International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has said it is establishing a center in Srinagar, Jammu Kashmir.
The statement was made on January 15 at the opening ceremony of the Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohanji Temple in the Kharghar neighborhood of Navi Mumbai, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sura Das, ISKCON Trustee and President, made a formal petition for land allotment and expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s presence.
“I’ve been thinking about this project for years. I had even addressed it with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha before, considering that plots had already been assigned to other religious institutions,” he remarked
Sura Das emphasized ISKCON’s international presence in nations such as Russia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and raised concerns regarding the lack of a center in Jammu Kashmir.
He highlighted Srinagar’s attractiveness as a tourist destination and pointed out that an ISKCON center there would offer sanctified food, accommodation, and spiritual support.
“This initiative is designed to benefit humanity, transcending all divisions of caste and creed, and reflects our commitment to universal love,” he stated.
Currently, ISKCON manages over 125 centers throughout India.
The proposed temple in Srinagar aims to incorporate traditional local architectural styles within a simple yet culturally enriching setting, in contrast to the more elaborate facilities in Kharghar. The project necessitates around 4 acres of land.
“While the Prime Minister proposed Jammu as a possible location, I prefer Srinagar due to the significantly smaller land requirement,” Sura Das was quoted as saying by FPJ.
A formal request has been directed to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and Das remains optimistic about receiving government support.