Absolutely, yes — ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) has some amazing temples outside India. Many of them are not just temples, but full-fledged cultural centers, spiritual hubs, and community gathering places. Here are some of the most prominent and highly respected ISKCON temples around the world:
🌍 Top ISKCON Temples Outside India
1. ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Londonishvara – London, UK
- The first ISKCON temple established in Europe (1969).
- Located in Soho, right in the heart of London.
- Frequently visited by celebrities, artists, and dignitaries.
- Has a beautiful temple room and a famous Govinda’s vegetarian restaurant.
2. ISKCON Los Angeles (New Dvaraka) – USA
- One of the largest ISKCON centers in North America.
- Extremely well-maintained and vibrant, with daily deity worship, kirtans, festivals, and spiritual classes.
- Also features the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) HQ and a lovely Govinda’s buffet restaurant.
3. ISKCON Toronto – Canada
- Known for its grand celebrations like Ratha Yatra on the streets of Toronto.
- Devotee community is warm, welcoming, and well-organized.
- Temple architecture and ambiance are both traditional and serene.
4. ISKCON Melbourne – Australia
- A central hub of Krishna Consciousness in Australia.
- The temple is beautifully built and maintains a strong community presence.
- Also has a popular restaurant called Crossways.
5. ISKCON Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir (Under Construction – TOVP) – West Bengal, India
- While this one’s in India, it’s becoming the global headquarters of ISKCON.
- The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) is poised to be one of the largest and most stunning temples in the world.
6. ISKCON Vrindavan (Krishna Balaram Mandir) – India
- While again based in India, it attracts international devotees year-round and sets the gold standard for other ISKCON temples globally.
7. ISKCON New Govardhana – New South Wales, Australia
- A large rural farm temple community with cows, organic farming, and sustainable living — inspired by Krishna’s cowherd pastimes.
- Very peaceful and immersive spiritual setting.
8. ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor – Watford, UK (Donated by George Harrison)
- One of the most iconic ISKCON centers globally.
- Donated by Beatles guitarist George Harrison in 1973.
- Set in the English countryside, it’s not only a temple but also a school, retreat, and farming center.
9. ISKCON Durban – South Africa
- One of the biggest ISKCON temples in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The annual Ratha Yatra festival in Durban is a huge event attracting tens of thousands.
- Beautifully designed interiors with a strong Indian diaspora presence.
10. ISKCON New Vrindaban – West Virginia, USA
- A massive spiritual and eco-village in the Appalachian mountains.
- Features the stunning Palace of Gold, originally built as a residence for Srila Prabhupada.
- Popular tourist destination for both spiritual seekers and art/architecture lovers.
More ISKCON Temples Outside India That Deserve a Special Mention
Above was just the cream of the crop. ISKCON has 700+ centers and temples worldwide in over 100 countries, and many of them are real gems in their own right. Here’s a deeper dive into more real good ISKCON temples outside India that deserve a mention:
🌟 More Beautiful & Well-Run ISKCON Temples Worldwide
🇷🇺 ISKCON Moscow – Russia
- One of the most active ISKCON communities in Eastern Europe.
- Despite facing regulatory challenges, devotees there are incredibly dedicated.
- Russia has over 50+ ISKCON centers, and the movement is growing rapidly.
🇧🇷 ISKCON Nova Gokula – Brazil
- One of the largest rural ISKCON communities in South America.
- Lush green hills, cows, and serene temple ambiance.
- It’s a spiritual eco-village modeled on Vrindavan.
🇲🇽 ISKCON Mexico City – Mexico
- A stunning temple with vibrant festivals, especially Janmashtami and Ratha Yatra.
- The Latino devotee community is full of energy and enthusiasm.
🇭🇷 ISKCON Zagreb – Croatia
- A model of simplicity and devotion.
- Very warm community and beautiful deity worship.
🇮🇹 ISKCON Villa Vrindavana – Florence, Italy
- A large estate with beautiful gardens, deities, and a farm.
- A peaceful retreat near Florence — it’s both a temple and cultural center.
🇺🇦 ISKCON Kyiv – Ukraine
- Exceptionally strong despite the country’s ongoing challenges.
- Grand deity worship, deep spiritual study, and powerful community support.
🇹🇭 ISKCON Bangkok – Thailand
- Gorgeous Radha-Krishna temple in the heart of Bangkok.
- Thai devotees and Indian expats both contribute actively.
🇿🇦 ISKCON Cape Town – South Africa
- Modern, stylish temple with a stunning view of Table Mountain.
- Excellent prasadam and a vibrant outreach program.
🇯🇵 ISKCON Tokyo – Japan
- A growing community that blends Indian bhakti with Japanese aesthetics.
- Japanese devotees are deeply sincere and disciplined.
🇲🇾 ISKCON Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia
- Impressive temple with rich Vaishnava traditions.
- Strong Tamil and Malaysian devotee base.
- Hosts many grand festivals throughout the year.
🛕 Fun Fact:
Even in places like Iceland, China, Kenya, Hungary, and the Middle East, you’ll find active ISKCON groups — some of them discreet due to local laws, but very much spiritually alive.