ISKCON Chowpatty (Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir) — Attraction in Mumbai

Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple (ISKCON Chowpatty) is located in the heart of South Mumbai, very close to the Chowpatty beach on Marine Drive. Important landmarks around the temple include the famous Babulnath temple (100mtrs), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan(50mtrs) and Wilson College(350mtrs). The temple is situated midway on the street connecting Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Babulnath Temple. Reaching by local train: Mumbai has a very efficient and well-connected sub-urban railway system. One can catch a local train from any part of Mumbai to come to Grant Road station on the western line. After exiting from the western side, one can hire a cab for “Hare Krishna Mandir near Bharitya Vidya Bhavan/Babulnath Temple”. Walking to the temple from Grant Rd. station also doesn’t take more than 10-15 minutes. Today Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir stands magnificently as part of the South Mumbai locale, but its beginning was very plain and humble. The seed was sown when the Trustees of the Lady Northcote Hindu Orphanage (LNHO), under the Chairmanship of Sri Arvind N. Mafatlal, invited devotees to help run the orphanage on the lines of traditional Gurukul system. Dr. N. D. Desai (H. G. Sri Nathji Das) was then the Managing Trustee of the LNHO. The Trustees gave ISKCON a small room at the back. A few devotees came to stay here in this small space with their meager belongings. The main temple hall boasts of a haveli-style altar with gold-leafing, Italian marble walls, royal wooden balconies and a burmese teak-wood floor with inlay designs of 8 kinds of semi-precious stones. The side walls host hand-made paintings depicting Krishna Lila, Gaur lila, Gopas & Gopis (click here to see the paintings). The temple hall ceiling has domes with beautiful floral design and glittering chandeliers. Everything combined truly resembles the royal assembly hall of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir is formally conceptualized in 1988 and known as ISKCON Chowpatty.

Since then, the temple has undergone several stages of renovation. From laying a complete new foundation underneath the existing structure, to strengthening the wooden flooring of the temple hall with iron beams, to beautifying the exterior of the temple hall were also refurnished with beautiful Italian marble. Later, the altar and the whole temple hall were decorated with beautiful wooden carvings. On the ground floor, the Bhaktivedanta hall got a new flooring of white Makarana marble and the walls were covered with best quality teak veneer. The wooden flooring in the main temple hall has also been replaced with Burmese teak wood. The temple is also one of the very few in India to have an air-conditioned hall.

The beautiful structure that we see today has developed through the hard work and dedication of several devotees. Temple also organized training for beginners, youth and children, corporate seminars and book distribution. ISKCON Chowpatty is a Hare Krishna temple, community, and ashram dedicated to the practice of bhakti-yoga or loving service to Krishna, the Supreme Person (God). We are a branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a worldwide spiritual movement founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in New York City in 1966. Under the guidance of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, ISKCON Chowpatty is home to a loving community of practicing Hare Krishna devotees and over 200 resident monks. The Founder of the ISKCON temple was Acharya A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami.” ISKCON”, stands for “International Society for Krishna Consciousness”. The ISKCON temple at Chowpatty, Mumbai was built in 1986, and the presiding deities installed in this temple are of Shri Radha Gopinath, Shri Lalitha, Shri Vishaka, Shri Gopal, Shri Janardhan and Shri Nitai...

A must visit place in Mumbai. Whether you are a theist or atheist, this place will charm you.

The main temple is a two floored structure. As you enter, there is showcase of diroma in the courtyard. On the left, there is free chappal/shoe stall for securely storing your footwears. There is a sink there to wash your hands. Then you cross the courtyard and go up on first floor using the staircase. There is also a small lift for anyone who has difficulty climbing the stairs. The temple hall is artistically made up of wooden flooring and palace like wooden carvings. There are many paintings on the inside walls of the temple. The temple altar has deities of Radha, Krishna, Lalita, Vishaka, Gopalji (Srinathji), Sri Gaura Nitai. There is a small water fountain in front of the altar. There are many beautiful paintings on the walls of the temple hall. On the other end of hall is the deity of Srila Prabhupada (Founder of ISKCON). If you go close, you will see cymbals/kartala kept in a box which he personally used. There are also deity of Hanumanji and Garuda ji on the backside end of the hall. There is a balcony from where the whole temple courtyard can be seen. When you leave the temple hall, there will be someone who will give you a laddoo prasad and information pamplet about the temple and it's activities. If you go down, there is a reception office where you can enquire about the events and ask about any other queries. There is a gift shop, where you can buy chanting beads, books, organic products, parapharnelia related to worship, cow products, small musical instruments, pictures, frames, etc. There are many halls on the ground floor where various seminars are conducted. Also, there is another small temple, opposite the gift shop, laxmi narayan Temple. This is a very old temple. It is maintained by ISKCON now. It is said it was visited by Mahatma Gandhi.

On the backside, there is Vrindavan forest. It is a small replica of the various temple in Vrindavan. Another beautiful and must visit place to visit inside the temple campus. If you are around at 1pm or 9pm, you might get some lunch/dinner prasadam in the hall below the temple hall.

On Sundays they have program and free breakfast and lunch prasadam (known as Sunday feast) for everyone who attends the morning and afternoon class. But, do not forget to collect the coupons. Though, it can get very crowded on Sunday and you might have to wait in prasadam queue from 30min upto 1 hour.

On Sunday evening, there is stall of snacks, sweets, etc in the temple campus.

There are also special evening darshan (shayan darshan) eveyday from 8:45pm till 9:05pm with melodious kirtan. The temple is closed in afternoon from 1pm to 4:30pm & in night from 9:05pm to morning 5am.

When you exit there is a Govinda's restaurant. It has a variety of local and international cuisine to choose from. It prices are moderate for a South Bombay...

Jai shree Krishna 💖 Location and Accessibility ISKCON Chowpatty, also known as Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, is located in the Girgaum Chowpatty area of Mumbai. The temple is easily accessible by local trains, with Charni Road station being the closest. Buses and taxis also provide convenient access to the temple, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Architectural Beauty The ISKCON Chowpatty temple is an architectural gem. Its design blends traditional and contemporary styles, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. The temple's interiors are adorned with beautiful paintings, intricate carvings, and vibrant decorations that depict scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. The main sanctum, where the deities of Radha and Krishna reside, is especially captivating, with its elaborate altar and serene ambiance.

Spiritual Significance The temple is a significant center for the followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It promotes the teachings of Lord Krishna and the principles of Bhakti Yoga (devotional service). The temple is a hub for various spiritual activities, including daily prayers, kirtans (devotional singing), and discourses. The atmosphere is infused with devotion, making it a peaceful retreat for spiritual seekers.

Activities and Programs ISKCON Chowpatty offers a variety of spiritual and educational programs. Daily activities include morning and evening aartis (prayer rituals), Bhagavad Gita classes, and devotional singing. The temple also hosts festivals, special events, and workshops throughout the year, attracting large numbers of devotees. Additionally, the temple runs community outreach programs, providing food and support to the needy.

Prasadam and Dining One of the highlights of visiting ISKCON Chowpatty is the prasadam (sanctified food) offered to visitors. The temple’s Govinda's restaurant serves delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals prepared with love and devotion. The restaurant offers a variety of Indian and international dishes, ensuring a delightful culinary experience for visitors.

Cleanliness and Maintenance The temple premises are impeccably clean and well-maintained. The management takes great care in ensuring the cleanliness of the prayer halls, dining areas, and surrounding gardens. The serene and well-kept environment enhances the overall spiritual experience.

Nearby Attractions ISKCON Chowpatty is located near several other attractions in Mumbai. Girgaum Chowpatty Beach is a short walk away, offering a scenic spot to...