Iskcon Temple, Katraj, Pune

Isckon temple in katraj is a new temple which is under construction when we visited in May 2014. The main temple where the idol’s of Krishna and Puri Jagannath reside is completed but the surrounding area is under construction.

It took us 30 mins during less traffic from Kharadi to Isckon temple and while returning in traffic it took almost 45mins. Distance from kharadi to the temple is 17-20kms, so far the short route is 17kms even as per google.

The temple as all Iskcon temples is a very pleasant one and good thing of this Iskcon is they allow you to take photos of idols and interior design of the temple. Please remember we are allowed to take pictures of idols and interiors itself, we are not supposed to take our own photographs inside the temple.

3 sets of idols inside the main mandir. First one is Balaram and Krishna, next one is Krishna and Radha and the third one is a replica of puri Jagannath idols along with subadra and balabadhra. 

The interiors are designed amazingly and there are so many pictures\paintings depicting different events of Lord Krishna’s life. There are pictures depicting the festival of Puri Jagannath which happens in Orissa state every year.

Once we come out of the main temple , the entire surrounding walls are beautifully designed with pictures of Lord Krishna and few other avatars of Lord Vishnu. 

Once we reach back of the main temple on the left side of the main temple we can see stairs leading towards ‘Balaji Mandir’. When we visited the main idol of Lord Balaji’s was set up but work is going around Balaji mandir. You are allowed to take photographs here as well. Here they sell Laddu which looks same like Tirupathi Laddu and they charge around 50rs each laddu. Taste is not exactly same as Tirupathi Laddu but it is nice.

As with all Iskcon temples the more time you spend in the temple the more peaceful it will be. We have spent almost 5hrs when we went for the first time. Outside of the main mandir, they are setting up a grass lawn where we can relax and it's really calm place with the cold wind blowing continuously.

While walking towards the exit of the temple from Balaji mandir on the right you will notice a gift shop where you can purchase a wide variety of gift articles of Krishna, first time I came to know there is an after shave lotion made of cow products. 

Near to exit, you find small food court managed by Isckon, same like you find in all ISKCON temples. The taste of food is fine and all varieties of food available here like Chinese, chats, dosa’s, bakery items and more.

 Thanks!!