President of India Visits ISKCON’s Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan
The Honorable President of India, Droupadi Murmu, visited the Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan on March 19, 2026, as part of a three-day spiritual tour of Uttar Pradesh. She was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and other officials during her visit to the temple.
Upon arrival, the President and Governor were warmly received by Temple President Panchgauda Das, along with Janardan Das, Bhakti Anugrana Janardana Swami, Srutakirti Das, Ravi Lochan Das, and other temple representatives. The dignitaries first visited the samadhi of ISKCON Founder-Acharya A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, where they offered their respects and performed parikrama.
They then proceeded to the main temple for darshan of Sri Sri Krishna-Balaram and the other deities within the temple complex. During the visit, President Murmu participated in the evening arati and offered prayers at both the Krishna-Balaram and Radha-Shyamasundar altars.
A special highlight of the visit was the welcome presented by students of the Bhaktivedanta Gurukul and International School, who greeted the dignitaries with the chanting of Vedic hymns, including the well-known “Om purnam adah purnam idam.” The President also witnessed an Odissi dance performance offered by devotee artists from several countries.
Before departing, President Murmu expressed her appreciation to the students and performers. She distributed chocolates to the Gurukul students and posed for photographs, marking the conclusion of what temple representatives described as a memorable and auspicious visit that honored the spiritual legacy of Srila Prabhupada and the mission of Lord Chaitanya’s teachings.
Reflecting on her Vrindavan visit, which included multiple sacred sites in the dham, President Murmu shared on her X account, “The sacred land of Vrindavan is not merely a geographical region, but a living experience of divinity and devotion, where the echo of Lord Shri Krishna’s divine pastimes resounds in every particle.”
