New Krishna temple for capital
THE International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will open a new temple in Pietermaritzburg this weekend catering for the community’s cultural and religious enrichment.
The 624m2 temple, at the corner of Olympia and Bombay roads, in Northdale, is one of the largest places of worship in the capital.
A host of activities have been planned for this weekend, including international discourses by spiritual gurus and dramas.
Saturday’s festivities will begin at 2pm and from 11.30am on Sunday. The official temple opening is at 3pm.
ISKCON leaders and local politicians are expected to attend.
The head of ISKCON Pietermaritzburg and festival organiser, Nityananda Pran das, said the aim is to raise spiritual unity and social cohesion in Pietermaritzburg’s culturally rich and diverse community.
“The temple has been in the making for many years. The centre will dedicate itself to educating people in the science of religion via the ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Srimad Bhagavatam and other works of the founder of ISKCON, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Scriptural courses will also be facilitated by qualified educators.
“One of the main purposes of constructing the temple is to fulfil the vision of Swami Prabhupada, whose dream was to have a centre of Krishna consciousness in every city, town and village around the world. We are grateful to Lord Krishna for allowing us to be part of fulfilling Prabupada’s mission.”
Deities of the Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of Lord Krishna, will be honoured this weekend among the chanting of ancient Vedic mantras.
The temple and culture centre has a large kitchen to fulfil the needs of ISKCON’s Food for Life programme, which oversees the daily preparation of vegetarian meals that are distributed to the surrounding underprivileged communities.
“A restaurant catering for authentic and strictly vegetarian food has also been established within the centre, offering a tasty experience that will be one of its kind in Pietermaritzburg,” said Pran.
For further information, call 084 524 6754.