What Happens at the Temple

The temple conducts several aratis (devotional ceremonies with fire, incense, bells, and singing) every day, following the pattern of major ISKCON temples around the world. The main darshan (viewing of the deities) is open to the public in morning and afternoon sessions. Devotees and visitors alike can sit in the small shrine room, hear the kirtan chanting, and feel the devotional energy directed toward Radha and Gopinath.↗↗

The Sunday Love Feast is the temple's signature weekly event: a programme of chanting, a short lecture on the Bhagavad-gita or Srimad Bhagavatam, and a free vegetarian feast prepared as an offering to Krishna (prasadam). Visitors are welcome to attend without prior arrangement. The community also conducts street chanting processions — called Harinam — in different towns across Trinidad, almost every day, inviting anyone to join the singing and dancing.↗↗

Beyond regular worship, the temple is active in broader cultural life. Its booth at Divali Nagar — Trinidad's famous annual Diwali exhibition — has been a staple for over thirty years. The temple also runs a Food for Life programme distributing free prasadam meals to those in need, and offers home programmes and catering services upon request for birthdays, housewarmings, and other celebrations.↗

Festivals Worth Timing Your Visit Around

ISKCON Trinidad follows the full Vaishnava festival calendar. Major celebrations include Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday, marked with midnight vigil and elaborate deity decoration), Radhashtami, Govardhana Puja (typically in October or November, with a mountain of vegetarian offerings built and circumambulated), and of course Diwali. The temple announces upcoming festivals on its website and social media pages, so checking a few weeks before a visit can help you plan around a special occasion.↗

Practical Information for Visitors

Darshan and arati services are open daily. The main public viewing hours are approximately 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, with additional early morning ceremonies at 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM. The Sunday Love Feast runs from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM — arrive before noon to enjoy both the programme and the feast. The temple is wheelchair accessible at its entrance. There is no admission charge.↗↗

The temple is located on Edinburgh Road in Longdenville, roughly fifteen minutes by car from Chaguanas and about forty-five minutes from Port of Spain along the southwest coast. The ISKCON Trinidad website (iskcontt.org) lists current schedules, and you can call ahead at +1 868-665-2249.↗↗

The Wider ISKCON Family in Trinidad

The Longdenville temple is one of four ISKCON centres in Trinidad. There is also Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra Mandir in Debe (south Trinidad), a temple in Arouca (east), and the serene Madhuvan Farm Temple in the Cumuto countryside — a rural retreat where the atmosphere is quieter and more pastoral. Together, they form a network that reaches across the island.↗↗