Home > Mind , Body & Soul > Hinduism > A Designer Darshan Remember the famous Manoj Kumar and Jaya Bahaduri movie- 'Roti, Kapda Aur Makan'? Well, 'makan' has a whole new meaning in the modern sense of the term.

Science has advanced so much that every field is always coming up with something new and mind boggling. Buildings are constructed keeping every minute detail in mind. The key words in modern day architectural parlance are: functional and aesthetic. We have all heard about numerous modern buildings and flats with all facilities. But a temple?

It's time to go to check out the perfect syncretism of form and function in the ISKON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) Temple in Bangalore which matches the highest international standards.

An Architectural Divinity

The ISKON temple has been six years in the making. The total cost of construction is a mind boggling thirty-seven crores. The Maha Kalasha is the largest in the world and is made of 24-carat gold. The idols, too, are made of pure 24 carat gold. The dwajhasthambham or the flag post at 60ft. is the highest in the world. And yes, you guessed it, the flag post is also made from pure 24 carat gold!

The temple has a 55ft high ceiling and the white gopurams are made out of specially designed granite. The mini hall or the kirtana mandir has a ceiling 55ft. high. Cement chips for the wall and blue reflective glass have been imported to enhance the beauty of the temple.

At night, focus lights are used to light up the entire temple and the gleaming white gopurams.

A Grand Spectacle

The temple theatre is used to for information dissemination about ISKON. Projectors, video monitors, cameras, display screens all serve the purpose of imparting information to the public. Cooking food for the devotees is done on a centralised stream basis. Accommodation for guests and devotees is also available.

There are over seven acres of landscaped area that encompasses gardens, fountains, trees and rocks. This adds a 'green' touch to the temple. It also provides a quiet, sylvan haven amidst the bustle of a modern city.

This happens only in India; a temple bespeaking all that is traditional in India in the heart of her Silicon Valley! Mera Bharat Mahan!