Hare Krishna Melbourne (ISKCON) Temple — Attraction in Melbourne

“We invite, All Hungry people, take your eating here, sumptuously. Why you should remain hungry”. – Words of the Founder Srila Prabhupada, from the 70’s, continues to occur to this day, at the Temple, despite many challenges.

However, upon my visit over the past few days there does seem to be room for improvement as my experience was somewhat inconsistent and border lining on disheartening.

•Upon entry to the dining hall during the described times, I often noted the Food preparations were nearly running out. I believe on the 25th (Sunday), at 1830- there appeared to be no food left. There was no information available on where attendees could go to obtain more, however I noted that some attendees obtained food at another location, which remains a mystery)

•I understand that personnel serving food items are volunteers (thus not members of the temple) however it feels that these volunteers or maybe even staff can be selective in who they serve. Some of these personnel have no smile, no energy , are arrogant and don’t seem happy. They wouldn’t even respond to an acknowledgement. I noticed that some people in the queue could ask for more, as they knew the people serving. Food is meant to be distributed, not hoarded. What is the correct way to ask for more whilst in the queue. Servers should have more emotional intelligence and compassion. This is especially important if you bring visitors to “relish the kitchen religion”.

•The event on Boxing day was somewhat disorganized in 40 degree heat. Lunch was only served at 4pm, and was advertised at 2pm. Queue and crowd management was a disaster. Many people where cutting in, making it difficult. Children, the elderly and desperate should have been served earlier, whilst the celebrations/processes where underway.

•Staff (members in devotional attire) didn’t seem that approachable, and lacked energy. I found that it was difficult to establish a conversation or even a greeting with staff. Some staff seemed hostile too caught up to even...

First of all, I'd like to say the temple is absolutely beautiful and peaceful and I went there to attend my sister's wedding, myself and my partner are not religious in any way and we simply wanted to be part of my sister's wedding.

However what completely ruined our experience and repelled us even more from being religious is the way some of the hare Krishna people acted!

We were being forced to buy some religious book despite saying no, one of lady kept pushing it, after the wedding concluded, she straight away went to the married couple to get them to buy a book as well, most people later on talked about how they were annoyed by the pushy improper marketing lady. (Of course none of us bought anything!)

On top of that, as we proceeded to go inside the temple for the couple to do another sort of ritual, we went inside as well to be by their side. There was indeed another lady who was forcing people to sing along, now if it was done out of passion and kindness, I would have understood but the lady was getting angry that most people including myself, wasn't singing. Cherry on top was when she called me to the SING in the microphone when I was already not singing because 1. I'm not religious. 2. I was there only for the married couple and that's it

What upsets me the most is that why should they force people to do anything? If someone is religious, it doesn't mean that they have to shout out loud to sing. Its just ridiculous.

However, there was some other wonderful people there, for example, the lady who organised my sister's wedding, she was lovely and only focused on making my sister's day special and not on any marketing or crazy singing things. So thank you for the people who actually made my sister's day...

This is a beautiful place, no doubt. Lord Krishna here will steal the hearts once visited and worshiped. Prasadam/Food is given after offered to the Lord and it is non stop. Though the temple is old and built 50 years back it is still so strong and attractive. The thing I don’t understand is the devotees, their behaviour and disgusting activities. Service/Seva means a person who does something to lord Krishna by surrendering completely and with out expecting anything in return but I have seen devotees here, if they do any service in kitchen they take lot of food packed in chucked packages(packages which are supposed to be in bin after taking out contents from it to cook food) then take them to their homes or wherever! How does this become service? What kind of behaviour is this? Not only lots of food is taken instead of getting paid in cash/money form but they also take advantage of the community, they find a girl suitable for them and then get married just because they do service. When you are taking so much in return and claiming each and every penny for the hours you worked or did service here, How come it becomes a service/seva? I have been to Bangalore Iskcon, their food was not free when visited, every devotee pays for prasadam but here just because it is free and a person did service so he/she is allowed to take cartons of food and eat it at home for whole week! Is this right? Is this the way said by Krishna in Bhagavadgitha? If a person works whole month and makes a lump sum money then donate a little in that earnings in temple visit with out expecting anything in return is actual service. Getting every single second spent as service in terms of food or referrals for Marraige or job is not a...