His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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New Varshana rural community is located only twenty minutes drive from the Auckland CBD. The thirty-hectare property is nestled amongst orchards and produce stores on the scenic Riverhead-Coatesville highway. The temple complex is fast becoming a drawcard for spiritual seekers and curious day-trippers. The Radha Giridhari temple is the showpiece for the Hare Krishna movement in New Zealand, and visitors are guaranteed a transcendental feast for the senses.
The property is a spiritual shelter for those inclined to learn more about the philosophy and lifestyle. For this purpose, New Varshana offers residents ashram facility according to individual needs. Brahmachari and brahmacharini ashrams for single men and women trainees co-exist alongside grihasta ashram for couples and families. We are an international community dedicated to exemplifying the ideals of simple living and high thinking, and a positive alternative to modern materialistic lifestyles.
The devotee community goals are Krishna centred and progressive, whilst simultaneously enabling residents to interact within the greater Auckland community. Devotees are diversely engaged in a broad spectrum of local service and outside employment. We are fortunate to be surrounded by like-minded persons with expertise in the arts, music, cultural and interfaith dialogue, management, media, and more.
Over and above this, the devotees share a great love of transcendental teachings as imparted to us by Srila Prabhupada, and a desire to inform others about the joy attained in a Krishna conscious lifestyle, where happiness is our inherent nature. So do yourself a favour, come visit us at New Varshana rural community, open your mind to a whole new world of enlightenment, and enter into the realm of Krishna consciousness.
Sri Sri Radha Giridhari temple was opened on 18th January 2004. The Deities (Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, and Their Lordships Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra) had previously been installed by the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada installed Sri Sri Radha Giridhari on the 18th April 1972 in ISKCON's first New Zealand temple, a house at 155 Landscape Road, Mt. Eden. On 28th April 1976 during his third and final visit Srila Prabhupada installed Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and also Sri Sri Jagannatha-Baladeva-Subhadra at a new temple at 67 Gribblehirst Road, Mt. Albert.
The Auckland Deities moved to this farm property, New Varshana, in 1978. While the new temple was being planned and built the Deities took up Their residence in the farmhouse near the entrance to the property. They were worshipped there for twenty-five years .
On 14th February 1987, the ground-breaking ceremony was held and the foundation plaque was unveiled by the then Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Lange. A golden Deity of Sri Ananta Sesa was installed beneath the future altar site.
Local Mayor, John Law, together with many ISKCON leaders and personalities from around the world officiated at the opening of this temple in 2004.
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Temple Daily Schedule
The temple program follows a regular schedule. You are welcome to join us in any part of the program.
04:30 - Mangala Arati
Early morning prayer
05:00 - Tulasi Puja
Worship of the tulasi plant
05:15 - Japa meditation
Individual meditation and prayer through the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra on beads
07:00 - Shringar Arati. Deity greeting
Welcoming the Lord on the altar, after He got newly dressed and decorated
07:15 - Guru-puja and kirtan
Worship of Srila Prabhupada and congregational chanting and dancing
19:00 - Gaura Arati
12:30 - Raja Bhoga Arati
13.00 to 16.00 - Altar Closed
16:00 - Dhupa Arati
19:00 - Sandhya Arati. Gaura Arati
Evening prayer
21:00 - Sayana Arati
Evening prayer
21.15 to 4.30 - Temple Closed
The temple is open daily from 04:30-21:15
Why Visit the Temple
It is stated in the Puranas, "Persons who attempt to visit the holy places of pilgrimage, like Vrindavana, Mathura or Dvaraka, are actually glorified. By such traveling activities, they can pass over the desert of material existence."
In the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya there is a statement about the benefit of visiting the temples of Lord Krishna. As we have explained previously, in Vrindavana, Mathura and Dvaraka the system is that all the devotees take advantage of visiting various temples situated in those holy places. In order to make an escape from this material condition, one is advised to visit a temple of Vishnu with devotional consciousness. Then one can very easily get out of the miserable condition of material birth.
Every Sunday please come to New Varshana's famous "Hare Krishna Sunday Feast".
Music, philosophy and a free vegetarian banquet from 12.30-15.30.
Furthermore, to feed devotees sumptuous prasadam is an auspicious activity. If you would like to sponsor a Sunday Feast, to commemorate a special occasion or just in general, please contact the Hare Krishna Temple for further information.
