Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Jaipur, also known as Hare Krishna Mandir or Akshaya Patra Mandir, is a temple of Lord Krishna and His brother Balarama, located in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The temple is a part of the Hare Krishna Movement, a global spiritual organization founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is revered as the Acharya or spiritual master of the movement.
The temple was inaugurated on April 17, 2016, by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. The temple is situated on a sprawling 7-acre campus, which also houses the Akshaya Patra Foundation, a charitable organization that provides mid-day meals to millions of school children across India. The temple complex also includes a guest house, a restaurant, a bakery, a gift shop, a library, a museum, and a children’s park.
The temple is a magnificent structure that showcases the rich architectural and cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The temple is built in the Rajasthani style, with intricate carvings, paintings, and sculptures depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna and His devotees. The temple has three domes, each representing one of the three presiding deities: Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, and Sri Sri Krishna Balarama. The temple also has a 60-feet-high flag post (dhwaja stambha) and a 56-feet-high pillar of lamps (deepa stambha), which are lit every evening.
The temple is open to all visitors from 4:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm every day. The temple offers various spiritual and cultural activities for the visitors, such as:
- Deity darshan: The visitors can have a glimpse of the beautiful deities of Lord Krishna and His associates, who are dressed in colorful outfits and adorned with jewels and flowers. The visitors can also participate in the daily aratis (worship ceremonies) and kirtans (devotional songs) that are performed in the temple.
- Prasadam: The visitors can relish the delicious prasadam (sanctified food) that is offered to the deities and distributed to the devotees. The prasadam is prepared with pure vegetarian ingredients and cooked with love and devotion.
- Books: The visitors can browse through the library and the gift shop, where they can find various books on spirituality, philosophy, culture, and history written by Srila Prabhupada and other eminent authors. The books are available in different languages and formats.
- Museum: The visitors can explore the museum, where they can see various exhibits and displays that depict the life and teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the history and culture of Rajasthan, and the glories of Lord Krishna and His devotees.
- Park: The visitors can enjoy the park, where they can find various attractions for children, such as swings, slides, seesaws, etc. The park also has a fountain and a pond with lotus flowers and fish.
Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Jaipur is not just a temple but a center of spiritual learning and cultural enrichment. It is a place where one can experience the divine grace of Lord Krishna and His devotees, and also learn about the rich heritage of Rajasthan. It is a place where one can find peace, happiness, and harmony in this chaotic world.