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WORLD  Singapore IRM Expands Into Historic Building BY IRM  SINGAPORE, Sep 19 (VNN) — We are pleased to announce the expansion of the Singapore ISKCON Revival Movement (IRM) temple into one of the landmark buildings in Singapore's history. Situated at 9 Norris Road, and designed beautifully in the style of North Indian temple architecture, the large imposing building has been made famous by some of the 20th century's most famous personalities. During the war years, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, whom Srila Prabhupada credited with the liberation of India from British Rule, frequented the premises and subsequently opened a dormitory building to house the orphanage which was there at the time. In 1950, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, visited the Norris Road premises and attended the opening of the Boys' Home building. Other important personalities to have visited the premises include Dr. Zakir Hussein (former President of India), and the Senior Minister and then Prime Minister of Singapore itself, Mr Lee Kwan Yew. These visits show that 9 Norris Road has been duly recognised in history as one of the focal points and nerve centres for the provision of welfare services on the Island. Now known as the Sri Krishna Mandir, the government has provided official public road signage indicating its location, in recognition of the building's prominence. The frontage of the building extends to 100 feet, and the total built up area is about 18,000 sq.ft., spread over 3 elevatored floors, 20 rooms, 4 large classrooms, one temple hall and one prasadam hall. The acquiring of these facilities has provided a great boost to the already burgeoning activities which have been undertaken by the temple in the 20 years it has been established in Singapore. One of its main activities is its very popular Food-for-Life' programme, which has been established with the ultimate aim of feeding Krishna prasadam (sanctified food offered to the Lord) to every member of the public. The temple restaurant daily operates from 11am to 10pm, serving sumptuous and nutritious pure vegetarian meals of rice, dhal, subjis and other food items. The meals are offered at a take-as-much-as-you-want scheme for a token donation and many members of the public have been benefiting from this food distribution programme since its inception at the beginning of 2003. Further to this, catering services are also provided for special functions. Members of the public have become impressed with this programme and many traders, both Indians and the local Chinese, have come forward to generously contribute financially and in kind in the form of free grains and vegetables. The Food-for-Life program has also been expanded to Old Folks Homes, Children's Homes, Halfway Houses, etc. where devotees regularly visit with packets of healthy food. Many elderly predominantly Chinese residents falling within the 60-86 age group look forward to the free meals every day. What is amazing is the ability of our food distribution programme to reach and attract people of various races and different religious persuasions. Sri Krishna Mandir's food distribution programme is gradually emerging as a dynamic and constantly expanding social welfare venture and the rewards are very satisfying, especially in terms of engaging people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds as contributors, supporters, participants and beneficiaries. 9 Norris Centre has become a major centre for the distribution of "soul" food. In addition to the food distribution programme, Sri Krishna Mandir remains at the forefront of combating social ills such as crime and drug addiction. Devotees from the temple have been offering social and religious counselling to inmates in the various prisons in Singapore since 1989. Knowledgable and experienced devotee counsellors from the temple have been meeting with inmates. They conduct regular counselling sessions on weekdays and Sundays without fail. Originally starting off at the Jalan Awan Centre and the Changi Prison, devotees have expanded their counselling services to the Khalsa Crescent Centre and the Kaki Bukit Prison School, upon the invitation of the authorities. Spiritual books from the society have been placed in the prison libraries for the benefit of the inmates. Inmates are treated to melodious bhajans, kirtan (devotional music) and video shows on a drug-free lifestyle and spiritual topics. They are also taught Mantra meditation and the cultivation of good habits. On festive occasions such as Deepavali, etc., devotees have been invited to perform kirtana and distribute prasadam in the prisons for the welfare of the inmates. Prison Authorities from the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association and the prisons have also acknowledged Sri Krishna Mandir's endeavours over the years with commendation certificates for the important counselling services rendered. Many inmates and ex-inmates are grateful for having been given a chance to contact the devotees in their quest to better themselves in life. The counselling programme continues today with vigour and enthusiasm. All this is topped by all the many regular activities which are expected from a major temple such as this. Weekly classes in Sanskrit and Bhagavad-Gita, as well as classes for children are conducted in English, Tamil and Bengali. The Presiding Deities, Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan are worshipped daily in authentic tradition together with the Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Sri Jagannatha-Baladeva-Subhadra and Sri Nrsimhadeva. More significantly, 9 Norris Road is today Singapore's own replica of Vrndavana, Lord Krishna's transcendental abode. It houses the only Radha Krishna temple in Singapore and also simultaneously serves as a replica of the Holy temple of Puri with its installed Jagannatha Deities. 5 worships and 7 offerings are made to the Deities each day according to the guidelines of the Narada Pancharatra. In fact, many guests and devotees alike marvel at the beauty of the Deities and are able to perceive the presence of the Lord. Many cultural activities such as devotional dramas, dances and music performances are also held regularly. The temple's drama troupe, The Vaikuntha Players, have been putting on colourful and lively dramas for many years for the audiences. These dramas depict the pastimes of Lord Krishna and His various incarnations and devotees, as presented in the Vedic literatures such as the Srimad- Bhagavatam and Chaitanya-charitamrta. All the major Vaisnava festivals such as Ratha Yatra and Govardhana puja are held, in conjunction with a nearby 200-acre farm which belongs to one of the members of the temple. Plans are underway for the start of a kindergarten and child care centre. The kindergarten is set to take off by the beginning of 2004 followed subsequently by the commencement of a child care centre. In line with the counselling activities of Sri Krishna Mandir, scope has also been confirmed for the establishment of a counselling centre for inmates and those with marital and financial problems, etc. Furthering the cultural development of the premises, devotees are also looking into the possibility of starting classes in vegetarian cooking, classical music, dance and yoga etc. The promising Food-for-Life Programme is waiting to expand further. A massive food distribution programme involving many charitable organisations of various persuasions is being planned and Sri Krishna Mandir is set to feature significantly in this regard. Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! For more information please contact Tel: 62502280 or e-mail: skm_singapore@yahoo.com Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
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