In what is to be the tallest religious structure in the world, a 700-foot-tall temple called Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is being constructed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Vrindavan of Uttar Pradesh.

Once constructed, the Indian temple will tower over the Vatican’s City’s St Peter’s Basilica and rise higher than Germany’s Ulm Minster.

St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City

According to the principal architects Ingenious Studio, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir has a unique architectural feature that harmoniously blends the elements of Indian traditional temple architecture of Nagara style and elements of modern architecture.

The grand temple is to be surrounded by about 30 acres of wooded area that constitute the recreated forests of Braj. Braj refers to the sacred land of Sri Krishna who relished his pastimes in the land of Braj, which included 12 major forests.

The temple complex with surrounding residential complex

The building itself is a multi-tiered earthquake resistant structure that rises 70 stories into the sky and resembles a rocket in design. A capsule elevator will run through the height of the structure, whisking visitors up to a viewing deck. The ride doubles as a light and sound experience, taking people through the planetary systems of the universe, as laid out in Vedic literature.

Structural Consultants Thorton Tomasetti have been roped in to design the temple-cum-cultural centre.

Residential villas and apartments will surround the temple complex and its forests, the sales of which would be used to fund its construction. Donations are also being sought from the devotees to finance its construction.

The engineers at the moment are focused on the 180-foot-deep foundations for the structure, which in itself is a mammoth and quintessential part of the project.