Grand Inauguration Ceremony of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Temple Bhaktivedanta Gurukula.
Published On: 2022-11-12
9th of November 2022 was a historic day and conclusion of a grand 5 day inauguration ceremony of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Temple and Krish Dairy plant at ISKCON Vrindaranyam campus of ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School. Hon'ble Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the grand temple along with Krish Dairy plant on Monday. He was accompanied by Mathura MP Hema Malini and his other cabinet colleagues at the inaugural.
The Chief Minister, in his felicitation speech, recognised the efforts and contribution of ISKCON in the welfare of society through various projects. Hema Malini ji and other dignitaries also showered words of appreciation for Srila Prabhupada. Hon'ble Chief Minister glorified Srila Prabhupada's preaching efforts throughout the world and promised to extend all support for every positive endeavour in the direction of empowering villages through FPOs, dairy production, protection of cows and propagation and promotion of vedic knowledge. HG Gopal Krishna Maharaj, HG Panchgaud Prabhu and HG Lila Purushottam Prabhu shared the dias with the Chief Minister and were among the ones feted by him.
The five day long inauguration ceremony was a grand event witnessed by hundredsds of devotees from all over the world. Energized by spiritual vibrations and infused with life, the divine deities of Sri Sri Krishna and Balaram took residence in their magnificent abode.
November 5:
As soon as the Temple opened its doors on November 5th, devotees poured in and were immediately awe inspired by its beauty! Morning Bhagavatam class was given by HH Bhakti Mukund Maharaj which was followed by an ecstatic sankirtan procession to Goshala for cow worship. A special lecture on deity instillation was given by HG Mukund Datt Prabhuji this day to set the right consciousness and enable devotees to perform the rituals over the upcoming days with sincere and pure minds.
November 6:
On this day, Sudarshan Homa, Sudarshan Abhishek and installation of Sudarshan Chakra and Kalash were performed to invoke all auspiciousness. Bringing Srila Prabhupada to reside with the Krishna-Balrama deities and Netromilan Darshan of the deities were main
highlights of the day. Shayan Adivas Darshan in the evening increased every devotee's excitement for the next day.
November 7:
This was the long awaited day of the grand Pran Prathishta ceremony. Sri Sri Krishna Balaram were woken up from their bed of flowers with ecstatic Kirtan. Hundreds of devotees poured in, to witness the deities being infused with a breath of life. On this day, Pran Pratishtha, was performed in the auspicious presence of many great devotees like HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj, HH Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj, HG Devaki Nandan Prabhuji and Srutakirti Prabhuji. As they performed the timeless Vedic rituals to request the Supreme Lord to be established in His deities, all the devotees, gazed lovingly at their beloved Krishna-Balaram and requested them to be forever established in both the magnificent temple and the temple of their hearts! When the curtain was unveiled and Sri Krishna-Balaram gave their very first Darshan to the devotees, there was not a single dry in the prayer hall! Later that afternoon, devotees experienced wave after wave of grace flowing throughout the temple, as they lovingly performed the Abhishek to the divine deities! Hare Krishna Mahamantra chanting, and kirtans of HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj, reverberated in the temple, as pujaris and other senior devotees performed Maha-Abhishekam.This was followed by the Maha Annakoot, where varieties of delicious prasadam prepared with deep loving sentiments were offered to Sri Krishna-Balaram in the first grand Maha Bhog! The joyous day ended with a cultural programme staged by Braj Gopika girls and Bhaktivedanta Gurukula boys.
November 8:
This day witnessed the first Mangal Arti in the new temple attended by the scores of devotees. The another most awaited event of the day was 'Kirtan Mela' that glued devotees to their seats. Different Kirtniyas held the audience spellbound by their enchanting kirtan. Devotees were moved to tears of joy by the mesmerizing Kirtan performed by HH Sachinandan Maharaj. Devotees were soaked in deep loving sentiments for the divine and experienced a deep sense of bliss!
Divine discourses by different Maharajas each evening enlightened the audience. The Cultrual Programs and the Presence of All the VIPs at the end of each day was a delight to all! Each day, devotees went home with so much more divine knowledge, grace and deep spiritual experiences, than they could possibly carry! Krishna-Balaram Temple is indeed Krishna’s loving gift for His devotees! In continuation of the grand inauguration ceremony, Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School has planned many more events for future.
November 9:
On this day, which was the concluding day, awestruck by the construction of the grand temple, intricate sculpture work and the beautiful illumination , the visitors were all smiles, capturing the occasion on their cellphones and giving sound bytes to media persons.
