VRINDAVAN COULD BE WORLD CENTRE OF SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT: PREZ
AUSPICIOUS START Special puja performed for construction of world’s tallest Shri Krishna temple which will be thrice the height of the Qutab Minar
VRINDAVAN: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday expressed optimism that Vrindavan could become the global centre for spiritualism after the establishment of the world’s tallest Shri Krishna temple here.
Lauding the role of the holy town in showing the path ahead for India, he said spiritualism and books like Bhagwad Gita would help manage the pressures of socio-economic and moral transformation that the country would witness in its journey from being a developing nation to a developed nation.
Mukherjee expressed these views while addressing a gathering after performing an ‘Ananta Shesha Sthapana’ pooja for the construction of the 700ft Chandrodaya Temple -- the world’s tallest Shri Krishna temple in Vrindavan.
The Presidentnt said being in Vrindavan was a matter of pride for him.
The temple, an architectural marvel seeking to restore the glory and the times of Lord Krishna, is planned to be thrice the height of the 72.5metre Qutab Minar in New Delhi.
Mukherjee also went to the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan. Tight security arrangements were in place for the VIP’s visit and markets on the temple route remained closed since the morning. The President reached the temple in a golf cart and spent 15 minutes there before flying back to Delhi at 1.30 pm. His chopper landed here on a specially-laid helipad around 11.15 am.
The President lauded the role of Acharya AC Bhakti Vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupad, the founder of ISKCON, for spread- ing Krishna consciousness worldwide. He recalled the cultural renaissance that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu brought in the 15th century, making Vrindavan an important seat of the Bhakti movement.
According to the President, the upcoming Chandrodaya Mandir would not only be another attraction for religious tourists, but would also disseminate Bhagwad Gita’s message.
He emphasised that spiritualism remained the core of India’s 5,000-year-old civilisation.
He also acknowledged the contribution made by ISKCON and Akshay Patra in feeding 1.4 lakh children in 2,160 schools of Mathura district through the mid-day meal scheme over the past decade.
Addressing the gathering, UP Governor Ram Naik termed the occasion a golden day and praised the commitment of President Pranab Mukherjee towards traditions.
Also present on the occasion were minister for prison Balram Yadav, Mathura MLA Pradeep Mathur, Mathura MP Hema Malini, Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandez, chairman of Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir Madhu Pandit Dasa, president of Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir Chanchalapati Dasa.