ISKCON Temple Delhi, officially known as the Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, is a famous landmark and spiritual center in Delhi. The temple showcases the rich cultural heritage of India, particularly the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which emphasizes devotional worship (bhakti-yoga) of Radha and Krishna.
It is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a worldwide spiritual movement founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. Prominent celebrations at ISKCON Temple Delhi include the Janmashtami (the birth of Lord Krishna) and Radhastami (the appearance day of Srimati Radharani), attracting thousands of devotees and visitors.
History of ISKCON Temple Delhi
- ISKCON, a global movement founded by Acharya Prabhupada in 1966 with the aim of spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna and the Bhagavad Gita to the world.
- The ISKCON Temple Delhi is one of the 650 temples that ISKCON has established in over 100 countries.
- The ISKCON Temple Delhi was inaugurated in 1998 by Sushma Swaraj, the then Chief Minister of Delhi
- The temple complex covers an area of 3 acres and consists of three main buildings: the temple hall, the museum, and the guest house.
Architecture of ISKCON Temple Delhi
- The temple hall houses the magnificent deities of Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi (Krishna and Radharani), Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman (Rama, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman), and Gaura Nitai (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu).
- The temple complex is adorned with exquisite carvings, paintings, sculptures, fountains, gardens, and chandeliers that reflect the glory and grace of Lord Krishna.
- The architecture of the temple is inspired by both traditional and modern styles, blending elements of Rajasthani, Gujarati, Mughal, and South Indian designs.
- The temple hall has a stunning shikhara (spire) that rises to a height of 90 feet and is visible from a distance. It also has a large dome that displays a mural of Lord Krishna’s pastimes on its ceiling.
- The museum showcases the rich heritage of Indian culture and spirituality through multimedia shows depicting the Mahabharata, the Gita, and the Ramayana.
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Timings & Entry Fee Of ISKCON Temple Delhi
Temple Hall Timings: 4:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Museum Timings: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (closed on Mondays)
Entry Fee: Temple Hall: Free entry
Museum: Rs. 150 per person for adults, Rs. 100 per person for children, Rs. 100 per person for senior citizens, Rs. 50 per person for students (with ID card)
Specific Timings in the Temple Hall: Mangala Arati: 4:30 am to 5:00 am, Tulsi Arati: 5:00 am to 5:15 am, Guru Puja: 7:15 am to 7:45 am, Raj Bhog Arati: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, Sandhya Arati: 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Bhagavad Gita Class: 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm
Note: Entry fee for the museum includes all shows and attractions. Voluntary donations are welcome to support temple activities and services.
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Things To Do At ISKCON Temple Delhi
Visit the Temple Hall: The temple hall is the main attraction of the ISKCON Temple Delhi, where you can see and worship the beautiful deities of Lord Krishna and his associates. The aratis are accompanied by kirtans, which are devotional songs sung by the devotees with musical instruments.
Visit the Museum: The museum has six halls, each dedicated to a different theme and story. The museum also has a 3D theatre, where you can watch a 3D movie on the life of Lord Krishna.
- First hall, Gita Experience - Learn about the essence and relevance of the Bhagavad Gita, the sacred scripture spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
- Second hall, Mahabharata Experience - Witness the epic saga of the Mahabharata, which narrates the history and morality of ancient India.
- Third hall, Ramayana Experience- Relive the adventures and teachings of Lord Rama, who is considered as an ideal king, husband, son, and friend.
- The fourth hall is called Krishna Experience, where you can see the life and pastimes of Lord Krishna, who is regarded as the supreme personality of Godhead.
- Fifth hall, Vedic Culture Experience - Explore the various aspects of Vedic culture, such as astrology, ayurveda, yoga, music, dance, art, etc.
- Sixth hall, Future Experience - Learn about the vision and mission of ISKCON and how it is working to create a better world based on the principles of Krishna consciousness.
Visit the Art Gallery: The art gallery is located on the first floor of the temple hall, where you can see a collection of paintings depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna. The paintings are based on the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Experience Deity Darshan: The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his eternal consort, Radha. The main deities are beautifully adorned and worshipped daily.
Visit Prasadam Hall: The temple has a prasadam hall where visitors can enjoy delicious vegetarian meals served as prasadam, considered sacred and spiritually enriching.
Visit the Animatronics Show: The animatronics show is located on the ground floor of the temple hall, where the show features lifelike robots that enact scenes from ancient India, such as the coronation of Lord Rama and the battle of Kurukshetra.
Visit the Library: The library is located on the second floor of the temple hall, where you can find a vast collection of books on Vedic literature and philosophy. The library has books in various languages and also has audio and video CDs and DVDs that contain lectures, kirtans, bhajans, etc. by various ISKCON leaders and scholars.
Visit the Bookstore: The bookstore is located on the ground floor of the temple hall, where you can buy books and souvenirs related to ISKCON and Lord Krishna. The bookstore has books on various topics, such as Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Nectar of Devotion, etc.
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Dining Options At ISKCON Temple Delhi
The Govinda’s restaurant is located on the ground floor of the guest house building, where you can enjoy delicious vegetarian food prepared with love and devotion by ISKCON devotees. The restaurant is called Govinda’s, which is one of the names of Lord Krishna.
It serves a variety of cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, etc. Govinda’s also has a bakery that offers cakes, pastries, cookies, etc. Govinda’s has a peaceful and spiritual ambience that enhances your dining experience.
Festivals Celebrated At ISKCON Temple Delhi
Janmashtami: Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is one of the most important festivals celebrated at ISKCON Temple Delhi. The temple is beautifully decorated, and special prayers, kirtans, and cultural programs are organized to celebrate the occasion.
Radhastami: Radhastami is the appearance day of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and includes special prayers, bhajans, and lectures on the glories of Srimati Radharani.
Gaura Purnima: Gaura Purnima celebrates the appearance day of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is believed to be a reincarnation of Lord Krishna in the mood of a devotee. The festival is marked by chanting, dancing, and distribution of prasadam.
Ratha Yatra: Ratha Yatra, or the chariot festival, is a grand procession where the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra are taken out in a beautifully decorated chariot. The festival is accompanied by chanting, dancing, and feasting.
Diwali: Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated at ISKCON Temple Delhi with the lighting of lamps, fireworks, and special prayers for prosperity and well-being.
Gita Jayanti: Gita Jayanti celebrates the day when the Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The festival is marked by recitation of the Bhagavad Gita, lectures, and discussions on its teachings.
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Best Time To Visit ISKCON Temple Delhi
Morning (4:30 am - 7:30 am):
- Less crowded, peaceful atmosphere
- Opportunity to participate in morning rituals and spiritual activities
Evening (4:00 pm - 9:00 pm):
- Beautifully illuminated temple
- Evening aratis (rituals) accompanied by melodious kirtans (devotional songs)
Festival Times:
- Janmashtami, Radhastami, Gaura Purnima
- Adorned with festive decorations
Temples Near ISKCON Temple Delhi
Lotus Temple: (3.5 kilometers) The Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahá'í House of Worship, is a stunning architectural marvel known for its lotus-like shape. It is a place of worship for people of all religions and promotes unity and peace.
Kalkaji Temple: (1.5 kilometers) The Kalkaji Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, a Hindu deity. It is one of the most revered temples in Delhi and is visited by devotees seeking blessings and spiritual solace.
Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir: (9 kilometers) Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the oldest Jain temple in Delhi, dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. The temple is known for its intricate architecture and serene ambiance.
Chhatarpur Temple: (12 kilometers) The Chhatarpur Temple, also known as Shri Adhya Katyani Shaktipeeth Mandir, is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, a form of Goddess Durga. It is one of the largest temple complexes in India and is known for its peaceful surroundings.
Birla Mandir: (10 kilometers) The Birla Mandir, also known as the Laxminarayan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. It is renowned for its architectural beauty and intricate carvings.
How To Reach ISKCON Temple Delhi
The ISKCON Temple Delhi is easily accessible by various modes of transport from different parts of Delhi. Here are some options for reaching the temple:
By Metro:
The nearest metro station to the ISKCON Temple Delhi is Nehru Place on the Violet Line. From there, you can either walk for about 15 minutes or take an auto rickshaw or a taxi to reach the temple. The distance from Nehru Place metro station to ISKCON Temple Delhi is about 1.5 km.
By Bus:
The nearest bus stop to the ISKCON Temple Delhi is Sant Nagar on Ring Road. From there, you can either walk for about 10 minutes or take an auto rickshaw or a taxi to reach the temple. The distance from Sant Nagar bus stop to ISKCON Temple Delhi is about 1 km. Some of the bus numbers that go to Sant Nagar are 427, 433, 443, 507, 534, 548, 578, etc.
