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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 03, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

Chicago’s ISKCON Temple

Celebrates Sacred Bond with Sri Sri

Radha Krishna

OUR BUREAU presidents fondly recalled replacing
a broken boiler around 1989 and the
Chicago, IL
transformation of the brahmachari
n a warm Wednesday evening, ashram.
June 17, 2026, the ISKCON Multiple speakers emphasized
OChicago Temple at 1716 W the causeless mercy of Sri Sri Kishore
Lunt Ave came alive with devotion, Kishori. Stories flowed—of prayers
nostalgia, and heartfelt celebration as answered instantly, of protective spir-
it marked the 53rd anniversary of the itual spaces felt in the temple room,
sacred installation of Sri Sri Kishore of families raising children within the
Kishori (Radha Krishna deities). community, and of lifelong commit-
From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the temple ments to service. Krsnarcana devi
filled with longtime devotees, newer dasi read from Sri Caitanya Carita-
faces, and community members who mrita, highlighting simple acts like
gathered to honor not just a milestone, standing before the deity and open-
but a living legacy of faith, service, ing one’s mind as profound forms
and transformation that has touched of worship. Subala das reflected on
thousands of lives across decades. dedicating decades to children’s pro-
The evening unfolded like a grams and Sunday school under the
beautiful tapestry woven with per- guidance of his spiritual master, HH
sonal stories, historical reflections, Romapada Swami.
and deep spiritual emotion. Devo- The celebration also honored
tees recalled how the beautiful de- tee who has lived at the temple for on Lord Rama’s appearance day in long-serving leaders temple presi-
ities of Sri Sri Kishore Kishori were over 50 years often responding to 1980. The purchase of the building dents, book distributors who trav-
first installed in a pandal program late-night emergencies like plumb- for $140,000 was seen as a miracle, eled through the night, devotees who
in Bombay before making their aus- ing issues reminisced about the ear- especially with a neighboring bank embossed the altar with gold leafing,
picious journey to Chicago. On this ly days. Other devotees spoke of the eyeing the property for a parking lot. kitchen teams, and countless others
very day 53 years ago, the community first small temple in an apartment on Jitendriya das painted vivid pic- whose quiet service sustained the
became blessed with their daily dar- Halsted, the challenges of Chicago tures of those foundational years: 24 temple. Gratitude extended to Indi-
shan and worship. Lila Manjari devi winters seeping through unscreened sannyasis visiting, massive festivals an community members who provid-
dasi, one of the priests, noted with windows, and the pioneering spir- with parades downtown, clay deities ed crucial loans and donations during
wonder, “Sri Sri Kishore Kishori to it of early devotees who tolerated before the grand marble altar, and the temple’s acquisition. The evening
Chicago even before Srila Prabhupa- hardships to please the Lord. From the evolution of the temple’s in- concluded with a group photograph
da visited in 1974-75.” there, the temple moved to a former frastructure from wooden floors to of all assembled devotees, a visual
The program opened with warm YMCA building in Evanston in the beautiful marble, from a small Ja- testament to the living community
invitations for senior voices to share 1970s, facing city violations and op- gannatha deity to larger ones used that continues to grow around Sri Sri
memories. Jitendriya das, a disci- position, before securing its current in Rath Yatra processions. Sunil Kishore Kishori.
ple of Srila Prabhupada and devo- home. The grand opening took place Madhava das, one of the ex-temple --Asian Media USA

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