The Hare Krishna Movement (HKM), Hyderabad, an affiliate of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangalore, is set to begin construction of its ambitious Rs.100 crore temple complex and culture centre at Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple premises in Banjara Hills from Friday.
The HKM, which runs the ‘Bhojanamitra’ free food scheme in government hospitals and ‘Akshaya Patra’ for students in government schools, said they had received the mandatory permission from municipal authorities to take up construction of the temple and cultural centre.
“Friday is ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ and it will mark beginning of the construction of the temple dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha in a 4.38-acre land allotted to us by the government,” said HKM Hyderaba-d’s head Gaura Chandra Dasa.
Cultural attractionsOther cultural attractions include the themed experience of ‘Narasimha Leela’, ‘Narasimha Kala Kshetra’ or an open air theatre and a ‘Vedic Samskara’ Hall.
ControversyThe temple shot into limelight in 2012 when the then Labour Minister, Mr. Danam Nagender, and his followers locked the temple gate to prevent the holding of ‘Krishnashtami’ celebrations. Anticipating trouble, HKM officials said they had received police protection at the construction site after directions from the High Court.
