ISKCON Radha-Krishna Temple, Bhimgoda
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The ISKCON Radha-Krishna Temple in Bhimgoda — formally the Sri Sri Gour Radha Krishna Mandir, the Haridwar centre of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, the worldwide Hare Krishna movement founded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966) — is a gentle, community-scaled temple tucked into the Nai Basti quarter of Mahadev Nagar. It sits in Bhimgoda, the neighbourhood immediately north of Har-ki-Pauri and beside the Bhimgoda barrage where the Ganga is drawn off into the canal, so the temple lies within an easy riverside walk of Haridwar's most sacred bathing ghat. Named for Gauranga (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) alongside the divine couple Radha and Krishna, it offers Haridwar's Vaishnava pilgrims a devotional counterpoint to the city's predominantly Shaiva and Ganga-centred worship.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Temple prasadam counter (when distributed) — simple satvik vegetarian food offered to Krishna, cooked without onion or garlic; timings vary, so ask at the desk.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian dhabas and thali points along the Bhimgoda / Upper Road toward Har-ki-Pauri — Haridwar is an entirely vegetarian, alcohol-free city, so most serve honest veg fare; pick a busy, freshly cooked counter.
- ✦Mathura Wale / traditional sweet and chaat shops near Har-ki-Pauri (10-15 minute walk) — pure-vegetarian kachori-sabzi, jalebi and mithai; confirm the specific outlet is pure-veg before ordering.
- ✦Bhimgoda-area chai and kachori stalls — quick pure-vegetarian breakfasts for early aarti-goers; choose freshly fried, high-turnover stalls.
About
The ISKCON Radha-Krishna Temple in Bhimgoda — formally the Sri Sri Gour Radha Krishna Mandir, the Haridwar centre of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, the worldwide Hare Krishna movement founded by A.
- C.
- Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966) — is a gentle, community-scaled temple tucked into the Nai Basti quarter of Mahadev Nagar.
- It sits in Bhimgoda, the neighbourhood immediately north of Har-ki-Pauri and beside the Bhimgoda barrage where the Ganga is drawn off into the canal, so the temple lies within an easy riverside walk of Haridwar's most sacred bathing ghat.
- Named for Gauranga (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) alongside the divine couple Radha and Krishna, it offers Haridwar's Vaishnava pilgrims a devotional counterpoint to the city's predominantly Shaiva and Ganga-centred worship.
- Life at the temple follows the classic ISKCON daily rhythm centred on deity darshan (viewing of the beautifully dressed Radha-Krishna and Gaura deities), congregational kirtan (call-and-response chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra), and readings from the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Mangala-aarti before dawn, the mid-morning shringar (adornment) darshan, and the evening sandhya-aarti are the emotional high points, when cymbals, mridanga drums and harmonium fill the hall and visitors are welcomed to sing along.
- The atmosphere is unhurried and inclusive — many travellers describe it as one of the calmest devotional spaces near the bustle of Har-ki-Pauri.
- As a strictly satvik (pure-vegetarian) tradition, ISKCON's kitchens serve only food first offered to Krishna, and the temple's prasadam culture is central to a visit: simple, freshly cooked vegetarian food distributed with great care, always free of onion and garlic and, of course, entirely free of alcohol and any intoxicant.
- This makes the temple an especially reassuring stop for vegetarian and satvik-observing travellers.
- For all visitors regardless of faith, the temple is open to everyone.
- Remove your shoes before entering, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), keep phones silent during aarti, and ask before photographing the deities or the shrine.
- Combined with an early-morning Ganga-aarti at Har-ki-Pauri, a slow hour of kirtan here makes a meaningful, family-friendly addition to any Haridwar pilgrimage.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Sri Sri Gour Radha Krishna Mandir, Srila Prabhupada Ashram, Gauranga House, Nai Basti, Mahadev Nagar, Bhimgoda, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: In the Nai Basti area of Mahadev Nagar, Bhimgoda — just north of Har-ki-Pauri near the Bhimgoda barrage. From Har-ki-Pauri it is a 10-15 minute walk or a short cycle-rickshaw ride (about ₹30-50). From Haridwar Junction railway station (about 3 km) an auto-rickshaw costs roughly ₹60-100. Shared autos (Vikrams) run along the Upper Road toward Bhimgoda; ask for Nai Basti / ISKCON.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of the ISKCON Radha-Krishna Temple in Bhimgoda, Haridwar?
The temple reportedly opens for darshan from around 4:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily, usually with a midday break (roughly 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM). Mangala-aarti is held before dawn and sandhya-aarti in the early evening, both accompanied by kirtan. Timings can shift with the season and festival calendar, so it is best to confirm locally or with the temple before visiting.
Is there an entry fee for the ISKCON temple in Haridwar?
No, entry is free. Like ISKCON temples everywhere, it is open to visitors of all backgrounds at no charge. You may make a voluntary donation if you wish, but there is no admission ticket.
How do I reach the ISKCON temple in Bhimgoda?
It is in the Nai Basti area of Mahadev Nagar, Bhimgoda, just north of Har-ki-Pauri near the Bhimgoda barrage. From Har-ki-Pauri it is a 10-15 minute walk or a short cycle-rickshaw ride; from Haridwar Junction railway station (about 3 km) an auto-rickshaw costs roughly ₹60-100. Shared autos run along the Upper Road toward Bhimgoda — ask for Nai Basti or ISKCON.
What can I see and do at the temple?
The heart of a visit is deity darshan of Radha-Krishna and Gauranga (Sri Chaitanya), along with congregational kirtan — call-and-response chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra to cymbals, mridanga drums and harmonium. Time your visit for mangala-aarti before dawn or the evening sandhya-aarti for the most immersive atmosphere. There are also Bhagavad Gita readings and, at set times, distribution of satvik prasadam (vegetarian food offered to Krishna).
Is the food here vegetarian, and is it satvik?
Yes. ISKCON follows a strictly pure-vegetarian, satvik tradition: all prasadam is cooked without onion or garlic, first offered to Krishna, and completely free of alcohol or any intoxicant. Haridwar itself is an entirely vegetarian, alcohol-free pilgrimage city, so the whole surrounding neighbourhood is vegetarian-friendly.
How does this temple fit into a Haridwar pilgrimage?
It pairs naturally with Har-ki-Pauri, a 10-15 minute walk away. Many visitors join the famous Ganga-aarti at Har-ki-Pauri in the evening and add a calmer hour of kirtan and darshan here, or come for the peaceful dawn aarti before the ghats get busy. It offers a Vaishnava, bhakti-centred experience that complements Haridwar's Ganga and Shaiva sites, and is a gentle, family-friendly stop.
Categories