Valentine remains a Christian saint and they think lovers and Valentine should have nothing to do with a Hindu temple. The orthodox view of these people turned out to be a spoilsport for R Jaganaath who considers love as a spiritual experience and Lord Krishna a perfect valentine.
Jaganaath, who had worked as a Food and Beverages Manager at five-star hotels in Chennai, hoped to consecrate the Valentine's Sri Krishna Temple at Sholingur in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu on April 14 2010.
Just a few weeks before the consecration of the temple, the activists of a Hindu outfit threatened to pull down the structure. They even held a demonstration against it in Vellore town.
"The activists of the Hindu outfit alleged that I wanted to make money by exploiting young lovers. They spread the news that I was promoting some illegal activities in the name of the temple. Police approached me to know the truth. I clarified to them that I was not promoting any illegal activities. I told them it is purely a Lord Krishna temple, and they understood me," says Jaganaath.
He says, "Lord Krishna is a symbol of love. His love is universal. It is eternal. He loves everybody and everybody loves him. He had 16,008 wives. Every day was a Valentine's Day for him. That is why we initially wanted to name the presiding deity Valentine's Sri Krishna."
But now Jaganaath and his supporters have decided to rename the temple. They have decided to call it Valentine's alias 'Vrindavana Thulasi Sri Krishna Temple' and the consecration of the temple will be held on the occasion of the Krishna Jayanti on August 21.
The presiding deity of the temple will be Sri Radha Krishna carved out of marble. There is also a marble sculpture of a cow licking the feet of Lord Krishna. "The cow symbolises Krishna's love for animals," says Jaganaath.
Devotees will be allowed to touch the feet of the idol. There will be regular pujas in the temple. Lovers can offer special pujas on occasions like Valentine's Day.
Sholingur, where the temple is being constructed, is a holy place. There are two famous temples which date back to thousands of years - Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy and Sri Yoga Anjaneya Swamy temples. Both these temples are situated on two hillocks. The 'Vrindavana Thulasi Sri Krishna Temple' is being built at Yadavapuri in the plains between these two hillocks.
Jaganaath, who had worked as a Food and Beverages Manager at five-star hotels in Chennai, hoped to consecrate the Valentine's Sri Krishna Temple at Sholingur in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu on April 14 2010.
Just a few weeks before the consecration of the temple, the activists of a Hindu outfit threatened to pull down the structure. They even held a demonstration against it in Vellore town.
"The activists of the Hindu outfit alleged that I wanted to make money by exploiting young lovers. They spread the news that I was promoting some illegal activities in the name of the temple. Police approached me to know the truth. I clarified to them that I was not promoting any illegal activities. I told them it is purely a Lord Krishna temple, and they understood me," says Jaganaath.
He says, "Lord Krishna is a symbol of love. His love is universal. It is eternal. He loves everybody and everybody loves him. He had 16,008 wives. Every day was a Valentine's Day for him. That is why we initially wanted to name the presiding deity Valentine's Sri Krishna."
But now Jaganaath and his supporters have decided to rename the temple. They have decided to call it Valentine's alias 'Vrindavana Thulasi Sri Krishna Temple' and the consecration of the temple will be held on the occasion of the Krishna Jayanti on August 21.
The presiding deity of the temple will be Sri Radha Krishna carved out of marble. There is also a marble sculpture of a cow licking the feet of Lord Krishna. "The cow symbolises Krishna's love for animals," says Jaganaath.
Devotees will be allowed to touch the feet of the idol. There will be regular pujas in the temple. Lovers can offer special pujas on occasions like Valentine's Day.
Sholingur, where the temple is being constructed, is a holy place. There are two famous temples which date back to thousands of years - Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy and Sri Yoga Anjaneya Swamy temples. Both these temples are situated on two hillocks. The 'Vrindavana Thulasi Sri Krishna Temple' is being built at Yadavapuri in the plains between these two hillocks.
Jaganaath believes the temple will be a favourite destination for true lovers and believers in the years to come.
His belief is based on his own experience. A small temple on his premises at Palavanthangal in Chennai has become a hot destination for visa seekers over the years. He claims many devotees visit the Sri Lakshmi 'Visa' Ganapathi Temple - which he built 22 years ago - and get their wish of going abroad fulfilled.
Let's hope the new temple will be a solace for those seeking an entry into the world of love.
