Krishna temple to be built on Moscow outskirts

Nevada (US), Dec 13 (ANI): A new Krishna temple is being planned on the northern outskirts of Russia's capital Moscow, after authorities allocated a plot for it, according to reports.

Reports suggest that construction on this temple in Vereskino village on Novoskhodnenskoye Highway will begin by December 31, 2012. This is the outcome of petitioning and efforts by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and other Hindu community and India Government which began as far back as 1991 and saw many ups and downs. Architectural design has reportedly been already approved and the project will be finalized and construction permission obtained in 2011.

Project will reportedly combine classical Indian temple design with modern technologies. Besides a spacious sanctuary for worship, this temple complex is proposed to include an Ayurvedic hospital, center for social programs, auditorium, accommodation for devotees/pilgrims, etc.

Meanwhile, well known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of ISKCON and other Hindu community and India Government to realize this wonderful proposed Krishna temple complex.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple complex would focus in this direction. He stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu and subject of major Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord) and Bhagavad-Purana. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. (ANI)