Wada centre to expand Vrindabanbehari temple

After a multifold increase in the number of visitors since the Covid pandemic, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Govardhan Ecovillage is set to expand and embellish the Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanbehari temple, the main shrine in its 100-acre centre near Wada, to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

- Manoj Ramakrishnan

The Govardhan Ecovillage was set up in 2002 as a centre for spirituality and sustainable living. The two major temples here, including the Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanbehari, were built in 2016. However, the temples are dealing with an unprecedented rush of devotees. It is estimated that 7.5 lakh devotees, from Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, and Surat, among other cities, now visit the centre annually.

"We did not expect the increase in the crowds. We started on a small scale. Since Covid the number of visitors has increased 10-fold," said Chaitanya Rupa Das, Deputy Director of Govardhan Ecovillage.