The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as ‘the Hare Krishna’ movement, was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. While some classified it as a new religious movement, its core philosophy is based on scriptures such as the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, both of which date back more than two millennia. The distinctive appearance of the movement and its culture come from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India ever since the late 1400s. Early converts to the movement were dated to early 1930s.
Non-sectarian in its ideals, ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of ‘Bhakti yoga’ (The Yoga of Devotion); wherein aspirant devotees (Bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing Supreme Lord, Krishna (seen as non-different from God).
About ISKCON Malaysia
ISKCON Malaysia was established in 1980. Today, there are over 14 registered branches and over 20 active preaching centres nationwide, not including the innumerable number of get-togethers. Most of these centres are managed by congregation devotees who volunteer their time and resources for the service of Lord Krishna.
ISKCON worldwide is managed by the Governing Body Commission comprising of more than 40 elected members. They meet once a year in Sri Mayapur Dham, India , the ISKCON headquarters, for the annual meeting. Members of the GBC are in charge of overseeing preaching activities in different parts of the world. They are called Governing Body Commissioners.
The Governing Body Commissioners for Malaysia are His Holiness Jayapataka Swami and His Holiness Prabhavisnu Swami. The Regional Secretary is His Grace Simhesvara dasa.
ISKCON Malaysia’s President is His Holiness Bhaktivrajendranandana Swami and the Vice-President is His Grace Vrindavana Candra dasa.
Each of the branches or Nama hattas in Malaysia, is managed by a committee comprising of elected members. The centres are financially self-sufficient and manage their affairs independently. Periodically, all the local leaders convene to discuss matters of individual and collective concern.
The total number of congregants nationwide (those who are chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and accept Lord Sri Krishna as Supreme Lord and Srila Prabhupada) is circa 10,000.
Activities
The core activity is to teach, train and disseminate Vedic culture and philosophy as presented in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. This is achieved through various means, such as:-
- Providing place for worship and learning.
- Distribution of spiritual books and learning tools.
- Free food distribution to the needy.
- Organising Vedic festivals.
- Spiritual counselling at prison and drug rehabilitation centres.
- Spiritual counseling for individuals and families.
- Care for the old.
- Training/guiding children, youths, under-graduates.
- Welfare and charitable activities.
SJMKL History
The first preaching centre in Kuala Lumpur also known as Sri Jagannatha Mandir, SJMKL, was established in Jalan Anak Gasing, Petaling Jaya in 1981. His Grace Ramasharan prabhu was the first Temple President. In 1984, the centre was relocated to Taman Kanagapuram, Petaling Jaya, and since 1985, we have established our headquarters in Taman Yarl, Off Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur.
His Grace Vrindavan Candra prabhu took over the leadership for a brief period. During his time, many life-members were made whose contribution helped the movement financially.
His Grace Simhesvara prabhu was the third temple president and he managed for 13 years. During this time many young men joined as residential devotees or brahmacaris. Preaching expanded throughout the country vigorously. New preaching centres mushroomed from North to South of Malaysia and as well as to Kuching.
Since the beginning, Sri Jagannatha Mandir operated from residential premises with limited facilities. Nevertheless that did not hamper the growth of our ISKCON in all sectors – congregation, book distribution, preaching activities, festivals, etc.
Today, Sri Jagannatha Mandir is 450-congregant strong. His Grace Uttama Caitanya dasa, who has been at the helm of the management since 2001, is assisted by a team of dedicated congregants. The temple has seen major renovation and extension to facilitate the increasing activities and attendance during festivals. Plans are afoot for further extension of the current temple building. Innovative preaching techniques, elaborate festivals, devotee development and educational activities are just some of the attractions that are the order of the day currently at SJMKL.
Sri Jagannatha Mandir is and will continue to serve as a spiritual oasis for all the sincere souls seeking spiritual realization.
Mission of SJMKL
SJMKL is dedicated to the spiritual upliftment, and study and dissemination of Krishna consciousness aimed at developing God-conscious individuals for the betterment of society.
Objectives of SJMKL
The objectives are:
- To establish a place of worship of Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.
- To provide a centre for the study, training, research and dissemination of Vedic culture and knowledge.
- To promote a balanced, natural way of life, based on spiritual values and principles.
- To assist develop God-conscious individuals.
- To increase spiritual fellowship among all living beings in a God-centred environments.
- To contribute to the national effort in eradicating social ills.
Deities
Sri Jagannatha Mandir is dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna in His deity form as Jagannatha, meaning Lord of the Universe ( Jag an translates to Universe , natha means Lord ). The temple is of great significance to followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, whose founder Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had a special attraction to the Jagannatha deity and lived in Puri , India for many years. Followers of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Who is no-different from Lord Krishna Himself, accept Lord Sri Krishna as the Supreme Lord. He has many forms in which Lord Jagannatha is one of those.
This temple was established in 1985 and has served as the headquarters of ISKCON Malaysia for all these years.
On the main altar in the temple, there are three thrones (simhasana). On the central throne are seated Lord Baladeva (Krishna’s brother), Goddess Subhatra ( Krishna ‘s sister) and Lord Jagannatha (in that sequence).
Flanking them on the left throne are the deities of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda (to His right), and on the right throne is photo of the deities, Sri Sri Radha Syamasunder.
On the right of the main temple hall, is the life-sized murti or deity of the founder-acarya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada who is also worshipp ed everyday.
Deity darshan timings
7.30am – 12.45pm
4.15pm – 8.45pm
Daily temple programme
5.15am Mangala Arati & Tulasi Arati
7.30am Darsana Arati
7.45am Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja
8.00am Srimad Bhagavatam class
8.30am Dhupa Arati
12.20pm Raja-bhoga Arati
4.15pm Dhupa Arati
7.00pm Sandhya Arati
8.30pm Sayana Arati
Sunday feast
7.30am Darsan Arati
7.45am Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja
8.30am Spiritual discourse (English & Tamil)
Children’s class (4 yrs – 12 yrs)
9.45am Prasadam
Contact details
Sri Jagannatha Mandir
ISKCON Kuala Lumpur
Lot 9901, Jalan Awan Jawa
Taman Yarl, Off Old Klang Road
58200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: +603-7980 7355
Fax: +603-7987 9901
E-mail: president@iskconkl.com
Website: http://www.iskconkl.com
Distance from KL Internationl Airport: 45 minutes Distance from KL City centre: 25 minutes Nearest commuter station: Kg Pasir (5-7 minutes drive) Nearest LRT station: Bukit Jalil Stadium (6-8 minutes drive)
How to get there
Map to ISKCON Kuala LumpurBranches in Malaysia
| ISKCON Kuala Lumpur (Sri Jagannatha Mandir – SJMKL) Lot 9901, Jalan Awan Jawa Taman Yarl, Off Old Klang Road 58200 Kuala Lumpur |
ISKCON Kuching Lot 680 Jln Ketitir Batu Kawa 93250 Kuching Sarawak |
| ISKCON Klang 20 Lrg Besi 4 Jln Teluk Pulai 41100 Klang Selangor Darul Ehsan |
ISKCON Mentakap Lot 3118 Jalan Netas Maju 6 Batu 3 Jalan Karak 28400 Mentakap Pahang |
| ISKCON Bukit Mertajam 429 Jln Sungai Rambai 14000 Bukit Mertajam Pulau Pinang |
ISKCON Skudai 55A & B, Jalan Jati 2 Taman Nusa Bestari Jaya 81200 Skudai Johor Darul Takzim |
| ISKCON Kulim 19 Lrg 2, Belakang SMJK Tunku Panglima Besar 90000 Kulim Kedah Darul Aman |
ISKCON Teluk Intan Lot 11667 Lorong Tembikai Off Jln Changkat Jong Taman Muhibbah 36000 Teluk Intan Perak Darul Ridzuan |
| ISKCON Sungai Petani 46 Lrg 1/6 Tmn Sri Wang 08000 Sungei Petani Kedah Darul Aman |
ISKCON Ipoh 15, Jalan Lang Rifle Range 30000 Ipoh Perak |
| ISKCON Seremban 246 Taman Desa Rasah 70300 Seremban Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus |
ISKCON Penang Island 43A Jln Kebun Bunga 10350 Pulau Pinang |
| ISKCON Kuantan B 1065 Tmn Sentosa Jln Air Putih 25300 Kuantan Pahang Darul Makmur |
ISKCON Kluang 40 Jln Ehambaram Kg MIC 86000 Kluang Johor Darul Takzim |
| ISKCON Taiping 24 Lrg Panglima Castor Avenue, Assam Kumbang 34000 Taiping Perak Darul Ridzuan |
ISKCON Bahau 156 Tmn Sornam 72100 Bahau Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus |
| ISKCON Sitiawan 70 Tingkat Atas Tmn Sentosa 2 32000 Sitiawan Perak Darul Ridzuan |
ISKCON Alor Setar 3037 Tmn Sri Tmn Jln Dato Haji Suib – 8 05250 Alor Setar Kedah Darul Aman |
| ISKCON Johor Bahru 18-01, Jalan Permas 3/17 Bandar Bahru Permas Jaya 81750 Johor Bahru Johor Darul Takzim |
ISKCON Sungei Siput 291 Tmn Heawood Lrg 11 31100 Sungei Siput Perak Darul Ridzuan |
| ISKCON Banting 37 Ground Floor Jalan Sembilang Taman Seri Putra 42700 Banting |
ISKCON Bentong P98 1st Floor Tmn Desa Damai 28700 Bentong Pahang Darul Makmur |
| ISKCON BCC Prai Lot 10 Lorong Jelawat 4 Seberang Jaya 13700 Perai Pulau Pinang |