We take you on a virtual darshan to 4 famous Krishna temples in India in this post. Krishna is one of the most popular and loved deities in Hinduism. His birth anniversary is celebrated in a grand manner as Krishna Janmashtami in temples and houses across the country. There must be thousands of Krishna temples across India, here we take a look at the famous Krishna temples that are directly related to his life and times. Sri Krishna is believed to be the 8th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. It was Sri Krishna who explained the philosophy of life and death to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, these words of wisdom form the Bhagavad Gita.

4 Famous Krishna Temples In India

Temples are a part of the rich heritage of India and have been an excellent example of the faith of millions over the centuries. There are many famous Krishna temples scattered across the length and breadth of India. If the temples of Mathura and Vrindavan in the north are centres of Krishna worship, in the west the temple of Dwarka is a bridge that connects history and mythology. In the south of India, the temples of Udupi in Karnataka and Guruvayoor in Kerala are among the famous Krishna temples in India. We take a look here at 4 famous Krishna temples that draw devotees in hordes to its fold throughout the year.

Famous Krishna Temples In India

We take a look here at 4 famous Krishna temples that draw devotees in hordes to its fold throughout the year. We start with the sacred Krishna temple in Mathura that is the birthplace of Sri Krishna. Next, we move on to the Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat which is located at the place where Krishna established a new kingdom after moving from Dwarka. We also virtually visit the Shrinathji temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, and finally move towards the south for a glimpse of the Udupi Sri Krishna temple in Udupi, Karnataka.

Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex In Mathura – Famous Krishna Temples In India

The Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex in Mathura is a group of temples located near the place that is believed to have been the birthplace of Sri Krishna. The Garba Griha shrine is the most important of all the temples, as this is believed to be at the original place of Krishna’s birth. The original temple to Krishna is believed to have been constructed by his grandson Vajranabha.

The shrine is adjacent to the Eidgah Mosque. It is believed that the mosque was constructed over the Sabha Mandapa of the temple, while the Garba Griha was left untouched. Today a marble pavilion and an underground prison cell mark the place of Sri Krishna’s birth in a prison cell where his parents Vasudeva and Devaki were imprisoned by his maternal uncle, Kamsa.

Nearest Airports: Agra Airport at a distance of 66 kilometres, Indira Gandhi International Airport Delhi at a distance of 172 Kilometers.

Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan

Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan is another very sacred Krishna temple that is dedicated to the child form of Sri Krishna. Krishna is worshipped here as a 7-year old boy. The black idol of Krishna in the sanctum of the temple holds aloft the Govardhan hill in his left hand.

It is believed that this idol was originally manifested near the Govardhan Parbat itself and was then taken to Vrindavan by Saint Vallabhacharya. He installed it in Vrindavan and started its ceremonial worship. However, due to religious persecution and fearing damage, the idol was surreptitiously shifted to Agra, where it stayed hidden for about six months and then moved to Rajasthan.

According to legend the cart in which the idol was being transported suddenly halted at a place which is present-day Nathdwara and refused to budge. Taking this as a divine ordainment, the idol was installed at Nathdwara, and in course of time earned fame as the Shrinathji temple of Nathdwara. The Shrinatji temple is one of the most famous Krishna temples in India and is visited by devout pilgrims from across the country.

Nearest Airports: Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur at a distance of 59 kilometres.

Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka, Gujarat 

Shree Krishna established his kingdom near the place where the sacred river Gomati met the Arabian Sea in the Dwapara Yuga. The original kingdom of Dwarka is believed to have been submerged by the sea. However, the Krishna temple that stands today at Dwarka is believed to be about 2,000 years old. The original temple is believed to have been built by his grandson, Vajranabha.

The Dwarkadhish temple is one of the Char Dhams or sacred sites identified by Adi Shankracharya, the others being, Rameshwaram, Puri, and Badrinath. Within the Dwarkadhish temple complex, are temples to Balaram, Vasudev, Devaki, and others apart from the main temple to Krishna. The Sharda Peeth founded by Adi Shankaracharya is also located within the campus of the Dwarkadhis temple.

Nearest Airports: Jamnagar Airport at a distance of about 141 kilometres.

Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi, Karnataka

Another famous Krishna temple in India is located in the temple town of Udupi in coastal Karnataka. This is the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha. The temple was established by the renowned Madhava saint, Madhavacharya during the 13th century. Legend has it that Madhavacharya received the idol from a ship that was caught in a storm off the coast of Udupi.

The saint saved the ship and took the idol as a symbol of thanksgiving from the captain of the ship. He carried the idol of Krishna which was in the form of Bala Krishna and had it installed. The Idol of Krishna continues to draw devotees from across the country, It is believed that the idol was originally hidden in the forests near Dwarka and reached Udupi in a ship that was sailing that way.

Nearest Airports: Mangalore International Airport at a distance of about 59 kilometres

We hope you liked reading about these 4 famous Krishna temples in India. Each one of these temples has its own aura, history, myths, and legends, and are the best Krishna temples to visit in India.

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