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Overview
The ISKCON Temple in New Delhi — formally known as the Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir — is one of the most prominent Hare Krishna temples in South Asia. Inaugurated in 1998, it sits atop Hare Krishna Hill in the East of Kailash neighbourhood and draws both devout pilgrims and curious visitors throughout the year.
The temple complex combines elements of traditional Rajasthani architecture with modern construction, featuring white marble, ornate carvings, and a towering shikhara (spire). Inside, the primary deities are Radha and Krishna (Parthasarathi), along with Gaura Nitai and other Vaishnava deities displayed in beautifully decorated sanctuaries.
Beyond worship, the campus includes a multimedia museum covering the life and teachings of ISKCON's founder Srila Prabhupada, a restaurant serving vegetarian prasadam, a gift shop, and a Vedic library. It functions as a cultural and spiritual centre as much as a place of prayer, making it accessible to visitors of any background.
Before You Go
Visas
Most international visitors need a visa to enter India. Requirements vary significantly by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section for general guidance, and verify your specific eligibility and documentation with the official Indian Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in) well before travel.
When to Visit
October through March brings comfortable temperatures to Delhi and coincides with major Hindu and Vaishnava festivals including Diwali, Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday — one of the temple's biggest events), and Holi. Janmashtami at this temple in particular draws enormous crowds; arrive early and expect delays. Summers (April–June) are extremely hot; be prepared if you visit then.
Health and Vaccinations
Consult a travel health professional about recommended vaccinations for India well in advance. Carry a refillable water bottle and use sealed or filtered water. The temple restaurant is a clean, vegetarian environment, but general Delhi food-safety precautions still apply.
What to Bring
- Modest, loose-fitting clothing that covers shoulders and knees
- Comfortable flat shoes (footwear is removed before entering the main hall)
- A small bag for shoes or a willingness to use the temple's footwear storage
- Cash for donations, prasadam meals, or the gift shop; verify whether card payments are accepted on-site
Getting There
By Metro
The Delhi Metro is the most practical option for most visitors. The nearest station is ISKCON / Okhla NSIC on the Magenta Line (Line 8), which has a stop named specifically for the temple. The walk from the station to the temple entrance is short. Verify the current station name and any line changes on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's official site (delhimetrorail.com) before travel.
By Road
The temple is located in East of Kailash, accessible by auto-rickshaw, app-based ride services (Ola, Uber), or taxi from anywhere in Delhi. Traffic in this part of the city can be heavy during peak hours; allow extra time. The temple has parking for those arriving by private vehicle, though availability varies on festival days.
From the Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport is roughly 15–20 km away depending on the terminal, and the journey by road can take 30–60 minutes or more depending on traffic. The Magenta Line metro connects the airport (Terminal 3) to the ISKCON station with no change required, making it a convenient direct option.
Things to See & Do
Attend Aarti
The daily aarti (devotional ceremony with lamps and chanting) is the spiritual centrepiece of any visit. Multiple aartis are held throughout the day; the evening aarti is particularly atmospheric with music, incense, and large congregational singing. Verify the current schedule directly with the temple or on its official website before your visit, as times can shift seasonally.
Explore the Vedic Cultural Museum
The on-site museum uses dioramas, light displays, and audiovisual presentations to explain Vaishnava philosophy, the life of Srila Prabhupada, and stories from Hindu scripture. It is well-suited for visitors unfamiliar with the tradition and is generally accessible to children.
Prasadam Dining
The temple's restaurant serves freshly prepared sattvic (pure vegetarian, no onion or garlic) food as prasadam — food first offered to the deities. Many visitors rate it as a highlight. Meals are straightforward, wholesome, and modestly priced; verify current pricing and hours locally.
Festival Events
Janmashtami (Krishna's birth anniversary, typically falling in August) transforms the temple into one of Delhi's most vibrant spectacles, with midnight ceremonies, devotional music, and tens of thousands of visitors. Radhashtami, Diwali, and Holi are also celebrated elaborately. Check the temple's official site for festival dates each year.
Gift Shop and Books
The temple shop stocks Vaishnava literature including translations and commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, devotional music recordings, incense, and religious items — worth browsing even for those not religiously motivated.
Food & Drink
The temple's in-house restaurant is the most logical dining option for visitors on-site, offering a fully vegetarian menu in keeping with Vaishnava principles. The food is prepared and offered to the deities before being served, making it 'prasadam' in the traditional sense.
The broader East of Kailash and Greater Kailash neighbourhoods nearby have a good range of restaurants covering North Indian, South Indian, and continental cuisines. For street food, the markets of Greater Kailash M-Block are within reasonable distance.
Note that the temple itself prohibits the consumption of meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food within its premises. Visitors should plan accordingly.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
The temple opens early in the morning for the first aarti and closes after the final evening ceremony. Hours shift slightly by season. Verify current timings on the temple's official website or by calling ahead, as festival days may have extended hours.
Admission
Entry to the main temple is generally free of charge. The Vedic Cultural Museum and certain special programs may have a nominal fee; verify locally.
Emergency Contacts
For general emergencies in India, the national emergency number is 112. For medical emergencies, 108 connects to ambulance services in Delhi. Keep your country's embassy or consulate contact details saved before travel.
Connectivity
Free or low-cost SIM cards with data are widely available in India from operators such as Airtel, Jio, and Vi. Purchase from an authorised store with your passport. Wi-Fi availability inside the temple complex is limited; do not rely on it.
Currency and Payments
The Indian Rupee is the only accepted currency. ATMs are available in the surrounding neighbourhoods. Confirm on-site whether digital payments (UPI, cards) are accepted at the restaurant or shop, as policies can change.
Safety
The ISKCON Temple complex is a well-managed, generally safe environment. Security personnel and CCTV are present. As with any busy public attraction in a large city, keep an eye on personal belongings, particularly in crowded festival periods when pickpocketing risk increases.
Outside the temple, East of Kailash is a calm residential and commercial area. Standard urban precautions apply: use reputable transport options, avoid displaying expensive items openly, and be aware of surroundings after dark. Women travelling alone should be aware of general safety guidance for Delhi and are advised to use metro travel and reputable ride apps rather than unmarked taxis at night.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Dress Code
Modest dress is expected and enforced. Both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees. Revealing clothing will result in being asked to cover up or use a wrap provided at the entrance. Loose cotton clothing is practical given the barefoot requirement inside the main hall.
Footwear
Shoes must be removed before entering the main temple hall. The complex provides footwear storage. Wearing socks is helpful for comfort, especially in summer when stone floors can be hot.
Photography
Photography rules inside the sanctum sanctorum (inner shrine area) vary and may be restricted or prohibited. Always check signage and ask temple staff before pointing a camera at the deities or during ceremonies. Photography is generally more relaxed in the courtyard and museum areas.
Behaviour
The temple is an active place of worship. Visitors are welcome regardless of faith but are expected to maintain respectful silence during ceremonies, avoid loud conversation in the main hall, and follow staff directions without argument. Mobile phones should be silenced inside the prayer areas.
Non-Indian Visitors
Non-Hindu and foreign visitors are genuinely welcomed at ISKCON temples worldwide, consistent with the movement's outreach mission. You will not be pressured to participate in rituals, though you may be invited to join kirtan (congregational chanting) if you wish.
