The Rangaji Temple is built in South Indian architecture with eight gopuras built in Dravidian style. The main entrance to this temple is on the western side. There is a six-storey gopuram, which is completely filled with carvings. The temple also has a gold plated 50 feet high Dhwaja stambha. There is also a temple tank and a beautiful garden within the temple premises.
- Distance (From Vrindavan Railway Station): 1.5 Kms
- Visited From: Vrindavan Railway Station
- Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours
- Transportation Options: Cab / Auto
- Timings: 6 AM – 12 PM and 3 PM – 9 PM
At a distance of 1.5 km from Vrindavan Railway Station, Sri Ranganath or Rangaji Temple is one of the biggest temples in the region. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.
Daily Temple Timings:
There is no entry fee to this temple and it remains open throughout the year. During summer, temple opens from 05:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. And evening again temple opens at 4:00 p.m. And closed by 9:00 p.m. Aarti or prayer is performed two times during a day, one at 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m and next 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m which is followed by bhog. During winter, temple opens at 6:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. in the morning and 3:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. in the evening. As usual, aarti is performed two times a day, one at 6:00 a.m.to 6:30 a.m. and next 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Poojas and Festival Celebrations:
The poojas are performed in the temple by South Indian Brahmans. Earlier Non-Hindus were not allowed enter the main temple area where the deity is located, but now they can enter the courtyard.
Every year, thousands of devotees visit this temple especially on the month of Chait (March-April) in which a massive festival ‘Brahmotsav’ celebration took place every year and this festival is I also called “Rath ka Mela” and lasts for 10 days. During this festival, god is taken out of temple on the eighth day of ‘Brahmotsav’ on a huge rath along the road, a distance of 690 yards to the sprawling garden near pavilion.
In this chariot or rath, there is asanas or throne which carry lord Vishnu along with Garuda, Shree Hanuman, Lord Surya (or the Sun god), Lord Chandra (or the Moon god), a lion, a horse and an elephant. The prayers during this festival are performed and rath yatra is following in the style of Andal which is one of the twelve Vaishnava Saints of South India. In this massive festival, people from all across the country visit Vridavan and perform dance and songs and actively participate in entire function.
The construction of this temple began in 1845 and was completed in 1851, at a cost of 45 lakhs rupees. It was built by Seth Radha Krishna and Seth Govindadasa of Chennai. It is one of Vrindavan’s largest temples and is surrounded by high walls. The deity in the temple is called Sri Ranganatha and is represented in sleeping posture on Shesh Nag. The temple also houses the idols of Sita – Rama and Lakshmana, Lord Narasimha, Ramanujacharya and Venugopala.
The Rangaji Temple is built in South Indian architecture with eight gopuras built in Dravidian style. The main entrance to this temple is on the western side. There is a six-storey gopuram, which is completely filled with carvings. The temple also has a gold plated 50 feet high Dhwaja stambha. There is also a temple tank and a beautiful garden within the temple premises. At the entrance, there is an electronic puppet show and a small museum.
This temple celebrates Brahmotsavam, a 10 day festival in the month of March / April. The festival is popularly known as Rath ka Mela, where devotees pull the Rath to the nearby garden from the temple. The annual Jalvihar festival is also another main attraction of the Rangaji Temple, when devotees in large numbers participate in the ritual bathing of the idol.