Sri Venkatakrishna Kshetra

Temple Info

Main Deity: Sri Venkateshwara	Other Deities: Shiva, Lakshmi Devi, Ganesha, Hanuman, Garuda, Muruga, Duttatraya, Navagraha
Year Established: 2011 CE	Functioning Temple: Yes
Architecture Style:	Endowment Control: No
Nearest Airport: Shyharbor Internation Airport (PHX)
Nearest Railway Station: None

Description

Sri Venkatakrishna Kshetra, a fully functional Hindu Temple, is managed by Sujnana Religious and Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) organization affiliated to Puthige Matha, an 800 year old Institution established by Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya in Udupi, India. As this was the first temple that Swamiji installed a Moola Vigraha abroad, he declared this as Moola Matha (Original International Puthige Matha). In addition, he named it “Kshetra” meaning a “Pilgrimage Center”. Lord Venksteswara, the Kanchana Brahma is the presiding deity in the temple. Udupi Sri Krishna, the Anna Brahma is also installed. The Panduranga Vittala, the Nada Brahma is the main deity of Puthige Matha which has established this temple. Thus, as Swamiji said, there are Kanchana Brahma, The Anna Brahma and the Nada Brahma all in one place in Tempe, Arizona. Therefore, if one visits Sri VenkataKrishna Kshetra, one is blessed with the benefits of visiting all the three Kshetars – Tirupati, Udupi and Pandarapura in India.

Itihaas

It opened its doors on June 5, 2011 to the sounds of the temple bells and beats of the drums at its current location. The temple is located at 615 S Beck Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281. Prior to this, the temple was housed in a single family home at 6633 W Shannon Street in Chandler. It started as a small place of worship for the Indian community in the year 1999 with Utsava Murthy brought from India by Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, during his first visit to the USA. Sujnana Religious and Charitable Foundation is registered with the Corporation Commission of the State of Arizona.

Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji. Head Pontiff of Sri Puthige Matha, India and the President of World Conference of Religions for Peace, in whose presence, the rituals and formalities as per agama shasthras for installing the Deities, with pomp and fun fare were carried out by the ordained and trained Priests from India. The deities were carved and shipped from India and donated by the Devotees. More than 1000 people witnessed the consecration as this was a unique event in everyone's lives. Sri Swamiji in his address to the devotees stressed the significance of attending the temple and the need for Devotion and Prayer. He congratulated the citizens of Arizona for their contributions and cooperation.

The main deity is Lord Venkateshwara, the Supreme God Vishnu along with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and the Navagrahas (nine planets). The temple has also installed the first mrithika Brindavana in the United States for the great saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamiji of Mantralayam.

This was the millennium goal of Swamiji, when he visited Arizona on January 1, 2000 that became a reality in 2011, just 10 years later. Swamiji is a great visionary, leader to the people and an International Religious Ambassador with a deep sense of Globalization. His main theme has been that “Globalization of Faith among people must occur first before the Globalization of Economy occurs. Unfortunately, it has been the other way. Now, we must strengthen our beliefs and work together in harmony as brothers and sisters, understand each other and lead a cooperative life leading to Peace in the world that would ultimately help the economy.