Birla Temple / Gita Mandir, Mathura - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

At a distance of 6.5 Km from Mathura Junction Railway Station, Gita Mandir, popularly called as Birla Mandir, is located on the outskirts of Mathura, on the Vrindavan - Mathura road. The temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayan, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple has got a magnificent architecture, with exquisite carvings and paintings further enhancing its beauty. It is one of the must include places in the Mathura pilgrimage tour packages, and is frequented by pilgrims and leisure tourists alike.

History of Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

Gita Mandir in Mathura was built by Jugal Kishore Birla, the famous Birla group in memory of his parents in the year 1988. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple showcases skilled craftsmanship and is built with red sandstone. All the 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita are written on the pillars of this temple.

Architecture of Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

The Birla Temple in Mathura exhibits a striking traditional Hindu architectural style, predominantly built from red sandstone. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idol of Radha Krishna. Directly opposite the main sanctum is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, Garuda, depicted with folded hands. Additionally, there are two more sanctums that enshrine Lakshmi Narayan and Ram - Sita. The Mathura Birla Mandir complex further contains Lord Krishna's chariot and the notable Gita Stambh, an 18-meter-tall tower adorned with verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The temple is also adorned with numerous exquisite paintings of deities on its marble walls. Furthermore, there exists a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman within the complex.

Festivals of Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

The most important festival observed at Birla Temple in Mathura is Janmashtami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. This festival is the focal point of celebrations, taking place on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada, which usually occurs in August or September. It is marked by midnight prayers, aarti, and various special rituals. Additionally, Holi, known as the festival of colors, is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Mathura and Vrindavan, often regarded as a celebration of the love between Krishna and Radha. Other notable festivals include Radhashtami, Diwali, Sharad Purnima (full moon night in Ashwin), and Kunwar Mata Ki Chhath, all of which are celebrated with great zeal at the temple and across the Braj region.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

Birla Temple in Mathura has a dress code that mandates visitors to don modest and traditional clothing. Men are expected to wear long pants, or dhotis along with shirts or kurtas, whereas women should opt for sarees, salwar kameez, or other forms of Indian attire that adequately cover the shoulders and knees. It is advisable to refrain from wearing Western garments such as shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops.

Generally, non-Hindus are allowed to visit Birla Temple in Mathura. However, there may be restrictions on accessing certain areas or participating in specific rituals.

Birla Temple / Gita Mandir Timings

Monday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday: 5 AM - 12 PM & 2 PM - 8:30 PM

Birla Temple / Gita Mandir Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

The best time to visit Birla Temple in Mathura 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 & Holi festivals. During these festivals, the temple and the city become vibrant with intricate decorations, lively processions, and cultural displays. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the town experiences a surge of tourists during these festivals, so one should be ready for the bustling crowds. Mathura endures extremely hot summers and heavy monsoons, rendering those months less suitable for travel and exploration.

How to Reach Birla Temple / Gita Mandir

Agra Airport is the closest airport, which is 60 Km away from Mathura. Mathura Junction Railway Station is a major rail head with regular train services to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, Vizag, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Trivandrum, Shirdi, Jammu Tawi, Chennai, Hubli, Goa, Patna, Lucknow, Bangalore and Chhattisgarh. Mathura is also well connected by road with Agra, Jaipur, Lucknow, Delhi, Indore and Allahabad. One can reach Birla Temple by hiring a cab, or an auto-rickshaw from all parts of Mathura.