The Priyakant Ju Mandir in the holy city of Vrindavan is a relatively newer temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. It was built in 2016 and is shaped like a lotus, featuring beautiful Indian architecture. The temple comprises idols of Lord Krishna as Kant Ju and Goddess Radha as Priya Ji. Furthermore, there are lakes around the temple and temples of other Gods and Goddesses. Aarti is held multiple times a day at the temple and attracts devotees from all around.
The Establishment Of Priyakant Ju Mandir
Situated in Vrindavan, a holy city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Priyakant Ju Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. The Vishwa Shanti Charitable Trust took on the task of building the temple in 2007 and construction officially began in 2009 and lasted for about 7 years. The temple opened to the public in 2016 and has since been open to devotees. It is not too far from the Vaishno Devi Temple here.
The Priyakant Ju Mandir’s facade resembles a lotus and is approximately 125 feet high. Its architecture is reminiscent of the Indian style of architecture and the temple was built using Makrana marble from Rajasthan. The idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha inside the temple are in the form of Kant Ju and Priya Ji. Aarti is held at the temple 5 times a day, though of different kinds, so you can visit any time during the day. Moreover, there are lakes with fountains on two sides of the temple and temples on its four corners. These temples are dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Ganesh, Nimbarkacharya and Lord Shiva.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Varanasi
Aarti Timings & Best Time To Visit
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The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. There are five different aartis held at the Priyakant Ju Mandir during the day. The first aarti of the day is the Mangala aarti from 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM. Next is the Shringar aarti at 9:00 AM, followed by the Rajbhog aarti at noon. The Sandhya aarti is held at 6:30 PM while the last aarti of the day, the Shayan aarti, is held at 8:00 PM.
The best time to visit the Priyakant Ju Mandir in Varanasi is during the winter months from October to March because this time of year brings about pleasant weather. The summers can become quite unbearable with temperatures rising considerably. Not only would it be very hot to attend aartis but other outdoor activities would also be less enjoyable. Another reason why these winter months are a good time to visit is because there are various festivals celebrating them, including Holi, Janmashtami and Radhashtami. You would get a chance to attend colourful and lively ceremonies, special aartis, watch processions and much more. November is also said to be the beginning of the month of Kartik according to the Hindu calendar and therefore if you visit during this time, you would be able to attend special pujas and more.
Places To Visit Near Priyakant Ju Mandir
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Varanasi is India’s holiest city and there is plenty to see and do here. Here are a few places to visit and things to do around Priyakant Ju Mandir:
- You must visit the city’s most sacred temple which is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple that is situated along the western banks of the Ganges river. It is not only a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva but it also happens to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
- Varanasi is home to 88 ghats that lie along the river Ganges and if you are visiting the city, you must visit at least one of its ghats. The majority of the ghats are dedicated for aartis or pujas and for bathing in the holy river while some are only for performing cremation rites. The most famous ghats are the Adi Keshav Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchganga Ghat and Rajendra Prasad Ghat.
- Visiting the Ramnagar Fort on the eastern banks of the Ganges river would be a great way to learn about the city’s heritage. It was built in chunar sandstone in the mid 18th century and is opposite Tulsi Ghat. Within the fort is a temple, beautiful courtyards and pavilions, a museum and the king’s complex. You can also take a boat ride from the Dashashwamedh Ghat to the fort.
- For a more relaxed time, you can take a boat ride across the Ganges since there are many along the ghats. If you are lucky, the rower might even sing you some folk songs. What’s more, it is an incredible experience to watch the sunset while rowing on the river. Your trip to Varanasi would not be complete without trying out some of the city’s local delicacies such as kachori sabzi, baati chokha, choora matar, chena dahi vada and thandai.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Uttar Pradesh
How To Reach
Varanasi is well connected to most places in the country, especially to cities in north India. You can drive here, take a flight or take the train. If you choose to drive to Varanasi, the roads are well maintained and connected to other cities in Uttar Pradesh; the main road that connects to Varanasi is National Highway 19. Moreover, if you bring your own car, you can easily move around the city and also visit some nearby ones. You can also take the bus.
Taking a flight is an option too since Varanasi has its own international airport. Although there aren’t a lot of regular international flights, many domestic flights go to Varanasi, especially from Delhi and Mumbai. Lastly, there are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Mughal Sarai Junction and Varanasi Junction, so you can easily take the train to come here. Local transport like rickshaws and autorickshaws make it very easy to move around Varanasi, eliminating the need for a taxi.
Further Read: Temples In Varanasi
With this guide to the Priyakant Ju Mandir, you will surely have no trouble planning your trip to the temple and the sacred city of Varanasi. The state has endless more gems worth seeing; therefore, it would be a wonderful idea for you to book a trip to Uttar Pradesh. You and your friends and family are sure to have a splendid time!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Priyakant Ju Mandir
Do visitors need to pay to enter the Priyakant Ju Mandir?
No, there is no need to pay anything.
What should one wear to the Priyakant Ju Temple?
Despite there being no dress code, it is better to dress modestly since it is a religious site. Interestingly, there have been attempts to make it mandatory for devotees to wear traditional Indian attire when entering Varanasi’s different temples but it hasn’t yet been approved.
Are two days enough to explore Varanasi?
Two days are surely enough to see the most of Varanasi but it is usually advisable to stay for at least 5 days to be able to fully take in all that this holy city has to offer.
What is the reason behind Varanasi being called Kashi?
Varanasi is also known as Banaras and Kashi. It is called the latter because in ancient India, as well as in the Mahabharata, the city was called Kashi which translates into “to shine” in Sanskrit. Owing to this, Varanasi came to be known as the ‘City of Light,’ a name that has also stuck because of its numerous temples and ghats where aartis are held on a regular basis.
Why is it said that Varanasi is the ‘City of Death’?
Varanasi is the religious capital of India and it is believed that whoever dies here and is also cremated here shall be able to attain salvation by escaping the cycle of rebirth.
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