Pilgrimage Tours
Photo: Amitabha Gupta · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · cropped
Mayapur, in Nadia district of West Bengal, stands at the confluence of the Jalangi and the Bhagirathi (a distributary of the Ganga), and is revered in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, worshipped by his followers as an incarnation of Krishna. The main temple here, Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, is the world headquarters of ISKCON, founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and its shrines hold Radha Madhava with the eight sakhis, the Pancha Tattva, and Narasimha. Close by is the older Yogapith temple, established by Bhaktivinoda Thakur in the 1880s, which marks the site traditionally identified as Chaitanya's birthplace. The campus is dominated by the vast domed Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, still under construction, which will be the tallest and most visible structure for miles.
November to February is the most comfortable stretch, with dry, cool weather that suits elderly travellers and the season when most parikrama groups come. The great festival is Gaura Purnima, the appearance day of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, on the Phalguna full moon in February or March, preceded by a multi-day Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama — it draws devotees from across India and abroad and the town is genuinely packed, with rooms booked out months ahead. Avoid the June-September monsoon, when heavy rain and river-side humidity make walking the campus hard.
The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, roughly 120-130 km away, about a three-to-four-hour drive. By rail, Krishnanagar City is the usual railhead at roughly 20 km, while Nabadwip Dham station on the Howrah-Katwa side is also commonly used, with taxis and autos at both; from Nabadwip Ghat many pilgrims cross the river by ferry to Mayapur. By road, Mayapur is about 130 km from Kolkata via NH-12 (the old NH-34) through Krishnanagar, and buses run from Kolkata's Esplanade and Karunamoyee as well as from Krishnanagar.
Modest dress is expected — shoulders and knees covered — and footwear must be removed before entering the temple halls. Photography is allowed in open areas of the campus but restricted inside certain shrines, so follow the signs and the staff. Only vegetarian food is permitted on the campus, and alcohol, tobacco and meat are not allowed. The complex is large and involves a fair amount of walking between temples; if you are travelling with elders, plan for rest breaks. Accommodation on campus and in Mayapur fills up completely around Gaura Purnima, so book far in advance.
Planned around you, not a fixed departure. Holiday Vibez arranges pilgrimages to ISKCON Mayapur in Nadia for families, elders and temple groups travelling from Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi and Madurai. Tell us your dates and how many are coming — we build the route around that. 100% customisable.
- Stays near the shrine — so elders aren't driven back and forth at 4am.
- Private transfers — pick-up from your door, not a meeting point.
- Meals that suit the group — including pure-veg and fasting requirements.
- Group travel — 4 people or 40, one coordinator, one itinerary.
- Someone on the phone — when you're in a queue three states from home.
Temple boards run their own darshan queues and quotas. No travel agent can sell you a special one, and agencies that promise "VIP darshan" are either misleading you or breaking the trust's rules. We help you book the official slots and we get everything else right.
Most of the people we send on yatra are over 55, or booking for parents who are. We plan shorter driving days, stays within walking distance where the shrine allows it, and we'll tell you honestly if a site involves a long climb or a trek before you pay — not after.
Is ISKCON Mayapur open to non-Hindus and to foreign visitors?
Yes. Mayapur is ISKCON's world headquarters and receives devotees and visitors of every nationality and background; there is no restriction on entry by religion. Visitors are simply asked to dress modestly and observe the campus rules on food, footwear and conduct.
How many days should we keep for Mayapur?
Two days is comfortable for most families — one for the Chandrodaya Mandir campus, the Prabhupada Samadhi Mandir, the goshala and the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, and a second for Yogapith and the older temples of Nabadwip across the river. Devotees doing the Navadvipa parikrama on foot need considerably longer.
What are the aarti and darshan timings?
Timings for mangala arati, the deity darshan periods and the daily programme change with the season and the festival calendar, and the temple closes the curtains between sessions. Confirm the current schedule with the temple office or the official ISKCON Mayapur website before you travel, especially if you are planning around a specific arati.
Plan your ISKCON Mayapur yatra
Family & group yatras · Free expert callback
Enquiry received!
Our travel expert will call you back soon (during Mon–Sat · 9–6 IST).
Ref: —Couldn’t send right now
No problem — reach us instantly on WhatsApp or call and we’ll take your enquiry directly.