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ISKCON Valsad, situated in Gujarat, India, celebrated the installation of Srila Prabhupada’s murti on December 21st, 2024. This milestone is not just a symbol of the temple’s expansion but a manifestation of the deep love and dedication of the local devotees, who have worked very hard to bring Srila Prabhupada’s presence to their community.

Over 450 devotees from across the country attended the installation ceremony, which was conducted by Jagadish Chaitanya Das, a head pujari from ISKCON Vrindavan. He performed the abhishek and the first arati ceremony while other devotees, including Bhima Das and Dadibaksha Das, participated by giving lectures.

ISKCON News recently interviewed Nitai Sharan Das, the temple president of ISKCON Valsad. He provided in-depth details about the event, shedding light on its significance and what devotees can expect. He also shared the rich history of ISKCON Valsad, which is an important part of the local community and the broader ISKCON network.

The opening of ISKCON Valsad and the installation of Srila Prabhupada’s murti are deeply connected to the memory of Nrsimha Guru Das, the twin brother of Nitai Sharan Das who had tragically passed away in a train accident on December 21st, 2016. “It was his dream to open a temple for Srila Prabhupada in Valsad. He loved distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and helping with the preaching. So, on the first anniversary of his passing, the temple was opened, and a plaque was installed at the entry of the temple reading ‘ISKCON Valsad manifest from the inspiration of Nrsimha Guru Das’ to honor a devotee’s desire for Srila Prabhupada’s movement to reach his town,” shared Nitai Sharan Das.

For the first six years, the temple did not have installed deities. This was due to the fact that many of the congregational members had not yet been initiated into Krishna Consciousness. However, the community continued to grow, and on December 21st, 2023, the first set of deities, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, were installed in the temple. This event was a significant step in the temple’s development, but it was the installation of Srila Prabhupada’s murti a year later that indeed marked a new chapter.

ISKCON Valsad’s altar is a reflection of the grandeur of ISKCON Vrindavan. The temple’s design is inspired by the dome architecture of ISKCON Vrindavan temple, and the artwork on the walls mirrors the beautiful paintings found in the courtyard of Vrindavan. On one side of the altar are the inspiring parampara paintings by a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Pushkar Das, while the main photo frames of the altar include Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar, Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai – all replicas of the deities from ISKCON Vrindavan. The temple’s name is also Krishna Balaram Mandir, showing its close connection to Vrindavan.

On the day of the installation of Srila Prabhupada’s murti, the community of ISKCON Valsad had a kirtan mela organized, with devotees from Vrindavan, Mumbai, GEV, and Pune leading the kirtans. There was also a drama and dance performance held, dedicated to Srila Prabhupada. The local devotees put their heart and soul into the performance, showing their deep gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for his mercy and guidance. The prasadam served to the devotees included an array of delicious items, such as pizza and cheesecake, making the celebration even more joyous.

Regarding the temple’s future plan, Nitai Sharan shared, “After we installed Srila Prabhupada’s murti, the next plan is to secure some land to start the building of a replica of ISKCON Vrindavan.”

The community continues to thrive with regular Sunday and Ekadashi programs, where prasadam is distributed to all who attend. While the temple is not yet holding regular Food for Life distributions, there are plans to start this important service. A Temple Management Committee (TMC) is in place to oversee the temple’s operations, and a special “Nitya Seva” program has been established, where devotees contribute fixed monthly amounts to support the temple’s upkeep. At each festival, teams are formed to collect donations, further ensuring the temple’s sustainability and growth.

Kheer Chora Das, who attended Srila Prabhupada’s murti installation ceremony, shared, “We sincerely thank you for inviting us to this wonderful program. It was an unforgettable experience, thoughtfully and creatively organized. Nitai Sharan Prabhu, as always, was fully engaged, managing everything with the support of his dedicated wife. The prasadam was extraordinary—so delicious. The kirtan was truly ecstatic, an otherworldly experience and among the best we’ve ever witnessed.”