Famous Krishna Temples Across India
The best-known guide and philosopher, the most charismatic of all in Indian mythology, a realist, an incredibly talented manipulator, Lord Krishna is the supreme power of all. The eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is a Godchild. He is a platonic lover, wittiest of all pranksters, and the supreme Lord. His journey was long through time for eight centuries. The incarnation of Lord has been sprinkled all over this vast country, India, in the form of temples. All these temples depict his calmness, greatness, courage and indefinite love towards his disciples.
On the occasion of Janmashtami, we share the guide to the most famous Krishna temples all over the country.
Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha)
This is a temple close to the hearts of devotees immersed in the love of Lord Krishna. With the trio of Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balbhadra being worshipped here, these murals are cut out of wood rather than stones or metals as most the Hindu temples have in them. The Lord is adorned with various clothing and jewels as per the season. This temple is unique in its way of celebrations, rituals, offerings and prayers to the Lord than the rest of the country. One of the fascinating features of the temple is the flag at the top, which flows in the opposite direction of the wind. Although built near to the sea, the sound of waves is unheard inside the temple premises. The shadow of the temple is never seen. In addition, home to the majestic festival of Ratha Yatra. The beauty of this abode of Lord Krishna will surely blow away your mind away.
Dwarkadhish Temple (Gujarat)
Dwarkadhish is considered to be one of the aptest places for the devotees of Lord Krishna as per its mythological importance. Also known as Jagat Mandir and Trilok Sundar, this is a heavenly abode of the Lord nestled beautifully in between the hue of the coastal city of Dwarka, "the gate to liberation". One of the Char Dhams, it is the holiest of the Hindu temples and a part of the Quadri route of pilgrimage. The actual home to Lord Krishna, locals have it that the actual deity was commissioned by the great-grandson Vajranabhji of Lord Krishna himself. Though the magnificent view of the temple is breathtaking, what's more, enigmatic is the idol carved out of jet-black marble. On the one hand, the Lord hosts the Sudarshan chakra on one hand, and the other hand gently holds a conch shell. It is adorned with the Kaustubh Mani and a garland. It is believed to be gifted by goddess Laxmi herself. Endowed in the blissful Chalukya style architecture, this is a treat to the unkempt soul.
Sri Sri Radha Madhan Mohan Mandir (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
The godchild and the master prankster spent his childhood grazing cows in the fields of Vrindavan. Located on the top of Dwadasa Aditya Tila, with a stretch of fifty feet high hill, this temple was the first temple to be built in the whole of Vrindavan. Indulgence of this temple in spiritual well-being is best known by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's connection to it. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is an ardent devotee of the Lord who founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Guruvayur Temple (Guruvayur, Kerala)
Topping the most famous temples in the Deccan of the country, this temple is a wholeheartedly devoted temple to Lord Krishna. Often referred to as the Dwarka of the South, this abode of Lord is a spiritual hub of healing and loving. The deity of Lord Krishna is a four-armed idol, garlanded in a chain of Basil (Tulsi) and a pearl necklace. There resides a massive tank in the temple premises. The locals claim that the Shiva family worshipped Lord Vishnu in the tank. Dress code of men wearing dhoti and women wearing saree is followed to enter the temple. Of all the fantastic festivities, the most amusing one is Ulsavam, where devotees offer food to elephants in a unique elephant feeding program called the Aanayoottu.
Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
One of the seven most prominent ancient temples in Vrindavan, it was built in the late eighteen hundreds by the Goswamis. The idol was brought from Nidhivan. If you stare into the eyes of the deity continuously for a long time, you may end up being unconscious. This has made the idol being kept curtained most of the times. The must-see feature of this temple is the Mangala aarti during Janmashtami festival. You won't go back disappointed.
Prem Mandir (Vrindavan)
Considered as an authentic Hindu temple that brings in immense joy and pleasure to the devotees, this mandir is an epitome of beauty and serenity. Gifted to the holy city of Varanasi, by the Rasik saint of name, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji, this is a beautiful masterpiece in every nook and corner. It has inscribed glass paintings that depict various lire stories of the Lord.
Jugal Kishore (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
There's so much of religious tolerance that it would want any of you to stand, take a bow to this beautiful country with an entity that is so divine. Built by Jahangir, the mighty Mughal emperor, it is a spiritually significant destiny for the devotees of Lord Krishna. This was the site where the Lord killed the horse demon Kesi and took a bath.
Govind Dev Ji Temple (Jaipur)
Located in the beautiful city of Jaipur, this was built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II. Adding to the cultural diversity of incredible India, the whole architecture was created by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar.
Udupi Sri Krishna Matha (Udupi, Karnataka)
In the coastal region of the western ghat is a temple that is serene without an ounce of doubt. A vaishnavite saint - Shri Madhwacharya, initially built it. It is as old as the thirteenth century. Madhvacharya was also formerly the founder of Dvaita school of Vedanta. Legends have it to the tales that the ship where the idol was carried was miraculously saved from the clutches of a ferocious storm. The most unusual feature of the temple is the idol facing westwards into a window called the Kanakana Kindi. Navagraha kind is another window that covers the front of the idol. The temple is full of ancient shrines, and we are sure your journey to the temple is all worth it.
Radha Raman Temple (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
Famous for being one of the seven Thakur temples of Vrindavan, this temple was erected on a full moon night of the fifteen hundred AD. This structure was established in the month of Vaisakha. The temple was funded by one of the six Goswamis, who were an ardent devotee of a well-known devotee of Shri Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His name was Bhatta Goswami. The temple has huge fame, all thanks to its intricate and exclusively exquisite designs and because of its central deity crafted out of Shaligram Shila.
Another astounding attraction of the temple is here the Lord stands alone, with just a golden plate with the name of Radha engraved in it. If you want your minds to be blown, then here is a piece of history. The asana or the throne where the Lord sits was crafted out of wood, and even after four centuries of having stayed intact, it shows no sign of rotting or degradation. Incredible indeed!
