Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shri Shri Radha MadanmohanJi ISKCON temple in Navi Mumbai’s Kharghar on Wednesday, January 15. Other key figures who attended the ceremony include Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief minister Eknath Shinde and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Hema Malini. Saints from around 800 ISKCON temples of the world were also invited at the inauguration ceremony in Kharghar.
The grand ISKCON temple took 12 long years for construction facing challenges like demonetization and the COVID-19 pandemic. It is spread over 9 acres, that includes 2.5 acres of the built-up area of the temple and 5 acres of green space. It took a whopping amount of 170-200 crores to build the Shri Shri Radhamohanji temple with this grandeur and architecture. The white and brown marble adds to the beauty of this marvelous temple which is located in the lush greens and hills near to the Pandavkada waterfall. And the silver doors installed inside have intricate carvings of mace, conch, chakra and flag which is an added highlight.
The artworks installed in the ISKCON temple are related to the Dashavatara of Lord Krishna. This includes the 3D paintings and other artworks which are displayed in the main hall. The temple is a representation of religion, Vedic culture and heritage. The complex is also equipped with educational center, guest house, yoga, gym, Ayurveda center and dining facilities.
Another major highlight of the temple is the 1008-seater cultural center and auditorium that is designed for hosting performances, spiritual discourses and Vedic teachings. The Shri Shri Radhamohanji temple is a third ISKCON temple in the Mumbai Metropolitan region (MMR).
HG Sura Das, the President of Kharghar ISKCON while addressing the attacks on ISKCON temples in Bangladesh and the contributions of Narendra Modi for the development of the nation and promoting Indian culture said, “Modiji has done everything in his capacity to address the attacks in our neighboring country and pacified the situation there. He is truly the protector of our Sanatan Dharma. India has faced intruders both before and after 1947, and we always needed a leader who could tackle these issues effectively.”