Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi, Agra - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings
Photo Credit: Flickr
India | Uttar Pradesh | Agra
#19 of 26 Places to Visit in Agra
Distance (From Agra Cantonment): 9 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour
Transportation Options: Bus / Cab / Auto
Travel Tips: None
About Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi
At a distance of 9 Km from Agra Cantonment railway Station, Soami Bagh Temple is a sacred place situated in Dayalbagh in the outskirts of Agra. Also called as Radha Swami Samadhi, the Soami Bagh Samadhi is mainly the mausoleum of Shiv Dayal Singh, also known as Huzur Soamiji Maharaj, who established the Radha Soami Faith. This remarkable faith borrows parts from Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, creating a unique spirituality. It is one of the most popular places to visit as part of the Agra packages.
History of Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi
Soami Bagh Temple, referred to as Radha Soami Samadhi, serves as the final resting place of Sri Shiv Dayal Singh, the founder of the Radha Soami faith. Commonly known as Soamiji Maharaj, he initiated the Radha Soami Satsang Movement in 1861, aiming to unify various world religions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. The construction of the temple commenced in 1908, with the intention of establishing a magnificent memorial for Soamiji Maharaj, and has been continuously under construction for the past 100 years. This temple functions as a venue for devotees to engage in satsang, meditate, and pay tribute to Soamiji Maharaj.
Architecture of Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi
Soami Bagh, commonly referred to as Dayal Bagh, is a revered site that houses the Dayal Bagh Temple, also known as the Radha Soami Samadhi. This structure stands at a height of 110 feet and is constructed from white marble, adorned with numerous pillars and exquisite pietradura inlay work on its inner walls. It covers an area of over 100 square feet and features a spacious colonnaded verandah that encircles all four sides. The main edifice, crowned with four tall minarets, is accessible via a ceremonial staircase. The mausoleum's design showcases a harmonious blend of various architectural styles, incorporating elements from Jain, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian architecture, resulting in a truly magnificent and distinctive structure. Satsang is conducted in the lower section of the Samadhi once each day.
Adjacent to the mausoleum is the Bhajan Ghar, the location where Soamiji Maharaj engaged in spiritual practices throughout his life. This site also hosts satsang once daily. The residence of Babuji Maharaj, where satsang is conducted twice a day, is situated within the grounds of Soami Bagh. Even to this day, the descendants of Babuji Maharaj continue to live here. The simple rooms where Sant Das resided and worked are located near Babuji's home and the entrance gate.
Festivals of Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi
The Soami Bagh Temple located in Agra celebrates numerous festivals annually. Among these are the Bhandara Buaji Maharaj (Buddha Poornima), Guru Purnima, and Bhandara Soamiji Maharaj (Janmashtami) in August, as well as the commemoration of Soamiji's departure in June. These events hold great importance for Radha Soami adherents, featuring satsang and various devotional activities.
Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi Dress Code & Other Restrictions
The Radha Soami Samadhi located in Agra does not impose a strict dress code; nevertheless, it is recommended to dress modestly. It is advisable to avoid wearing revealing or inappropriate clothing, and it is suggested to cover both shoulders and knees, especially when visiting the temple itself. Visitors are encouraged to abstain from wearing contemporary attire such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while at Soami Bagh.
The Soami Bagh Temple, dedicated to the Radha Soami faith, is open to visitors of all faiths, including those who are non-Hindu. The temple complex features a church, gurudwara, mosque, and temple, which reflects the founder's commitment to religious unity.
Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi Timings
Monday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi Entry Fee
Entry is Free
Best Time to Visit Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi
The best time to visit Soami Bagh Samadh in Agra is during the winter months, from October to March, when the climate is enjoyable and cool. Although the Samadh is accessible every day, the most favorable time for a visit is during Satsang, which takes place once daily at Bhajan Gar located in the lower section of the Samadhi. The monsoon season, occurring from June to September, may bring intermittent rainfall, potentially making travel less pleasant. The summer months can become excessively hot, with temperatures surpassing 40°C, making sightseeing uncomfortable; therefore, it is advisable to refrain from visiting Agra during this time.
How to Reach Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi
Agra is well connected by air, train and road. The nearest airport to reach Agra is Kheria Airport, located at a distance of 9 Km from the city and is connected to Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Rajkot and Jamnagar. The city has four major railway stations - Agra Cantonment, Raja Ki Mandi, Agra Fort and Idgah Agra Junction. It has trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Vizag, Chennai, Indore, Jammu, Jabalpur, Pondicherry, Chandigarh, Kalka, Hubli, Goa, Haridwar, Bhopal, Howrah, Patna, Dehradun, Bangalore, Allahabad, Jaipur, Trivandrum and Lucknow. Agra can also be reached by road from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Noida, Dehradun, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Indore, Haridwar and Vrindavan. Tourists can reach Soami Bagh Temple / Radha Soami Samadhi by using electric buses, cabs, and auto rickshaws from all parts of the city of Agra.