The best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is through healthy food. Today, my wife and I wondered where to go in the evening. My wife is not much of a shopping person, which ruled out malls. I don’t like crowds, which ruled out beaches and other public places. It had to be a quiet place. We both like a long drive. Combining both, we came up with the idea of going to the ISKCON temple in Akkarai, Off East Coast Road (ECR) near VGP Golden Beach, Chennai. Starting at 5:30 PM, we reached the place in about an hour. Before the Aarathi (pooja) at 7 PM, a meditation and chanting session of “Hare Krishna Hare Rama” was underway, we joined it and had a peaceful twenty minutes.
The beautiful temple is in the middle of a huge land parcel of several acres. In the evening colourful lights, the temple gopurams dazzle the devotee. I learned that the temple consecration (Kumbhabishekam) was held eleven years ago on 26th April 2012. The central hall had three galleries with Goddess and God idols of worship: Lord Krishna and Radharani; Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda; In Puri Jagannath temple style Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Mother Subhadra.
Sri Sri Radha Krishna Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Akkarai, ECR, Chennai
After a nice darshan of the Aarti, we came down and went for dinner at the restaurant attached to the temple. They serve only sattvic food, which is vegetarian and made fresh, containing whole grains, nuts, ghee and milk, they are completely void of Onion & Garlic. We had plates of Aloo Paratha, Paneer Paratha, Dahi Puri, and Bhel Puri. The parathas were freshly kneaded, piping hot and tasty. The Dahi (Yogurt) was creamy and smooth. Overall, we enjoyed the food.
Sattvic food: Aloo Paratha, Paneer Paratha
Sattvic Food: Dahi Puri, Bhel Puri
Disclosure: I like all vegetarian food with no prejudice! Other foods, I have no idea! #sattvicfood #iskconchennai #iskconfood
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