Radha Govinda Mandir

The key factors driving the renovation of the Radha Govinda Mandir at 305 Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn include increasing outreach, enhancing accessibility, accommodating community growth, and modernizing facilities.

Outreach and community engagement: The renovation is part of a larger "Transform" campaign by ISKCON of New York City. A key factor is to create a more welcoming facade with new glass doors and windows that provide more light and visibility from the street, inviting more passersby into the spiritual community.

Accessibility and utility: The plan includes making the building more accessible and useful with new features like an elevator, rooftop garden, and a multifunctional event space for weddings and spiritual gatherings.

Expansion of facilities: To accommodate growth and improve offerings, the renovation includes a new kitchen for Radharani's service, a new pujari (priest) area, and a wet room for sacred preparations.

Reverence for history and tradition: Although modernizing the space, the renovation remains mindful of the temple's spiritual significance as one of the first ISKCON temples in the United States. ISKCON also recently restored another historic NYC location, its first temple on 2nd Avenue, as a museum.

Financial sustainability: These ambitious renovations require significant funding. The ISKCON New York community has engaged in fundraising campaigns to cover the costs of these upgrades and ongoing operational expenses.

Impact of the renovation

The upgraded facilities are intended to enable the Radha Govinda Mandir to better serve its growing congregation. The expansion of community spaces, educational facilities, and kitchen capacity reflects an evolution from the organization's storefront origins to a flagship spiritual center.