Kailash Mahadev Temple (Sikandra)
Agra, Uttar Pradesh · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Kailash Mahadev Temple — commonly called simply Kailash Mandir — is an old and much-loved Shiva shrine set on the bank of the Yamuna near Sikandra, roughly 12–13 km from the centre of Agra along the Agra–Mathura road (off NH-2). What sets it apart from most Shiva temples is its pair of Shivlings installed side by side in the sanctum. Local devotional tradition links the twin lingams to the sage Parashurama and his father, who are said to have performed severe penance to Lord Shiva and each received a Shivling as a boon — a story that gives the temple its distinctive "two-in-one" darshan. The shrine is regarded by devotees as very ancient, and its exact date of founding is not documented.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg mela and prasad stalls on the temple grounds (during Shravan) – traditional jalebi, pedas, chaat and hot snacks; entirely vegetarian fair food.
- ✦Panchhi Petha outlets along the Sikandra / Agra–Mathura road – Agra's trusted pure-vegetarian petha and mithai; confirm the specific branch on arrival.
- ✦Pure-veg sweet shops and dhabas around Sikandra and Guru Ka Taal – dependable vegetarian thalis and snacks on the highway stretch; verify the outlet locally.
- ✦Deviram Sweets / GMB (Gopika Mishthan Bhandar) in the city – pure-vegetarian Agra institutions for bedai-jalebi and mithai, an easy stop on the way back into town.
About
Kailash Mahadev Temple — commonly called simply Kailash Mandir — is an old and much-loved Shiva shrine set on the bank of the Yamuna near Sikandra, roughly 12–13 km from the centre of Agra along the Agra–Mathura road (off NH-2).
- What sets it apart from most Shiva temples is its pair of Shivlings installed side by side in the sanctum.
- Local devotional tradition links the twin lingams to the sage Parashurama and his father, who are said to have performed severe penance to Lord Shiva and each received a Shivling as a boon — a story that gives the temple its distinctive "two-in-one" darshan.
- The shrine is regarded by devotees as very ancient, and its exact date of founding is not documented.
- The temple's setting is a large part of its appeal: a modest cluster of shrines and open courtyards on the edge of the river, greener and quieter than the crowded old-city temples, with the Yamuna providing a natural backdrop for early-morning and evening aarti.
- Through most of the year it is a calm, local place of worship, drawing steady streams of Shaivite devotees on Mondays (Shiva's day) and rising to full intensity on Mahashivratri (February/March), when night-long vigils, bilva-leaf and milk offerings, and processions fill the compound.
- The temple's signature event, however, is the Kailash Mela — a great fair held during the monsoon month of Shravan (roughly August–September).
- Local accounts report that on peak days as many as 7,000 pilgrims a day converge here, and the riverside grounds turn into a sprawling carnival of stalls, swings, sweet-sellers and devotional music around the shrine.
- It is one of the most vibrant religious gatherings in the Agra district and a rare chance to see Agra's living Hindu devotional culture at full scale, well away from the Mughal-monument circuit.
- For vegetarian travellers the temple and its mela are entirely comfortable: fair food and prasad stalls here are traditional pure-vegetarian mela fare — jalebi, pedas, chaat and hot snacks — and the surrounding Sikandra stretch of the Agra–Mathura highway is dotted with pure-veg sweet shops and dhabas.
- Agra's celebrated petha and mithai houses are an easy detour on the way back into the city, making a Kailash visit pair naturally with a sweets run.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kailash Mandir Road, near Sikandra (off NH-2 / Agra-Mathura Road), on the Yamuna bank, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 282007
How to Reach: Kailash Mandir Road near Sikandra, on the Yamuna bank, about 12–13 km from central Agra along the Agra–Mathura road (off NH-2). Auto-rickshaws and taxis run from Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb) and from the Idgah bus stand; a taxi from Agra Cantonment Station is roughly ₹300–450 and takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. During the Shravan mela, expect diversions and heavy foot traffic — confirm the approach and parking on arrival, as local arrangements change for the fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Kailash Mahadev Temple near Sikandra, Agra?
The temple is generally open from about 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, with aarti in the early morning and again in the evening. During the Shravan mela and on Mahashivratri the hours effectively extend for night-long worship. As timings can shift for festivals, it is best to confirm locally before a special-occasion visit.
Is there an entry fee for Kailash Temple?
No, entry is free. It is an active community Shiva temple open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket. There may be small voluntary offerings or prasad and mela-stall costs during the fair, but visiting and darshan are free.
Why does Kailash Temple have two Shivlings?
The temple is known for a pair of Shivlings installed side by side in the sanctum. Local devotional tradition connects them to the sage Parashurama and his father, who are said to have done severe penance to Lord Shiva and each received a Shivling as a boon. This twin-Shivling darshan is what makes the temple distinctive among Agra's Shiva shrines.
When is the Kailash Mela held and how big is it?
The Kailash Mela is held during the monsoon month of Shravan, roughly August–September, to celebrate Lord Shiva. It is one of the district's largest religious fairs — local accounts report up to around 7,000 pilgrims a day at the peak — with stalls, swings, sweet-sellers and devotional music turning the riverside grounds into a carnival. Mahashivratri (February/March) is the other major occasion.
How do I reach Kailash Temple from Agra?
The temple is on Kailash Mandir Road near Sikandra, on the Yamuna bank, about 12–13 km from central Agra along the Agra–Mathura road (off NH-2). Autos and taxis run from Sikandra (Akbar's Tomb) and the Idgah bus stand; a taxi from Agra Cantonment is roughly ₹300–450 (30–40 minutes). During the Shravan mela expect diversions and crowds, so confirm the approach and parking on arrival.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Kailash Temple?
The temple area is comfortably vegetarian. During the mela the on-site stalls serve pure-veg fair food — jalebi, pedas, chaat and hot snacks. Along the Sikandra and Agra–Mathura road stretch you will find Panchhi Petha outlets and pure-veg sweet shops and dhabas; confirm the specific branch on arrival. On the way back into the city, Deviram Sweets and GMB (Gopika Mishthan Bhandar) are dependable pure-vegetarian institutions for bedai-jalebi and mithai.
Categories