Pallava, Kalinga touch to Iskcon temple off ECR

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Spread over 1.5 acres at Akkarai village at Sholin-ganallur off ECR near here, the 50-foot high spectacular Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple, consecrated on Thursday morning, is a dream come true after over three decades for the Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) members and devotees.

The temple is a fusion of Pallava (Mahabalipuram) and Kalinga (Odisha) architectural styles and its vastu plan, based on the Bhumandala (earth) concept, is similar to the vastu floor plan of the famous Angok Wat temple in Cambodia. Iskcon founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami had in 1976 asked his disciples to set up a temple for Lord Krishna in Chennai.

The land was identified in 2002 behind the Buckingham Canal and the construction began in March 2002 and it was completed recently at a cost of Rs 15 crore.

Braving the sweltering heat on Thursday a large number of devotees gathered to witness the Prana Pratista and the kumbhabhishekam ceremonies, which were performed in a grand manner in the presence of Bhanu Swami, governing body commissioner of Iskcon Temple.

From Japan, in pursuit of spirituality

For many, the name Bhanu Swami may sound very Indian. But the yellow complexioned governing body commissioner of Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) of Japan is the force behind designing the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple at Akkarai in Sholiganallur off ECR.

Drawn towards Krishna consciousness movement, he has also studied Sanskrit. He had taken avid interest in designing the temple, which he says should “mirror the universe as per the Sthapatya Veda.” “The purpose of the temple structure is to connect man on earth to the Lord beyond the earth,” he says.

The temple is closely modelled on the seven chakras (energy centres) in the body and the opening of the seventh chakra viz. Sahasrara helps one to realise Sri Krishna, he says.

“We have placed the Mrytumjaya (conquest over death) yantra,” in the temple. The other charkas, muladhara, svadhishtana, manipura, anahata, visudhi and ajna, made of onyx marble, are also placed inside the temple.

The temple is constructed to ensure the sunrays enter the shrine and illuminate the form of Lord Ram and reach the altar.

The interior is adequately illuminated to reflect the prismatic colours on the pillars, ceiling, walls and floors.

As to what attracted him to this movement, he says, “everyone is looking for happiness…you need to involve in pursuit of spirituality to get sublime happiness.”