15-Year Saga Led to a Palace for Sri Sri Radha Gopinath in Ludhiana

The ISKCON Janpath temple in Ludhiana, a beautiful palace for Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, was joyfully inaugurated October 23rd-24th after 15 years of challenges.

The Beginning

Ludhiana is the largest city in the Indian state of Punjab, not only famous for its hosiery and cycle industries but also for its deep religious sentiment. Evidence of this was the 2007 donation to ISKCON of a 4.25-acre space with the hopes a grand temple could be built on the land. Donors included Shri Mahinder Goyal, Shri Mahesh Goyal, Shri Jagdeep Singhal, and Shri Vinay Singhal.

 Putting together the pieces of a puzzle

Turning the dream into a reality took work, as there were a lot of obstacles that occurred. However, the first was a strange challenge. The shape of the donated land was unusual, making it difficult to construct a well-connected temple complex. Rather than letting this situation discourage them, by Krishna’s mercy, the devotees who led this project thought of a unique idea to fix this issue – land exchange! The idea was simple yet intelligent: rearranging the Temple’s proposed location with a piece of land next to it, creating a proper space for construction. Once devotees accomplished this, the deity of Ananta Sesa was installed on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya in 2012.

Heartbreak

The Temple’s construction began, and His Holiness Bhakti Rakshak Gokulanand Maharaja guided the project team led by HG Rakshanath Das, alongside his brothers HG Acintya Tattva Das and HG Vishnu Gaura Das. They dedicated extensive time and effort, being present at the Temple’s construction site, ensuring every detail was handled. However, to everyone’s shock, the project suddenly stopped when the Temple’s roofs sank around nine inches. 

Climbing the mountain, yet again

After extensive analysis, structural faults were discovered by the builders. The plans were revised despite a lot of construction already having been completed. Retrofitting was incorporated, and the project was back on track. 

The Lord’s majestic abode

Built in a majestic Rajasthani architectural style, the Temple reveals itself to the visitors in layers, block by block. The entrance makes way for “Pankaj Sarovar,” lined with water fountains. Beside this is the “Pushpa Vatika,” a delightful garden. Opposite the Sarovar is an amphitheater with a seating capacity of over 500 devotees. In the next block is the ‘Tulasi Prangan’ followed by a plaza housing six shops that welcomes guests into the Temple.

The Temple complex houses three palace-like altars in the Temple hall, which features marble wall sculptures of the Dasavataras. These are accompanied by a well-equipped guest house and a banquet hall that can host over 1,500 people.

Gathering funds and Dedication of devotees

The project cost INR 30 crore. Over ten crore of which was contributed by HG Rakshanath Das, HG Acintya Tattva Das, and HG Vishnu Gaur Das. Engrossed in the Lord’s service, these three brothers and their families made an exemplary contribution to the temple project. They also helped assemble the ISKCON Mandir Steering Board, Ludhiana, a body that helped generate the remaining half of the funds. Here, devotees such as Shri Rajesh Dhanda, Shri Ajay Singhania, Shri Rajesh Newtia, Shri Rajesh Gupta, Shri Alok Ajwani, and Shri Saurabh Grag stepped up to solicit contributions with great zeal. 

HG Rakshanath Das, President, ISKCON Janpath, Ludhiana, said, “The project was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. But miraculously, the services kept continuing. Whenever we felt lost and discouraged, Gopal Krishna Maharaja was always there. The devotees such as HG Rantidev Das, HG Shaktiman Shyam Das, HG Dev Narhari Das, HG Yamal Arjuna Das, along with their families, were also always there.”

Inauguration

A majestic, two-day inaugural ceremony took place at the temple premises in the presence of HH Gopala Krishna Goswami, HH Bhanu Swami, HH Prabhodananda Saraswati Maharaja, HH Bhakti Rakshak Gokulananda Maharaja and HH Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Maharaja, and HH Bhakti Karunanay Vanmali Maharaja. 

Several Prabhupada disciples and senior Vaisnavas such as HG Mahaman Das, HG Sarvadrik Das, HG Shri Dhama Das, HG Devakinandan Das, HG Umapati Das (Kenya), HG Brajendra Nandan Das, HG Rukmini Krishna Das and HG Amogh Lila Das were also present. They shared their blessings for the new beginnings. Panjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann also graced the occasion, paid his obeisances, and spoke to the devotees. A Vaishnava Homa took place in the afternoon and was followed by the Netronmilan ceremony on the evening of October 23rd. A cloth gently fastened around the deities’ eyes was untied, and Sri Sri Radha Gopinath opened their eyes for the first time. 

This was followed by the Vandapanam ceremony, where the deities were shown auspicious articles, and the Shayana Adhivasa, through which Sri Sri Radha Gopinath were put to rest for the night. The next day began with a Nyasadi Homa followed by the Maha Abhishek, where their lordships bathed in fresh juices, honey, milk, and other nectarian liquids. This ceremony led to the final Prana Pratishta, where the Lord’s senses were awakened, and they were finally installed in the sanctum sanctorum, blessing the devotees with their first darshan as the presiding deities.

Looking to the Future

Moving forward, as the host to one of the world’s largest Rathayatra festivals, the Ludhiana temple aspires to strengthen the devotee community and conduct better, grander Ratha Yatras in the coming years while expanding its structure. Currently, the vision is to create a bigger guest house and more classrooms, which serve as the space for the first and the most important process of Bhakti sravanam. 

When asked about the future of the Temple, HG Acintya Tattva Das, the Vice President, ISKCON Janpath, Ludhiana, said, “I am feeling immensely grateful, humbled, and indebted to Krishna that this project has finally been completed. I am hopeful that the Temple will help contribute to a better future for the residents of Ludhiana by standing with the community in all times to come.”

The author of this article, Pavni Gaurangi, is currently building a start-up focused on K-12 education. Pavni loves going on Dham yatras and plays the mridanga in kirtans.