Ratha-yatra and Rama’s Appearance Add to Temple Opening

Colored lights accent the new temple against the night sky.

By Parijata dasi

AHMEDABAD, India--After years of planning and in celebration of the Srila Prabhupada Centennial, devotees here began eight days of opening ceremonies of the Sri Radha-Govinda Dhama Cultural Center on April 15. Festivities included two days of Deity installation ceremonies, a parade with horses and elephants, visits by government and other dignitaries, performances by internationally known entertainers, and Vedic rituals. The inauguration received unprecedented coverage with color pictures on page one of all the major Gujarat publications.

Three 50-ft diameter stone shikhars (domes) hand-carved with depictions of Krishna’s pastimes, rise more than 100 ft. above the 25,000-sq-ft temple. The building, blending Gujarat Sompura, and Rajasthani Khamira architectural styles, sits on four acres and features one of the largest temple rooms in India. The 12,000-sq-ft hall can accommodate 4,000 people and is home to the Deities of Radha-Govinda, Gaura-Nitai, Sita-Rama-Laksman-Hamuman, and Sri Nathji, as well as murti forms of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. Decorations include ornate stone-clad pillars, marble flooring engraved with colored granite designs, windows intricately carved in Rajastani Mewas style, and Khemira and Araish decorated ceilings.

The temple hosted several religious and cultural programs, featuring famous artists Hema Malini, Bhupendra Mitali Singh, Pandit Jasraj, Anup Jalota, and Meenakshi Sheshadri. ISKCON players from Vrindavan Rasa and Gurukula Vaikuntha performed dramas, and Radha-Govinda Maharaja narrated the Srimad-Bhagavatam in Hindi.

The inauguration started with large fire ceremony conducted by the Mayapur gurukula students under the guidance of Bhakti Vidya Puran Maharaja. The hall was festive with colored rice patterns, earthenware pots, and flower decorations, pujaris chanting Vedic hymns, and colorful lighting inside and out.

The next day, Ramnavami (Lord Rama’s Appearance) disciples of Srila Prabhupada and sannyasis bathed the Deities, and while singing Vedic mantras, installed them on the intricately carved Burmese wood altar decorated with flowers.

After that, thousands of Ahmedabad inhabitants watched as temple members and friends conducted a Ratha-yatra celebrating Lord Rama’s Appearance. The eight-mile-long (17 km) procession with horse-drawn chariots, elephants, and a canopied ratha carrying the Deities toured major parts of the city, including the headquarters of the Indian Space Research Institute. Praveen Pitrodia, Mahesh Patel, and their staff built the wooden ratha for the occasion. People flocked to view the forms of the Lord and His associates, offer flowers and fruits, and accept packets of free prasadam. Devotee children dressed up to depict the pastimes of Lord Krishna, Lord Ramachandra, and Lord Chaitanya.

On April 17 the official opening took place with thousands of devotees, Life Members, and well-wishers from various parts of the world assembling at the temple. Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shankar Sinh Vagela, cut the ribbon on the door. The Govindam prayers echoed for the first time in the new hall as members began the worship ceremony.

On April 22 devotees offered a special feast to the exquisite black marble Deity of Sri Srinathji. More than 20,000 guests honored a full meal of Krishna prasadam that day, and devotees distributed thousands of other prasadam packets to visitors.

The temple opening completes the first phase of building at the Ahmedabad center. The second phase will include a 200-seat audio visual multimedia theater depicting scenes from Vedic scriptures, a 200-seat amphitheater, a transcendental exhibition with 40 dioramas (dolls), and a multimedia exhibition developed by ISKCON in Los Angeles and Detroit that is designed to teach visitors about Krishna consciousness. The plan also includes ponds, flower beds, and fountains.

The project is headed by Yasomatinandan dasa, who came to Gujarat after Srila Prabhupada instructed him to spread Krishna consciousness in the state.

For more information, readers may contact ISKCON, Satellite R., Gandhinagar Highway Crossing, Ahmedabad 380054, India; 91-79-674-9827 or 674-9945.