Lord Krishna is one of the revered deities of the Hindu religion being considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. his antics are a subject of legends. A guide, a philosopher, a child shepherd, a valiant knight – he possesses several roles, and yet, is at once the “Supreme Personality.” For some, he is the supreme lover, while for others, a brilliant war strategist. Naturally, therefore, there are many Krishna temples in India.
Each of these Krishna mandirs are special in their own way and testify to the several events that occurred throughout his lifetime. While some, are associated with his birth, others portray an important episode that occurred throughout his lifetime. Many of these temples keep on echoing with the chanting of the Bhagavad Gita. The holy book is a scripture that contains is a conversation between Arjuna, a supernaturally gifted warrior and Krishna, his charioteer.
This blog brings you the list of some most famous Shri Krishna temples of India, which you can visit with your family and friends!
- Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha
Another sacred temple of the holy Char Dham Yatra in India, the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha is a must-visit. The temple is popular for the annual Rath Yatra. A unique aspect of the shrine is a finely wooden carved statue of Lord Jagannath which shows a striking contrast to the other temples having stone murals. Additionally, there are idols of Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balbhadra flanking the statues of both deities.
Also, the place differs from other Krishna temples in India because of its distinctive practices, procedures, rituals and sacraments. Interestingly, millions of devotees gather on the occasion of Rath Yatra. They carry the three deities in their specific chariots to the Gundicha Temple.
Timings: 5:00 am to 11:00pm
- Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat
If you wish to become acquainted with the meaning of glory, visit the Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka. Situated on Gomti creek, the Hare Krishna temple is also addressed by the honorific titles “Jagat Mandir” (universal shrine) or “Trilok Sundar” (the most beautiful in all the three worlds). The temple, built of soft limestone, reaches a height of 43m. A sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides can be found inside this temple.
No spiritual journey to Gujarat is complete without visiting the Dwarkadhish Temple. Interestingly, the temple also stands as an important part of the Char Dham in India. The exquisite carvings on its exteriors display a mix of eroticism, mythic intensity and continuity in design. However, the interiors reflect an elegant simplicity and make the shrines stand out amongst the rest of the holy places in India.
Timings: 6.30 am to 1:00 pm; 5:00 pm to 9.30 pm
- Shri Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
Shri Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most famous and ancient temples of Vrindavan. Legend has it, that the image of Lord Banke Bihari (Krishna) installed at the Vrindavan temple, was granted to Swami Haridas by the celestial couple Shyama-Shyam (Radhe-Krishna) themselves. The lotus feet of the idol are always kept hidden from public view and are only visible on Akshaya Tritiya.
The “seva” of Bihariji is performed in three parts every day at the temple, with the Rajbhog (feast) being offered in the forenoon. For this reason, the shrine stands out amongst the rest of the famous temples of Vrindavan. If you want to see the temple in all its glory, visit it during the festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. This is the only occasion when Mangla Aarti is performed.
Timings: Summer (After Holi) – 7:45 am to 9:30 pm, Winter (After Diwali) – 8:45 am to 8:30 pm
- Sri Sri Radha Madhan Mohan Mandir, Vrindavan
Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Mandir is one of the oldest temples in Vrindavan. Seated atop Dvadasaditya Tila – a 50ft high hill, the presiding deity of the temple is Lord Krishna, accompanied by Radharani and Lalita Sakhi. According to popular belief, the main idol of this Krishna temple in India was discovered by Madan Mohan at the base of an old vat tree in Vrindavan.
A popular story associated with this temple is that its main deity was moved to Jaipur under the rule of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The present deity is said to resemble the original one exactly from the waist down. If you come to Vrindavan, then this is one temple you should definitely visit.
Timings: Summer – 6 am to 11 am, 5 pm to 9.30 pm; Winter – 7 am to 12 pm, 4 pm to 8 pm
- Guruvayoor Temple, Kerala
Guruvayoor Temple is counted among one of the top temples in South India, and is often referred to as the “Dwarka of the south.” The main sanctum of the temple, built in 1638 AD, exhibits the four-armed statue of Lord Krishna, which is adorned with holy Tulsi (basil) garlands and pearl necklaces.
If you plan on visiting this temple, you should do so at around 10.00 am, when a special elephant feeding program known as Aanayoottu takes place.
Timings: 3:00 am to 1:30 pm; 4:30 pm to 9:15 pm
