Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in the Kharghar area of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, on Wednesday. The temple, named Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple, was built with the efforts of ISKCON.
During the inauguration, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being part of the event. He said, “Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple is being inaugurated on this great land of knowledge and devotion, with the efforts of ISKCON. I am fortunate that I am getting the blessings of playing a role in this divine inauguration.”
The Prime Minister admired the temple’s design, stating that it reflects the tradition of spirituality and knowledge. “I was just seeing that the outline of the Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Ji Mandir Parishad, the idea behind this temple, its form, reflects the entire tradition of spirituality and knowledge. Various forms of God can be seen in the temple. I am confident that this temple complex will become a holy center for enriching the faith as well as the consciousness of India. I congratulate all the saints and members of ISKCON and the people of Maharashtra for this noble work,” he added.
PM Modi also remembered former ISKCON Chairman Gopal Krishna Goswami, who passed away on May 5, 2024. He noted, “Today, on this occasion, I am also emotionally remembering the most revered Gopalkrishna Goswami Maharaj. His vision is attached to this project. His blessings are associated with his immense devotion towards Lord Shri Krishna. Today he may not be here in his physical body, but we are all feeling his spiritual presence.”
The Prime Minister praised Srila Prabhupada Swami, the founder of ISKCON, and spoke about how ISKCON’s followers are united by devotion to Krishna. “During colonialism, Srila Prabhupada took forward the importance of Ved, Vedant, and Gita. He did the ritual of linking Vedant to the consciousness of people. In 70 years, when people usually think they have fulfilled their duty, that’s when he began the mission of ISKCON,” he remarked.
PM Modi also highlighted the continuous efforts of his government in the interest of the people. He stated, “I am satisfied that our government is also continuously working in the interest of the countrymen with full dedication and a spirit of service…Construction of toilets in every house, providing Ujjwala gas connection to every poor woman, providing tap water facility to every house, providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh to every poor person.”
The Prime Minister mentioned the ‘Krishna circuit,’ an initiative aimed at connecting various pilgrimage and religious sites across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
