ISKCON Temple / Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir, Kanpur - Timings, Entry Fee, Safari Cost, Safari Booking, Best Time to Visit

About ISKCON Temple

At a distance of 13 Km from Kanpur Central Railway Station, ISKCON Temple, also known as Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir is a Hindu temple situated at Bithoor locality of Kanpur. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna. This is the second-largest ISKCON Temple in the world only after the Mayapur ISKON temple in West Bengal, and among the prominent places to visit in Kanpur.

History of ISKCON Temple

The ISKCON Temple located in Kanpur was founded in 2009 by local devotees alongside senior leaders of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) started as a spiritual movement in 1966 by Acharya A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to spread peace, harmony and prosperity using the teachings from Vedic literature. This temple developed from a modest assembly of followers who met for prayer and discussions into a grander, more intricate edifice, made possible through generous donations and committed efforts.

Architecture of ISKCON Temple

The ISKCON Temple in Kanpur is recognized as one of the most beautiful and well-maintained temples in the city, exemplifying a fusion of contemporary and traditional architectural styles. The impressive gopuram (entrance tower) enhances the temple's grand appearance. Spanning approximately 2 acres, the temple complex includes a main temple hall, a guest house, a restaurant, a gift shop, a library, and a garden.

The main temple hall serves as the focal point of the complex, housing the magnificent idols of Radha-Krishna, Gaura-Nitai, and Jagannath-Baladeva-Subhadra, which are placed on a marble altar. This hall is embellished with exquisite paintings, sculptures, chandeliers, and curtains, and features a spacious seating area for visitors. Additionally, the temple hall is equipped with a large LED screen that broadcasts live darshan (viewing) of the deities from various ISKCON temples worldwide.

Festivals of ISKCON Temple

Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Radhashtami are the two major festivals celebrated in ISKCON Kanpur with great enthusiasm. Krishna Janmashtami marks the birthday of Lord Krishna, celebrated every year in August with special darshans, kirtans, and abhishek ceremonies. ISKCON Kanpur also observes festivals like Rama Navami, Boat Festival, Brahmotsava, and Narasimha Jayanti.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of ISKCON Temple

ISKCON Temple in Kanpur does not enforce a strict dress code; however, it is advisable to wear modest attire that covers the upper arms and legs as a mark of respect. Men are encouraged to don a dhoti or pajama along with an appropriate upper garment, or to wear formal trousers and shirts. Women may choose to wear a saree, half saree, or chudidhars. It is recommended to avoid modern clothing such as mini-skirts, torn jeans, shorts, and sleeveless tops while visiting the temple.

Non-Hindus are generally allowed to visit the ISKCON Temple in Kanpur. ISKCON temple aims to provide a space for spiritual enrichment and cultural exchange, making them accessible to all seekers.

ISKCON Temple Timings

Monday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 4:30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8:30 PM

ISKCON Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit ISKCON Temple

The best time to visit ISKCON Kanpur is from October to March. During this period, the climate is pleasant, making it comfortable for visitors to explore the temple and participate in the festivities. For individuals wishing to experience the temple at its most spiritually enriching, it is recommended to schedule your visit during the Janmashtami festival, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna and generally takes place in August/September. The summers are scorching in Kanpur, with uncomfortably high temperatures while the city experiences heavy showers during the monsoon season that renders most of the tourist attractions inaccessible at times.

How to Reach ISKCON Temple

About 14 Km away, Kanpur Airport is the nearest airport and has well-connected flights from Mumbai and New Delhi. Kanpur Central Railway Station is well-connected by trains with Lucknow, Prayagraj, New Delhi, Gorakhpur, Allahabad, Howrah, Bandra, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Darbhanga, Varanasi, Agra, Patna, Bhagalpur, Raipur, Ghazipur, Haldia, Gaya, Kolkata, Santragachi, Bhopal, Indore, and Sultanpur. Kanpur is well-connected by buses with all the major cities of Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. One can reach ISKCON Temple by taking bus, or hiring a cab or auto-rickshaw from all parts of the city of Kanpur.