Radha Krishna’s divine appearance in Toronto

This short story tells how the deities of Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha (Radha and Krishna) appeared at the ISKCON Toronto Temple on Avenue Road.

Once in 1971, Labunglatika mataji, a resident of the Montreal temple, made an unexpected decision that would shape the history of the Toronto temple. She felt a deep attachment to the small brass Deities of Radha and Krishna placed on the altar of the Montreal temple. Her young son, Dwarakadisha, was studying in a gurukula in New Vrindavan. She decided to bring the Deities as a birthday gift for her 5-year-old son in West Virginia.

One morning at 5 o’clock, Labunglatika mataji took the deities from the altar with Their ornaments, clothes, and crowns and caught a train to Toronto.

When the devotees in Montreal discovered the loss, they were astounded and outraged. It was an unthinkable act — they immediately contacted the Toronto temple and raised the alarm: “Stop her! She has abducted Radha Krishna!”

Jagadisha prabhu, the temple president in Toronto, was faced with a difficult dilemma. By the time the call reached him, the deities had already arrived in Toronto. They were installed deities — what was the correct course of action? Seeking guidance, he reached out to Srila Prabhupada, the spiritual leader and founder of ISKCON.

After listening to the situation, Srila Prabhupada responded calmly and decisively: “Radha Krishna want to be in Toronto.”

With those words, the matter was settled. The deities were officially installed on the altar in Toronto, and Their Lordships have been worshiped there ever since.

What initially seemed like an act of impulsive devotion turned into a divine arrangement, illustrating that the will of the Lord transcends human plans. Today, Their presence in Toronto continues to inspire and bless the devotees who come to seek Their grace.