ISKCON Krishna Lila Park Vaikuntha Hill, Karnakapura Road, Bangalore

ISKCON Krishna Lila Park Vaikuntha Hill, Karnakapura Road, Bangalore (A Government of Karnataka approved cultural tourism project)

Project conceived by ISKCON Bangalore

Frequently asked Questions

1. What is the objective of this project?

India is on a fast track of globalization and urbanization. Along with the great advantages of this forward march, some concerns are also reality.

It is proven fact that with globalization and urbanization, local cultures are threatened. In the next few decades, India is poised to witness unprecented levels of economic growth and urbanization. In the flood of all these developments, we do not want India’s heritage and culture to be eroded.

The purpose of the Krishna Lila park is to present, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of India as described in the ancient Indian classics, to the contemporary society, in an interesting and captivating presentation.

2. How do you plan to achieve this?

In today’s society, people, especially children, are exposed to world class entertainment through animation, multi-million dollar Hollywood productions like Harry Potter films, internet content, IMAX films and so on. We have to present Indian classical content also in a manner that matches or exceeds these standards of presentation.

We plan to set up the Krishna Lila Park as a family edutainment centre – that will transport the guests to the time and place of the different episodes from the Mahabharata, Bhagavata and Ramayana. The narrative strategy we use is known as technology assisted multi-sensory immersive and experimental story telling. This is the kind of communication strategy that the world’s best Theme Parks like Disney World, EPCOT and Universal Studios use.

For instance, five thousands years back in Vrindavana when Indra threatened the Vrajavasis with torrential rains, blasts of thunder and lightening, and the consequent over flooding of Yamuna – all to inundate the village, and if you were present there how would you experience this? And the village residents felt when Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill and protected them! The Govardhan Lila attraction will give such an experience to the Krishna Park visitors.

3. Where do you get all this technology?

We are in touch with some of the most experienced designers and builders of theme park attractions in the world. We shall take their technical assistance and work with Indian technology companies to create these attractions at the modest Indian prices. Our firm belief is that Indian engineering companies can provide world class solutions at affordable prices.

4. What are the main components of the project?

1. A monumental and iconic building that has a unique architectural style which is a harmonious fusion of traditional temple design and modern style architecture. This building rises to about 360 feet height and the visitors will have the opportunity to climb up the staircase via exhibition space with dioramas in dramatic lighting and special effects to reach the viewing gallery. Four capsule lifts also bring visitors to the viewing gallery.

2. Attractions that depict the episodes drawn from the ancient classics of India. In Phase 1, we plan to have four attractions and in Phase 2, we plan other attractions.

One of the attractions will be on the highest level of iconic building where visitors will be seated on a special vimana that will take them out of the building in a breathtaking moment. The vimana will transport them further out of Bangalore city, beyond the earth’s atmosphere, pierce the coverings of the material universe and gently glide into the Vaikuntha world. This is a unique attraction that combines a 4D Theatre, motion simulation and advanced computer graphics, to create an unforgettable flight to the spiritual realm.

3. A 1500-seat amphitheatre with musical fountains and aqua screen projection for a daily outdoor evening show. Live show with hundreds of artists will also be a part of this show seasonally.

4. Small and medium sized children’s theatres that depict specially made children’s films, puppet shows, story telling sessions, etc. on Indian heritage and culture. Kids’ play zone to teach morality from our culture to the tiny tots in a fun way.

5. Gita Expo will familiarize the visitors with the essential message of Bhagavad Gita and its relevance to the present society. Science and Spirituality Pavilion will present meeting points of science and spirituality in an interactive exhibition space, to stimulate an inquiring mind about the profound philosophical subjects on Indian source books.

6. Lecture halls, AV theatres, conference and convention facilities.

7. Parking facilities for about 2000 cars. Allied infrastructure and facilities to handle the large number of people who come to this park.

5. Where is this project to come up?

The Government of Karnataka has allotted 28 acres of land at Vasanthpura, close to Kanakapura Road, for setting up this project. It is also a rocky hillock and an abandoned quarry like the Hare Krishna Hill.

6. What is the cost estimate of this project?

The cost estimate is Rs. 350 crores.

7. How do you plan to raise this large amount?

The trust has acquired about 35 acres of land near the rocky hillock allotted by the Government to get good access from Karnataka Road. And finally we ended up with this 35-acre piece of land. We plan to develop this 35 acres of land and the surpluses generated will be used for setting up the Park. (See sketch below).

8. What kind of “development” do you wish to take up?

We plan to take up mostly residential development and some commercial development.

9. Being a charitable and religious organization, why do you have to take up such real estate projects?

To develop a trust property and generate income to further the objects of the trust is a standard and age-old practice followed by religious and charitable trusts in our country, and in our city.
This is not something new.

For instance, the well known Unity Building, next to Bangalore City Corporation office, belongs to the Church of South India, and the property was developed into a commercial building, from which the church continues to enjoy rental income to be used for church purposes.

The Rashtrottana Building on Nrupatunga Road belongs to a charitable trust, Rashtrottana Parishad. The trust gets regular rent from Kamat Refreshments and a host of the other government offices.

There are hundreds of examples of this kind all over Bangalore city.

10. How can you devotees take up such residential development and commercial development?

We are not personally doing it ourselves. We have contracted the work to a builder, who is also a devotee of the temple. He owns a design and build company. And he does all the design, development and construction work for the temple practically at cost. It is a great blessing to have such a committed and competent builder with us. His company will also build the Krishna Lila Park buildings.

11. Is it true that you are building residential apartments in the land allotted by the government to set up the theme Park?

False. Please see sketch above. The allotted by the government is 28 acres and that will used entirely for setting up the Krishna Lila Park. We have separately purchased additional 35 acres of land where we will build residential apartments.

12. Has the government allowed you to take up such real estate projects?

Firstly, we are not breaking any laws of the land by taking such a project. As we mentioned earlier, a charitable and religious trust developing the trust property to earn an income which will be entirely used for the trust objectives is neither unlawful nor new.

Secondly, in our case, we are doing this to preserve and promote the great culture and heritage of India. We want to impress on the younger generation about the glorious pastimes of our legendary hereos like Krishna and Hanuman. Otherwise, today, our children’s minds are filled with Superman, Spiderman and such other characters and legends coming from the West. We want to implant the great characters of our Indian epics and the deep morality they represent, in the minds of our children. This is an unprecedented and historical project being attempted for the first time in our country.

We have presented this project and the financing strategy to the project to the Government of Karnataka in 2005. The State High Level Committee chaired by the Chief Minister of Karnataka has given clearance for this project as one of the state tourism projects. The government has also offered certain tax concessions under the tourism policy.

13. What milestones have been crossed in the realization of this dream project?

We have got the clearance from the High Level Clearance Committee (HLCC) in 30.12.2004.

Next we had to consolidate the lands needed for the project, which took a certain duration of time.

To raise funds for the project, we approached the financial institutions. But they wanted the land allotted to us by the government for this change from lease to free hold and the matter went up to the cabinet to approve this. Finally on 10.11.2006 the cabinet cleared this matter.

Meanwhile, we have got the environmental clearance for the project from the Government of India.

We also obtained the airport clearance for the height of the building.

We have also completed a great deal of design work of the attractions. Nearly 4000 art works, concept drawings, color keys, detailed design drawings.

We have also identified several technologies partners to provide engineering solutions for creating the attractions in the Park, both in India and overseas.

14. When is the project likely to be initiated on the ground? When is it likely to be completed?

The ground breaking ceremony was  mid August 2009 soon after Krishna Janmashtami. We plan to complete the project in five years time that is by 2014.

Comments

  1. ROHIT KALGUTKAR says:

    with lord krishna’s mercy let the temple get completed as early as possible,may the krishna consciousness reach every corner of the world. hare krishna

  2. In the name of Lord Krishna, nice real estate income being generated.
    And again a run of the mill comment,going a long way blaming western culture including super man ,spider man ..all and sundry.

    What is the objective,business,restoration,retention…i just don’t get it. But i know for a fact this is in all its glory is a commercial project and viable business model created in the guise of Lord Krishna.

  3. “The purpose of the Krishna Lila park is to present, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of India as described in the ancient Indian classics, to the contemporary society, in an interesting and captivating presentation.”

    Example is better than precept. You cannot preserve something that does not exist anymore, except in theory. The karma hindus will be interested and captivated for a day, and then go home with nothing to hold onto and put into practice.

    If you want to present something, do it. Then present it in a concrete fashion.

    A better investment would be to purchase some land and live simply and demonstrate Gaudiya culture BY EXAMPLE, as that is better than preceptorial display. First identify devotees by their varna and asrama, then commit to live in agrarian style with cottage industries producing goods to trade for what cannot be produced in the community. Daily sankirtana, a varnasrama college led by brahmanas, with a great library, a place to train ksatriyas, and lots of land for cow protection (which means using them for work), and farming, and a center to revive the 64 vedic arts.

    Then allow visitors. Whoever is really interested can become a devotee and be part of the REVIVAL of the culture that only exists in the instructions of the founder-Acarya of Iskcon and the Vedic texts.

  4. bhakta jarek says:

    I do agree with you bhakta Mark, to my suprise 100 % agreement:) Jay SrilaPrabhupada! Jaya Sri Krishna Bhagavan!
    y.s. bj
    dear aj prabhu wise observation and concise analysis. However, we should not have a doubt, new and very powerful religious sect is emerging over there under the name of ISKCON inc. Bangalore, and it will rather grow large, maybe even similarly big to the Vatican Catholic Church sect.

  5. MARK says:A better investment would be to purchase some land and live simply and demonstrate Gaudiya culture BY EXAMPLE, as that is better than preceptorial display.

    I think that the money would be better spent hiring devotees to finish the “Create SRT subtitles for Srila Prabhupada MP3 files” project, but what does that prove? Many of us have our own pet preaching projects.

    The diorama exhibits were Srila Prabhupada’s idea, but that was all that ISKCON could afford at the time. By way of a big budget expansion of his original diorama idea, I’m sure that he is very pleased by the Krishna Lila Park idea.

    Prabhupada taught us to use our intelligence to always be looking for new and better ways to preach Krishna Consciousness, so why not wait to pass judgement until we’ve seen the result? If the park just barely breaks even, financially speaking, and it only brings one lost soul to Krishna Consciousness, I’m sure that Srila Prabhupada will call it a success.

  6. The Rocana / Kailash / Bhakti Vikas program of Vatican style “voted in gurus” is coming to an end. People nowadays want to worship the bona fide acharya, and that is why the Prabhupadanugas are growing.

    We also have a brand new home program in Dallas, the citadel of the voted in acharyas program. Yes, Kailash wrote a paper to defend the GBC gurus, because he promotes their Vatican style program of voting in the guru, which is simply bogus.

    Almost everyone is agreeing this Vatican style voting in the guru program is bogus, ok except Jarek / Rocana / Kailash / BVKS et al., because their favorite web site still promotes Bhakti Vikas swami, who claims to be the higher authority than God because he is manufacturing / Vatican voting — more acharyas, because — Krishna no longer is? These people think they are greater than God, God cannot create acharyas any longer, but they can. Jarek’s program has egos the size of the universe itself, since they support people whose think they are greater than God, they can create gurus because God is not.

    This is the Vatican process, voting in the next messiah or his “living” spokesman, which is why this is Jarek and Kailash and Rocana’s favorite site, and they are promoting these Vatican guru voting fools who think they are greater than God, because they can make acharyas, God no longer can, these people are either greater than God — or the slowest turtles in the universe. ys pd

  7. The point that Pratyatosa das is missing is that devotees have resisted cooperating with one another according to their actual qualifications since day one. Srila Prabhupada had to ORDER everyone to do what should be natural among reasonable people of good will. Act according to your capacity (Social order/Varna). Do that duty and that duty only. Act honestly according to your spiritual position (Spiritual order/Asrama), and don’t repress under the rubric of spiritual renunciation.

    He ordered his leaders to divide the society according to Varnasrama. Everyone would be Vaisnava, yet their duties as Vaisnava would be exactly according to VARNA. He ordered Varnasrama colleges be established in each center. They weren’t meant for karmis initially. They were meant to educate HIS DISCIPLES. And because this was never done, his disciples remain ignorant on the most fundamental issues.

    For example, Pratyatosa das is on record just the other day on his website claiming that “Srila Prabhupada did not want his disciples to be sudras.” And when presented with quotes indicating other wise? He two stepped around the issue and would not address it due to embarrassment.

    Many disciples still do not understand this and see no value in following this order. They prioritize it into the distant future. And in doing so, they remain led by sudras and some Vaisyas, who will spend millions on a grand project to “make money”, that will not go one inch toward bringing disciples out of ignorance, not to mention presenting India’s cultural heritage IN PRACTICE.

    Put on another show. A bigger show. And what did Srila Prabhupada have to say about show-bottles? Are you going to make me drag up that quote AGAIN?

    instead of putting the cart in front of the horse, A BETTER INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY would be to create the Varnasrama college, educate devotees, create a functioning and self-sustaining Sankirtana community, and then create exhibits in the cities according to the resources available. Those exhibits will then be more than show bottle sukriti generating machines. They will be advertisements backed up by a tangible product. That any visitors who are “INTERESTED AND CAPTIVATED” can be further RAPT WITH ATTENTION and captivated for life upon visiting and joining a functioning community. Instead of being sent back to the slaughterhouse with a pipe dream of what might have been.

    Of course if highly competent and technically educated sudras and Vaisyas continue to mistake themselves as Bramanas and Ksatriyas, we can continue to expect them to use cunning to horde and misuse funds, cunning to exclude brahmanas from the decision making process, and produce the finest looking bottle of honey in all the world.

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