Work on the construction of a mammoth Krishna temple began here Sunday, with President Pranab Mukherjee asking Indians to reconnect to their spiritual past.

 

 

 Mukherjee took part in the prayers to put up an idol of Shesh Nag at the foundation of the temple that will be 700 feet tall when completed after five years.

 

 "As we now make the transformative change from being a developing to a developed economy, there will be immense pressures on our socio-economic and moral fabric. It is, therefore, imperative that we reconnect to our spiritual dimensions," the president said in his speech.

 

 "There can be no better way of doing this than spreading the Bhagavad Gita's message of universal love and humanity," he said.

 

 Expressing happiness that the temple will disseminate the message of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, Mukherjee said the message was particularly relevant today.

 

 "While we as a nation move up the developmental ladder, it is essential that our spiritual core, which forms the bedrock of our civilisation, remains undiluted and strong as ever."

 

 Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Minister of Prisons Balram Yadav, MP Hema Malini and key officials of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) were also present.

 

 Madhu Pandit Dasji, chairman of the temple project, said this would help shape India's future and bring spirituality back in our lives. 

 

 "The temple is being built at the exact location where Sri Krishna with his family shifted from Gokul to Vrindavan."

 

 Governor Naik said he was hopeful the project would be completed before time, unlike government projects which usually breach deadlines.

 

 President Mukherjee also visited the Bankey Bihari temple.