Iskon Temple opens its doors on Krishna Janmashtami

4666 What's Happening : 20 Aug 2022

On the auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, ISKCON Milton held grand inauguration of it’s new temple. The program started from 4PM until midnight. Everyone was requested to join and be part of it. Free sanctified vegetarian meals (Prasad) were served at the temple.

Iskon Temple opens its doors on Krishna Janmashtami

Written by: Vandana Bhatt

In the previous ten years, Milton's population has increased significantly.People from all different backgrounds love to call it home. Numerous people and families are drawn to the community in Canada that is expanding the fastest. The most endearing aspect of Milton is its kind and caring community. It also has a special charm and historical significance. On the auspicious day of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, August 19, Iskon Temple opened its doors to the devotees in Milton.

People have frequently asked for a nearby temple as the Hindu population in this area of the Greater Toronto Area has grown, and Iskon is the city's first temple that is proximate in the centre of downtown Milton. Over the years, worshippers have travelled to Oakville, Mississauga, and Brampton as there was nothing in Milton, but having a temple nearby is a comfort. ISKCON The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has a vibrant and successful Milton centre at 410 Bronte Street South, Unit 202-203 Milton, ON, Canada L9TOH8. The Inauguration ceremony was held on the auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. The program started from 4PM until midnight. Everyone was requested to join and be part of it. Free sanctified vegetarian meals (Prasad) were served at the temple.Program Highlights included, Ecstatic Kirtan, Abhishek, Mid-Night Special Aarti, Vegetarian Feast, Drama and Dance Performances, Ladoo Gopal Swing, Krishna Katha. The chants of Hare Krishna, Radhe Krishna roared on the rythem of dholak and manjeeras (music instruments).

Picture courtesy: Manju Sekhri (Milton resident)

What is Iskon?

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is the spiritual institution founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 as a continuation of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya.

In ISKCON’s incorporating document, Srila Prabhupada imparts the “Seven Purposes of ISKCON”:

(1) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

(2) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

(3) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).

(4) To teach and encourage the Sankirtan movement of congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

(5) To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

(6) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

(7) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

Under Srila Prabhupada’s guidance, ISKCON has grown from a small group of devotees in New York City to currently having more than six-hundred ISKCON centers worldwide.