On Saturday, April 6th, more than three hundred people –political, religious, and other community leaders, along with leading congregational members of ISKCON of DC – gathered for the Temple Grand Opening Ceremony in Potomac, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. The diversity of participants reflected the decades-long bonds the Hare Krishna community has cultivated in the region. Guests expressed their congratulations on the opening of the newly constructed temple building and gratitude for ISKCON’s presence in the greater Washington DC area. The gala event followed the recent multi-day Temple Opening Festival held from March 16th – 24th.
Guests at the event included leaders from the Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints communities, as well as interfaith, county, and religious freedom organizations including the Capital Area Food Bank, Interfaith Power and Light, West Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, Montgomery County Citizens Association, Association of United Hindu and Jain Temples, Becket Firm, Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan DC, Religions for Peace USA, and the Religion Communicators Council.
Upon their arrival at the start of the four-hour program, guests were treated to a variety of hors d’oeuvres and beverages in the temple entrance hall. Then, after a ceremonial ribbon cutting, they were guided into the new temple itself, where they were able to appreciate the Deities, altar, and sacred space while local artists Gaura Vani Das and Srivani Dasi enhanced the sacred ambiance with melodious soft bhajans.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/dignitaries-join-metropolitan-washington-dcs-new-krishna-temple-inauguration/
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