Mayapur Temple in West Bengal, ISKCON Chandrodaya Mandir

Mayapur, a small village town in West Bengal, is renowned worldwide as the capital hub of ISKCON Mayapur Temple (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). With over 800 ISKCON temples globally, Mayapur holds a special place as the origin of this spiritual movement. Attracting millions of tourists annually, Mayapur’s main ISKCON temple spans 100,000 square feet and features the still-under-construction Temple of Vedic Planetarium.

Visitors can explore a Krishna Temple, a museum dedicated to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, various accommodations, restaurants, food stalls, a Vedic school, and shopping areas, making it a vibrant small city. The surrounding town offers additional historic temples and picturesque village scenes, providing a rich cultural and spiritual experience.

Mayapur Biggest Temple

ISKCON Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, also known as the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, is a prominent Hindu temple and the global headquarters of ISKCON, located in Mayapur, West Bengal. Dedicated to the Hindu deity Radha Madhava, construction of the temple began in 2010. Once completed, it will be the world’s largest Hindu temple and one of the tallest, situated approximately 130 km from Kolkata.

Suggested Read: The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium: TOVP Iskcon Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir

Darshan Timings:

Mayapur Iskcon Opening Time from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Aarti Timings: Mangala Aarti: 4:30 AM – Sandhya Aarti: 6:30 PM

Do’s & Dons’

• Dress Code: Traditional and formal clothing
• Photography: Not allowed
• Prasad: Available

Mayapur Iskcon Temple Food Timings

Free Meals (Prasadam):

• Available at Radha Madhav Temple Courtyard every day at 6:00 am.
• Served on a first-come, first-served basis, up to 500 pilgrims.
• No advance booking required.
• Includes rice, dal, mixed sabji, main seasonal sabji, and a sweet.
• Meals served at “Bhaktivedanta Anna-Dan complex” at 1:00 pm.

For Pilgrims and Life Members:

• Please obtain your meal coupon in advance to assist with serving you better.
• If arriving with a group of more than 10 just before mealtime, please inform the Kitchen for adequate preparation.

Kitchen Timings and Services:

Gada Kitchen:

• • Lunch: 12:30-1:30 pm, Rs. 70/-
  • Special Lunch: 12:30-1:30 pm, Rs. 120/-
  • Dinner: 8:00-8:30 pm, Rs. 50/-
  • Special Dinner: 8:00-8:30 pm, Rs. 120/-
  • Contact: Gada ph: 03472-245494/051

Sulabh Kitchen:

• • Breakfast: 9:00 am, Rs. 30/-
  • Lunch: 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm, Rs. 30/-
  • Contact: Sulabh ph: 03472-245212

Life Member Timings:

• • Breakfast: 8:30 am
  • Lunch: 12:30-1:00 pm
  • Dinner: 8:00-8:30 pm

These details should help you plan your visit and meals effectively at Radha Madhav Temple.

Suggested Read: How to reach Mayapur from Kolkata by train car or bus?

The Roots of Mayapur Temple

The Mayapur-Nabadwip-Krishnagar circuit in Nadia district. It lies north of Kolkata. Mayapur is famous for its rich Vaishnava tradition. The Vaishnava guru Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Mayapur, is commemorated by a shrine in his honor. Today, Mayapur is best known as the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a global organization founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966.

Originally a small village on the bank of the Ganga, Mayapur gained international fame as ISKCON’s headquarters, a Vaishnav institution that Srila Prabhupada established in the 1970s. The town is home to several temples, including Yogapith, which is recognized as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

What To Do And See

Mayapur sits on the bank of the Ganga, as a day trip from Kolkata, an overnight stay at the ISKCON complex allows you to explore at a more leisurely pace.

Main Attractions:

• Radha Madhav Temple Complex: This is the heart of ISKCON Mayapur Temple. The temple is featuring beautifully adorned idols of Radha Madhav and their eight companions (Sakhi).
• Srila Prabhupada’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir: An artistically styled Mayapur temple built in memory of ISKCON’s founder.
• Museum Galleries and Gift Stores: These offer insights into Vaishnava traditions and a chance to purchase devotional items.

For additional activities such as boating, contact Mayapur Tourism at www.mayapur.com.

Suggested Itinerary:

1. Pushpa Samadhi Temple: Start your visit here to honor the founder of ISKCON.
2. Evening at Chandrodaya Temple: Attend the evening ceremonies in the temple, which features a sanctum sanctorum divided into two halls.
3. One hall houses the presiding deities of Radha Madhav and their Sakhi, where the gaily attired idols are adorned with ornaments and floral offerings, creating a magnificent sight.

Mayapur ISkCON Temple Accommodation

When visiting Mayapur, the best place to stay is in the ISKCON guest houses. The ISKCON complex offers several dining options, including prasadam (sanctified food) available in the Gada Bhavan and the Sulabh Prasadam halls. For a variety of excellent vegetarian dishes, fresh fruit juice, and sweets, visit the Govindas restaurant, which is open from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM.

How To Get There

By Train: From Kolkata’s Howrah Junction Railway Station, take a train to Nabadwip Dham. From there, you can take a taxi to Mayapur, which is about 30 kilometers away.

Take a train from Sealdah railway station to Krishna Nagar. From Krishna Nagar, you can reach Mayapur by: Private car, Local bus (requires going to the bus stop) and Private tuk-tuk

By Air: The nearest airport is in Kolkata. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a train to Nabadwip Dham and then proceed to Mayapur.