February 14, a special day at this Krishna temple near Sholinghur

Located between the famous Yoga Narasimha Temple and Hanuman Temple, of Sholinghur, is a tiny shrine, which is just about five years old. Sri Vrindavana Thulasi Sri Krishna Temple has been attracting the IT crowd and the members of the ISKCON from Bengaluru for a few years now and is popularly known as Valentine’s Temple. More than five years ago, R Jagannath, managing trustee, of Gokula Lakshmi Yadava Trust, wanted to build a place of worship that celebrated love. The hilly surroundings of Sholinghur was the ideal spot and none other than his favourite lord could have been the ideal representation of love. 

He points to the uniqueness of the presiding deity with a calf licking the god’s feet. 

“It is the calf’s way of expressing his affection for Krishna --- the love that I hope to celebrate. After all it is that love that binds humankind. The temple also has an idol of a little Krishna and Saligramam,” says Jagannath. 

The former hotel employee adds, “When we consecrated the temple and named it Valentine’s Krishna, there was dissent from some groups. That is why I chose to change the name to Sri Vrindavana Thulasi Sri Krishna.” While the name changed, the tag of love stuck on and the mix of devotees who turn up symbolise the bridge love extends for all those who want to come on board. “There is a steady crowd of professionals and members of ISKCON from Bangalore,” he says.

This Valentine’s Day, like every year, is special. Jagannath says, “The day may have its roots in the West and from a different religion, but it is special for this temple as well. We have a Loka shemarthamana maha sudarsana homam planned for the day this year.” 

“Four priests from Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple from Thiruvellarai, in Tiruchy district, one of the 108 divyadesams (abodes of Lord Vishnu), perform the homam. It has been planned for the welfare of the world, in the aftermath of the Chennai floods,” says Jagannath. 

He adds that this is no desperate to link religious beliefs to a modern-day celebration. “The point everyone misses is that the love refers to the devotional and divine love Krishna shared with his devotees like Azhvars, Gopikas or Mirabai.”