Delhi Temples Archives | Myoksha Travels

Lotus Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, History, and Architecture

Lotus temple, or Mashrikal Adhkar temple, is a famous Bahai House of worship located in Delhi. Though known as the ‘Taj Mahal” of the 20^th century, it is much more than a stunning example of architecture. According to a report by CNN, it is the most visited place in the country.

What is the history of Lotus Temple?

According to the history of Lotus temple, architect Fariborz Shabha chose the lotus as the dominant symbol for the place. And not only the holy scriptures of the Bahai Faith but also those of other religions can be read and/or chanted inside the House of Worship regardless of language.

What is the architecture of the Lotus Temple?

The significance of Lotus Temple is that unlike other temples, this place holds no idols as such but it’s Lotus like shape and tranquil ambience is what visitors crave for. It follows the path of the Bahai faith that is oneness in God, oneness in religion and oneness of mankind.

There are stamps of the Lotus temple, books and musical pieces created to depict its splendid architecture.

There are 9 sides of the temple formed by 27 marble petals arranged in groups of three. Also, the height of the temple is 40m. Ponds and gardens welcome visitors at the entrance. It covers an area of 26 acres.

No ritualistic ceremony can be performed inside the temple. Neither can anyone deliver any sermons. But one can chant or read scripture of Bahai Faith in any language you prefer.

There is an audio-visual room and library within the temple complex where one can get access to Bahai books of Faith.

What are the timings of Lotus Temple?

Here are the timings of Lotus Temple:

Timings	From	To
Open (Summer)	9 am	7 pm
Open (Winter)	9:30 am	5:30 pm

It remains open from Tuesdays to Sundays. On Mondays it remains closed.

There is 15 minutes prayer session at regular intervals everyday at the temple.

How to reach Lotus Temple?

Here’s how to reach Lotus Temple:

Air : Indira Gandhi International Airport is at 23km southwest of Central Delhi and domestic terminal at Palam is 5km away from the international terminal.
Rail: Main Delhi station is about 7km from Connaught Place.
Road: Buses from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also available.

Where to stay in Delhi?

Some of the places where one can stay near Lotus Temple are:

Fab Hotel Conclave Inn Nehru Place 3-star hotel Fab Hotel Conclave Inn Nehru Place R-30, Nehru Enclave, Nehru Place, is a great place to check in. It is only 4 km away from the temple.
Hotel Stallions at B-14 East of Kailash is another place to check in. Luxurious accommodation suited with great amenities is the main attractions here.
Fab Hotel Anutham Nehru Place is a 3-star boutique hotel. It is a unique blend of fine hospitality and soothing ambiance. This hotel is known to provide a choice of essential amenities required for a relaxing stay.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Lotus temple are:

The Kailash Shiv Mandir, New delhi is a perfect destination for tourists.
Pandava Kaleen Sri Kilkari Bhairav Temple or famously known as Prachin Bhairon Mandir is an age-old temple that the Pandavas built during Mahabharat. This temple has a unique tradition of offering alcohol to the Holy deity-Lord Bhairav.
Kalkaji temple is the abode of Kali Ma. People also believe that wishes come true at this temple.
Iskcon temple is a place of worship for the followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness popular the Hare Krishna movement. Further, ISKCON aims to spread far and wide the practice of Bhakti Yoga.

Shani Dham Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Shani Dham Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shani. The word Shani also denotes the seventh day or Saturday. It is situated at Chhatarpur Road, near Asola, Delhi which is 16 kilometres from the famous Qutub Minar. The temple is one of those rare temples in India that houses a natural rock Idol of Lord Shani.

Shani Dham Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Shani
Location	Mehrauli, New Delhi, India
Best Time to Visit	Saturday before 07:00 AM
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 10 PM (except Saturday) 4 AM to 12 AM (Saturday)
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Special pooja on Shani Amavasya Deepavali Navratri

The idol of Lord Shani present here is the tallest statue of Lord Shani in the world.

Lord Shani holds a powerful influence on the astrology and religion of Hindus. Devotees visit this temple and pay homage to the deity. They offer prayers at the feet of the Lord to get rid of the problems. The Lord here has been lovingly named as ‘Datti.’

Shani Dham Temple Timings

The timings of Shani Dham Temple are:

Morning Darshan	5 AM to 2 PM
Evening Darshan	3 PM to 10 PM
Darshan Timings on Saturday	4 AM to 12 AM

Shani Dham Timings — It takes an hour to worship the Temple.

Poojas and rituals at Shani Dham Temple

The poojas and rituals that are performed at Shani Dham Temple are-

Offering mustard oil (Telabhishek) to God Shani while chanting the following mantras:
- Om Sham Shanishcharaya Namah
- Om Pram Preem Prom Se Shanishcharaya Namah
- Om Sham Shanishcharaya Namah
Devotees enchant Shani Mantra while moving around the idol (Shila Murty) in the temple.
Offering one’s footwear, embracing and kissing the idol is a traditional ritual.

Shani Dham Rituals — Believers offer Mustard oil (Telabhishek) to Lord Shani.

On every Saturday and on Shani Amavasya, special religious poojas are performed in the temple.

What is the significance of Shani Dham Temple?

The significance of Shani Dham Temple is –

On the top of the temple, the eight metalled largest radiant Shani idol has been established. As soon as one enters the main door, he explores the huge radiate idol of Lord Shani and the Shani rock too.
Before unveiling the idol of Shani, Sant Shiromani Shani Charanuragi ‘Datti’ Madan Maharaj Rajasthani Ji performed the enchanting of One Hundred Crores, and Thirty-Two Lakhs Shani Mantras on the sacred grove.
Since then, people believe that most of the problems are automatically solved when they pray at the temple.
People offer oil at the shrine of Shani. Some people offer 101 oil boxes or 1 quintal oil and few people even offer an entire tanker of oil to God Shani.
Devotees enchant “Om Sham Shanishcharaya Nameh” all the time. No devotee talks to one another. They indulge themselves in prayers and offerings.
Each devotee worships Lord Shani directly. Devotees perform circumambulation around his idol himself. There is no Priest, Pandit or a middle-man, between the devotee and Lord Shani. Each devotee is his own priest and the true feelings of him are the true mantras and their results are visible very shortly.

The Idol holds the record of World’s tallest statue of Lord Shani

What is the history of Shani Dham Temple?

The history of Shani Dham Temple states that:-

The world’s largest Shani Idol was unveiled by Anant Shree Vibhushit Jagat Guru Shankracharya Swami Madhavasharam Ji Maharaj on 31^st May 2003 at Asola, Fatehpur Behri, Delhi.
A Shani idol was also established at Pali, Rajasthan.
The temple since has been a great pious place of worship for devotees of God Shani.

What are the major festivals?

The major festivals are :

Navratri Pooja – Navratri, also known as Durga Pooja, is a festival celebrated in the honor of nine different forms of the Goddess Durga, for nine consecutive days. People worship the Goddess of Power during these days in order to seek her blessings and protection.
Deepawali Pooja – Deepawali, the festival of lights, is the festival of Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. People perform a traditional ‘Lakshmi Pooja‘ on the eve of Deepawali after sunset.
Special Pooja on Shani Amavasya – On each Shani Amavasya, rituals such as ‘Pitra Dosh‘ & ‘Kaal Sarpa Dosh‘ are performed at Shani Dham to the God. Devotees perform special worship and ‘Telabhishek’ on such occasions.

Shani Dham Festivals — Special Pooja on Shani Amavasya is performed at the Temple.

Believers offer mustard oil (Telabhishek) to Lord Shani. Telabhishek means bathing the idol of God Shani with mustard oil.

Legends of Shani Dham Temple

The legends of Shani Dham Temple are-

It is believed that whoever performs pooja to the God of this temple, their misdeed would be washed away forever.
Once the devotees enter the temple, no one talks to one another but stays in a silent pious chanting God’s name. No matter what the troubles are, they are left at the back. They are solved by their worshiping here and by offering oil to Lord Shani.
No material from the exterior in the temple is allowed due to safety issues. The money collected is used for different generous works.

Shani Dham Legends — The Lord in the Temple is Lovingly named as “Datti”.

Architecture and design of Shani Dham Temple

Apart from the natural rock Idol of Shani Dev as the prime deity, the attractive statues of other Gods and Goddesses are also shafted.
On the top of the eastern part of Shani Dham, the largest beaming Shani idol has been established. The major door of this eastern part falls on the west side.
On North and south sides, there are Shani statues erected, in which Shani Maharaj is riding over a variety of rides.
There is a statute of Bhairav Dev on the left and the right sides of Shani Shila.
On the east side of ‘Shani Shila’, there is a large hall, in which the symbolic idols of the 12 Jyotirlingas are endowed. On top of this hall, there are huge metal statues of Lord Shani.
In another room, extraordinary astrological books and materials for Shani pooja are made accessible.
In the western part of ‘Shani Dham’, there are western faced huge Shani statues erected riding buffalo and vulture.

Shani Dham Architecture — The western part of the temple has a huge statue of Shani riding vulture.

On the right side of the two Shani Statues, the statue of Lord Hanuman is placed. It faces South. Opposite to this, there is a preparation for the devotees to take a bath.
On the west side of the hall, there is yet again a different big hall. In this hall, some extraordinary religious performances and the mediation meetings are held. In this big hall, there is an idol of Ardhanarishwar facing towards East.
There is a huge library and a research center, in the Ashram Premises itself.

All types of questions related to Astrology, Ayurveda, Yoga, and the Tantra are being answered at the temple.

Activities at Shani Dham Temple

The Shree Shani Dham Trust is a non-profit, non-governmental social welfare volunteer organization. The Trust is committed in social welfare activities in different parts of India but is mainly focused on Rajasthan, and has worked in areas of Rajasthan affected by drought. Some of their social works are as follows:

Helping people affected by drought.
Providing free fodder for cattle.
Arranging food, clothes, and blankets to the needy.
Organizing free medical camps in remote parts of Rajasthan.
Pensions for the elderly and needy.
Scholarships for meritorious students.
Providing tricycles to the disabled.
Arranging potable water in the interior rural areas of Rajasthan.

Shani Dham Activities — The Shree Shani Dham Trust is a non-governmental social welfare volunteer organization run by the Temple.

How to reach Shani Dham Temple?

Here’s how to reach Shani Dham Temple :

Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi (17.4km).
Metro: Nearest metro stations to the temple are Chattarpur station (6.2 km) and Qutub metro station(9.1 km).
Rail: The three important railway stations of Delhi are New Delhi Railway Station (23.2 km), Old Delhi Railway Station (26.5 km) and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station(22.0 km).
Road: Several state government-run buses and taxis operate round the city which transports to the Chattarpur area. The three major bus stands in Delhi are Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmiri Gate (30 km), Sarai Kale-Khan Bus Terminus (21.4 km)and Anand Vihar Bus Terminus(31.6 km).

Where to stay near Shani Dham Temple?

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the hotel rooms.

There are several 3-star to 5-star hotels and lodges located around the mandir area which provide good accommodation options.

Where to eat near Shani Dham Temple Delhi?

There are many AC/Non-AC restaurants and dhabas around the Chattarpur area which serve healthy multi-cuisines.

What are some temples near Shani Dham Temple?

Lotus Temple –The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baha’i House of Worship. The temple is built in the shape of a floating half-open lotus set amidst pools and gardens. It serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.
Qutub Minar – Qutub Minar is a 73-meter tall tapering tower of five storeys, with a 14.3 meters base diameter, reducing to 2.7 meters at the top of the peak. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone and the last two are made of marble and sandstone.
India Gate – The India Gate (originally called the All India War Memorial) is a war memorial located astride the Rajpath, on the eastern edge of the ceremonial axis of New Delhi, India, formerly called Kingsway.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shani DhamTemple-

What’s the best time to visit Shani Dham Temple?

The best time to visit Shani Dham Temple is on Saturdays.

Is photography allowed in Shani Dham Temple?

Photography is not allowed inside the Temple.

What’s the Shani Dham Temple darshan timing on Saturdays?

The Shani Dham Temple darshan timing on Saturdays are 4 AM TO 12 AM

What’s the address of Shani Dham Temple?

Maharishi Dayanand Marg, Sadhna Enclave, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi, Delhi 110017, India

What’s the most popular time to visit Shani Dham Temple?

The most popular time to visit Shani Dham Temple is 07:00 AM (daily)

What’s the average time spent in Shani Dham Temple?

The average time spent in Shani Dham Temple is 1 hr

Which attraction is normally visited before or after visiting Shani Dham Temple?

Bijay Mandal is normally visited before or after visiting Shani Dham Temple.

What are the metro stations available near Shani Dham Temple?

Nearest metro stations to the temple are Chattarpur station (6.2 km) and Qutub metro station(9.1 km).

Who unveiled the idol of Shani in Shani Dham Temple Delhi?

On 31^st May 2003, the idol of Shani dev was consecrated by Anant Shree Vibhushit Jagat Guru Shankracharya Swami Madhvasharam Ji.

Can women offer oil to the diety in Shani Dham Temple?

Women can’t offer oil to the diety in Shani Dham Temple.

How many times the mantras were enchanted before the unveiling of the idol?

One Hundred Crores and Thirty-Two Lakh times the mantras were enchanted

Akshardham Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Akshardham Temple Delhi located on the banks of River Yamuna in New Delhi is a visual treat for visitors. Akshardham Temple Delhi Complex has been developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

Akshardham Temple Delhi is dedicated to Sri Swaminarayan, the deity worshiped in the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. This sect is a sub-sect of Vaishnava Hinduism and has its origins in Gujarat. Followers of this sect believe that Swaminarayan is an avatar of the Nara Narayana who performed penance at Badarikashram. They believe that Narayana took rebirth as Swaminarayan to destroy evil and establish “Ekantik-Dharma”- a religion based on morality, knowledge, detachment and devotion.

Akshardham Temple Delhi Complex begins with the visit to the ten stone gates that signify the ten directions. The pilgrim then passes through the Bhakti Dwar (Gate of Devotion), the Visitor Centre and the Mayur Dwar (Peacock Gate). Between these two gates, the Charnarving (holy footprints) of Sri Swaminarayan is located. The main attraction of the complex is the Akshardham Mandir.

The 141 feet high, 316 feet wide and 356 feet long Rajasthani pink stone structure presents an imposing view fit to be called as the Abode of God (Akshardham). Akshardham Temple Delhi has two circumambulation paths – the Narayan Peeth and the Gajendra Peeth. The Gajendra Peeth depicts the legends and the importance of Elephants in the Hindu culture.

The inner sanctum or the Garbhagruh is home to the Sri Swaminarayan and his succession of Gurus. Special shrines are also dedicated to Sri Sita-Ram, Radha-Krishna, Lakshmi-Narayan, and Shiv-Parvati. The nine intricately carved mandaps depicting stories of the life of Sri Swaminarayan are an architectural wonder.

Akshardham Temple Delhi Complex also runs three exhibitions, each imparting knowledge, and wisdom to the visiting devotees. The exhibitions are the Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan, and Sanskruti Vihar. The Sahajanand Darshan is a visual portrayal of Hindu Cultural values like peace, perseverance, morality, family harmony, vegetarianism, and non-violence.

The Neelkanth Darshan takes the visitors through an epic journey of the young Neelkanth across the Indian Subcontinent. The Sanskruti Vihar is a 15-minute boat ride that takes us past the glorious history of India in from the Vedic times till now. It highlights contributions of important personalities in various fields like philosophy, mathematics, art, music, economics and religious movements. Besides these, the Yagnapurush Kund, Garden of India and the Yogi Hriday Kamal are must visit features of the Temple Complex.

Akshardham Temple Delhi History

The Akshardham Temple Delhi was the vision of Yogiji Maharaj in 1968. Yogiji Maharaj was the fourth successor of Swaminarayan, worshiped in the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. His vision was to build a grand temple dedicated to Sri Swaminarayan on the banks of River Yamuna. However, his wish could not be realized before he passed away.

In 1982, Pramukh Swami Maharaj put forward a request to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). In 2000, the DDA offered 60 acres of land and the Uttar Pradesh Government offered 30 acres of land. The construction was started on 8 November 2000 and was officially completed on 6 November 2005.

The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple Delhi was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 by the honorable Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

As per the sect of Swaminarayan in Vaishnava Hinduism, the origin of the sect begins with the Nara-Narayana (twin brothers) avatar of Lord Vishnu. The Hindu Mahabharata identifies God Krishna with Narayana and Arjuna with Nara (the human among the twins). The followers of the Swaminarayan faith believe that Swaminarayan is an incarnation of Narayana.

Significance of Akshardham Temple Delhi

The architecture of the Bhakti Dwar and the Mayur Dwar are mesmerizing. The Bhakti Dwar is intricately carved and possesses sculptures of several Gods and Goddesses like Lakshmi-Narayan, Akshar-Purushottam, Parvati-Shiv, Sita-Ram, Radha-Krishna, Nar-Narayan and many more. The Mayur Dwar has 869 carved images of Peacocks welcoming visitors. It is believed that Peacock stands for Beauty and Self-Control in Indian Culture.

The architectural style of the Temple Complex is a blend of several styles from across India. As per the traditional Hindu Shilpa Shastras, no ferrous material has been used for its construction. The structure receives no support from steel or concrete.

The majestic structure of the Akshardham Temple Delhi consists of 234 carved pillars, nine domes, Gajendra Pith (base of the structure carved with 148 elephants together weighing 3000 tons) and about 20,000 sculptures of Sadhus, Acharyas, and devotees.

The external surface or the wall of a traditional stone temple is called a Mandovar. The external surface area of the Akshardham Temple Delhi is the largest carved Mandovar in India in the last 800 years.

The Narayan Sarovar that surrounds the Temple is unique as it consists water from 151 rivers and lakes believed to have been sanctified by Sri Swaminarayan. Some of the rivers, lakes and sangams are – Mansarovar, Pushkar Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar, Indradyumna Sarovar, Manikarnika Ghat, Prayag, River Ganga, River Yamuna, River Shipra and many more.

The Temple has been adjudged as the “World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple” in the Guinness World Records. However, the record is being contested by three temples – the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam and the Annamalaiyar Temple in Thiruvannamalai. They argue that these three temples are as big as the Akshardham and are actually temples where the worship of God is carried out.

The Neelkanth Darshan exhibition is the first large format film on India, made by an Indian Organization, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The theater houses New Delhi’s first and only large format screen.

The Yagnapurush Kund is India’s largest step well. The Stepwell means a series of steps, artistically arranged going down towards the centrally placed Yagna Kund. The Yagna Kund is Lotus shaped.

Akshardham Temple Delhi Timings

Akshardham Temple Delhi opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 6:30 PM.
The Temple remains closed on every Monday.
The Temple or the Mandir is open from 9:30 AM to 8 PM. The Aarti is performed at 10 AM and 6 PM.
The Abhishek Mandap is open from 9:30 AM to 8 PM. The Aarti is performed at 6:30 PM.
The Ticket window of the Exhibition remains open from 10 AM till 5 PM.
The Water Show usually starts at 7:15 PM after the sunset.

Dress Code at Akshardham Temple Delhi

The Temple follows a general dress code as per which the upper wear of both men and women should cover shoulders, chest, navel and upper arms. The temple allows pants and shorts as long as they are below the knee-length. In case, the dress of the visitor is deemed inappropriate, a sarong is provided free of cost.

Festivals celebrated at Akshardham Temple Delhi

The Temple is decorated and lit with lights on occasions like Diwali, Navaratri, and Janmashtami

Akshardham Temple Delhi Sevas and Poojas

Abhishek – Devotees can perform the ceremony of ritual bathing known as Abhishek of the idol of Neelkanth Varni, the youthful form of Sri Swaminarayan. The ritual involves tying a sacred thread on the wrist followed by the recital of shlokas and mantras. After the Pooja, the devotee performs the Abhishek with a pot of sanctified water.

How to reach Akshardham Temple Delhi

By Air – The Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi is situated at a distance of 21 km from Akshardham. One can take a taxi to reach Akshardham. The Public Bus number 534 connects Akshardham to the Airport. However, public bus transport is not recommended for visitors with more luggage to carry. Alternatively, one can take the Orange Metro Line to reach New Delhi Metro Station. Take the yellow line from the station to reach the Rajiv Chowk Station. Finally, take the blue line to reach the Akshardham Metro Station.
By Train – The capital city of New Delhi is well connected to all parts of the country. The city has a network of small local railway stations with three major railway stations dispersed throughout the city. They are New Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Old Delhi Railway Station. These stations are situated 11 km, 6 km and 10 km away respectively from the Akshardham Temple. Several city buses connect these stations to Akshardham Temple.
By Road – The Kashmiri Gate Bus Stand is situated 13 km away from the Akshardham Temple and is well-connected by buses as well as Metro to the Temple. The buses from Haryana and Rajasthan stop here. The Sarai Kale Khan bus stand is located just 5.5 km from the Temple complex. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses connect these two bus stands to Akshardham. The Anand Vihar Terminal is located 11 km from the Temple. Buses arriving from the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand halt here.

Where to stay nearby?

New Delhi is a metropolitan and a cosmopolitan city that boasts a large array of hotels ranging from basic lodges to seven-star hotels. Akshardham is situated near residential colonies. However, important business areas like Noida are located nearby. They provide a large range of options for a comfortable stay.

Where to eat?

The Premvati Food Court is open inside the Temple Complex. The ambiance of the food court resembles the Ajanta and Ellora caves. Pure vegetarian cuisine, as well as Continental cuisine, is served to the devotees at nominal rates.

Nearby Temples

Uttara Swami Malai Mandir – The Temple is located in Ramakrishna Puram (RK Puram) Sector-7. The shrine is popularly known as the Malai Mandir, Malai meaning Hill in Tamil. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Karthikeya and is constructed following the Chola architecture. The main sanctum is located atop a hill. Apart from the main shrine, Lord Vinayaka, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are also worshiped here.
Birla Mandir – The Temple also known as the Laxminarayan Mandir is situated on Mandir Marg. The Temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, another name of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The other shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Buddha. The Temple was built by the legendary B.R Birla.
Hanuman Temple – The unique and ancient temple is situated in Connaught Place, Delhi. The Temple is believed to be one of the five ancient shrines in Delhi whose importance can be dated back to the epic Mahabharata. The idol of the presiding deity, Lord Hanuman is believed to be self-manifested. The Temple has glorious past and is still visited by lakhs of devotees every year.
Chhatarpur Temple – The Temple is known as the Shri Aadya Katyayani Shakti Peetham. The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The Temple is the second largest temple complex in India. The entire temple is constructed of marble and is an architectural delight.

Jagannath Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Jagannath Temple Delhi is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath. He is the God of the universe who symbolizes universal love. The temple is located at Hauz Khas, Delhi. Along with Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Madhaba, Sridevi and Bhudevi are also worshipped on the Ratnabedi or the bejeweled platform.

Jagannath Temple – Facts

Deity	Lord Jagannath
Location	Bhagwan Jagannath Mg, Hauz Khas Vill- Rd, Hauz Khas, Delhi – 110016
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 10 PM (summer) 6 AM to 9:30 PM (winter)
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Ratha Yatra and many other Hindu festivals

Sree Neelachala Seva Sangh had established the temple in Hauz Khas in 1969 after acquiring land from the Delhi Development Authority. Orissa Government also donated 1 lakh rupees for the temple.

Jagannath Temple Delhi has been built according to the Odisha style of a temple structure in the same design as of Shri Mandir in Puri. The Deities of many other gods and goddesses like Shri Baraha, Shri Narasimha, and Shri Bamana, etc. have been engraved outside the structure of the main temple. The deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of Margosa wood.

The temple also serves as a center of cultural, religious and spiritual interests of Oriyas in Delhi.

Jagannath Temple Introduction — The Lord’s Yatra began first in 1979 after the Temple was built.

This Mandir is managed by a Society called Shri Jagannath Mandir and Odisha Arts & Cultural Centre, New Delhi (Regd.) under the Society of Registration Act, 1860 in the year 1968. The society also runs several charitable organizations. The temple is mostly run by the donations of the devotees.

Jagannath Temple Timings

The timings of the Jagannath Temple Delhi are:-

	Pahad Opening Timings	After Prasad Vitaran, Pahad reopening Timing	Pahad Closing Timings
Summer Timings	5:00 AM	12:30 PM	10:00 PM
Winter Timings	6:00 AM	1:00 PM	9:30 PM

Poojas and rituals performed in Jagannath Temple

The poojas and rituals performed in Jagannath Temple Delhi are listed below:

Mangal Aarti
Abkash
Balya Bhog
Mandir Rosoi Ghar Hawan
Surya Pooja
Dwarpal Hawan
Garud Pooja
Snana, Srinagar and Sohala Upchar Pooja
Gopal Ballabh, Aarti and Pushpanjalee
Gita Paath
Vishnu Sahashranam Paath
Bada Bhog
Aarti
Pana Bhog
Veda Paath
Sri Bhagwat Paath
Strotra Paath
Sainkaleen Pooja
Sandhya Aarti
Bhajan and Kirtan
Shayan Aarti
Bhada Bhog
Geet Govinda Paath

Dress code of Jagannath Temple

Dress Code at Jagannath Temple is:-

It is advisable to wear decent pieces of apparel when entering the temple. Ladies should be in the traditional attire of sari, lehenga choli or salwar kameez.
Leather items are not allowed inside the temple.
People should leave their footwear behind while entering the temple.

What is the significance of the Jagannath Temple?

The significance of the Jagannath Temple Delhi is:-

The Jagannath Temple at Hauz Khas was built by the working class Oriya community in replication to the Puri temple.
Jagannath, the God of the Universe is believed to be the fulfiller of one’s wishes. It is also said that his blessings can shape or destroy a man.
The person who gets to see the Lord’s idol in his life is considered to be lucky or Punyavan.

The Lord’s Yatra began first in 1979 after the Temple was built.

What is the history of Jagannath Temple?

The history of Jagannath Temple states that:-

Several legendary accounts found in the Skanda-Purana, Brahma Purana and other Puranas and later Oriya works suggest that Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Nila Madhava by a Savar king (tribal chief) named Viswavasu.

Jagannath Temple History 1 — Lord Jagannath was originally worshipped as Lord Nila Madhava

Hearing about the deity, King Indradyumna sent a Brahmin priest, Vidyapati to look for the deity, who was worshipped secretly in a dense forest by Viswavasu. After many failed attempts, he managed to marry Viswavasu’s daughter Lalita.

Jagannath Temple History 2 — Viswavasu took his son-in-law blind folded to a cave where Lord Neela Madhava was worshipped.

Vidyapati intelligently dropped mustard seeds on the ground on the way. The seeds germinated after a few days, which enabled him to find out the cave later on.
On hearing from him, King Indradyumna proceeded immediately to Odra Desha (Odisha) on a pilgrimage to see and worship the Deity. But the deity had disappeared in the meantime. The king was extremely disappointed at this failure. The Deity was hidden in the sand.

Jagannath Temple History 3 — King Indradyumna proceeded Odisha on a pilgrimage to worship the Deity.

The king was determined not to return without having a darshan of the deity an observed fast unto death at Mount Neela, then a celestial voice cried ‘thou shalt see him.’ Afterward, the king performed a horse sacrifice and built a magnificent temple for Lord Vishnu.
Sri Narasimha Murti brought by Narada was installed in the temple. During sleep, the king had a vision of the Lord. Also, an astral voice directed him to receive the fragrant tree on the seashore and make idols out of it.

Jagannath Temple History 4 — King Indradyumna got the vision of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan

Accordingly, the king got the image of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan made out of the wood of the divine tree and installed them in the temple.

What are the major festivals?

The major festivals celebrated at the Jagannath Temple are all Hindu festivals and certain festivals specific to the Oriya community. However, the most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

Jagannath Temple Festival 1 — The idols of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed in wooden chariots.

Rath Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with the God Jagannath which is held at the Jagannath Temple every year. It is the replication of the festival which happens at the same time in Puri. This annual festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya (second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month) which coincides with the months of June-July.

Rath Yatra translates into ‘The Chariot Journey’ in English. Over the period, the idols of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed in wooden chariots that are constructed over a period of time by skilled craftsmen and the chariots are carried across the streets which are strewn with flowers and grains by the devotees.

They carried for a couple of kilometers and they are brought back to their original place after the journey. It’s a visual treat to see thousands of devotees gathering on the streets and helping in sharing the burden of the chariots of the gods.

Jagannath Temple Festival 2 — The most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

The other festivals celebrated at the Jagannath Temple Delhi are:

Maha Vishuba Pana Sankranti / Hanuman Jayanti
Shri Rama Navami
Basantika Dushhara
Ravinarayan Brata
Chaitra Purnima
Akshay Tritiya / Ratha Anukula
Harishayana Ekadashi / Sunabesha
Guru Purnima
Shrikrishna Janmasthami
Ganesh Chaturthi
Navadinatmaka Puja Arambh
Pithe Mahasthami Puja / Maha Navami Puja / Dushahera
Dipawali
Devabhisheka
Makara Sankranti
Saraswati Puja
Holi

How to reach Jagannath Temple?

Road:
- Hauz Khas is one of the busiest suburbs of Delhi NCR.
- One can also rent a car or auto-rickshaw from anywhere and reach here.
- Delhi Transport Department has added more buses to its fleet.
- Several new and old buses are in service which will take you to the Jagannath Temple Terminuses such as Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar are located nearby which leads to various important places in the city.
Metro: Hauz Khas Metro station is the nearest station to Jagannath Temple (1.9 k.m.).
Rail:
- Many metro trains in New Delhi passes through the Hauz Khas suburb.
- Whether one is coming from Noida, Gurgaon, India Gate, and the Airport or from the Delhi University area, they will find ample metro trains to reach the destination.
- Hauz Khas metro station is the nearest metro station to Jagannath Mandir, Delhi(1.4 k.m.).
Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi(12.2 k.m.).

Where to stay near Jagannath Temple?

The temple comes under a non-governmental organization. It is handled by a large association who are appointed as members of the temple. The temple also owns a self-run Dharamshala with up-to-date facilities. Rooms are available only on prior booking. AC/Non-AC rooms are also available for accommodation.

Inmates can even avail the Prasad Sevan facility which is provided at affordable rates. Hauz Khas also have 3 star and 5-star hotels catering to the needs of the visiting devotees.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the rooms.

Where to eat near Jagannath Temple?

Every day Annaprasad is distributed with prior booking. The meals are available at affordable prices both in the daytime and the night. Devotees generally eat at the temple. On a daily basis about 300-400 devotees/visitors take Anna Prasad at the Prasad Hall of the temple. Many restaurants are also available in the contiguity.

What are some temples near Jagannath Temple?

Kalkaji Mandir – Kalkaji Mandir is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali. This temple is located in the southern part of Delhi, right opposite to the Nehru Place business center. The belief surrounding the temple is that the image of the Goddess Kalka or Kali, here is a self-manifested one, and also the shrine dates back to Satya Yuga.
ISCKON Temple – ISKCON Delhi temple, is the temple of Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi. It is one of the top tourist places in Delhi to visit.
Lotus Temple – The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baha’i House of Worship. The temple is built in the shape of a floating half-open lotus set amidst pools and gardens. It serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jagannath Temple-

What’s the address of Jagannath Temple?

C-Block, Safdarjung Deplopment Area, Bhagwan Jagannath Mg, Hauz Khas Vill- Rd, Hauz Khas, Delhi – 110016.

What’s the average time spent in Jagannath Temple?

The average time spent in Jagannath Temple is 30 min.

What are the metro stations available near Jagannath Temple?

Hauz Khas Metro station is the nearest station to Jagannath Temple (1.9 k.m.).

What’s the dress code for women in the Jagannath Temple?

Women should be in the traditional attire of sari, lehenga choli or salwar kameez.

In which style the Jagannath Temple is built?

Jagannath Temple Delhi has been built according to the Odisha style of a temple structure in the same design as of Shri Mandir in Puri.

Which is the most important festival of Jagannath Temple?

The most important festival is the Rath Yatra.

What are the summer timings of Jagannath Temple?

5:00 AM to 10:00 PM is the summer timings of Jagannath Temple.

What are the winter timings of Jagannath Temple?

6:00 AM to 9:00 PM is the winter timings of Jagannath Temple.

Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi located at Connaught Place, New Delhi, is an ancient Hindu temple and is believed to be one of the five temples of the Mahabharata days in Delhi. The other four temples include the Kalkaji, a Kali temple in South Delhi containing a Swayambu rock Idol, the Yogmaya Temple near Qutub Minar, the Bhairav temple near the Purana Qila and the Nili Chatri Mahadev (Shiva temple) at Nigambodh Ghat.

Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi, which houses a self-manifested idol of Hanuman, has an intriguing feature fixed in the spire which is in the form of a crescent moon instead of the Hindu symbol of “Om”. This feature became mainly important during the Mughal period henceforth corroborating this extraordinary depiction.

The idol which is devotionally worshipped in the temple is of Bala Hanuman, the infant depiction of Sri Hanuman Ji Maharaj. The entry to the temple is through the Baba Kharak Singh Marg where the temple is located. Devotees enter through a set of marble steps from the road which leads into the main foyer of the temple through massive silver-plated doors, which are engraved with scenes of the epic Ramayana story.

The foyer is well ventilated with clerestory windows which are beautifully adorned with paintings of Hanuman in the four cardinal directions depicting his four aspects. Below each Hanuman painting is present a marble inscription of Tulsidas’s Sundar Kand that is affixed to the walls. The Sanctum Sanctorum, that houses the Hanuman idol is on the north wall with the idol facing the southern direction. Images of Radha and Krishna, a central triumvirate of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are also installed to the right of the Hanuman idol on the same wall.

As the idol of Hanuman faces the southern direction, devotees can only one eye of the idol. The idol depicts a Gada in the left hand with the right hand crossed across the chest showing devotion to the adjacent idol of lord Rama, Lakshman, and Sita. The idol is adorned with a tapering crown and also has a sacred thread on the right shoulder and is clad in a dhoti. The height of the temple is reportedly 108 ft (32.9 m). The ceiling of the main mandap depicts the epic story of Ramayana which is artistically painted.

One of the most important features of this temple is the 24–hour chanting of the mantra (hymn) “Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram”, since August 1, 1964, which has earned the temple a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Several beliefs and traditional rituals are associated with this temple, one of them being that if the devotees whisper their heart’s wishes into the ears of the idol of Nandi bull (Lord Shiva’s mount) which is situated inside the temple, they are sure to be granted.

Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi History

It was originally built by Maharaja Man Singh I of Amber who ruled from during Emperor Akbar’s reign and was reconstructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1724.
Tulsidas who wrote Ramacharitamanas visited this temple in Delhi.
During his visit to Delhi, he was summoned by the Mughal Emperor who asked him to perform a miracle, which he successfully did with the blessings of Lord Hanuman.
The Emperor was impressed by Tulsidas’ feat and presented the Hanuman temple with an Islamic crescent Moon finial which adorns the temple spire.
The popular legends suggest that because of the crescent moon symbol on the spire, the temple had not been destroyed by the Muslim rulers who had invaded India at various times.
Of late the Delhi’s Municipal Corporation has taken it upon them to renovate the temple.

Significance of the Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi

Delhi which is located on the banks of the Yamuna River is believed to be the Indraprastha city which was built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata epic period.
Pandavas who ruled from Indraprastha lost their kingdom in a dice game to the Kauravas and were exiled for a 12-year term.
Hanuman who is considered to be the brother of Bhima as both of them are Vayu’s children, appeared in the forest disguised as a weak and aged monkey.
Bhima who was searching for a fragrant flower as asked by Draupadi, found Hanuman lying with his tail blocking his way and, unaware of Hanuman’s identity, scornfully asked him to remove his tail.
However, Hanuman told Bhima to lift the tail as he was too weak to do it.
Bhima tried hard several times but failed to lift it, in spite of being a man of great strength and it was then he realized that the monkey was none other his own brother.
He apologized for his arrogant behavior and requested Hanuman to show him his true form.
Hanuman was then said to have enlarged himself and showed Bhima the size in which he had crossed the sea to go to Lanka, looking for Sita during the Ramayana period.

After the Pandavas won the Kurukshetra war against the Kauravas and re–established themselves in Indraprastha, the Pandava clan is stated to have built five temples of Hanuman and other deities

Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Timings

Puja Timings: 5.00 am to 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm to 11.00 pm
The temple is open for a full day on Tuesday and Saturday.
Tuesday and Saturday are considered to be special days of worship of Hanuman when devotees come to the temple in large numbers.

Dress Code at Pracheen Hanuman Mandir

Men and women are advised to wear decent clothing. The entry is free. People are supposed to leave their chappals and other footwear outside the temple while entering the holy sanctum.

Festivals Celebrated at the Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi

Hanuman Jayanti: The birthday celebrations of Lord Hanuman, is held every year with great pomp on the full moon (Purnima) day in the month of Chaitra (March – April) as per the lunar Hindu Panchangam or Hindu calendar. Colorful processions with festoons and with devotees wearing Hanuman masks and tails and carrying large idols of Hanuman fill the streets.

Poojas and Rituals at Pracheen Hanuman Mandir Delhi

The daily pujas are carried out at all times of the day. Tuesdays and Saturdays are considered for worshipping Lord Hanuman, so there are a few special pujas carried out on these days.

How to Reach

By Road: Connaught Place’s Prachin Hanuman Mandir is well connected by bus and the Delhi Metro services. Besides, one can also rent a car or auto-rickshaw from anywhere to Connaught Place. Delhi Transport Department has added more buses to its fleet. Though the old buses are still in service, now you will find the green buses which are more comfortable to reach Connaught Place and Prachin Hanuman Mandir. Terminuses such as Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar are located nearby which leads to various important places in the city.

By Rail: Almost all the metro trains in New Delhi passes through Connaught Place Hanuman Mandir Delhi. Whether one is coming from Noida, Gurgaon, India Gate, and the Airport or from the Delhi University area, they will find ample metro trains to reach the destination. Besides the Delhi Metro. Connaught Place metro station is the nearest metro station to Hanuman Mandir Delhi. Also, New Delhi Railway station is the nearest railway station to Prachin Hanuman Mandir. Connaught Place is located just minutes away from both the Old Delhi Railway Station as well as New Delhi Railway Station. Most travellers visiting Delhi, prefer staying in one of the hotels in Connaught Place because of its good connectivity to different parts of the city.

By Air: Delhi is well connected with domestic and international flights, to all the major cities within and outside India. Almost all the major airlines have their flights operating from Indira Gandhi International Airport of New Delhi. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is connected to all the important cities of the world with almost all the major international airlines operating from here.

Where to stay

Several 3-star and 5-star hotels are also available for pilgrims and tourists. Hotels namely The Park, The Connaught and Ram’s Inn are pretty popular among the tourists who come to visit regularly and are also located nearby.

Where to eat

Many lodges and hotels are present in the near proximity catering to different tastes. The kachoris available at the local shops are very famous. The temple’s neighbourhood is also famous for its clustered shops of bangles, kachoris, and kulfis. The Prasad served at the temple and its premises is made of pure desi ghee which altogether enamors the visiting crowd.

Nearby Temples

Kalkaji Mandir – Kalkaji Mandir is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali. This temple is located in the southern part of Delhi, India, in Kalkaji, a locality which has derived its name from this famous temple and is located right opposite to the Nehru Place business centre. The temple is easily commutable by all forms of public transport. The belief surrounding the temple is that the image of the Goddess Kalka or Kali, here is a self-manifested one, and the shrine dates back to Satya Yuga when the Goddess Kalika had incarnated and killed the demon Raktabija along with other giant demons.
Chhatarpur Mandir – The second largest temple complex in India which is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, the sixth avatar of the Navadurga, who had slain the ferocious demon Mahishasur. The temple is famous for its Veesarra form of architecture and Navratra festivities which are celebrated with pomp and glory.
Mata Sheetala Mandir– Sheetala Mata Mandir which is located at Gurgaon village, a suburb of Gurgaon (Guru Dronacharya’s birth place), in the state of Haryana, is only 25 km from Hanuman Mandir. Sheetala Devi is also called as Bhagat Lalita Maa and Masani Maa. The word Sheetala refers to the disease smallpox and it is believed that if this deity is invoked with faith, she dispels the disease. Situated near a pond, this temple witnesses hordes of pilgrims throughout the year. During the month of Chaitra (March-April), this place resembles the grounds of Kumbh-Mela. Many devotees visit this place for the mundane ceremony of their children and also newly married couples who come to take blessings for a happy married life.

Iskcon Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Iskcon Temple Delhi also known as ‘Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathy Temple’ or ‘Hare Krishna Temple’ built by The International Society for Krishna Consciousness – popularly known as ISKCON or ‘Hare Krishna Movement’ – belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradāya, one of the various traditions of the Hindu culture.

Philosophically, this tradition is based on the Sanskrit texts Bhagavad-gītā, and the Bhagavat Purana or Srimad Bhagavatam. These historic texts fall under the ‘bhakti yoga’ tradition, literally meaning ‘devotional discipline’. They teach that the ultimate goal for all living beings is to reawaken their love for God, particularly God Krishna – the “all-attractive one”, through devotion, prayer, and meditation. Iskcon Temple was established in India in the year 1998 in Delhi.

One of the 40 temples built by the Society, it is situated in Sant Nagar area in south Delhi. Iskcon Temple has three shrines dedicated to Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, and Guara-Nitai. It has an air-conditioned hall that can accommodate as many as 1,500 people at a time. During the months of Saawan (July–August) and Kartik (October–November), the temple is decorated with fresh flowers. The air is thick with spiritual discourses and chants, enhancing the divine atmosphere, thus propagating the devotion to God.

ISKCON Temple complex consists of the Temple, Museum of Vedic Culture, Center for Vedic Studies, Vedic Center for the Performing Arts, Asrama, and Krishna Jayanti Park. ISKCON welcomes anybody and everybody from devotees to those who want to learn the essence of the Vedas.

Iskcon-New-Delhi-Sita-Rama-Laxman-Hanuman

Iskcon Temple Delhi History

ISKCON was first established in New York City by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda in 1966.
In India, in Delhi, it was established in 1988 by Gopala Krishna Goswami who served Srila Prabhupada in the States.
After several attempts to get land in Delhi, finally, in 1982 the government sanctioned land for the establishment of this “educational and cultural project.” The project was titled ‘Glory of India Vedic Cultural Center.’
Shri A.P.Khanvinde, the recipient of the Padma Shri in 1974, was the principal architect of ISKCON Delhi.
Since then, it has established itself as a great religious center of Hindus, especially the people of Vaishnava tradition and the devotees God Krishna.

Significance of the Iskcon Temple Delhi

The vision of the project is to create an institution that will inspire people to dedicate their lives to the teachings of God Sri Krishna. And in keeping with this theme, the Glory of India museum and exhibition present highlights from the ancient and medieval texts, such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Caitanya-caritamrta.
Iskcon Temple architecture is a combination of the design of six-eight hundred-year-old temples and present day technology.
The purpose of ISKCON is to serveas a center for India’s greatest glory – Vedic knowledge and culture.
God is known across the world by many names including Allah, Jehovah, Yahweh, Rama, etc. ISKCON devotees chant God’s names in the form of the maha-mantra or the great prayer: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”
Members of ISKCON practice bhakti-yoga in their homes and also worship in temples. They also promote bhakti-yoga, or Krishna Consciousness, through festivals, the performing arts, yoga seminars, public chanting, and the distribution of the society’s literature.

Poojas and Rituals at Iskcon Temple Delhi

Harinama Sankirtana – A procession of devotees are seen dancing and chanting the Harinama-sankirtana (the congregational chanting of the holy names of the God) on the streets, the maha-mantra “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare” accompanied by Mridangas (two-headed drums) and Karatalas (hand cymbals).
Aratis – Arati at various specific times of the day with the chanting of the God’s name is offered to the deities in the presence and participation of the devotees daily.
Bhakti Yoga – ‘Bhakti’ means to offer themselves to God with love and devotion. The Sanskrit root of the word bhakti is bhaj, which means ‘loving service.’ ISKCON promotes ‘Mantra Mediation’ as one of the key practices of a bhakti yogi. This is done through japa (quiet chanting on beads) and kirtan (musical chanting of Hymns in groups). It is believed that the human being’s connection and relationship with Krishna are developed through the chanting of the maha-mantra; the chanting cleansing the heart, calming the mind, and inspiring a life of purpose and meaning.

Activities at Iskcon Temple

The Society believes in serving God through serving mankind. It organizes many programmes in this regard.

‘Food for life’–Relief Programme – It is a free food distribution programme, which provides vegetarian meals for everyone. Every day ISKCON distributes prasad to more than seven thousand visitors. During Festivals and Sundays, it is distributed to around 10,000 people. ISKCON devotees and volunteers also go to old-age homes and orphanages to help the residents by distributing prasad. In addition to regular distribution in low-income areas, Food for Life has provided aid during several catastrophic emergencies worldwide.
Prison programmes – ISKCON has been tending to the spiritual needs of Prison inmates all over the world for over 30 years. A widely appreciated programme by the Prison officials and the inmates, this programme has helped transform the lives of many individuals. The ISKCON Prison Programmes in ‘Tihar Jail’ offer several services such as spiritual counseling and guidance, the Art of Mind control seminars, providing literature which teaches about living a holistic life, and Japa
Corporate Seminars – Through its corporate training wing V-SERVE, ISKCON Delhi reaches out to the professionals to help them in leading a better and holistic life. V-SERVE strives to bring ethics and spiritual values into the workplace with ‘Life Style Management Techniques’ and ‘Transformation in Consciousness through Behavioral Training’ seminars, workshops, and Experiential Learning which leads to:
Increased productivity.
Employee retention, interpersonal relationships and team bonding,
Role clarity and employee engagement.
Personal Management: Stress Management , Anger Management, Work-Life Balance
Relationship Management: Conflict Resolution, The Art of Delegation, Team Work, Effective Communication, Ethical Leadership
Inner-Self Management: Embracing Change, MAP – Mental Awarenes Program, Wellness, Morality

ISKCON members have also opened hospitals, schools, colleges, eco-villages, free food distribution projects, and other institutions as a practical application of the path of devotional yoga.

Special activities and projects such as dramas, exhibitions, workshops, community projects and cultural presentations — by volunteers — are shared with the community and the general public.

Festivals Celebrated at Iskcon Temple Delhi

Festivals are a vital part of community life at ISKCON Delhi, involving large numbers of volunteers.

Gaura Purnima – It is the appearance anniversary of God Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534) who is Radha and Krishna combined. On this a full-moon day, everyone fasts till moonrise, and devotees visit the temple to see the Deities of the God. The devotees present dramas and lectures about Lord Chaitanya’s activities. The idols of Gaura-Nitai are adorned with new clothes, and the devotees engage in extra Kirtan (Hymns). At moonrise, a prasad feast (sanctified vegetarian food) is served.
Ramnavami – Ramnavami observes the birth of God Rama, and is one of the most auspicious days in the Vaisnava calendar. At ISKCON Delhi, celebrations include special decorations, drama, and discussion of God Rama’s pastimes and a ‘Hari Nama’ chanting procession in the surrounding areas. The day also includes Maha Abhishek, the drama by Vaikuntha Players, Lectures on God Rama, and a feast for all the devotees.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami – The auspicious day of the appearance of God Krishna is celebrated as Sri Krishna Janmashtami. ISKCON Delhi is reputed to celebrate one of the largest Janmashtami celebrations of its kind. The festivities last for 12 days beginning with a Srimad Bhagavat Katha for a week, followed by a Shobha yatra (procession outside the temple).
Radhashtami – It is the celebration day of Srimati Radharani’s appearance. Radharani is the consort of Krishna. She appeared to Vrishabhanu Maharaj (her father) in the village of Rawal, a fortnight after Krishna’s appearance. Radharani is the best devotee of Krishna; Krishna, therefore, loves her the most. On the festival day, devotees seeking Krishna’s grace will ask her to grant them devotion to her beloved God. On Radhastami, Sri Radha-Krishna idols are traditionally dressed entirely in flowers. Sri Radha Parthasarathi is adorned in a new outfit in the morning and a flower outfit in the evening. Abhishek is performed at noon.
Jagannath Rath Yatra – The pulling of Rath (chariot) during the Rath-yatra procession by the devotees symbolizes the attempt of the residents of Vrindavan, especially the cowherd boys and girls, to bring Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra back to Vrindavan, near Mathura, UP from Kurukshetra. ISKCON Delhi celebrates Rath yatra annually around October/November. The festivities include the Rath yatra parade, offering of Chappan bhoga (56 foodstuffs), spiritual discourses, and a spiritual and cultural festival.
Nauka Vihar (Boat Festival) – Every year in summer, the devotees at ISKCON Delhi celebrate the boat festival of their Gods. This festival is connected to the pastimes of God Krishna and Srimati Radharani, who along with their friends would enjoy boat rides on the river Yamuna in the summers. Devotees in the temple decorate the Kailya Krishna pond with a flower bed. The Gods are then requested to come down to the pond while being accompanied by sankirtan (Hymns). The idols are then taken around the pond on a boat while thousands of devotees shower flowers and chant the Gods’ name.

Iskcon Temple Delhi Timings

Iskcon Temple is open on all days of the week. The temple schedule is as follows

Programme	Time
Mangala Arati	4.30am
Japa (Mantra) Meditation	5.15am
Darshan Arati	7.15am
Guru Pooja	7.30am
Srimad Bhagavatam Discourse	8.00am
Raj Bhog Arati	12.30pm
Usthapana Arati	4.15pm
Sandhya Arati	7.00pm
Bhagavad Gita Discourse	8.00pm
Sayana Arati	8.30pm
Temple Hall Closes	9.00pm

The main Iskcon Temple hall is closed between 1 pm and 4 pm.

Cafeteria: Lunch – 12.00pm to 3.30pm & Dinner – 7.00pm to 10.00pm

Where to Eat

The Society operates a Govinda’s cafeteria, serves pure vegetarian (Saatvik) meals which are first offered to God Krishna. It offers 18 varieties of preparations for lunch and dinner.

Where to Stay

ISKCON operates a guest house in the temple complex with cozy and well-ventilated rooms on one-month prior booking.

Also, there are several lodgings in Sant Nagar around the temple area.

How to Reach

Sant Nagar is an area in south Delhi which is very well connected with the rest of the city.

By Air: ISKCON Sant Nagar is 20 km from the New Delhi international airport and can be reached using pre-paid taxis, metro train, and DTC Shuttle buses all of which are available right at the arrival terminal.

By Train: Metro –The Nehru Place metro station is the closest to the temple and is just a 5-minute walk. The alternate option would be ‘Kailash Colony’ Station

Railways – ISKCON Sant Nagar is 5 km from the Nizamuddin railway station and 12 km from the New Delhi railway station. Both of them offer auto-rickshaws, taxi, public bus service and Metro train to commute.

By Road: Several state government run buses and taxis operate round the city which transports to Sant Nagar area.

Nearby Attractions

Delhi is a city with rich history housing several monuments and temples with great cultural and political significance. Below are some of the places which are nearby Sant Nagar.

Lotus Temple – Bahá’í Temple, popularly known as the Lotus Temple is a masterpiece of 20^th-century architecture which was designed by Fariburz Sabha, a Canadian Bahá’í of Iranian descent. Built between 1980 and 1986, it is the latest among the seven Bahá’í temples across the world. Shaped akin to a half-open lotus, light and water have been used as fundamental elements of design of this house of worship. Set among sprawling green lawns, the petals of the grand lotus are surrounded by nine pools that represent floating leaves. The Lotus Temple is conducive to meditation. There are no priests, idols, pictures, sermons or rituals. Religious discrimination does not exist here as its symbol, the lotus, connotes peace, purity and a manifestation of God. It is open to all free of cost from 9am to 7pm, six days a week except for Mondays.
Kalkaji Temple – Built in the mid-18^th century, Kalkaji temple/Mandir is a renowned temple dedicated to Kalka Devi or Goddess Kali. Certain changes and additions were made to the temple in mid-19^th century by Raja Kedarnath, treasurer of Emperor Akbar II. The whole temple is built using white marble and granite. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone that represents Goddess Kali, housed in a 12-sided structure. There are many Dharmashalas (rest houses) in the vicinity of the temple, built with donations of devotees. The temple is open to devotees from 6am to 10pm every day.
Jahanpanah – Jahanpanah was the fourth medieval city of Delhi established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in AD 1326–27. The reminders of the city lie in Begumpuri Mosque and Bijay Mandal. Built by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah in the 12th century, Begumpuri Mosque was not just a place of worship, but also a social and communal hub. It was built almost entirely of a combination of grey Delhi quartzite and mortar, covered with lime plaster. Bijay Mandal was possibly the thousand-pillared palace of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. There is a huge wall standing on a large platform with a pavilion at the top. On one side of the structure is a dome-shaped building. One gets a spectacular view of the city from the top of the octagonal pavilion.
Moth ki Masjid – Also known as ‘Masjid Moth’ it was constructed in the early 16th century by Miyan Bhuwa, a minister during the rule of Sikandar Lodi. An exceptional amalgam of Hindu and Islamic styles, this type of Indo-Islamic architecture was developed in the Indian subcontinent subsequent to the advent of Muslim rule. According to legend, Miyan Bhuwa built this mosque from the revenue earned by producing a large crop from a single grain of moth (tepary bean) presented to him by Sikandar Lodi. Masjid Moth is different from traditional mosques as it does not have the typical minarets and calligraphic decorations. It is open to visitors daily from Sunrise to Sunset.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon is a major Hindu pilgrimage. Lots of pilgrims come here every day to offer prayer and seek blessings from the Goddess. This temple is located in Gurgaon, Haryana. Sheetala Devi is a Goddess which is being worshipped by people of different parts. People from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, North India, West Bengal worship her. She is better known as pox-goddess. She is also known as Goddess of ghouls, sores, pustules and various other diseases.

This temple is situated near a pond at Gurgaon village. Sheetala Devi Mandir is located in the suburb of Guru Dronacharya’s birth place in the state of Haryana. There is a large crowd of devotees throughout the year except during the month Shravana (July-August). During the month of Chaitra (March-April), this place looks like another Kumbh-Mela. There is a large crowd of pilgrims on Mondays of this month.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon History

There are many stories behind this Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon. One such story is that Goddess Durga has incarnated as little Katyayani. Katyayani was the daughter of the sage who all these demons who were destroying the earth with their evil and wicked power. Sheetala Devi in her real form as Goddess Durga killed the demons that were sent by Kaalkeya.
The demon of fever, Jwarasur, started spreading an incurable disease to all the childhood friends of Katyayani. He spread diseases like cholera, dysentery, measles, smallpox etc. It was Katyayani who cured some of her friends but to relieve the world from all sorts of fever and disease, she took the form of Goddess Sheetala.
Each of her four hand had something or the other to protect the world from fever and destroy the demon. Her hands held a short broom, winnowing fan, jar of cooling water and a cup. With her power, Sheetala Devi cured all the diseased children.
After all the children were cured, Katyayani asked her friend Batuk to go out and face the demon of fever, Jwarasur. The battle happened between the young Batuk and Jwarasur, resulting the death of young Batuk. Batuk, lying on the ground, started disappearing and magically faded into dust.
On seeing Batuk disappeared, Jwarasur became shocked and started wondering where he went. Little did Jwarasur know, Batuk assumed the form of an aweful male figure. This person had three eyes, four arms and a garland of skulls. He had axe, sword, Trishool and demon head. He was black in color. His eyes were blazing with fury, and his hair flowing. He was wearing tiger skin. Batuk took the ferocious form of Lord Shiva, Bhairav.
Bhairav informs the demon of fever that he is the servant of Goddess Durga. They had a long discussion which later converted into battle. During the battle, Jwarasur created many demons but Lord Shiva managed to kill everyone. At the end, Bhairav started wrestling with Jwarasur and end up killing him with his Trident.

Significance of Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon

Sheetala is a sanskrit term which means ‘one who cools’. This Goddess have the various name and is worshipped by these different names in the subcontinent.
Hindus, Buddhists and people from tribal communities worship Goddess Sheetala. Goddess Sheetala is often referred to as Maa by her devotees.
Goddess Sheetala has been clearly mentioned in Tantric and Puranic literature. Her appearence in the vernacular text has strengthened her status.
Goddess Sheetala is majorly famous in North India. In many places, she is often identified as one of the forms of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.
Shitala is known as the seasonal goddess and with honorific titles such as Thakurani, Jagrani, Karunamayi, Mangala, Bhagavati, Dayamayi. In South India, Goddess Sheetala’s role is taken by the Goddess Mariamman, who is worshipped by Dravidian-speaking people.

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Timings

Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon is open for darshan from 6 am to 8 pm.

The Puja of Sheetla Temple is conducted by both, Brahmins and low caste Pujaris. Goddess Sheetla is mainly worshipped in the dry seasons of winter and spring. There are many arti sangrah and stuties for the puja of Goddess Shitala. These arti sangrah and stuties include shri shitla mata chalisa, Shitala Maa ki Arti, Shri Shitala mata ashtak, etc.

Festivals celebrated in Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon

Sheetala Ashtami– this festival is very much popular among Hindu and is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala. This festival is also known as Basoda Puja. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna during the Hindu month of ‘Chaitra’. It corresponds to the month of mid-March to April in the Gregorian calendar. Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated Holi, generally after eight days. But in some communities, it is celebratedon the first Thursday or Monday that comes after Holi. Also in some districts, Sheetala Ashtami is observed on the ‘ashtami’ of the Krishna Paksha, every month, but of all these, the Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami is considered most propitious.

The celebrations of Sheetala Ashtami are very famous in the north Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. In the Indian state of Rajasthan, the Sheetala Ashtami festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. A huge fair is organized for this occasion and several musical events and programmes are also staged. Devotees celebrate this festival with immense joy and devotion. It is believed that by keeping the vrat on this chosen day, they will be prevented from several deadly diseases. On the day of Sheetala Ashtami according to the traditions, the families do not lit the fire for the purpose of cooking. They, therefore, prepare food a day in advance and consume the stale food on an actual day. It is only in Sheetala Ashtami that there is the unique custom of offering stale food to Goddess Sheetala.

Devotees get up early, before sunrise and take a bath. They visit the Sheetala Devi temple and worship the Goddess with ‘haldi’ and ‘bajra’. After performing the puja rituals they listen to the ‘Basoda Vrat Katha’. ‘Rabri’, ‘curd’ and other essential offerings are then made to Goddess Sheetala. People also take blessings from their elders. After offering the prepared food to the Goddess, rest of the food is eaten all day long as Prasad and is known as ‘Basoda’ in the local language. The food is also distributed among other devotees and also given to the poor and needy people. On this day reading ‘Sheetalashtak’ is also considered favourable.

How to Reach Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon : Road, Rail, and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to Sheetala Mata Mandir Gurgaon is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
By Road: The state transport buses connect Gurgaon to neighboring cities within the state and in neighboring states.
By Rail: Nearest big Railway Stations are New Delhi Railway Station & Nizamudin Railway Station.

Where to stay in Gurgaon?

There are various places where one can live. There are various hotels and private organizations which provide dwelling places for the tourists. There are many hotels who provide proper hygiene, clean food, and wifi for they customers. These hotels are built keeping the needs and budget in mind. These hotels have a clean and hygienic environment. Tourists are treated very well by the hotel staffs as well.

These hotels and private organizations donot charge high keeping the budget and the needs of the customers. They provide a very pleasant environment and stay for the tourist. They provide clean and healthy home-made food for the tourist. Nowadays, all the hotels provide tourists with wifi facility so that they can enjoy their stay more and remain connected to the whole world.

Where to eat?

The Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurgaon Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main courses and is given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust.

Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.

Places to visit nearby

Sitaram Mandir– A partly-in-ruins temple in Gurgaon, Sitaram Mandir, as the name suggests is dedicated to Lord Ram and his consort, Sita. Located in Farrukhnagar area of the place, this temple is one of the places of worship for the Hindus. One of the most distinct aspects of the temple is its architectural style. The temple is a three-dome structure and resembles a mosque. Another unique fact is that though Sitaram Mandir is a temple that looks like a mosque, it also serves the function of a gurudwara. Farrukhnagar is near Savera Group of Institutions and can be reached by hiring a cab or an auto-rickshaw.

Yogmaya Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Yogmaya temple is also known as the Jogmaya temple which is dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna. One of the oldest and the ancient Hindu temple situated in the small village of Mehrauli is the ancient Yogmaya Temple.

It is located in New Delhi near the Qutub Complex, this shrine is believed to be amongst one of the five surviving temples from the Mahabharata period in the city. Mehrauli was the first capital of post-Rajput era and all the rulers ruled from here.

This is one of the five temples dedicated to Yogmaya, other 4 being in Barmer, Jodhpur, Vrindavan and Multan. The deity is worshipped as the mother of all beings and is considered one of the personal powers of the divine.

Lord Krishna (who was born at midnight on Ashtami, in the Mathura King Kansa’s prison), as the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki, was replaced by a baby girl. Who was born at the same time to Nand and Yashoda in the village of Gokul across the Yamuna.

As Vasudeva has exchanged the babies at the very night they were born; in the morning, the guards told Kansa that a baby has born in the night. Vasudeva exchanged the babies, he reached Krishna to Yashoda and brought Yogmaya from there to Devaki,in the jail. On hearing of the birth of the child, Kansa arrived at the prison to kill the infant.

But the girl child slipped out of the hands of Kansa, as he was about to bang her head against the prison wall, and went up in the sky. There was an Akashvani (celestial broadcast), which said, ‘O foolish Kansa! Your slayer has been born and is safe in Gokul.’

The baby girl was goddess Yogmaya (divine illusion), according to Shvetashvatar Upnishad. God has many divine powers, such as knowledge, almightiness, action and his most important personal power called Yogmaya or ahladini shakti. The Gods derive power from their female companion. As Shiva is nothing without Shakti, so was Krishna without Yogmaya.

Yogmaya Temple History

According to history, Yogmaya Temple has been built by the Pandavas, at the end of Mahabharata. Mehrauli place is also named as Yoginipura after the temple in the 12th-century Jain scriptures. Mehr- auli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. The temple was first renovated during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar II (1806–37) by Lala Sethmal.
It is also believed that Krishna and Arjun came to pray here during the Mahabharata war after Abhimanyuwas killed by Jayadrath. Arjun took a vow that he would kill him by next evening. Arjun and Krishna came to this temple to pray at such a time to ask for the blessing from the Goddess. With her magical powers or she created an illusionary eclipse that gave Arjuna the opportunity to kill Jayadrath.
This temple had been built in early 19th century and is regarded as an aspect of Maya, the illusionary power of God. The temple is located within the Lal Kot walls constructed by the Gurjar Tanwar chief Anangpal I around AD 731. It was later expanded by Anang Pal II in the 11th century.
This temple is said to be destroyed by Ghazni who was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire in the beginning and later it was again destroyed by Mamluks. The temple was renovated and reconstructed by Hemu, the Rajput king. The present structure of the temple was built in the early 19th century.
There are about 200 people who have been taking care of the Yogmaya temple voluntarily and amicably. It is believed that there had been one common ancestor at a point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess, making and distributing prasad to the devotees, cleaning the temple and doing the shingar of the goddess yogmaya twice a day.

Significance of the Yogmaya Temple

The Deity of this temple is Goddess Yogmaya is called as the “Pure Goddess” which is made of black stone and was placed in a well, made of marble. The sanctum of Goddess Yogmaya is leaded with a Vimanam which is 42 feet and dome
Two small pankhas (fans) of the same materials are seen suspended over the Idol from the roof. The walled enclosure around the temple is 400 ft (121.9 m) square, with towers at the four corners. Twenty-two towers were built within the temple at the orders of the Sood Mal, the builder.
In the past, there was an iron cage of 8 ft (2.4 m) square and10 ft (3.0 m) in height in which two stone tigers are exhibited. Now the cage is been placed in the open wall panel. There is a table of 18 inches square and 9 inches height set in front of the idol in the sanctum floor where the devotees offer flowers and their offerings.
In this temple, the Shivalinga is placed slightly above the level at which Goddess is placed. As Goddess is Shakti and Shiva is always above Shakti.

Yogmaya Temple Timings

The temple remains open from morning 06.00 AM till 08.00 PM in the night. It remains open for all days of the week and the entry to the temple and puja that is performed is free.

Festivals celebrated at the Yogmaya Temple

Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival : It is a festival of flowers which is celebrated in surrounding areas of Mehrauli like Qutub Sahib’s dargah and Yogmaya temple. The other activities that happen during the festival are kite flying, wrestling matches, qawalis and much more. The reigning Mughal emperor Akbar Shah II wanted to nominate his younger son Mirza Jahangir as his heir, for he wasn’t happy with his eldest son Siraj Uddin Zafar. This decision was opposed by the then British Resident, Sir Archibald Seton. Mirza Jahangir insulted Seton publicly and fired at him. The Resident instantly issued orders for Mirza to be exiled to Allahabad. The distressed Queen vowed to offer a chadar of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaki’ at Mehrauli if her son was released. Two years later, when Mirza Jahangir was released, the Begum went to Mehrauli to fulfil her vow, accompanied by the imperial court and the entire population of Delhi. A 7-day mela ensued, with swings hung in the mango groves, cock and bull fights, wrestling, kite-flying and swimming contests. The secular-minded Mughal emperor also ordered for a floral pankha to be offered at the nearby Yogmaya Temple. The festivities are followed by cultural programmes with enthralling Kathak performances, Qawwalis, and devotional songs which are celebrated by both Hindus as well as Muslims.

Mahashivratri – It is the festival that is celebrated on February/March. Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by people following Hinduism in India. People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the country are decorated with lights and colorful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam.

Navaratri Festival – This festival is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. During Navaratri, devotees invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as Durga. Different devotees all over the country gather at the temple to celebrate it and there are different major events conducted.

Poojas and Rituals at Yogmaya temple

The major ritual consists of offering and bathing the idol (Mata Snanam) with milk followed by an Aarti every morning and evening. This, in turn, is followed by hymn recitation. Offerings can be purchased just before the entrance of the temple. Visitors should be alert in the area as the place is very crowded.

There are special events and poojas that are performed on special festivals. There are some special poojas that are performed on the Navaratri festival and they are:

Mahashashthi – The sixth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Sasthi or Maha Sasthi. On Sasthi Katyani Puja is observed as part of NavaDurga Puja in Shaktheya Samprdaya.Unveiling the face of the idol of Goddess is the main ritual on this day.

Mahasaptami – Mahasaptami is the seventh day of the waxing phase of the moon. Maha means great and saptami means the seventh day. On this day worshiping nine types of plants is the symbol of the goddess.

Mahaastami – Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is the second day of Durga Puja. Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Devotees sing different hymns in sanskrit language and offering worship to the goddess.

Mahanavami – Maha Navami is observed on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Ashwin month. It is the ninth and the final day of nine-day Navratri Festival. Mahanavami is also the penultimate day of Durga Puja. The Navami Bhog is offered to the goddess and offered as Prasad to the devotees.

How to reach: Road, Rail, and Air

By Metro: The nearest metro station is Saket, Chattarpur and Malviya nagar.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest airport to Yogmaya Railway station, New Delhi which is 24 Km away from Yogmaya Temple.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Yogmaya Temple is Delhi railway station which is 10 Km away from Yogmaya Temple.

By Road: Roads are well maintained in Delhi, so one can easily ride through cabs or can travel through there own vehicle. The state belongs to Delhi Transport Corporation buses connect all the junctions in Delhi. Numerous super deluxe A/C motor coaches run from New Delhi . State government operates bus services from Delhi to all the neighboring cities. Bus transportation service within the city is also affordable.

Hotels in Yogmaya: Where to stay

There are many hotels available to stay near the Yogmaya temple. Some of them are:

Clarion Collection: Qutab Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi 110016, India
The Vishraam: Plot No.1 Khasra 262 West End Marg , M.B. Road, | Lane No. 4, Said-ul-Azaib,New Delhi 110030, India (Formerly Amanotel)
Silver Ferns Hotel: 31-32, Community Centre Saket | Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
Hotel Pluto’s: Aruna Asaf Ali Road | Opposite Sector B, Pocket 4, New Delhi 110070, India
Stay Inn Group Of Apartments: D6/6151/1, Ground Floor, Vasant Kunj | Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India
Sage Hotel: 4 Navjeevan Vihar, New Delhi 110017, India
ISKCON Guest House: Hare Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065, India
Iris Hotel: F-19, Deshbandhu College Road | Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India
Hotel Flic Flac India: 249-A, Main Road, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065, India
Hotel Swagath: C-8, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi 110017, India

Nearby Temples

Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir

It is also known as Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir is dedicated to Katyayani Mata, the 6th Form of Nav Durga. Within the walls of the Chattarpur Temple complex, one can visit 20 different types of temple devoted to Indian gods and goddesses in various forms such as Goddess Laxmi, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. The main attraction of Chhatarpur Temple is the golden image of Maa Katyayani and two rooms dedicated to Maa Katyayani.

Jagannath Temple

The Deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood.The Jagannath temple at Hauz Khas is the centre of cultural conglomeration for Oriyas in Delhi.The idols worshipped here are of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra (brother of lord Jagannath), Maa Subhadra (sister of lord Jagannath) & Sudarshan chakra. It is around 1.5 Kms from the Green Park Metro Station near the Sarvodaya School.

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is oldest jain temple in old Delhi.It is situated right opposite the Red Fort, at the entrance of the main road. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658) once invited several Jain seth to come and settle in the city and granted them some land south of the Chandani Chauk around Dariba Gali. He also permitted them to build a temporary structure to house a Jain temple. The main idol is that of Tirthankara Parshva.This temple has undergone many alterations and additions in the past and was enlarged in the early 19th century.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir or CR Park Mandir is situated in the Bengali-dominated locality, CR park of south Delhi. It was founded in 1973, first as a small temple shrine for God Shiva. It was soon added with Goddess Kali and was later – by late 1980s – developed into what is today’s CR Park Mandir complex that hosts three shrines devoted to God Shiva, Goddess Kali, and Radha-Krishna.

A modern age temple, the architecture, during its expansion in the 1980s, took the form of Bengal terracotta temple art. It has grown into a cultural and traditional hub of Bengalis in Delhi. As Bengalis are synonymous to the grandeur celebrations of Durga pooja, the tradition of celebrating the pooja at this temple began in the late 1970s.

Situated on a small hill top, the mandir is known for its calm and serenity within the hustle – bustle of Delhi. It is surrounded by a vast garden which was declared as the ‘Best Kept Garden’ by Agri-Horticulture Society in 1999. The mandir complex also houses halls for cultural functions and discourses, and spaces crafted to accommodate festivals like Durga Puja, library, tirthashram, homeopathy, naturopathy yoga centres, children’s park, and a musical fountain.

The mandir maintains a Charitable ‘Balanada’ Dharmashala, viz., ‘Yatri Niwas’ – meaning a ‘Traveller’s Home’, and a canteen. Any visitor to the city is welcome here, and would be accommodated for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir History

A resolution to build a temple was taken in 1973 by the residents of CR Park, and a steering committee, ‘Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society’ was formed. A proposal for the construction of a temple within two acres lands on the ‘Rock Garden’ was sent to the government in 1974.
On 25^th April 1974 on the eve of ‘Akshay Tritiya’, a Shivlinga was installed in a temporary shed.
Foundation of Kali Mandir was laid in 1979, and the idol of Goddess Kali was established on 21^st February 1985.
The Radha-Krishna establishment and temple inauguration was conducted in February 1994.
The terracotta ar
The Musical Fountain in the mandir complex was inaugurated by Dr. Anita Bose, daughter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in February 2013.

Significance of the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

In 1947, during the India – Pakistan partition, the state of Bengal separated into two entities – East Bengal in Pakistan and West Bengal in India. A large group of government employees who was a refugee of East Bengal migrated to Delhi. Forming East Pakistan Displaced Persons (EPDP) Association, they lobbied for a residential colony in 1954.
In 1967, the 218-acre barren rocky land was assigned to the applicants with refugee status. 2147 people with the status were given plots in the area now known as Chittaranjan Park or CR Park.
The colony was founded with plots going exclusively to migrants from East Bengal; but over time, it attracted general Bengali settlers resulting in demographic diversification.
The residents of CR Park founded and established the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir by 1980s.
The Kali Mandir soon grew into a traditional hub of all the Bengalis in Delhi with various religious and cultural activities all round the year.
Durga pooja is celebrated, during Durgashtami, at the mandir annually; with barrels of Bengal-specific flowers, such as Shuli (night flowering jasmine) and blue-lotus, flown in fresh for pooja everyday, and includes a typical Bengali cuisine, bhog.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Timings

Due to the extreme variation of temperature in Delhi, the mandir timings change according to the season.

Summer (April – October): 4.45am – 12.30pm & 5.00pm – 10.00pm

Winter (November – March): 5.45am – 1.00pm & 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Everyday Arati timings are as follows:

Arati	Summer	Winter
	(April – October)	(November – March)
Mangal Arati	4.45am – 5.15am	5.45am – 6.15am
Puja	8.00am	8.30am
Bhog Arati	11.20am – 11.50am	11.20am – 11.50am
Sandhyarati	6.30pm – 7.30pm	6.00pm – 7.00pm

Musical Fountain Timings

Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00pm – 7.15pm (after Sandhyarati. No show on Mondays)

Poojas and Rituals at Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

Regardless of any particular ritual or pooja, this shrine is an emblem of great fidelity. Various customary Bengali poojas are offered to the Gods on special occasions.

Bipattarini Pooja – The Bipattarini Pooja/Vrata is observed by women on the Panchami, fifth day of the Shukla paksha(waxing moon) in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar, in order to overcome troubles. Bipattarini is an avatar of Goddess Durga. Legends established her name, Bipada – Tarini, which literally means ‘deliverer from troubles’.
Jagadhatri Pooja – ‘Jagadhatri’ is the ‘Protector of the World’. She is celebrated on Gosthastami. It is also referred to as another Durga Pooja as it also starts on Asthami tithi and ends on Dashami tithi. The date of the pooja is decided by the luni-solar Hindu calendar.
Satyanarayan Pooja – It is done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to God Vishnu.
Shani Pooja – Shani Pooja is performed to appease planet Saturn; it is sought for mental peace and to get rid of various diseases.
Shradh Ceremony – ‘Shraddha’is a Sanskrit word meaning anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith. Shradh Ceremony is a ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ancestors, especially to one’s dead parents.
Til Tarpan – It is a specific form of Tarpan (offering made to divine entities) involving libationsoffered to the Pitrs (deceased ancestors) using water and sesame (Til) seeds during a death rite.

The mandir also celebrates Kali Mandir Pratistha Diwas, Shiv Mandir Pratistha Diwas, and Radha Krishna Mandir Pratistha Diwas to commemorate the mandirs’ installations.

Mandir also assists devotees in conducting personal obeisance.

Hari Sabha and Ladies regularly conduct Sankirtan and evening Kirtan (devotional songs), at the three temple shrines.

Festivals Celebrated at CR Park Mandir

Durga Pooja – Durga Pooja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Celebrated all over India, it is the biggest festival of the year for Bengali Hindus.
Maha Shivratri – It is a festival celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva. Shivratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a “jaagaran” – a night-long vigil with worship, as it is believed that God Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance.
Ram Navami – It is a festival celebrating the birth of the god Ramato King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya.
Neel Sashti – It is the day in the Bengali month of Chaitra when Bengalis celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati by offering puja to the Lord.
Holi Milan – It is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing the love.

Activities

Apart from the religious activities, CR Park Kali Mandir Society conducts and organizes many sports, cultural, developmental, and social activities throughout the year. They accept donations, whatever amount they may be, and use the amount for the service of God and mankind.

Sports & Cultural Activities

The ‘Chittaranjan Park Mandir Society’ actively promotes cultural and sports events.

As a part of cultural events, it celebrates Naba Barsha (Bengali Poila Baisakh/ New Year), birth anniversaries Bengali dignitaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rishi Aurobindo, Thakur Sri Sri Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Arranges exchange of Cultural Artists from different states and region for varieties of the programme.
Arranges four days cultural programmes by selected artists during Durga Pooja.
Emphases are given more on local talents for their exposure. Similar programmes are also arranged by the prominent artist on other public pooja days.
Organises Children’s day in the month of January. The programme is for the children and by the children. A platform is provided for them to expose their hidden talents. The programme is conducted by children themselves.
Netaji Subhash hall is set to organise regular religious discourses by different religious and philanthropic organisations.
Cultural Division felicitated to Bengali dignitaries, who have excelled in different fields, every year as “Gunijan”
Organizes Annual Sports in January every year.

Social Activities

The CR Park Mandir Society exhibits tremendous socio-economic values through their charitable and social events.

Running free Homeopathy and Naturopathy Dispensaries
Running Free Reading Room and Library. About 5000 books covering all sections are stacked in the library. There is a special section for the children. A good number of Magazines and News Papers are subscribed on a regular basis.
Running free Yoga Centre
Assisting students from Under-privileged section in meeting their educational expenses
Organizes free Bengali Learning Classes every week
Assisting the patients from down-trodden sections towards their medical expenses
Assisting the senior citizens who are staying alone in the colony, in case, they suddenly fall ill or otherwise.
Facilitate the citizens to meet together in the Mandir Prangan everyday for the exchange of views and pleasantries.
Making donations to Religious Organization for the pursuit of their religious activities.
Organizing “Daridra Narayan Sewa” once a month.

Where to eat

The mandir hosts a canteen, attached to the Dharmashala, which provides both veg & non-veg cuisines at nominal rates.

For the food savvies, Chittaranjan Park area houses a variety of traditional Bengali veg & non-veg cuisine (it is home to one of the city’s main markets for freshwater fish, an important part of Bengali Cuisine).

Where to Stay

The ‘Yatri Niwas’, a charitable Dharmashala, has 30 double bedded rooms with attached bathrooms. Common hot water during winter, and room coolers during summer are provided by the Dharmashala. It accommodates any visitor of the city for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price with a two-month advance booking.

There are also several hotels and lodges in and around CR Park area which provide good accommodation options, with several markets nearby.

How to reach

CR Park is an area in south Delhi which is very well connected with the rest of the city.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi, and is around 15.2km from CR Park Kali Mandir.

By Rail: Delhi Junction Railway station is the major rail station of Delhi. It also has full-fledged metro rail system also operating within the city.

The nearest metro station is Nehru place metro station, 2 km from CR Park guest house.

By Road: Several state government run buses and taxis operate round the city which transports to CR Park area.

Nearby Temples

Delhi is a city with rich history housing several monuments and temples with great cultural and political significance. Below are some of the places which are nearby CR Park.

Kalkaji Temple – Built in the mid-18^th century, Kalkaji temple/Mandir is a renowned temple dedicated to Kalka Devi or Goddess Kali. Certain changes and additions were made to the temple in mid-19^th century by Raja Kedarnath, treasurer of Emperor Akbar II. The whole temple is built using white marble and granite. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone that represents Goddess Kali, housed in a 12-sided structure. There are many Dharmashalas (rest houses) in the vicinity of the temple, built with donations from devotees. The temple is open to devotees from 6 am to 10 pm every day.
Lotus Temple – Bahá’í Temple, popularly known as the Lotus Temple is a masterpiece of 20^th-century architecture which was designed by Fariburz Sabha, a Canadian Bahá’í of Iranian descent. Built between 1980 and 1986, it is the latest among the seven Bahá’í temples across the world. Shaped akin to a half-open lotus, light and water have been used as fundamental elements of design of this house of worship. Set among sprawling green lawns, the petals of the grand lotus are surrounded by nine pools that represent floating leaves. The Lotus Temple is conducive to meditation. There are no priests, idols, pictures, sermons or rituals. Religious discrimination does not exist here as its symbol, the lotus, connotes peace, purity and a manifestation of God. It is open to all free of cost from 9 am to 7 pm, six days a week except for Mondays.
ISKCON Temple – Built in 1998, ISKCON Temple is one of the 40 temples built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The actual name of the temple is Sri Radha Parthasarthy Temple, popularly known as Hare Krishna Temple. It has three shrines dedicated to Radha–Krishna, Sita–Ram and Guara–Nitai. Decorated beautifully with fresh flowers, the air is thick with spiritual discourses and chants, enhancing the divine atmosphere. Multimedia shows are organized regularly to educate the devotees about the Hindu epics. One can savour a delicious Saatvik (pure vegetarian) meal at ‘Govinda’, the temple cafeteria. It is open daily from 4.30am to 1 pm and from 4.30pm to 9 pm.

Chhatarpur Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Chhatarpur Temple is located on the outskirts of the South-western Delhi, i.e. Chhatarpur. It is 4 km away from Qutub Minar. This temple is home to Goddess Durga’s both manifestations namely, Maa Gauri and Maa Katyayani.

The temple is popular among its devotees by the name of Shri Adhya Katyayani Shakti Peeth Mandir. Sant Shree Nagpal Baba founded the temple in 1974. The temple expands to the area of about 70 acres. And for a fact, it is one of the biggest temple complexes in India.

It is like a marble art coming alive and is a modern mix of both northern and southern architectures. Nevertheless, the temple’s architecture is of the Vesara genre.

The temple has a huge area. Moreover, other smaller temples too stand on the Chhatarpur temple land. Some of these shrines are Ram Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Shiv Mandir, Nageshwar Mandir etc.

Chhatarpur temple introduction — Chhatarpur Temple is also known as Shree Adhya Katyayani Shakti Peeth.

Chhatarpur Temple – Facts

Deity	Goddess Katyayani
Temple Timings	4:00 am – 11:00 pm
Opening and Closing Dates	Open 365 days in a year
Time required for Darshan	2-3 hours
Entry fee	No fee
Festivals 2019	Navratris, Guru Purnima, Maha Shivratri, Babaji’s birthday, Babaji’s Nirvaan Divas, Krishna Janmashtmi
Best Time To Visit	During Janmashtmi, Navratri and Maha Shivratri
Nearest Airport	IGI Airport
Location	Chhatarpur, Delhi

Timings of Chhatarpur Temple

Devotees can offer prayers in the temple during the following timings-

Timing	From
Open	4:00 am
Close	11:00 pm

Poojas and Rituals in the Chhatarpur Temple

Morning Aarti is done by the Pujari of the temple at 4:00 am when its still dawn, every single day. Special Aartis of Kumbabhishek and Guru Purnima takes place during Navratri and Guru Purnima respectively.

Aarti at Chhatarpur Temple — Aarti taking place inside the Chhatarpur Temple.

Significance of Chhatarpur temple

Chhatarpur Temple has a unique architecture from being an all-in-all marble structure to its ornate designs on the temple Jalis. Apart from it, the temple hosts beautiful lawns and gardens that add to the scenic beauty of the temple complex.
Both soft and perilous manifestations of Navdurga, Gauri and Katayayani respectively sit inside the temple. Devotees can offer prayers to Goddess Gauri every day.
Furthermore, the temple also has an ancient tree, Kalpavrikasha, in its entrance. In addition to this, the threads and bangles tied by devotees cover the entire tree. It is so because of the popular belief of wish fulfillment after the tying of the thread and bangles around the tree.

Darshan of Goddess Katyayani can be done only on the Ashtami of every month or during the nine days of Navratri.

History of Chhatarpur Temple

Baba Sant Nagpal Ji supervised the construction of the temple in 1974. Beliefs say that after the death of his mother, an unknown lady took Babaji under her care. The lady, however, claimed to be the mother of the universe. Hence, Babaji developed an unknowing devotion to the Goddess.

Hence, the temple came into existence after he moved to Delhi. He purchased this land from villagers and set up the huge temple complex.

He dedicated it to Goddess Katyayani. She is the sixth incarnation of Navdurga. Religious texts state that Goddess Katyayani is the creation of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and the savior of the Gods.

Katyayani was born to the Rishi Katyayani who used to pray to the Goddess Durga. Hence, he got the happiness of being a father to one of her incarnations. Its believed that Katyayani was extremely beautiful and hence caught the attention of the demons.

And so the demon Mahishasur had intentions to woo her. However, the Goddess insisted upon war as the only way to get her. And that is when the demon met his death in the hands of the eight-armed fierce protector of the Gods.

Chhatarpur-temple-history — Chhatarpur Temple is built by the determination and hard work of Baba Sant Nagpal Ji.

Legend of Chhatarpur Temple

Worshipped as the Sixth manifestation of Navdurga, Maa Katyayani is the “Mahishasurmardini”. For the Goddess is the one who took away the life of demon Mahishasur.

According to Shaktism, Goddess Katyayani is the creation of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. She is the mighty one with three eyes and eighteen arms all of which hold lethal weapons. Her beautiful black locks and awestriking beauty never fails to charm her devotees.

Legend-of-Chhatarpur-temple — Goddess Katyayani killed the buffalo demon Mahishasur and hence became popular as ‘ Mahishasurmardini’

What’s inside the Chhatarpur Temple

The temple has a very big complex. There are around 20 small and bigger temples divided into three complexes.
Apart from the main deity, there are other smaller temples too. However, two incarnations of Navdurga, namely Gauri and Katyayani have their separate temples.
There are two main shrines one is a dedication to Gauri and the other to Katyayani. Gauri temple is accessible all days of the year. However, the devotees can visit Katyayani temple only on Ashtami of every month or during all the nine days of Navratris.
Goddess Katyayani’s golden faced idol is put up in a big hall, accessible from the prayer hall. The idol is always dressed up in heavy clothes and amazing jewellery accompanied by flowers.
Near to the Aarti Complex are two rooms. One is a living room with silver furniture. And the other is the “Shayankaksh”, the bedroom consisting of silver bed and dresser. However, the rooms have glass enclosures all around and can be seen from outside only.
There is also a huge area for Langar. Also at the entrance is the huge ancient Kalpavraksha. Moreover, on this tree, people tie threads and bangles for wish fulfilment.

People are expected to come to the temple in decent attires. Also, any kind of provocative clothing is prohibited. Moreover, devotees take out their slippers outside the temple and wash their hands before offering prayers.

Inside-chhatarpur-temple — The golden idol of Devi Katyayani inside the Chhatarpur temple accompanied by the holy tree where devotees tie threads and bangles for wish fulfilment

Festivals celebrated at Chhatarpur Temple

Navratris– Both Vasant Navratri coinciding with Ram Navmi and MahaNavratri coinciding with Durga Puja calls for a celebration here. The first one falls in the months of March/April and the later in the months of September/October. Kumbaabhishek or the holy bath of Goddess Katyayani marks the beginning of the festival. After this grand celebrations go on for almost 9 days on both times. Also on the days of Navratri, Goddess Katyayani is accessible to the devotees on all days.
Krishna Janmashtami– The festival falls on the Bhadrapad Ashtami (8th day) of the Hindu month of Bhadon (August/September). And as the clock strikes midnight, the pujaris chant Vishnu Sahasranam in the temple. Hereafter, Aarti takes place after which prasad is given to the devotees.
Guru Purnima – This calls for celebration in August every year. A procession starting around 10.00 am from Shree Shiv Shakti Mandir, Kilokari village reaches Babaji Samadhi at 2 pm in the main temple complex. After which Aartis take place.
Babaji’s Birthday– The festival falls on the full moon day in February or March. The devotees play with colours just like in Holi at the Markandeya Hall. After that lunch is served. On this day, various cultural and religious programs are held.
Babaji’s Nirvaan Divas- Babaji’s Samadhi was accomplished on 15th December 1998. The Samadhi is decorated with flowers and illuminated with lights on the day. The Tilak of Babaji’s statue is done. And the samadhi is beautified with lights and flowers. Langar is held on this day for many saints. They also receive clothing etc as gifts.

Navratri-at-Chhatarpur-Temple — Grand Navratri celebrations at the Chhatarpur Temple

How to Reach the Chhatarpur Temple?

By Air– The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The temple is 12 km away from the airport.
By Train– The nearest railway station to the temple is Hazrat Nizamuddin. It’s at a distance of about 11 km from the temple.
By Road- Delhi possesses good connectivity throughout the city via Roads. There are three bus terminuses namely, Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar. One can also take city buses to the temple from here.
By Metro– Metro trains are air-conditioned alternatives that connect every nook and corner of the state. Hence, the nearest metro station to the temple is Chhatarpur Metro station.

Metro-Station-near-Chhatarpur-Temple — Metro Station nearby Chhatarpur Temple

Metro Station is at walking distance of 800 meters from the temple. Devotees can either take a sharing auto rickshaw or walk to the religious site.

Where to stay nearby?

The temple has a Dharamshala of its own for the stay of its devotees. The Dharamshala consists of 12 halls which can accommodate 30 people each. Furthermore, there are 36 rooms which can host the stay of 6 people each.

Moreover, there are several luxurious hotels nearby the temple like-

The Ocean Pearl Retreat– Its a hotel packed with all the luxuries for its guest. And has both interior and exterior beauty one can imagine of.
Opulent Hotel by Ferns and Petals– This is another luxurious stay with all the amenities for the best of the comfort of its guests.

Where to eat?

Delhi being the city, devotees have many options open to them. One can obviously enjoy the tasty langar at the temple or choose to eat from the nearby outlets. Delhi has many options on its street food to choose from and also does have outlets like Moti Mahal etc.

Streetfood-nearby-Chhatarpur-Temple — Some tasty streetfood options available near Chhatarpur temple

Nearby Temples

Bala Hanuman temple– It’s one of the ancient Hanuman temples located at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place. According to the legends, the Hanuman idol here appeared on its own and has been here since then.
Gauri- Shankar temple– This temple is one of the most sacred temples of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The 800-year-old Shivlingam here is the pride of the place.
Aurobindo Ashram– The centre is an extension of the main branch in Pondicherry. Further its the centre for yoga and meditation to seek the ultimate truth of life.
Digambara Jain temple– According to the beliefs, this is the oldest and most known Jain temple in Delhi. It was built in 1656 in Chandni Chowk where it still is. And it stands out for the fact that it has Jain Bird Hospital behind the Main Temple.

Frequently asked questions about the temple

Can I offer prayers to Goddess Katyayani everyday?

No. Goddess Katyayani’s darshan can only be availed on Ashtami of every month and on all Navratri days.

Does the temple provide any facility for a night stay?

Yes. The temple has its own Dharamshala for this purpose.

Is the temple open during the afternoon?

Yes, the temple can be visited at all times from 4 am to 11 pm.

Are facilities provided for the handicapped like wheelchair?

Yes, wheelchair facilities are provided by the temple staff.

Is there a parking facility near the temple?

Yes, The temple provides free parking for all transports.

Do the temple provide child Mundan facilities?

Yes, One can get their child’s Mundan done here.

Photography is allowed in the temple?

Yes, Photography is allowed here.

How can I reach the temple from Chhatarpur Metro Station?

The temple is 800 metres from the temple so you can either walk or take an Auto Rickshaw.

Which is the best time to visit the temple?

The best time to visit the temple is during Navratris as the devotees can easily offer prayers to Goddess Katyayani.

Is there a theft report counter in the temple?

Yes, one can complain to the security staff and get things checked in the CCTV footage.

Kalkaji Mandir Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

Kalkaji Mandir Delhi is an ancient temple. It is a mark of dedication to Maa Kalka, an avatar of Goddess Durga. It is located in Kalkaji, a locality in the southern part of the Heart of India, that is Delhi. Consequently, the locality gets its name on the name of the famous goddess.

Kalkaji Mandir also goes by the names “Jayanti Peetha” or “Manokamana Sidha Peetha”. The place gets these names due to the popular belief of desire fulfilment of the visitors here. Moreover, the temple is predicted to be here since the time of Satya Yuga.

Kalkaji-Mandir-Introduction — Kalkaji Mandir is dedicated to the Kalka avatar of Goddess Parvati, who killed the demon Raktabij

Also according to a popular belief, the goddess’s figure is self-existing here.

All you need to know about Kalkaji Mandir Delhi

Temple Timings	4:00 am – 11:30 pm Closed between- 11:30 am – 12 pm (For Bhog purposes) 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (For cleaning purposes)
Opening and Closing Dates	Open 365 days in a year
Time required for Darshan	1 hour
Entry Free	No fee
Festivals 2019	Vasant Navratri Maha Navratri
Best time to visit	Maha Navratri (September – October)
Nearest Airport	IGI Airport
Location	Kalkaji, South Delhi

What are the timings of Kalkaji Mandir Delhi?

Timings	From
Open	4:00 am
Close	11:30 pm

Poojas and Rituals at Kalkaji Mandir Delhi

Each day starts giving a milk bath to the Goddess’s idol followed by the Aarti. However, the Aarti is performed twice in the day, once in the morning and the other in the evening.
The evening Aarti performed is also known as the Tantric Aarti.
The Aarti timings, however, are subjected to change depending on winters and summers. Also, pujaris perform Aarti according to their turns.

All the Pooja timings are given in the table below.

Time of the year	Morning	Evening
Summers	5:00 am – 6:30 am (Aarti)	7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Aarti)
Winters	6:00 am – 7:30 am (Aarti)	6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Aarti)
Temple is closed in between	11:30 am – 12:00 pm (For Bhog to the goddess)	3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (For cleaning of the temple premises)

Aarti-at-Kalkaji-Mandir-Delhi — Aarti is performed twice at the temple, in the morning and then in the evening.

Significance of Kalkaji Mandir Delhi

People flood in the temple to offer prayers and make offerings to the Goddess Kalka here. The Goddess Kalka is the symbol of strength. Also, the temple is always full of devotees. However, during Navratris, there is no place to step in.
The temple is so ancient that it is believed that it has seen all the 4 yugas namely, Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga, and Kalyuga.
The temple also has a significant history to look upon. Nevertheless, the goddess is well known for fulfilling the desires and wishes of her devotees.

History of Kalkaji Mandir Delhi

The temple has a historical existence of about 3000 years. It was constructed in 1764. However, there has been a lot of stories around it, some of which are-

One of the theory claims the establishment of the temple during the reign of Marathas (1764-1771). So, during this time, Shah Alam, the Mughal emperor had power from Delhi to Palam. Yet wasn’t as effective as a ruler. Hence, during that time, the Marathas successfully returned all the Hindu temples including Kalkaji back to their glory in Delhi.

However, in the mid 19th century the temple went through some changes. These were made possible by Raja Kadarnath who was Emperor Akbar II’s treasurer. Although the devotees then made huge contributions for the betterment of the present-day structure. Moreover, in the 20th century, some more advancement was done to the temple.

The temple was also a site of worship for the Pandavas during Yudhishthir’s reign.

Legends of the Kalkaji Mandir Delhi

Legend of Goddess Kali

The first story dates back to the time of Satya Yuga. During the time, the gods who lived here were troubled by the demons. Hence, after taking much trouble the gods went to Lord Brahma for a solution. Since Brahmaji did not want to get dragged into the matter so he referred it to Goddess Parvati.

So it was Goddess Parvati who incarnated as Goddess Kaushki to slaughter the demon. While she conquered all, yet the demon Raktabij had the gift of rising back from its own blood.

That’s when Goddess Kali was born from Kaushki’s eyebrows. Goddess Kali drank the whole of the blood that came out during the slaughter. And that’s how Goddess Kali won against Raktabij. Hence, she also settled here as a protector since then.

Legend of a Defeated King

Another story tracks down a defeated King. He had lost numerous battles to an unknown invader, there was this one time after losing he rested in the place. And that’s when Goddess Kali came in his dream and motivated him to fight back again.

Being encouraged by the Goddess, he gave a tough fight back and won over. Yet even after restoring his reign, he did not forget about the Goddess. And constructed this temple as a dedication to the Goddess Kali.

Legends-of-Kalkaji-Mandir-Delhi — Goddess Kalka killed the demon Raktabij and ended his tyranny on the Gods.

What is inside the temple?

Pyramidal towers encircle the temple. Apart from the usual construction with bricks and cement, marbles have also been added to the temple. The Central Chamber has 12 sides. Also, 36 arched openings are there in the temple.
A doorway on each side is covered by a verandah. The verandah is 8’9” wide and consists of 36 arched openings. However, the Central Chamber encloses the verandah on all sides.
The two red Sandstone Tigers on a marble pedestal stand opposite the eastern doorway. The subscription article in Urdu. Between the tigers sits the idol of Kalka Devi with the name inscribed on it in Hindi.
There is a long line of stalls right outside the temple. These offer a variety of Prasad Packages to the devotees. There is the availability of all from smaller ones to the exclusive Thalis ( offering plate).
Due to the heavy crowd, the pickpocketers are a usual thing in the temple premises. Nevertheless, a vigilant visitor is always safe here.

Inside-Kalkaji-Mandir-Temple — One will find the stalls laden with religious lockets, books etc and the two sandstone tigers inside the temple premises.

The temple has a black pumice stone which is also a representative of Goddess Kalka or Kali.

Festivals celebrated at Kalkaji Mandir

Vasanta Navratri– This is an Autumn festival, hence, it is called Vasant Navratri. It usually falls in the month of April however, subject to change as per the Hindu Calendar. Coinciding with Ram Navmi that falls on the same month, it is also called Ram Navratri or Chaitra Navratri.
Maha Navratri– Maha Navratri is celebrated with equal enthusiasm by all the Indian states. It usually falls in October depending upon the Hindu Calendar. A huge crowd flocks to the temple on this festival. Moreover, during the festival devotees make huge offerings including the ones in the form of Gold.

Almost every Hindu Festival calls for a celebration in the Kalkaji Temple. However, both the Navratris have there own special places. A lot of enthusiasm is there during Navratri celebrations.

Festival-at-Kalkaji-Mandir-Delhi — Navratis are celebrated with huge enthusiasm in the temple.

Also in West Bengal, it is called Durga Puja which ends up in wild celebration throughout the 9 days of the Navratri.

How to reach Kalkaji Mandir Delhi?

By Air– The Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi is at a distance of 15 km from the Kalkaji Temple and is the only one here too.
By Rail– H Nizamuddin Railway Station is 4 km away from the Temple. Hence, the temple is the nearest to this one.
By Road– The city is well connected by Bus routes. Delhi Transportation Corporation owned buses run through the city. Buses also provide connectivity with the whole country via many National highways. The bus can drop you either at Rajiv Chowk in Delhi or at the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station.
By Metro– Delhi also has a well equipped Metro Rail that connects almost all major parts of the state. Hence, you can travel from anywhere to the nearest station i.e. Kalkaji Metro Station to reach the temples.

Metro-Station-near-Kalkaji-Mandir-Delhi — Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station is at a walking distance from the temple

Where to stay nearby?

The Temple Trust has done the construction of Dharamshalas for the devotees visiting from far off places. These Dharamshalas are free and hygienic too. Kalkaji Mandir also provides food facility.

However, there are many good hotels near the temple too.

Hotel Mint Oodles– The stay is a real treat for its guests. All the hotel rooms are stalked with modern amenities. It is also budget-friendly and near to the temple.
Hotel Orion Plaza– The hotel is a well-equipped one with all luxurious amenities. The hotel staff is very efficient. Also, the hotel is quite close to the temple.

Where to eat?

Delhi is home to a variety of cuisines and mouth-watering street foods. However, one can enjoy the one-time free prasad provided in the temple. The devotees can also take delight in the tasty food served here.

Other than that they have more than a hundred street food options to choose from. The Khao Gali in Lajpat Nagar is an escape for the food lovers. Also, Dolma Aunty Momos are the oldest and tastiest street food ‘Momos’ available.

Also, a variety of food chains crowd the area. One can subside to eating healthy salad at Subway to burgers in MacDonald’s.

When in the Capital City don’t forget to delight on the World’s Best Parathas in the Parathe Wali Gali in Chandani Chowk. Also, the ages-old Giani Ki Kulfi found here can be the best dessert for the evening.

Street-Food-near-Kalkaji-Mandir-Delhi — One can find a lot of street food near the temple like momos, parathas and rolls

Nearby Temples

Shiv Kalkaji Temple- As per the predictions, the temple is the oldest Seedhpeeth in South Delhi. The devotees arrive here to offer prayers and seek blessings of the deity.
Lotus Temple– Lotus temple is close to Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station. It is located right next to Kalkaji Park. The entrance to the temple is via a parking lot. The serenity and peace one can seek here is the prime attraction of the visitors.
Iskcon Temple– This is one of the ancient and known temples of Lord Krishna in India. Iskon temple is close to Nehru Place Metro Station. Iskcon stands for International Society for Krishna Consciousness or Hare Krishna Movement.

Apart from these, there are other attractions to the city like Jantar Mantar, India Gate, etc. Delhi extends its land to dozens of historical places and so is the Heart of India.

Frequently asked questions about Kalkaji Temple Delhi

What is the metro route for Kalkaji temple?

Board Yellow line from Rajiv Chowk to Central Secretariat, after that change to Pink line to Kalkaji Metro Station.

Which is the nearest metro station to Kalkaji Mandir?

The nearest metro station to the temple is named after the temple and it is called Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station.

During Navratri do we need a pass to enter the temple?

Yes. During Navratri, there is a system of Pass entry in the temple.

Is photography allowed in the temple?

Yes. Photography is allowed but not in the prayer hall.

What is the best time to visit the temple?

It is best to visit the temple during the morning and evening Aartis.

Is there a parking facility nearby Kalkaji Temple?

Yes. There are parking facilities available at a distance of 5 min, 8 min and 10 min walk away from the temple.

What bus numbers go on the route of Kalkaji Mandir?

Bus numbers 427, 433 and 534 stop nearby Kalkaji Temple.

Is there a lost and found counter in the temple?

No. There is no such counter in spite of pickpocketers on the rise.

Can a Mundan Ceremony be done in the temple?

Yes. You can but outside in the temple premises, not in the Aarti complex.

How can one get access to the Navratri Passes of the temple?

You can contact the temple authorities and get it made for yourself and your family members too.

How far is lotus temple from the Kalkaji Mandir?

Lotus temple is at a distance of 3 km from Kalkaji Temple.