19°C
Mathura
Prem Mandir
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Prem Mandir in Vrindavan is a magnificent white marble temple dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, renowned for its intricate carvings, beautiful gardens and spectacular evening lights.
- ReligionHindu
- DeityRadha Krishna,
Sita Rama - TimingsMorning: 08:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Evening: 04:30 PM to 08:30 PM
About the temple
About the temple
Description: Prem Mandir stands on a 55-acre site at Raman Reti on the Chhatikara road in Vrindavan, Mathura district, close to the ISKCON temple and about 12 km from Mathura. Its name means 'Temple of Divine Love', and it was conceived by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the saint who taught that selfless love for God is the highest goal of life. The temple is built entirely of white Italian Carrara marble and rises about 125 feet. Shri Radha Krishna are enshrined on the ground floor and Shri Sita Ram on the first floor. Its walls carry 84 carved panels of Krishna's loving pastimes and verses of devotion, and its gardens hold life-size tableaux of four famous lilas: Krishna lifting Govardhan, subduing the serpent Kaliya, swinging with Radha and dancing the Raas. The foundation stone was laid on 14 January 2001, and after about 12 years of work by around 1,000 artisans, at a cost of about Rs 150 crore, the temple was inaugurated from 15 to 17 February 2012. A pillar-less satsang hall for about 25,000 people stands beside it. The temple is managed by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (JKP), the organisation Kripalu Ji Maharaj founded. At night, colour-changing lights bathe the marble in shifting hues, and a musical fountain show is held every evening. Darshan is held from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and entry is free.
Prem Mandir
Prem Mandir
The Sacred Legacy of Prem Mandir in Numbers
Discover the history, craftsmanship and scale of the Temple of Divine Love in Vrindavan.
- Foundation Stone Laid
- 14 January 2001
- Temple Opened to the Public
- 17 February 2012
- Height of the Temple
- About125 ft
- Area of the Temple Complex
- 55 acres
- Artisans Who Carved the Temple
- About1000
- Carved Panels of Krishna's Lilas
- 84
- Capacity of the Pillar-Less Satsang Hall
- About25000
Foundation Stone Laid
Temple Opened to the Public
Height of the Temple
Area of the Temple Complex
Artisans Who Carved the Temple
Carved Panels of Krishna's Lilas
Capacity of the Pillar-Less Satsang Hall
Historical Background
- Prem Mandir's story begins with Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who was born on Sharad Purnima in 1922 at Mangarh, near Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, and was honoured with the title of Jagadguru by the Kashi Vidvat Parishat in 1957. He laid the foundation stone of Prem Mandir in Vrindavan on 14 January 2001, and over the next 12 years around 1,000 artisans carved the white Italian marble temple, its panels and gardens. Meanwhile, JKP opened Bhakti Mandir at his birthplace, Mangarh, in 2005. Prem Mandir was inaugurated from 15 to 17 February 2012 and opened to the public on 17 February. Kripalu Ji Maharaj passed away on 15 November 2013, and in 2019 JKP opened Kirti Mandir at Barsana, dedicated to Radha's mother Kirti. On 19 March 2026, President Droupadi Murmu visited Prem Mandir. His birth anniversary is celebrated on Sharad Purnima, about 25 October 2026, and the temple marks its 15th anniversary on 17 February 2027.
1922
1922
Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj is born on Sharad Purnima at Mangarh, near Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.1957
1957
The Kashi Vidvat Parishat honours him with the title of Jagadguru.14 January 2001
14 January 2001
The foundation stone of Prem Mandir is laid in Vrindavan.2001-2012
2001-2012
Around 1,000 artisans carve the white Italian marble temple, its panels and gardens.2005
2005
JKP opens Bhakti Mandir at Mangarh, Kripalu Ji Maharaj's birthplace.15-17 February 2012
15-17 February 2012
Prem Mandir is inaugurated and opens to the public on 17 February.15 November 2013
15 November 2013
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj passes away.2019
2019
JKP opens Kirti Mandir at Barsana, dedicated to Radha's mother Kirti.19 March 2026
19 March 2026
President Droupadi Murmu visits Prem Mandir.About 25 October 2026
About 25 October 2026
Sharad Purnima, the birth anniversary of Kripalu Ji Maharaj, is celebrated.17 February 2027
17 February 2027
The temple's 15th anniversary.
Synopsis
Prem Mandir, the Temple of Divine Love, is a white Italian marble temple in Vrindavan created by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and managed by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat. Shri Radha Krishna are worshipped on the ground floor and Shri Sita Ram on the first. Built over about 12 years by around 1,000 artisans and opened in February 2012, the 125-foot temple is covered with carvings of Krishna's lilas, surrounded by 55 acres of gardens with life-size tableaux of the Govardhan, Kaliya, Jhulan and Raas lilas, and lit with changing colours every night.
Prem Mandir stands on a 55-acre site at Raman Reti, Chhatikara road, Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, about 12 km from Mathura. It is dedicated to Shri Radha Krishna and Shri Sita Ram.
The foundation stone was laid on 14 January 2001, and the temple was inaugurated from 15 to 17 February 2012 after about 12 years of work by around 1,000 artisans, at a cost of about Rs 150 crore.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who conceived the temple, and Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat with its devotees in India and abroad, who built and maintain it.
A temple dedicated to divine love (prem), teaching devotion to Radha Krishna through daily aartis, kirtan and the visual story of Krishna's lilas.
One of the most visited temples in India and a landmark of modern Indian temple craftsmanship, managed by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
Sacred significance
The Temple of Divine Love
Prem Mandir is dedicated to prem, selfless love for God, which Kripalu Ji Maharaj taught as the highest goal of life. Every part of the temple is meant to awaken that love.
Shri Radha Krishna
Radha and Krishna, the supreme embodiment of divine love, are enshrined on the ground floor. Devotees pray to them for pure devotion.
Shri Sita Ram
Sita and Rama are enshrined on the first floor, honouring the ideal of devotion in the Ramayana.
Krishna Lilas in Stone
The 84 carved panels on the temple walls tell the story of Krishna's loving pastimes, so that devotees remember him as they walk around. Each panel shows a different episode.
Govardhan Lila
The life-size tableau of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill reminds devotees that the Lord protects those who love him.
Kaliya Naag Lila
Krishna dancing on the serpent Kaliya shows his power to free the world from evil.
Jhulan Lila
Radha and Krishna on a swing recall the joyful monsoon festival of Braj.
Raas Lila
Krishna's dance with the gopis on the full moon is the highest expression of divine love in Vaishnava tradition. The tableau is especially striking when lit at night.
Daily Aartis
Aartis at 08:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM and 08:10 PM mark the day of the Lord. Bhog is offered at 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
Roopdhyan Meditation
Kripalu Ji Maharaj taught devotees to meditate on the form of Radha Krishna while chanting their names, and the temple's images support this practice. This simple practice is at the heart of Kripalu Ji Maharaj's teaching.
Sharad Purnima
The night of the Raas and the birth anniversary of Kripalu Ji Maharaj, celebrated with great devotion. In 2026 it falls around 25 October.
Architecture
Prem Mandir is built entirely of white Italian Carrara marble and rises about 125 feet on a raised plinth in a 55-acre complex of gardens and fountains. Its two storeys enshrine Shri Radha Krishna on the ground floor and Shri Sita Ram on the first floor. The outer walls carry 84 panels carved with scenes from Krishna's life, the walls are inscribed with verses of devotion, and the building is richly decorated with carved columns, arches, domes and floral inlay work. In the gardens, life-size tableaux show the lifting of Govardhan, the subduing of Kaliya, the Jhulan swing and the Raas dance. At night, lights bathe the marble in changing colours, and a musical fountain plays in the evening. Beside the temple stands a pillar-less, domed satsang hall of about 6,800 square metres that can seat about 25,000 people. The complex was carved over about 12 years by around 1,000 artisans.
Marble
White Italian Marble
The whole temple is built of white Carrara marble from Italy. It glows in the sunlight and changes colour under the night lights.
Height
The 125-Foot Temple
The temple rises about 125 feet on a raised plinth.
Panels
84 Lila Panels
84 panels on the outer walls depict Krishna's loving pastimes. They form a story told in stone.
Floors
Two Sacred Storeys
Radha Krishna on the ground floor and Sita Ram on the first floor. Each sanctum is richly carved.
Tableaux
Life-Size Lila Tableaux
The gardens hold life-size scenes of the Govardhan, Kaliya, Jhulan and Raas lilas. They are especially beautiful when lit at night.
Lights
Colour-Changing Lights
Lights make the marble glow in shifting colours every evening.
Satsang Hall
Pillar-Less Satsang Hall
A domed hall of about 6,800 square metres seats about 25,000 people for satsang and festivals.
Interesting facts
Around 1,000 artisans worked for about 12 years, from 2001 to 2012, to carve the temple. The result is one of India's finest modern marble temples.
Deities & Shrines
Shri Radha Krishna
The principal deities, enshrined on the ground floor. Radha and Krishna are worshipped as the embodiment of divine love. Their darshan is the heart of every visit.
Shri Sita Ram
Sita and Rama, enshrined on the first floor. Devotees pray to them for righteousness and devotion.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
The founder of the temple, revered by his followers as their guru. His teachings are honoured throughout the complex. His followers celebrate his birth anniversary on Sharad Purnima.
The Four Original Jagadgurus
Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Nimbarkacharya and Madhvacharya are honoured in the temple as the great teachers before Kripalu Ji Maharaj. Their tribute reflects the line of great teachers of Vedic philosophy.
Giriraj Govardhan
Shown in the Govardhan Lila tableau, Krishna lifting the hill to protect Braj. The hill is worshipped across Braj on Annakut.
The Gopis of Vrindavan
The cowherd maidens of Braj, models of selfless love, shown in the Raas Lila tableau. Kripalu Ji Maharaj held them up as the highest example of love for God.
The Rasik Saints
The great saints of divine love of Braj are depicted on the temple walls. Their lives inspire devotees to love God selflessly.
Darshan & Service Offerings
| Service | Timing | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shayan Aarti | 08:10 PM. | Free | The night aarti before the temple closes. |
| Flower Offering | During opening hours. | Cost of flowers | Offer flowers to the deities. |
| Festival Darshan | Festival days. | Free | Special decorations and programmes on Janmashtami, Radhashtami and Holi. |
| Parikrama of the Temple | About 07:00 PM and during opening hours. | Free | Walk around the temple to see the 84 lila panels. |
Visitor information
Location
Prem Mandir, Raman Reti, Chhatikara Road (Sri Kripalu Maharaj Ji Marg), Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh - 281121, India. It is beside the main Chhatikara road, near ISKCON.
Temple Hours
08:30 AM-12:00 PM and 04:30 PM-08:30 PM, every day.
Entry
There is no entry fee. The temple and gardens are open to all. Donations are voluntary.
Musical Fountain
7:00-7:30 PM in winter (October-March) and 7:30-8:00 PM in summer (April-September).
Best Time of Day
Arrive before sunset to see the marble in daylight, then stay for the lights and fountain.
Time Needed
Allow two to three hours to see the temple, the tableaux and the fountain.
Footwear and Bags
Deposit footwear at the free shoe stand. Large bags are not allowed inside.
Photography
Photography is generally allowed in the gardens but may be restricted near the sanctums. Follow the staff's instructions.
Security
Expect security checks at the entrance. Large bags may not be allowed inside.
Accessibility
The temple is listed as wheelchair accessible. Ask staff for help.
Contact
Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat. Phone: +91 88824 80000. Email: info@jkp.org.in. JKP's website also carries news and festival programmes.
Important Visitor Notice
Keep valuables safe in the evening crowds and follow the instructions of the staff. Report lost items to the staff.
Location
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Cool, pleasant weather makes these months the best time to visit Vrindavan. December and January bring fog and cold. Carry warm clothes.
Late Afternoon and Evening
Arrive around 04:30 PM to see the marble in daylight, then stay for the lights and fountain. This gives the full experience of the temple.
Sharad Purnima (October)
Kripalu Ji Maharaj's birth anniversary and the night of the Raas, around 25 October 2026.
Janmashtami (August-September)
Krishna's birth is celebrated with decorations and special programmes. Very crowded. Arrive early and use public transport.
Holi (February-March)
Braj's festival of colours, with the temple decorated for the season. The whole of Braj celebrates for weeks.
Temple Anniversary (Vijaya Ekadashi, February-March)
The anniversary of the temple's opening in 2012. Special programmes are held.
Summer (April-June)
Hot during the day; visit in the evening when the marble cools and the lights come on. Carry water and a cap.
Monsoon (July-September)
The gardens are green, and the Jhulan season recalls the swing tableau. Paths can be slippery after rain.
Nearby places
ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir
About 500 m-1 km
- The ISKCON temple of Vrindavan, with the samadhi of Srila Prabhupada. It is an easy walk from Prem Mandir.
Shri Banke Bihari Temple
About 2-3 km
- The most beloved Krishna temple of Vrindavan, famous for its curtain darshan. Weekday mornings are the calmest time for darshan there.
Radha Raman Temple
About 3 km
- A Gaudiya temple with a self-manifested deity worshipped since 1542. Its deity is believed to have manifested from a shaligram stone.
Govind Dev Temple
About 3-4 km
- A great red sandstone temple built in 1590 by Raja Man Singh. Its massive red sandstone walls are a landmark.
Vaishno Devi Dham, Vrindavan
About 4-5 km
- A modern temple on the Chhatikara road with a giant statue of the Goddess. Its tall statue is visible from the road.
Festivals & culture
Prem Mandir celebrates the festivals of Radha Krishna, Sita Ram and Kripalu Ji Maharaj with decorations, kirtan and special programmes. Janmashtami, Radhashtami and Holi are the biggest, and the temple's anniversary on Vijaya Ekadashi is also marked. Crowds are very large on festival evenings. Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and change every year.
Sharad Purnima
October (about 25 October 2026)
The night of the Raas and the birth anniversary of Kripalu Ji Maharaj.
Janmashtami
August-September
Krishna's birth, with decorations.
Radhashtami
August-September
The appearance day of Radha, celebrated with great devotion in Braj.
Holi
February-March
Braj's festival of colours and flowers, with devotional songs.
Additional information
Prem Mandir
'Prem Mandir' means 'Temple of Divine Love'.
Location
Raman Reti, Chhatikara Road, Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh - 281121.
Temple Hours
08:30 AM-12:00 PM and 4:30 PM-08:30 PM, every day. The temple closes between 12:00 PM and 04:30 PM.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
The saint (1922-2013) who conceived and built the temple.
Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
The organisation founded by Kripalu Ji Maharaj, which manages the temple. It also runs hospitals, schools and charitable programmes.
Entry Fee
Entry, darshan and the fountain show are free. Donations are voluntary.
Musical Fountain
7:00-7:30 PM in winter and 7:30-8:00 PM in summer. Arrive early for a good spot.
Italian Marble
Built entirely of white Carrara marble from Italy. The marble glows white by day and in colours by night.
Sister Temples
Bhakti Mandir at Mangarh (2005) and Kirti Mandir at Barsana (2019). Together they form JKP's three great temples.
Contact
Phone: +91 88824 80000. Email: info@jkp.org.in. Check JKP's website for festival programmes.
Crowd Advisory
Expect large crowds on evenings, weekends and festivals. Weekday mornings are the calmest.
Temple facilities
Landscaped Gardens
55 acres of lawns, fountains and flower beds surround the temple. They are lovely in the early evening.
Musical Fountain
A musical fountain show with lights every evening.
Satsang Hall
A pillar-less hall for about 25,000 people for satsang and festivals.
Footwear Stand
Footwear can be deposited free at the shoe stand. Bags are not allowed inside the temple.
Drinking Water and Toilets
Drinking water and toilets are available in the complex. Carry your own bottle in summer.
Parking
Paid parking for cars and two-wheelers near the main gate. Charges are usually modest.
Security
Security checks at the entrance. Cooperate with checks at the gate.
JKP Hospital
JKP's charitable hospital, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya, serves the people of Vrindavan. It treats patients free of charge.
Emergency services
India Emergency Response
Not location-specific
Contact
112
- Call 112 for urgent police, medical or fire assistance through India's integrated emergency response system.
Top picks
Mathura Peda
The famous brown milk sweet of Braj, made from slow-roasted khoya. A popular offering and gift to take home.
Makhan Mishri
White butter with rock sugar, Krishna's favourite. Offered to the deities and enjoyed as prasad.
Kachori, Sabzi and Jalebi
The classic Braj breakfast of hot kachoris with potato sabzi, followed by crisp jalebis.
Lassi and Rabri in Kulhad
Thick lassi and creamy rabri served in clay cups. Braj is famous for its rich milk sweets.
Chaat and Aloo Tikki
Tangy chaat and crisp aloo tikki with chutneys, popular in the evening.
Sattvic Thali
Pure vegetarian meals, often made without onion and garlic, in keeping with Vrindavan's holy character.
Thandai and Gujiya
Cooling thandai and sweet gujiya, especially popular during the Holi season.
Visitor guide
Mathura Junction
About 12 km
- The main railway station for Vrindavan, on the Delhi-Agra and Delhi-Mumbai lines. Autos and taxis are available.
Vrindavan Railway Station
About 2-3 km
- A small station; recent visitors report that the Mathura-Vrindavan rail bus no longer runs and only a reservation counter is open. Check before travelling.
Videos
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Frequently Asked Questions
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj; it is managed by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
On 17 February 2012, after ceremonies from 15 to 17 February.
Radha Krishna on the ground floor and Sita Ram on the first floor.
Temple of Divine Love.
White Italian Carrara marble.
About 125 feet.
About 12 years, by around 1,000 artisans.
8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 4:30 PM-8:30 PM.
7:00-7:30 PM in winter and 7:30-8:00 PM in summer.
Yes.
Govardhan, Kaliya Naag, Jhulan and Raas.
Late afternoon, staying for the lights and fountain.
About 12 km.
Yes, about 500 m-1 km away.