₹125-crore ISKCON temple for Surat: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel lays foundation stone at Kosmada
Synopsis
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has laid the foundation stone of a ₹125-crore ISKCON temple at Kosmada in Surat — but the ceremony went beyond a religious ritual. Invoking the Bhagavad Gita and PM Modi's 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi' vision, Patel called for temples to become centres of youth empowerment and social service, not just places of worship.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel laid the foundation stone of a ₹125-crore ISKCON temple at Kosmada, Surat on 25 October 2026 .
The temple is designed to serve as a centre for spiritual learning, youth empowerment, cultural awareness, and humanitarian service .
Patel invoked PM Modi's vision of 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi' , linking the project to India's cultural heritage preservation efforts.
Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani , Health Minister Praful Pansheriya , and Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia were among senior officials present.
Students who cleared the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita examination conducted across Asia were felicitated at the event.
The CM called for young people's energy to be channelled into nation-building and away from addiction.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday, 25 October 2026, laid the foundation stone of a ₹125-crore ISKCON temple at Kosmada in Surat district, urging religious institutions to blend spiritual teachings with human service and active nation-building. The ceremony marked the formal launch of one of Gujarat's most significant temple construction projects in recent years.
Foundation Ceremony and Key Attendees
Chief Minister Patel performed traditional rituals, worshipping the foundation stones and offering oblations at a Narsingh Yagna. A felicitation programme was also held to honour donors who have contributed to the project. The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia, Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Purnesh Modi, MLA Pravin Ghoghari, Mayor Maya Mawani, and senior ISKCON Gujarat officials including Regional Secretary Assistant Harsh Govinddas and Regional Secretary Assistant Vanshidhari Das.
What the Chief Minister Said
Addressing the gathering, Patel framed the temple project within Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi' — preserving cultural heritage alongside development. He drew a direct link between the Kosmada temple and other heritage restoration efforts, including the construction of the Ram Temple, calling contributions to spiritual causes a matter of good fortune.
'Such initiatives could promote harmony in society,' Patel said. He also highlighted the enduring relevance of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, saying its 18 chapters offered practical guidance for navigating everyday dilemmas — from confusion towards clarity, despair towards self-confidence, and inaction towards a sense of duty.
The Chief Minister elaborated on specific chapters: Sankhya Yoga emphasised self-knowledge and duty, while Karma Yoga taught selfless action as spiritual practice. He added that incorporating these values into daily life 'would strengthen families, improve social harmony and provide an ethical foundation for the country's development.'
Temple as a Centre for Youth and Service
Patel called on attendees not to limit devotion to worship and rituals alone, but to connect it with service to humanity. He specifically urged that young people be kept away from addiction, with their energy redirected towards nation-building. He expressed confidence that the Kosmada temple would evolve into a centre for spiritual learning, youth empowerment, cultural awareness, and humanitarian service.
Earlier in the programme, ISKCON Varachha president Murtiman Das outlined the temple's development plans. Students who had cleared the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita examination conducted across Asia were also felicitated at the event.
Project Significance and Context
The ₹125-crore ISKCON temple at Kosmada represents a notable addition to Surat's religious and cultural landscape. Surat has emerged as one of Gujarat's most economically dynamic cities, and this temple is positioned — according to its organisers — not merely as a place of worship but as a multi-purpose institution addressing spiritual, educational, and social needs. This comes amid a broader national trend of large-scale temple construction projects receiving state-level participation and private donor support across India.
Point of View
Vikas Bhi' framing places temple construction squarely within the BJP's cultural-nationalist development narrative. The emphasis on youth empowerment and social service reflects an attempt to modernise the ISKCON brand and preempt criticism that large religious infrastructure spending diverts attention from civic needs. Whether a ₹125-crore temple translates into measurable social outcomes — addiction reduction, youth skilling — will depend on institutional follow-through, which rarely gets the same headlines as a foundation stone laying.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the new ₹125-crore ISKCON temple be built?
The temple will be built at Kosmada in Surat district, Gujarat. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel laid its foundation stone on 25 October 2026.
Who attended the ISKCON temple foundation stone ceremony in Surat?
The ceremony was attended by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia, Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Purnesh Modi, MLA Pravin Ghoghari, Mayor Maya Mawani, and senior ISKCON Gujarat officials.
What is the purpose of the Kosmada ISKCON temple beyond worship?
According to CM Patel, the temple is envisioned as a centre for spiritual learning, youth empowerment, cultural awareness, and humanitarian service. He urged that devotion be linked with service to humanity, not confined to rituals alone.
What is the 'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi' vision CM Patel referenced?
'Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi' is PM Narendra Modi's stated vision of preserving India's cultural and spiritual heritage alongside economic development. CM Patel cited it to frame the temple project as consistent with the national development agenda.
What role did the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita play in the ceremony?
CM Patel highlighted the Bhagavad Gita's 18 chapters as a guide for navigating everyday challenges. Students who had cleared a Bhagavad Gita examination conducted across Asia were felicitated at the event.
