Shri Shri Jagannath Mandir (ISKCON Agra)
Welcome to ISKCON Agra Shree Jagannath Temple, a serene sanctuary where spirituality, devotion, and community converge in the heart of Agra. As a prominent branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), our temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Jagannath, a revered deity who embodies divine love and compassion.
We invite you to visit ISKCON Agra Shree Jagannath Temple to immerse yourself in the divine atmosphere, participate in our programs, and be a part of our vibrant community.
We are here to spread immense happiness, joy, wisdom, knowledge and utmost peace of mind to human society. All in all, we are here to make people Krishna Conscious. International Society for Krishna Consciousness, popularly known as the Hare Krishna Movement is a spiritual society found by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada in July 1966 in New York. ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya, a monotheistic tradition within Vedic culture. Today ISKCON comprises more than 400 temples, 40 rural communities and over 100 vegetarian restaurants. It also conducts special projects throughout the world, such as “Food for Life”, the only free vegetarian relief program in the world.
The aim of ISKCON is to acquaint all people of the world with universal principles of self-realization and God consciousness so that they may derive the highest benefit of spiritual understanding, unity and peace. The Vedic literature recommends that in the present age of Kali-yuga the most effective means of achieving self-realization is always to hear about, glorify, and remember the all-attractive Supreme Personality, Sri Krishna. Therefore, it recommends the chanting of the Holy Names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This sublime chanting puts the chanter directly in touch with the Supreme Lord through the sound vibration of His Holy Name.
Over five hundred years ago, Lord Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Navadvipa, a village in West Bengal. The purpose of His appearance was to inaugurate the Sankirtana Movement, the Yuga Dharma for this age of Kali. He declared that the chanting of His holy names would spread beyond the shores of India to every town and village in the world. He predicted that His commander-in-chief would appear to accomplish this mission.
And the Srila Prabhupada appeared to fulfill this prophecy.
On September 01, 1896, the day after Janmashtami (the auspicious appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna) in a little house in the Tollygunge suburb of Calcutta, a male child was born. His father, Gour Mohan De, and his mother Rajani, named him Abhay Charan (one who is fearless – having taken shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna).
When we talk about Sri Krishna and his dearest devotee Srila Prabhupada, there is no way that we do not get to talk about Taj City, it is next to impossible. Agra city is not just known for the Taj Mahal but there is history embedded deeply in this city. The Hare Krishna Movement, the movement which is known globally, its founder, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Srila Prabhupada has a strong connection with the city. He visited Agra several times and stayed for weeks at the residence of a devotee, Mr. Mathura Prasad Agarwal who lived at Motilal Nehru Road, Agra.
Mr. Mathura Prasad Agarwal was the one who encouraged Srila Prabhupada to go to America and preach and since then from America to all the other countries the Harinaam floated like a river along with Prabhupada everywhere he visited.
In terms of Spirituality, the International Society For Krishna Consciousness has a great reputation on a global level. It has so many temples and branches all-over the world. It is by coincidence that Harinaam preaching started from Agra itself. Different Saints frequently used to visit that red old building which was located at Motilal Nehru Road behind Sri Bhagwan Nursing Home. Saint Kripalu ji Maharaj also came here many times. The president of ISKCON Agra, HG Arvinda Svarupa Das also said that Srila Prabhupada’s Visa was made with the help of Mr. Gopal Prasad Agarwal, son of Mr. Mathura Prasad Agarwal.
Before Srila Pabhupada took Sannyasa, he was working in a pharma company in Allahabad. During his working days he used to visit agra often. Mr. Deepak Prahlad Agarwal, Nephew of Mr. Gopal Prasad Agarwal says that his father used to mention Srila Prabhupada many times that he used to worship regularly during his stay in the temple made in the home. Though the temple hall of the house is changed, the structure and the way it was set up is still the same. Mr. Mathura Prasad Agarwal and Srila Prabhupada used to share their thoughts with each other and during one such discussion, Mr. Agarwal said that Krishna Consciousness is really needed in a country like America and you should go there and preach to which Srila Prabhupada agreed.
The son of Mr. Mathura Prasad Agarwal used to live in America’s Butler, Pennsylvania so he talked to his son and decided to send Srila Prabhupada there. Then, Srila Prabhupada went to America in year 1965 and started living at Mr. Gopal Prasad Agarwal’s place. There he used to chant the names of God and used to do Harinama Sankirtana outside the home in a park. This led to the rapid growth of his followers. This way, Srila Prabhupada stayed for eight months at that place and continued his service to God i.e. Harinama Sankirtana and preaching. Gradually he started spreading this tonic of permanent happiness in the entire country and many other such countries. Mr. Gopal Prasad Agarwal also joined ISKCON later and followed their principles throughout his life and worshiped the God.
This deep connection of Srila Prabhupada with the Agra city is nothing but utmost mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To treasure this deep connection, ISKCON AGRA has been in existence for the last 12 years and is trying its best to engage as many people as it can, in the loving service of Sri Sri Jagannath, Baldev, Subhadra Mai.