ISKCON Temple Vrindavan: Timings, Aartis and a First-Timer's Guide

ISKCON temple Vrindavan — officially the Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir — is one of the most visited temples in Vrindavan, and one of the easiest for first-timers: clean, well organised, with a published schedule and kirtan that seems never to stop. It opens at 4:10 AM and closes at 8:45 PM, with a break in the afternoon. Here are the official timings, a short history, what to expect on a first visit, and the temples to see nearby.

ISKCON temple Vrindavan timings

These are the timings the temple publishes on its official website:

The afternoon break is the thing that catches visitors out. If you arrive in Vrindavan around lunchtime, go to your stay first and come to ISKCON for the evening session, which opens with Uthapan Arati at 4:30 PM.

The full aarti schedule

The temple's day is built around a sequence of aartis and offerings (bhoga). Here is the full schedule from the temple's website:

Which aarti to choose. For atmosphere, Mangala Arati at 4:30 AM is unforgettable, if you can manage the hour. For families, Sandhya – Gaur Arati at 7:00 PM is the easiest: the day has cooled, the temple is lit, and it leaves time for Sayana Arati before closing.

Shringar Darshan at 7:15 AM is when the deities are seen newly dressed for the day — many devotees make a point of being there for it.

A short history of Krishna Balaram Mandir

The Mathura district administration describes the Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir as "the first temple constructed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness". It was built in 1975, and its foundation was laid by the society's founder, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, himself.

It stands at Raman Reti, and the district notes the tradition that this is land where Krishna and his brother Balaram herded their cows — which is why the temple is dedicated to the two brothers. Srila Prabhupada's samadhi, his memorial shrine, is in the complex, and the morning begins there with the first Mangala Arati at 4:10 AM.

Since its founding the temple complex has grown steadily, in line with Prabhupada's vision of an international centre in Vrindavan — which is why you will hear kirtan in many accents and see devotees from all over the world.

What to expect on a first visit

• Footwear and bags. Leave shoes at the shoe stand outside. Keep bags small.
• Dress. Modest clothing is the norm, as at any temple in Vrindavan.
• Kirtan. The hall is often full of singing and chanting. You are welcome to sit, listen or join in.
• Photographs. Be guided by the notices and the volunteers inside; do not assume photography is allowed everywhere.
• Prasadam. Prasadam is offered in the complex. Families often end their visit with a meal there.
• Crowds. Weekends, Ekadashis and festivals such as Janmashtami and Kartik month are far busier.

Staying at or near ISKCON

ISKCON Vrindavan runs guest accommodation for pilgrims — its website carries a guest house cancellation policy — and lists an official helpline, 1800-202-1108, open from 10 AM to 7 PM. We have not printed any room prices, because none are published publicly. Book directly with the temple, or through a stay you have verified, rather than through a site that only uses ISKCON's name.

If the guest house is full, Raman Reti and the roads around the temple have many other stays. Our verified contacts in Vrindavan include stays and drivers, and connect you with them directly.

Getting to ISKCON Vrindavan

The temple is on Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, off Raman Reti Road, in Vrindavan. The Mathura district administration notes that it can be reached by regular transport from across western Uttar Pradesh, and by bus or taxi from Delhi.

• By train: the nearest railway stations are Mathura Junction (MTJ) and Mathura Cantt (MRT), according to the district. From there, Vrindavan is a short road journey.
• By road from Delhi: buses and taxis run regularly; a hired car is the most comfortable option for families.
• Within Vrindavan: e-rickshaws and autos are everywhere. The lanes near the older temples are narrow, so expect to walk the last stretch at some of them.

A simple one-day plan around ISKCON

If you have a single day in Vrindavan, the temple timings shape it for you:

1. Early morning: ISKCON for Mangala Arati at 4:30 AM, or Shringar Darshan at 7:15 AM if that is too early.
2. Mid-morning: Radha Raman, then Banke Bihari during its morning darshan.
3. Afternoon: lunch and rest. Most temples, ISKCON included, are closed.
4. Late afternoon: back to ISKCON for Uthapan Arati at 4:30 PM, or straight to the evening session.
5. Evening: Sandhya – Gaur Arati at ISKCON at 7:00 PM, then Prem Mandir to see it lit up.

It is a full day. With elderly parents, drop one temple rather than rushing through all of them.

Temples to visit nearby

ISKCON is one stop in a town full of temples. Three that fit easily into the same day:

• Radha Raman Temple. The district administration dates it to around 1542, built at the request of Gopala Bhatta Goswami, and counts it among Vrindavan's seven principal temples. It is especially revered by followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
• Prem Mandir. A large white-marble temple on a 54-acre site on the edge of town, maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and opened to the public in February 2012, according to the district. It is at its most striking after dark, when it is lit up.
• Banke Bihari. The most visited temple in Vrindavan, and the most crowded; it has its own darshan customs and timings, which are worth reading about before you go.

If your parents are making the trip without you, a MargKGB Buddy can stay with them through the day in Vrindavan, from queues to shoe stands to the drive back. For a puja performed in your family's name in Vrindavan, see our puja and darshan services.

What to do next

Plan ISKCON temple Vrindavan for either the early morning or the evening session, not the afternoon. If you can, be there for the 7 PM Sandhya Arati, stay for Sayana Arati at 8:30, and leave time simply to sit with the kirtan. Book any stay directly, check the date for festivals and Ekadashis, and let the rest of Vrindavan wait until the next morning.