George Town – Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion & Understanding in Seberang Jaya, Penang, opened its doors for devotees on August 29.
First of its kind in Malaysia, this temple costs about 10 million Malaysian Ringgit. The octagonal-shaped multi-storey unique temple established by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has 16 chatris, was designed after two well-known temples in India and its decorations were undertaken by artisans from India.
Besides worship services, this temple also proposes to instruct devotees on yoga, chanting, spirituality, etc.; run an education center; provide free vegetarian food and include a Srila Prabhupada Gallery. Its Mandala-Abhishegam Ubhayam commenced on August 30 and will go on until October 16.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement from Nevada (USA), commended efforts of temple leaders and area devotees and Hindu community for realizing this Lord Krishna temple complex.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple would help in this direction.
ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada reportedly visited Malaysia for five days in 1971. ISKCON Malaysia, launched in 1980, now has over 20 registered branches and over nine preaching centers. Bhaktivrajendranandana Swami is its President.
ISKCON, headquartered in Mayapur, India, is also known as Hare Krishna movement, and “includes five hundred major centers, temples and rural communities, nearly one hundred affilated vegetarian restaurants, thousands of namahattas or local meeting groups, a wide variety of community projects, and millions of congregational members worldwide.” Based on Bhagavad-Gita and the Bhagavat Purana, it was launched in New York City in 1966.
