ISKCON Vijayawada is a branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. It has two temples:
Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Mandir: This is the main temple, located at Undavalli, Amaravathi Karakatta Road. The presiding deities of the temple are Radha and Krishna. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere.
ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Mandir, VijayawadaSri Jagannath Mandir: This is a newly inaugurated temple, located at Old VBM College Grounds, Skew Bridge, Ramalingeshwara Nagar. The presiding deity of the temple is Jagannath.
Reaching ISKCON Vijayawada
Vijayawada is a well-connected city by air, rail, and road. The nearest airport is Vijayawada Airport (VGA), which is located about 17 km from the city center. Vijayawada Junction is a major railway station on the Howrah-Chennai main line. The city is also well-connected by national highways to other parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states.
Once in Vijayawada, you can hire a taxi or auto rickshaw to reach the temple. The Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Mandir is located about 8 km from the city center, while the Sri Jagannath Mandir is located about 3 km from the city center.
Temple Timings
The temples are open from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. However, the temple is closed from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Things to Do at ISKCON Vijayawada
- दर्शन (Darshan) - दर्शन is the act of seeing the deities and receiving their blessings. Devotees line up to get a glimpse of the deities and offer their prayers.
- आरती (Aarti) - Aarti is a ceremony where lamps are offered to the deities while chanting mantras. Aartis are performed at various times throughout the day.
- प्रसाद (Prasadam) - Prasadam is food that has been offered to the deities. Devotees believe that prasadam is sanctified by being offered to the deities and has spiritual benefits.
- Lectures and Classes - The temple conducts lectures and classes on various aspects of Hinduism, including the Bhagavad Gita.
- Govinda's Restaurant - The temple has a restaurant called Govinda's Restaurant, which serves vegetarian food.
Festivals
ISKCON Vijayawada celebrates all major Hindu festivals, including Krishna Janmashtami, Ratha Yatra, and Holi. During these festivals, the temple is decorated and special pujas (prayers) are performed.
Tips for Visiting ISKCON Vijayawada
- Dress modestly. When visiting the temple, it is advisable to dress modestly. Men should wear full pants and shirts, and women should wear skirts or salwar kameez that cover their knees.
- Remove shoes before entering the temple sanctum.
- Photography is not allowed inside the temple sanctum.