Khokhan

The temple observes seven aartis daily, marking the rhythm of worship from before dawn until night. The Mangala Aarti begins at 4:30 AM in near darkness, the first ritual offering of the day. The Sringar Aarti follows at 7:15 AM, when the deities are dressed in fresh morning garments. A Srimad Bhagavatam class is held at 8:00 AM, offering daily scriptural study.

The Raj Bhog Aarti takes place at 12:30 PM, the midday offering, after which the sanctum closes from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The Dhup Aarti marks the reopening at 4:15 PM. The Sandhya Aarti at 7:00 PM is the evening kirtan and typically draws the largest attendance of the day. The Shayana Aarti at 8:30 PM concludes the day's worship as the Lord is laid to rest. Darshan remains open to all throughout these rituals at no charge.

Visiting Hours and Best Times

The temple is open daily from 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Visitors planning their visit should note that the sanctum closes between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, during which time darshan is not available. Early morning visits to witness the Mangala Aarti at 4:30 AM offer a quieter, more intimate experience of worship. The evening Sandhya Aarti at 7:00 PM provides another significant time to visit, though this period draws more devotees. Avoiding the afternoon closure hours will help ensure a meaningful darshan experience.

Facilities and Amenities

Govinda's, a pure vegetarian restaurant within the complex, serves meals to visitors and devotees. The temple complex also houses a devotee ashram and the Glory of India Vedic Cultural Centre, reflecting the broader educational and residential mission of the institution. Entry to the temple and darshan is free for all visitors.

The temple accepts donations to support its operations and various forms of service. These include support for the Food for Life programme, sponsorship of saints' daily care, online puja bookings, general donations, and contributions to deity worship and scriptural distribution. Foreign donations are accepted under FCRA provisions, with 80G tax deductibility available for eligible contributions.

What to Know Before Visiting

Visitors should arrive with modest dress appropriate to a place of worship. The temple welcomes people of all backgrounds to darshan, though respectful conduct is expected. Photography policies and specific dress guidelines are best confirmed at the temple entrance or through the ISKCON Delhi website.

The temple's location in East of Kailash places it within Delhi's residential areas. Those unfamiliar with the neighbourhood should allow time to locate Hare Krishna Hills. Public transport connections and parking availability can be verified through local resources or by contacting the temple directly. The early morning Mangala Aarti requires arriving well before 4:30 AM, so plan accordingly if attending this ritual.

The Hare Krishna Tradition

This temple belongs to ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), a modern movement within the broader Krishna devotional tradition. Temples of this lineage typically emphasize deity worship, scriptural study, and devotional singing (kirtan) as central practices. The Pancharatrika system observed here represents a formal, ritualized approach to daily worship that has deep roots in Hindu temple practice. Visitors encountering this tradition for the first time may find the multiple daily aartis, the careful dressing and ornamentation of the deities, and the emphasis on prasadam (blessed food) to be distinctive features of this form of worship.