The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), often referred to as the Hare Krishna Movement, will be inaugurating a grand new 11,200 sq. ft. temple building in Washington DC’s suburb of Potomac, Maryland, on March 22-23. A special VIP opening will be held for representatives from the academic, faith, and religious freedom communities, as well as political leaders, on April 6, 2024.
The Krishna Temple in the nation’s capital region was first opened in 1969 on P Street in a rented property in Washington, and in 1973 moved to Q Street. In 1976, the temple moved to Potomac, Maryland, where it is currently situated on 12 acres of wooded property. Although additional buildings were added over the years, the temple itself, where most religious and community observances are held, has been located in a 1200 sq. ft. converted indoor basketball court of what was previously a day camp for children.
“On major holidays, like Krishna Janmastami (Lord Krishna’s birthday) we host up to 8,000 congregants and visitors,” said Ananda Vrindavan, ISKCON Temple President. “We’ve struggled for years to accommodate everyone, and we are excited to share this new facility with our community.”
The new building boasts many features common to temples in an Indian, or Vedic motif, including elaborate arches and columns, extensive use of marble, and traditional temple domes. It includes a temple room of 4,000 sq. ft., a 3,200-sq. ft. cultural hall for community events, a gift shop, classrooms, and a large commercial kitchen to support the temple’s extensive distribution of free food. Globally, Hare Krishna Food Relief, Hare Krishna Food for Life, and other affiliates, distribute over 1.1 million hot vegetarian meals every day, mostly in India, in coordination with that government’s “Mid-Day Meal” program.
The opening on March 22-23, will include traditional Vaishnava Hindu ceremonies such as Agni-Hotra (fire ceremony), Vastu Puja (offering prayers to the four directions and natural elements), and extended kirtans (musical glorification of the names of God.)
The April 6 invitation-only event will include a ribbon cutting by dignitaries, remarks from special guests, a traditional performance of bhajans (musical meditation), and a feast.
When ISKCON first came to America in the 60s, its members drew attention and sometimes scorn due to their colorful robes, singing the Hare Krishna mantra on the streets of major cities, and their overly zealous distribution of religious books. But Krishna’s distribution techniques have mellowed with age, and views have changed too, regarding their beliefs.
“When I became a Krishna devotee in 1975, we were criticized for what were considered exotic practices like vegetarianism, mantra meditation, abstinence from alcohol, drugs, gambling, and illicit sex, as well as our beliefs in karma and reincarnation,” said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON Minister of Communications. “Now when I meet people, they often ask me about karma, how to chant mantras, or they ask for some good vegetarian recipes. Times have changed.”
Link for Schedule of Events: https://www.iskconofdc.org/opening
