ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple is a Hindu temple, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is among the notable temples of the Chennai region.
About ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple Chennai, also known as the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Mandir, is a Gaudiya Vaishnavism temple in Chennai, India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha. It was formally inaugurated on 26 April 2012.
History
ISKCON founder A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, wanted to establish ISKCON centers in India. In 1971, when he returned to India after his success with spread of ISKCON in the Western world, he directed Giriraj Maharaj to go to Madras and preach activities, resulting in many enlisting as life patrons. Prabhupada wrote in a letter,
In Madras we wanted to start a center and it was almost settled that the Chief Justice (Veeraswamy) would give us a place. So actually, if it is possible to open a center in Madras that would be very nice.
Architecture and layout
ISKCON Temple Chennai is part of the Centre for Spiritual Art and Culture and is located off the East Coast Road at the Hare Krishna land, Sholinganallur. The deities worshipped in the temple include those of Radha Krishna Lalita Vishaka, Jagannath Baladev Subhadra, and Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga.
Spread over an area of over 1.5 acres, the temple is constructed on five levels. There is a 7,000 sq ft temple hall on the first floor, an auditorium for cultural and spiritual programmes on the ground floor and a prasadam hall in the basement.
Festivals and worship
The temple conducts an annual Ratha Yatra (chariot procession) festival in February, where the idols of Krishna, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Gaura Nitai, and Prabhupada were taken on procession on a decorated chariot through the neighbouring areas of Adyar, Besant Nagar, and Thiruvanmiyur, with performances of traditional Tamil art forms, singing, and chanting. Besides, the annual Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated in July, where idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken on chariot procession around the neighbouring areas of Pallavakam, Neelankarai, Vettuvankeni, and Injambakkam before reaching its final destination at the ISKCON Temple at Akkarai.
Gaura Purnima (March), commemorating the birth of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who lived around the 15th century in Navadvipa, West Bengal, to spread the yuga-dharma, which refers to the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “ISKCON Temple, Chennai”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited for length; verify details locally.
Plan your visit
How to reach
The temple is inside Chennai, in Chennai. Autos, app cabs and the city's buses reach it easily; leave extra time in evening traffic. Chennai airport (MAA) is about 12 km away. Open directions in Google Maps →
Timings: like most Tamil Nadu temples, expect an early-morning opening around 6 am, a midday closure from roughly noon to 4 pm, and evening darshan until about 8–9 pm. Festival days change everything, so confirm locally.
Today at a glance
Chennai time (IST), from our own panchangam. Nalla Neram is the good window; avoid Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam for starting a journey or a ritual.
Festival days to plan around
This temple's own festivals: Janamashtami, Radhashtami, Ratha-Yatra.
- Vaikunta Ekadasi — December–January
- Krishna Jayanthi — August–September
- Sri Rama Navami — March–April
- Purattasi Saturdays — September–October
Exact dates move with the lunar calendar every year; the festival calendar lists them to 2031, and the daily panchangam shows the tithi and nakshatra for any date.
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Quick facts
| Deity | — |
| Town | Chennai |
| District | Chennai district |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Sacred lists | Chennai Temples |
Visiting
Most temples in Tamil Nadu open early morning and again in the evening, closing through the midday hours — plan darshan before noon or after 4pm and confirm timings locally, since festival days change everything. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), leave footwear at the stands provided, and note that some sanctums admit Hindus only while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting inside.
Timing a visit? Check today’s panchangam for auspicious windows and festival days, and use our free itinerary builder to slot temples, food and rest into your day.
Temples near Chennai
More Chennai temples
Frequently asked
Where is ISKCON Temple?
ISKCON Temple is in Chennai, within Chennai city. It is reachable by auto, app cab or city bus; Chennai airport is about 12 km away.
What are the timings at ISKCON Temple?
Most Tamil Nadu temples open around 6 am, close from about noon to 4 pm, and reopen until 8–9 pm. Festival days follow a different schedule, so confirm locally before you travel.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Footwear is left outside at the stands provided. Some inner sanctums admit Hindus only, while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone.
When is the best time to visit ISKCON Temple?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Sri Rama Navami. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.