Are you looking for a spiritual and romantic destination in India? Do you want to witness the beauty and bliss of divine love in a magnificent temple? If yes, then you should visit Prem Mandir Vrindavan, a temple dedicated to the supreme lovers Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, who are the embodiments of pure and unconditional love. Prem Mandir, which means "Love Temple" in English, is a masterpiece of architecture and devotion, founded by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the fifth original Jagadguru and a spiritual master of bhakti yoga, the path of love and devotion.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Prem Mandir Vrindavan, such as its location, timings, history, architecture, and leelas. We will also give you some tips and recommendations on how to visit the temple and make the most of your experience.
What is Prem Mandir Vrindavan?
Prem Mandir Vrindavan is a Hindu temple located in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Vrindavan is a sacred town where Lord Krishna spent his childhood and performed his leelas, or divine pastimes, with his beloved Radha and the gopis, or cowherd girls. Prem Mandir Vrindavan is a monument of divine love, dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, who are the two forms of the same Supreme Personality of Godhead. The temple was founded by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who is the fifth original Jagadguru and a spiritual master of bhakti yoga, the path of love and devotion. The temple was inaugurated on 17 February 2012, after 11 years of construction and a cost of 150 crore rupees ($23 million). The temple is made of white Italian marble, which is used for the entire temple and its carvings. The temple has many features and attractions, such as its white marble carvings, its musical fountain and light show, its satsang hall, and its leelas.
How to Visit Prem Mandir Vrindavan?
If you are planning to visit Prem Mandir Vrindavan, here are some practical information and tips that will help you make your trip easier and more enjoyable.
- Location: The temple is located at Raman Reti Road, Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The coordinates of the temple are 27.5844° N, 77.6989° E. The temple is about 10 km from Mathura, 150 km from Delhi, and 500 km from Lucknow.
- Timings: The temple is open from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM every day. The temple performs aarti four times a day, at 8:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 5:30 PM, and 8:00 PM. The temple has a musical fountain and light show every evening from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, except on Thursdays. The best time to visit the temple is during the festivals of Janmashtami, Holi, Radhashtami, and Diwali, when the temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and the atmosphere is filled with joy and devotion.
- Entry Fee: The entry to the temple is free for everyone. However, you need to follow a modest dress code, which means no shorts, skirts, or sleeveless tops. You also need to remove your shoes and leave them at the shoe racks outside the temple. You can also use the lockers to store your belongings, such as bags, cameras, and phones, as photography is not allowed inside the temple.
- Transportation: You can reach the temple by various modes of transportation, such as by car, bus, train, or taxi. If you are coming by car, you can take the Yamuna Expressway from Delhi or the Agra-Lucknow Expressway from Lucknow, and then follow the signs to Vrindavan. If you are coming by bus, you can take the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses from Delhi, Agra, or Lucknow, and get off at the Vrindavan bus stand, which is about 2 km from the temple. If you are coming by train, you can take the Mathura-Vrindavan Passenger train from Mathura Junction, which is the nearest railway station, and get off at the Vrindavan Railway Station, which is about 3 km from the temple. You can also take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw from the bus stand or the railway station to the temple, which will cost you around 50 to 100 rupees.
What to See and Do at Prem Mandir Vrindavan?
Prem Mandir Vrindavan is not just a temple, but a spiritual and cultural hub, where you can see and do many things that will enrich your soul and mind. Here are some of the things that you can see and do at Prem Mandir Vrindavan:
- See the white marble carvings of Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, which are the main attraction of the temple. The carvings are exquisite and intricate, depicting the various pastimes, teachings, and expressions of the divine lovers. You can also see the carvings of the gopis, flowers, and animals, which add to the beauty and charm of the temple. The carvings are inspired by the ancient Indian sculpture and the Radha Govind songs, which are written in simple language on marble stones, and convey the essence and beauty of divine love.
- See the musical fountain and light show, which is a spectacular and mesmerizing display of water, sound, and light, that takes place every evening from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, except on Thursdays. The fountain and light show is synchronized with the devotional songs and chants of Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, creating a magical and blissful atmosphere. The fountain and light show is one of the largest and most advanced in India, and attracts thousands of visitors every day.
- See the satsang hall, which is a pillar-less, dome-shaped hall that can accommodate 25,000 people at a time. The satsang hall is where the devotees gather to listen to the discourses and teachings of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and his disciples, who impart the knowledge and wisdom of bhakti yoga, the path of love and devotion. The satsang hall is also where the cultural programs and festivals are celebrated, such as Janmashtami, Holi, Radhashtami, and Diwali, with music, dance, drama, and prasad, or sacred food.
- See the leelas of Shri Krishna, which are the four divine pastimes of Shri Krishna that are depicted in the temple complex, with life-size statues and scenes. The leelas are Jhulan Leela, Govardhan Leela, Raas Leela, and Kaliya Naag Leela, which symbolize the playfulness, power, ecstasy, and grace of divine love. The leelas are also illuminated with colorful lights at night, creating a stunning and enchanting view.
- Do the parikrama, which is the circumambulation of the temple, which is considered a sacred and auspicious act of devotion. The parikrama is done by walking around the temple, while chanting the names and glories of Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, and expressing gratitude and love for them. The parikrama is also a way of admiring the beauty and craftsmanship of the temple, and absorbing the positive and peaceful vibes of the place.
- Do the darshan, which is the act of seeing and being seen by the deities, which is believed to bestow blessings and grace upon the devotees. The darshan is done by entering the temple and bowing down before the idols of Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, which are made of marble and are adorned with gold and silver ornaments and clothes. The darshan is also a way of expressing one's love and devotion for the deities, and feeling their presence and mercy in one's heart.
What to See and Do Near Prem Mandir Vrindavan?
Prem Mandir Vrindavan is not only a temple, but also a gateway to explore the other attractions and activities in and around Vrindavan, which is a holy town full of temples, ashrams, gardens, and markets. Here are some of the things that you can see and do near Prem Mandir Vrindavan:
- See the Banke Bihari Temple, which is one of the most popular and oldest temples in Vrindavan, dedicated to Lord Krishna in his playful and charming form of Banke Bihari, which means "the one who steals the hearts". The temple is famous for its lively and colorful celebrations, especially during the festivals of Janmashtami, Holi, and Radhashtami, when the idol of Banke Bihari is dressed in different costumes and adorned with flowers and jewels. The temple is also known for its unique darshan, where the curtains are drawn and opened every few minutes, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement among the devotees.
- See the ISKCON Temple, which is also known as the Krishna Balaram Mandir, which is one of the most beautiful and modern temples in Vrindavan, built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a global movement that promotes the teachings and practices of Lord Krishna. The temple has three altars, dedicated to Krishna Balaram, Radha Shyamasundar, and Gaura Nitai, who are the three forms of Lord Krishna and his associates. The temple also has a museum, a guest house, a restaurant, a bakery, and a gift shop, where you can learn more about the culture and philosophy of ISKCON, and enjoy the delicious and pure vegetarian food and sweets.
- See the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, which is the world's tallest temple under construction, with a planned height of 210 meters (700 feet). The temple is an ambitious and visionary project, initiated by ISKCON, that aims to recreate the ancient Vrindavan, the abode of Lord Krishna, in a modern and magnificent way. The temple will have a grand temple hall, a vedic cosmology exhibit, a vedic cultural center, a vedic planetarium, a theme park, a forest, and a lake, where you can experience the glory and grace of Lord Krishna and his leelas.
- Do the Braj Parikrama, which is the pilgrimage of the Braj region, which covers 12 forests, 24 groves, and numerous sacred places, where Lord Krishna performed his leelas, or divine pastimes, with his beloved Radha and the gopis, or cowherd girls. The Braj Parikrama is a way of reliving and remembering the leelas of Lord Krishna, and expressing one's love and devotion for him. The Braj Parikrama can be done by walking, cycling, or driving, and can take from a few hours to a few days, depending on the route and the pace. Some of the places that are included in the Braj Parikrama are Govardhan Hill, Radha Kund, Shyam Kund, Nandgaon, Barsana, Gokul, and Mathura.
- Do the shopping and eating, which are the two essential and enjoyable activities that you can do in Vrindavan, which is a town full of markets, shops, restaurants, and street stalls, where you can find and buy a variety of things, such as clothes, jewelry, handicrafts, paintings, idols, books, and souvenirs, related to Lord Krishna and his leelas. You can also taste and savor the local and regional delicacies, such as kachori, samosa, jalebi, lassi, peda, and prasad, or sacred food, that are prepared with love and devotion, and offered to Lord Krishna and his devotees.
Conclusion
Prem Mandir Vrindavan is a temple of divine love, where you can experience the beauty and bliss of Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, who are the supreme lovers and the embodiments of pure and unconditional love. The temple is a masterpiece of architecture and devotion, founded by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who is the fifth original Jagadguru and a spiritual master of bhakti yoga, the path of love and devotion. The temple has many features and attractions, such as its white marble carvings, its musical fountain and light show, its satsang hall, and its leelas. The temple is also a gateway to explore the other attractions and activities in and around Vrindavan, which is a holy town full of temples, ashrams, gardens, and markets, where Lord Krishna performed his leelas, or divine pastimes, with his beloved Radha and the gopis, or cowherd girls.
Thank you for reading this article, and we hope that you will visit Prem Mandir Vrindavan soon and experience the divine love of Radha Krishna and Sita Ram. Hare Krishna!
