Kuil Sri Krishna, Brickfields — Attraction in Kuala Lumpur

The Sri Krishna Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, is a fascinating case study in modern spirituality—or perhaps more accurately, commercialism masquerading as devotion. Nestled among its neighbours along Jalan Scott, this temple stands shoulder to shoulder with others, creating a veritable shopping district of spirituality. It's as if they took the concept of "location, location, location" and applied it to the divine. Who needs a serene atmosphere when you can have a bustling marketplace of spiritual services?

The temple offers a range of "spiritual services" priced from RM3 to RM3,000, making it clear that the focus here is not on fostering genuine devotion to Sri Krishna but rather on cashing in on the faithful's pockets. The temple's three to four charlatans claiming to be 'priests'—draped in gold and dripping with arrogance—seem more interested in pugnacity and intimidating worshipers than guiding them. Their presence is less about spiritual leadership and more about enforcing a monetary policy.

Patrons who dare to simply worship without spending are met with disdain. Seated in a row with their backs turned to the deity, these rogues unapologetically claim the centre stage, engrossed in idle chatter and lighthearted banter. Their sharp wit finds expression in sarcastic remarks directed at the patrons, punctuated by bursts of laughter of phone screens. It seems that in addition to their spiritual duties, these priests have taken on the role of tech-savvy sages, guiding their congregations not just in faith but also in binge-watching recommendations. A vivid display of their unwavering dedication to the sanctity of spiritual service.

If you thought Ramanuja's teachings would be honored here, think again. The temple is overcrowded with deities and sanctums that navigating through them feels like trying to weave through a busy market rather than a place of worship. It's ironic that this temple claims to follow ‘Vaishnavism’ while also housing the nine Navagrahas—an apparent nod to Saivism that raises eyebrows among purists. The ritualistic practices seem more like an elaborate performance than genuine worship.

Adding to the spectacle are the temple management and committee members that oversees this temple's operations. Rather than managing with grace, they have outsourced authority to these rogue priests, who behave like despots rather than spiritual guides. Patrons are often left feeling harassed rather than welcomed.

In the midst of all this chaos lies a deeper issue: many patrons are misled into believing in the sanctity of the deity Venkateshwara in Tirupathi as 'self-manifested.' This narrative conveniently ignores its buried and conveniently forgotten history as a former Buddhist shrine co-opted by caste Brahmins during Buddhism's decline following the fall of the Mauryan Empire in 185 BCE. What remains today is a commercial enterprise trading in faith for financial gain.

If you're seeking a genuine spiritual experience at the Sri Krishnan Temple in Brickfields, prepare for disappointment. Instead of enlightenment, you might just find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of commercial transactions and theatrical performances masquerading...

If you all do not like to serve annathanam to the public next time don't put on display because it make people wait for the food to be served to them after pooja which will take hours and hours ! This is not the first time this temple doing this it is almost everytime when there is an auspicious event or festival you guys really love to make people wait for food which create happiness to the temple management !

It is like giving food to a beggar which wait long to get something to eat ! This how the devotees felt and first of all we are not there for your food the devotees came for swamy dharisanam and after get the dharisanam if there is food we will eat and go furthermore eating temple food it is a kind of blessing for us only this !

How long you all wanna make the devotees wait the time when i was waiting already about a hour plus the time was already 9.15pm when i left and someone from the temple said the food will be given after half and hour which mean at 9.45pm ? So that mean the kids, older ones , the people which have health issues also must wait long for food is it ? Is this how the real teaching ? One of devotee told me making people wait for food is not dharmam !

Soon after the we know the annathanam to be served will take longer to be served all of us went without wasting any time waiting for the food we let all of your temple management enjoy all the food and eat all of it ! Next time if you all do not wish to share the food keep it inside and enjoy eating with your own group don't display in the public and make the devotees wait for food !

If you all do not know how to manage a temple please go and learn from Sree Veera Hanuman Temple , Muneeswaran temple , Sri Kandaswamy Kovil , Sri Sivan Alayam and Sri Shakti Karpaga Vinayagar Temple ! All these temples also perform pooja and prayers with annathanam during important events and festivals and these temple won't drag long like all of you do !

In this auspicious Aadipooram 2025 day the temple served the devotees this way...

We got married in 2021 during Covid season. I just read reviews about person in charge for weddings and thought of sharing my experience. Probably it’s time for temple management to change the person in charge for weddings.

1. It was hard to converse with him due to language barrier. He couldn’t understand us and we couldn’t understand him. It was the same even when we spoke in English

2. We were not informed earlier that we have to hire vendors provided by temple. I hired deco vendor myself. On the wedding day, when all brides will be stressed and busy getting ready, the person in charge kept calling me and made me more stressed as my deco vendor was slightly late (they finished the deco on time BTW). The person in charge kept sighing saying this is why we need to choose their vendors so that everything goes right

3. We got married during MCO Phase 4 when weddings were allowed in KL. I informed this clearly to the person in charge as there wasn’t any time restriction as the government allowed social events. Again, he couldn’t understand what we were saying. On our wedding, when we hired photographers and videographers by paying thousands, just like other couples who would want memories of their wedding, when we were taking photos and videos, the person in charge threatened our photographers and videographers saying he will throw their equipments outside of the temple if they do not stop capturing photos and videos as it was 9.30pm and they have to close the temple to avoid police checks. We paid thousands and do not have proper photos because of the man.

4. We were promised for groom car park and bride car park but they didn’t reserve. My husband had to move the vase to arrange for car park by himself when it was raining heavily.

He ruined our wedding experience which will be one time dream event...