The holiest birthplace of Lord Krishna featuring the prison cell (Kansa Garbha Griha), Keshavdev temple, and Bhagwat Bhavan.
Official 2026 Devotee Guide
Shri Krishna Janmasthan Mandir – The Birthplace of Lord Krishna located in Mathura welcomes all pilgrims daily with completely free entry. Darshan is open in two daily shifts: morning from 05:00 AM – 12:00 PM and evening from 04:00 PM – 09:30 PM. The sanctum observes a standard afternoon closure daily between 12:00 PM and 04:00 PM for deity Rajbhog and resting.
Official morning & evening sanctum opening hours for Shri Krishna Janmasthan Mandir – The Birthplace of Lord Krishna
At Banke Bihari temple, the curtain before Thakur Ji is pulled shut and reopened every 2–3 minutes. As per sacred lore, this prevents devotees from becoming enchanted and losing conscious awareness in Thakur Ji’s divine gaze.
Sanctum doors remain strictly closed for deity rest & Rajbhog offering. Please plan morning darshan before 11:30 AM or arrive for evening darshan after 04:30 PM.
Sacred daily offerings & devotional timings
Ideal seasons, quietest darshan slots & festival periods
Pleasant, cool weather across Vrindavan—ideal for walking through the sacred narrow lanes leading to the temple without exhausting summer heat.
Deeply serene atmosphere with minimal waiting queue delay—recommended especially when travelling with elders or young children.
Hariyali Teej (Jhulan Yatra), Radhashtami, and Phoolon Ki Holi witness immense crowds. We recommend prior travel coordination with our local guide.
Shri Krishna Janmasthan Mandir is one of the holiest and most spiritually powerful places for devotees of Lord Krishna . This sacred site in Mathura marks the exact place where Lord Krishna was born thousands of years ago. The moment you enter the complex, you feel a deep sense of calm and devotion . The temple is not just a place of worship – it is a journey through time, faith, and devotion that stays with you long after you leave .
The first Vaishnava temple at this site was probably built 2,000 years ago, in the 1st century CEÂ . A grander temple was constructed during the reign of Chandragupta II around 400 CEÂ .
The temple was destroyed and rebuilt many times over centuries. In 1017 CE, Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and plundered Mathura, demolishing the temples . He carried away gold and silver idols on a hundred camels .
Later, in 1150 CE, a new Vishnu temple was built at this site. The Sanskrit inscription describes it as "brilliantly white and touching the clouds"Â .
The temple was again destroyed by Sikandar Lodi in the 16th century . In 1618, Raja Veer Singh Deva Bundela built a magnificent octagonal red sandstone temple at the cost of thirty-three lakhs . It was so beautiful that French traveller Tavernier described it in 1650 .
In 1670, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed this temple and built the Shahi Eidgah mosque in its place .
In 1804, Mathura came under British control. The land was auctioned and purchased by Raja Patnimal, a wealthy banker . After years of legal battles, Madan Mohan Malaviya acquired the land in 1944 with financial help from Jugal Kishore Birla .
The construction of the current temple started in October 1953 and was completed in February 1982Â .
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Janam Bhumi, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh |
| Main Deity | Lord Krishna |
| Garbha Griha | Small, low chamber marking the exact birthplace |
| Complex Size | 13.37 acres |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Time | Darshan |
|---|---|
| Morning | 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Afternoon | Closed |
| Evening | 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM |
Note:Â Seasonal timings vary. In winter, the temple closes at 8:30 PMÂ . Timings change during festivals like Janmashtami.
| Aarti | Time |
|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti | 5:30 AMÂ |
| Rajbhog Aarti | 11:10 AMÂ |
| Sandhya Aarti (Summer) | 8:00 PMÂ |
| Sandhya Aarti (Winter) | 7:00 PMÂ |
| Sayan Aarti Sewa | 8:25 PM – 8:55 PM |
Morning – Less crowded, peaceful, and coolerÂ
Evening – Beautiful atmosphere during Sandhya Aarti
October to March – Pleasant weatherÂ
Janmashtami – Special midnight darshan but extremely crowdedÂ
| Mode | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest Station | Mathura Junction – about 4 km away |
| By Auto | Take auto or e-rickshaw from station (₹50-80) |
| From Vrindavan | About 12 km – take bus, cab, or auto |
| Drop Point | Auto drops at Janam Bhumi main gate |
Parking is available on the main road near the temple . Use Gate No. 2 for easy access . Parking fills up fast on weekends and festival days . On Janmashtami, authorities set up 24 designated parking sites with shuttle e-rickshaw services .
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Photography | Not allowed inside the main temple |
| Phone Deposit | Deposit phones at cloakroom before queue (₹2 ready) |
| Shoe Counter | Use the shoe counter before entering |
| Security Queue | Allow extra time for security checks |
| Timing Tip | Be inside by 11:00 AM if you want Rajbhog darshan |
| Dress Code | Modest dressing and respectful behavior appreciated |
| Crowds | Most crowded on Janmashtami, Ekadashi, and weekends |
| Visit Duration | Keep 45 minutes to 2.5 hours for full darshan |
The Garbha Griha is a small, low chamber that marks the exact birthplace of Lord Krishna . During festival weekends and Janmashtami, the queue moves through in as little as thirty to sixty seconds . The sanctum has a powerful, serene energy that brings instant peace to the mind . This is the most sacred spot in the entire complex.
| Place | Distance |
|---|---|
| Dwarkadhish Temple | 2 km |
| Vishram Ghat | 2.5 km |
| Government Museum Mathura | 2 km |
| Vrindavan Temples (Banke Bihari, ISKCON) | 12 km |
Krishna Janmabhoomi is not just a temple – it is the place where faith begins. The history of destruction and rebuilding only adds to its significance. Today, it stands as a symbol of devotion that has survived centuries. Whether you are a devotee, a history enthusiast, or someone seeking peace, this holy place leaves a lasting impression on your heart . A must-visit for anyone coming to Mathura.
Vrindavan temple alleys have many playful monkeys. Keep spectacles, sunglasses, bags, and smartphones safely secured inside bags before entering the lanes.
Four-wheelers stop at outer parking zones (Vidyapeeth or VIP Parking). Take a shared or private battery e-rickshaw directly to the mandir entry lane.
Deposit shoes and slippers at the official free temple shoe counters located near Gate 2 & Gate 3. Do not leave footwear unattended on the road.
Traditional Indian attire (kurta-pyjama, saree, salwar suit) is recommended. Photography inside the inner sanctum is strictly prohibited.
Summer Timings: 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM | 04:00 PM to 09:30 PM. Winter Timings: 05:30 AM to 12:00 PM | 03:30 PM to 08:30 PM. Mangala Aarti takes place at 05:30 AM and Sandhya Aarti at 07:00 PM daily.
Due to high security, all electronic devices including smartphones, smartwatches, cameras, power banks, remote car keys, metallic belts, cigarettes/lighters, and large bags are strictly prohibited. Free and paid locker facilities are available outside Gate No. 1 and Gate No. 3.
The sacred 4.5-acre complex houses the original Garbha Griha (prison cell sanctum where Lord Krishna manifested), the magnificent Keshavdev Temple, Bhagavata Bhavan with 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita carved in marble, and the ancient Potra Kund reservoir.
Entry is completely free. Completing the security check, Garbha Griha darshan, Bhagavata Bhavan parikrama, and Potra Kund walk takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours on normal days, and 3 hours on festivals and weekends.
It is located just 3.5 km (10–12 minutes drive) from Mathura Junction (MTJ) and 2 km from Mathura Cantt station. Pre-paid auto-rickshaws and our private AC tour cabs provide direct connectivity.
Ask our resident Brajwasi coordinators directly on WhatsApp for real-time crowd updates.
RSBorn and raised in Mathura, Rohit is the Founder of Trip My Bharat Network and has spent over 8+ years guiding pilgrims through the sacred lanes of Vrindavan, Govardhan, and Barsana. He specializes in verified temple schedules and sacred rituals.
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