‘When spirituality has VIP passes’: Post on ISKCON Janmashtami experience sparks debate on commercialisation of temples

A devotee's social media post on his experience about Janmashtami celebration in ISCKON Greater Kailash in Delhi has ignited a debate over pilgrimage and spirituality. In the post shared on Reddit, the user said that he went to the temple with hopes of a spiritual experience but was left with mixed feelings.

Premium passes raise questions

According to accounts shared by visitors, the temple offered a “premium membership pass” costing around ₹35,500. The pass allows holders separate entry, unlimited time for darshan, packed prasad, and even home delivery of prasad. In contrast, regular devotees reportedly waited for over two hours for darshan, with each person getting only about a minute in front of the deity. Some visitors questioned the fairness of allowing premium members extended time while the general public was restricted.

"They charge ₹35.5k for a “premium membership pass” – which basically gives you a separate entry, no queues, as much darshan time as you want, packed prasad, and even home delivery of prasad. Meanwhile, the general public (like me) stood in line for 2.5 hours just to get a 1-minute darshan of Bhagwanji. Understandable given the crowd, but then why are “premium” people allowed unlimited time?" he asked.


One of the major disappointments reported was the absence of prasad for the general public even in the morning hours. Many devotees said prasad is an integral part of temple visits, and the lack of it left them disheartened.

Concerns over commercialization

Several visitors expressed that the practice of offering premium access in a temple setting goes against the spirit of devotion. “When spirituality starts having VIP passes, it makes you question the purpose,” a devotee remarked.

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about commercialisation of religious spaces. While large temples often manage heavy crowds through passes and donations, some devotees argue that such practices risk turning spiritual gatherings into exclusive events, sidelining ordinary worshippers.