Prem Mandir is the great white-marble temple on the edge of Vrindavan, built by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu ji Maharaj. Dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Ram, its carved walls, gardens and evening light show make it one of the most photographed places in all of Braj. This guide covers the darshan timings, the famous light and fountain show, the entry fee, what to see, and how to reach.
You can also walk right up to the temple in our free 3D Vrindavan before you travel.
About Prem Mandir
Prem Mandir — the "Temple of Divine Love" — was inaugurated in 2012. It is built entirely of Italian marble, stands about 38 metres tall, and its outer walls carry finely carved scenes from the leelas of Krishna. The temple is run by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and is set in a large campus of lawns and sculpture gardens.
Prem Mandir darshan timings
The temple is generally open for darshan in two sittings:
| Session | Timing (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
The gardens and campus stay open through the evening around the show. Timings shift a little by season, so confirm on the day.
The light and fountain show timings
The highlight for most visitors is the evening illumination. For a few minutes the whole temple is lit in slowly changing colours, and the musical fountain in the forecourt plays. As a guide:
| Season | Light & fountain show (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Winter | around 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Summer | around 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM |
Show timings change with the season and can vary on busy days. Reach a little before the temple is floodlit to get a good spot in the forecourt, and confirm the exact time locally.
What to see in the campus
- The main marble temple with its finely carved outer walls, beautiful by day and lit at night.
- The sculpture scenes around the gardens: Govardhan Leela, Kaliya Daman, Jhulan and the Raas.
- Both sacred forms are enshrined — Radha Krishna on one level and Sita Ram on another.
- The lawns and the walk up to the main gate, especially lovely at dusk.
Entry fee and facilities
There is no entry fee at Prem Mandir. Footwear is kept at a counter, and there are drinking water, washrooms and parking. The temple is open every day of the week.
Best time to visit
Come in the evening. Arrive before sunset so you can see the carvings in daylight, take darshan, walk the gardens, and then watch the temple light up and the fountain play. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours.
How to reach Prem Mandir
Prem Mandir is on Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, close to ISKCON Vrindavan, about 12 km from Mathura. Autos and e-rickshaws run to the gate. Many visitors see Prem Mandir and ISKCON together, as they are near each other.
Nearby temples to combine
Prem Mandir sits well within a half-day of Vrindavan's best-known temples:
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir — a few minutes away, with its kirtan and Srila Prabhupada's samadhi.
- Banke Bihari Temple — in old Vrindavan, the town's most-visited temple.
- Nidhivan — the mysterious grove near Banke Bihari.
A good plan is Banke Bihari and Nidhivan in the morning, then ISKCON and Prem Mandir in the evening for the light show.
See it before you go
Prem Mandir in our 3D Vrindavan is a real scanned model of the temple, standing in its garden on the true map. Walk up to it from home, through the gate and across the forecourt, and take darshan.