Quick answer: ISKCON Kolkata’s main temple is the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir at 3C Albert Road, near Minto Park in central Kolkata. It was ISKCON’s first centre in India, set up by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1970, and worship of the deities began there in 1971. No entry fee is listed. As of October 2026, the temple’s website lists darshan from 4:30 am with the temple closed from 1 pm to 4 pm and the last aarti at 8:15 pm.
ISKCON Kolkata at a glance
| Detail | What we verified (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Temple | Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir, ISKCON Kolkata |
| Address | 3C Albert Road, near Birla High School, Minto Park, Kolkata 700017 |
| Morning | Mangal Aarti 4:30 am; darshan in several sessions until 1 pm |
| Afternoon closure | 1 pm to 4 pm (temple closed) |
| Evening | Dhupa Aarti 4 pm, Gaura Aarti 6:15 pm, Shayan Aarti 8:15 pm; temple closes 8:30 pm |
| Entry fee | None listed by the temple or by India’s official tourism site |
| Contact | +91 90736 16108, info@iskconkolkata.com |
Daily aarti and darshan timings
According to the ISKCON Kolkata website (October 2026), the daily programme is:
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 4:30 am | Mangal Aarti |
| 5:00 am | Tulasi Aarti |
| 5:30 to 7:30 am | Chanting session |
| 7:30 am | Darshan Aarti and Guru Puja |
| 8:30 am | Srimad Bhagavatam class |
| 12:00 noon | Raj Bhoga Aarti |
| 4:00 pm | Dhupa Aarti |
| 6:00 pm | Sandhya Tulasi Aarti |
| 6:15 pm | Gaura Aarti |
| 8:15 pm | Shayan Aarti |
The altar curtains are closed for short periods between programmes, for example from 5 am to 7:30 am, 11:30 am to 12 noon and 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm, and the whole temple closes from 1 pm to 4 pm. Festival days follow a different schedule.
History of ISKCON and the Kolkata temple
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), widely known as the Hare Krishna movement, was founded in New York on 13 July 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which centres on devotion to Krishna and grew from the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) in Bengal. ISKCON’s members follow bhakti yoga as taught in the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Correction: an earlier version of this article said ISKCON was first practised by followers of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya “in the late sixteenth century”. That mixes up two things. The Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition dates back to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, while ISKCON itself was founded in 1966.
Kolkata has a special place in ISKCON’s history. Prabhupada was born in Calcutta on 1 September 1896, studied at Scottish Church College, and met his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, in the city in 1922. On 13 August 1965 he began his voyage to America aboard the cargo ship Jaladuta.
According to ISKCON Kolkata, Prabhupada returned to India in August 1970 and set up ISKCON’s first Indian centre at 3C Albert Road. The first deity worship in India began there in May 1971, and on 12 July 1972 the first ISKCON Rath Yatra in India started from Albert Road. The small room beside the temple hall where Prabhupada stayed still holds his personal belongings.
Festivals at ISKCON Kolkata
The temple celebrates the main Vaishnava festivals of the year. Dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar, so check the temple’s announcements for each year.
- Janmashtami: the appearance day of Lord Krishna, the biggest festival of the year, with kirtan, bhajans, special decorations for the deities, a large food offering and prasadam for devotees.
- Ram Navami: the appearance day of Lord Rama, when the Ramayana is recited.
- Radhashtami: the appearance day of Srimati Radharani, honoured with prayers, flowers and garlands.
- Chandan Yatra: a summer festival in which the deities are covered with cooling sandalwood paste.
- Jhulan Yatra: the swing festival in the monsoon month of Shravan, when Radha and Krishna are placed on a decorated swing.
- Kartik (Damodar) Masa: the holy month falling in October and November, when devotees offer ghee lamps to Krishna each evening.
- Gita Jayanti: marking the day Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, observed on the Shukla Ekadashi of the month of Margashirsha.
- Rath Yatra: ISKCON Kolkata’s chariot festival, first held in 1972.
Guest house, Govinda’s restaurant and tours
- Guest house: ISKCON Kolkata runs a guest house for visitors and pilgrims; book through the temple website or contact the temple.
- Govinda’s: the temple’s pure-vegetarian restaurant serves Indian and Chinese food. It has an outlet at 3C Albert Road (033 4070 3344) and another at 22 Gurusaday Dutta Road, Ballygunge. Opening hours are not published online, so call before you go.
- Prabhupada heritage tour: the temple organises a tour of places in Kolkata linked to Prabhupada’s life, including his birthplace, Motilal Seal School and Scottish Church College.
- Mayapur: ISKCON’s world headquarters is at Mayapur in Nadia district, north of Kolkata, close to Nabadwip, where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born. Ask the temple about current transport and tour options.
The earlier version of this article gave the restaurant’s meal timings, a ₹5,000 price for a Gangasagar and Mayapur tour, and the days on which a Mayapur bus runs. We could not confirm any of these on ISKCON Kolkata’s website, so they have been removed. Check current details with the temple.
How to reach ISKCON Kolkata
- Location: the temple is on Albert Road, near Birla High School and Minto Park, south of Park Street and east of the Maidan. Camac Street and Shakespeare Sarani are the nearby main roads.
- By taxi or app cab: use the full address, 3C Albert Road, Kolkata 700017.
- By rail: Howrah and Sealdah are the main railway stations; both are a taxi ride away.
- By air: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is the nearest airport.
Tips for visiting
- Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering the temple hall.
- Plan around the 1 pm to 4 pm closure; the evening Gaura Aarti at 6:15 pm is a popular time to visit.
- Expect large crowds on Janmashtami and other festival days.
Other ISKCON temples and nearby places
If you are visiting ISKCON temples in other cities, see our guides to ISKCON Temple Delhi and ISKCON Temple Mumbai. In Kolkata, the temple is a short drive from Rabindra Sadan and the Maidan.
Frequently asked questions
What are ISKCON Kolkata’s timings?
As of October 2026, the temple’s website lists the first aarti at 4:30 am and the last at 8:15 pm, with the temple closing at 8:30 pm and staying closed from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Is there an entry fee at ISKCON Kolkata?
Neither the temple’s website nor the Incredible India tourism page lists an entry fee. Donations and paid services such as the guest house and restaurant are separate.
When was ISKCON Kolkata founded?
According to ISKCON Kolkata, Srila Prabhupada set up the centre at 3C Albert Road in 1970, making it ISKCON’s first centre in India. Deity worship began there in May 1971.
Is ISKCON Kolkata the same as ISKCON Mayapur?
No. ISKCON Kolkata is the city temple on Albert Road. ISKCON Mayapur, in Nadia district, is the movement’s world headquarters.
Details checked in October 2026 against ISKCON Kolkata’s website (history, address and temple timings), the Incredible India tourism page for the temple, and published biographies of Srila Prabhupada and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Festival schedules change each year, so check with the temple.
