kind.
Hence, one must surely visit the ISKCON Temple.

Is there any dress code in Iskcon Temple?

No, there is no formal dress code in the ISKCON Temple. Although, to enjoy the real vibe and feel the atmosphere of the temple it is advisable to wear traditional Indian clothes

Can we stay at ISKCON Chennai?

Yes, you can stay at the ISKCON Temple in Chennai. Although, if you wish to stay in the ISKCON temple you need to be a member of the ISKCON organization. Also if you want to stay, you will have to do pre-booking with the authorities of the ISKCON Temple.