The Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple of Understanding places the bustling suburb of Chatsworth on the map as a tourist destination. Situated approximately 15km from Durban International airport and 20km from Durban City Centre, its three collosal domes of white and gold rises above a dazzling octagonal roof. The temple has been acclaimed as an architectural masterpiece – a spiritual wonderland. Although, designed and constructed in the 1980's, it's design is a combination of the traditional, contemporary and futuristic; and simultaneously a fusion of concepts showcasing "east meets west" . The ancient "vasta purusha mandala" formula is imbibed in its geometrical lay-out with shapes such as circles, trianles, squares and octagons, holding great spiritual symbolism and philosophical meaning enhanced by its unique setting in the midst of a moat of water and water features, surrounded by a sprawling luscious lotus shaped garden.
In 1975 His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (the founder acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness-ISKCON), upon his one and only visit to South Africa, instructed his disciples that a temple be built in the heart of Chatsworth. Taking this instruction very seriously, a dedicated team of devotees worked tirelessly and in the face of many formidable challenges, including the reigning government's apartheid policies. With a deep desire to fulfill their spiritual master's order, the devotees peservered and sought out the best materials for use in the construction. Marble tiles where shipped in from Portugal and oakwood from Japan. Devotees formed their own construction company and used their talents and expertise to make the design a reality, engaging in every aspect of construction – from excavation, brick-laying, plastering, tiling, painting to mirrorwork, intricate carvings and gold-leafing. A team of devotees crossed the length and breadth of South Africa to collect funds for the construction. Finally, the resilient team were successful when the doors of the Hare Krishna Temple were officially opened to the public on 17 October 1985.