Hare Krishna Temple

Looking to find peace and bliss? Thai is the place.

I live not too far from the Hare Krishna temple and when I first moved to the area I enjoyed its presence. The morning and evening chants added to the Coconut Grove ambiance and overall it was a unique landmark that I thought added to the hippie-​like culture down here.
Well, my thoughts have since changed on the temple’s presence. I could deal with the solicitations to join them and to practice yoga at their temple (I even gave them $ 1 for their yoga booklet, because, hey why not?). I had also been meaning to try one of their dinners. However, recently there has been a gentleman devotee there (who possibly helps operate the temple) and he makes it a point to harass passersby.
My first interaction with this man was on a walk with my dog. I passed by him as he recited some prayers and respectfully nodded my head at him and continued on my way. When I got about 10 feet away, I hear him angrily mutter something under his breath about «mierda». As in, SH*T. Surely, I misheard him, so I said «I’m sorry?» And he told me to pick up my dog’s mierda because this was a temple. My dog hadn’t done a thing, he hadn’t even glanced in the general direction of their lawn as we were on our way to his beloved dog park. My spanish isn’t perfect so I couldn’t properly articulate everything I was thinking but I did manage to say «My dog didn’t do anything, sir». However, that didn’t stop him from continuing to yell (yep, yell) as I got farther and farther away. He was still yelling when I was on the next block.
Since then, I’ve been pretty diligent about crossing the street with my dog so as not to offend the temple goers (and most importantly this man). Well the other night I forgot to cross the street, my dog rushed into their lawn and did his business. I picked it up in a disposable bag, as I always do, and hoped I wouldn’t get «caught». Of course the gentleman came around the corner as I was walking on the sidewalk, bag in hand. And thus began the harassment. He yelled right from the get go, telling me it was private property, that he didn’t want my dog’s «sh*t» on the lawn. and then called me a «puta» (several times). NO. Not okay, sir.
I am a respectful person, I honestly try so hard to avoid their lawn, but calling me a puta? Go do some of your own yoga that you try to shove down my throat and practice what you preach. I really think it’s uncalled for… put up a sign or a fence, but any place in my neighborhood that consistently makes me uncomfortable and berates me just for walking by gets zero stars in my book.

Probably one of my favorite places in Coconut Grove, nah actually scratch that; in Miami. I’ve been here on multiple occasions to do a couple of photo essays on the place because I find it breathtakingly beautiful. There is something so peaceful about this place that just keeps me coming back.
Their ceremony room is a beautiful white marble building, with huge open windows that let the right amount of sunlight shine in, whilst shaded by the many Banyan trees and the vegetation that dominates the Grove. The residents are the sweetest most welcoming people you’ll have the pleasure of meeting in these parts of town. They have a book store that sells all kinds of incense, crystals, memorabilia and art, really amazing stuff.
If you find yourself with a whole lot of nothing do on a Sunday evening and you feel curious and in the mood to experience something different, come check out their mass. It is so absolutely beautiful to see the women dancing, the men chanting, and the kids just running around feeding off the warmth and happiness. And some better news, after the ceremony they serve a huge homemade Indian feast (vegan) that is absolutely delightful. Not too long ago I read a review from Jordan N. that said that we all have/​need a place to get away from ‘Miami’…this is true, and the Hare Krishna Temple is my getaway.

«Don’t ask anyone any questions!»
We were warned. The Hare Krishnas are a Hindu-​based ‘movement’ perhaps best known for its association with ‘hippie culture’ in the 1960s (and that infamous scene in Airplane!). Unlike most Hindus, Hare Krishnas believe in proselytizing and seeking converts.
I have had little personal contact with Hare Krishnas, so when I found out they have a temple in Coconut Grove, I was interested to see what it is like. Located in a nice area of the Grove, its ‘compound’ has a few small buildings, that each have several apartments. The temple is in its own building.
Walking from the gravelly parking lot to the temple, you will probably see a few Hare Krishnas (most, if not all, are not Indian), and they all smile and seem quite pleasant. The temple itself is a large hall and inside the main room are several representations of Krishna, a blue-​skinned avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, who plays a central role in the Hindu book the Bhagavad Gita.
Its patrons are mainly chanting and, at certain times, a priest will come out and say more chantings and offer prasadam, a food that is distributed after prayer (usually something like nuts or raisins).
They do sell food, but we found most of it to be very bland and lacking in taste (and not spicy). Still, all proceeds support the temple and its devotees.
Overall, a nice, unique experience in a surprising location.
Note: They used to do a farmer’s market in the Grove, but I’m not sure if they do anymore though.