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The ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad is located close to the
Gujarat Samachar Press. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his
consort Radha. It is also known as the Hare Krishna temple. ISKCON stands
for International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The society was established
in 1966 by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and is also known as the Hare
Krishna movement. It has more than 350 centres, 60 rural communities,
50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide.
The temple has huge halls which are illuminated with
grand looking chandeliers. The interiors are quite spacious and as regards
the exteriors, the campus is filled with large number of flowering trees
and plants. The temple has a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere and the
devotees who come to the temple are supposed to maintain the silent and
peaceful atmosphere of the temple premises. Prayer sessions are held here
in the mornings and evenings. The prayer ceremonies are accompanied with
chanting of religious songs called 'kirtans'.
The temple hosts two main festivals- Janmashtami (birthday
of Lord Krishna) and Nand Mahotsav (the day following Krishna's birthday).
On Janmashtami Day, the entire temple is illuminated and lavishly decorated.
'Mangal Aarti' is held in the evening which is attended by a large number
of people. Flowers, fruits, incense and sweets are offered to the deities
on this day and there are discourses from the Bhagvad Gita- the holy book
of the Hindus. Nand Mahotsav is celebrated the day after Janmashtami.
On this day thousands of devotees throng the temple premises to offer
their prayers. The temple arranges for lunch for the devotees on this
auspicious occasion.
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