Krishna ExperienceTimings
The temple's own site lists darshan from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The light and musical fountain show runs for about half an hour after dark, around 7:00 pm in winter and 7:30 pm in summer. Come by 6:30 pm to find a spot on the lawns.
The temple
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj laid the foundation stone on 14 January 2001, and about a thousand artisans worked for over a decade before the temple opened on 17 February 2012. It is built entirely of white Italian marble, its outer walls and pillars carved with panels of Radha Krishna's leelas. Radha Krishna are worshipped on the ground floor and Sita Ram on the floor above.
The gardens around it hold life-size tableaux of four leelas: Krishna on the swing with Radha (Jhulan), lifting Govardhan, dancing on Kaliya, and the Raas. Next door, a large pillarless satsang hall seats thousands.
Lift Govardhan yourselfOne of the leelas shown in Prem Mandir’s gardens, playable in A Day in Vrindavan.Tips
- Go twice if you can: once in the morning, when the marble is white and the crowds are thin, and once in the evening for the lights.
- Shoes and phones: there is a free shoe counter. Photography is allowed in the gardens but not in the sanctum.
- Combine it with ISKCON, which is a few minutes' walk away in Raman Reti.
Questions people ask
What time is the Prem Mandir light show?
Around 7:00 pm in winter and 7:30 pm in summer, for about 30 minutes. It is free.
Who built Prem Mandir?
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. It is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, and opened on 17 February 2012.
Is Prem Mandir open in the afternoon?
No. Darshan is from 8:30 am to 12 noon and from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.