ISKCON Temple / Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir - History, Timings & Entry Fee

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Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Kanpur Central): 13 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Place Location: At Bithoor

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab / Auto

Travel Tips: None

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. It is one of the popular ISKCON temples in India, and among the prominent Kanpur attractions.

Dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna, Sri Sri Radha Madhav Mandir is built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 2014. This is the second-largest ISKCON Temple in the world only after the Mayapur ISKON temple in West Bengal. Covering an area of 15 acres, the temple has fine architecture and grand towers. Inside the temple, there is a courtyard under the open sky along with a huge hall. A parikrama marg (pilgrimage path) encircles the temple building. The temple houses three altars that are dedicated to Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Gaura Nitai, and Sri Sita Rama, Lakshman, and Hanuman Ji.

The compound also includes a Vedic Ashram, Food For Life center, Bhaktivedanta Youth Academy, Bhaktivedanta Book Library, a guest house for the devotees, a conference room, community hall, a beautiful pond, and musical fountains along with a gift shop where visitors can buy some souvenirs. It also includes a Goshala which houses about sixty cows. There is an in-built Govinda restaurant that serves thalis and other vegetarian dishes.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Radhashtami are the two major festivals celebrated here with great enthusiasm. Krishna Janmashtami marks the birthday of Lord Krishna, celebrated every year in August. The entire temple is white-washed and cleaned before this occasion. The idols are bathed in fragrant oils and other essentials like turmeric powder, milk, ghee, saffron, yogurt, and fresh fruit juices. They are then dressed in new attires and jewelry and provided with Chhapan Bhog as prasad or holy offering. This is the most crowded occasion.

Timings: 4.30 AM - 1 PM & 4 PM - 8.30 PM

Entry: Free