Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center ISKCON Phoenix - AZ

The Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center ISKCON Phoenix is a serene temple and community center in Chandler, AZ, dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna and the teachings of the Hare Krishna movement. Since its establishment in 1996, the center has served as a beacon of bhakti yoga (devotion) for the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Its welcoming environment fosters spiritual growth and a vibrant community, making it a hub for cultural and devotional activities. Visitors can experience the joyful practice of Krishna consciousness through chanting, spiritual discourses, and communal feasts.

Key features

Deities: The temple is home to beautiful deities, including Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Hari, Sri Shreenathji Gopal, and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai.

Cultural and community center: The Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center hosts various programs, including Sunday schools, libraries for children, and weekly spiritual assemblies.

Daily worship (Puja) and meditation (Kirtan): The temple conducts daily aarti sessions and promotes mantra meditation through congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra (kirtan).

Weekly Sunday feast: A major feature is the weekly Sunday Feast, where spiritual seekers gather for a spiritually enriching and vibrant experience that includes chanting, a spiritual discourse, and a free vegetarian feast.

Vibrant festival celebrations: Major Hindu festivals like Janmashtami and Ratha Yatra are celebrated with great enthusiasm, drawing the community together for these cultural and spiritual events.

Online resources: The center has an online presence and adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by transitioning programs, such as weekly spiritual classes, to online platforms.

Service and volunteerism: The mandir is largely volunteer-driven, with dedicated devotees offering selfless service (seva) for the community and temple operations.

Vegetarianism: Adherence to a sattvic vegetarian diet (free from onion and garlic) is a core tenet, and the food served (prasadam) is offered to Lord Krishna with devotion.