About Prem Mandir Vrindavan
Prem Mandir, meaning The Temple of Divine Love, is one of the most sublime and magnificent spiritual complexes in the holy town of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Spread across a sprawling 54-acre campus, the temple is constructed entirely out of pure white Italian Carrara marble. Established by Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj in January 2001 and opened to the public in February 2012, this architectural marvel serves as an iconic beacon of Sanatana Dharma and divine love.
The two-story structure houses beautifully adorned shrines on both levels. The ground floor is dedicated to Shri Radha Krishna, portraying their eternal love and various divine pastimes (Lilas). The first floor is dedicated to Shri Sita Rama. The outer walls of the temple are intricately carved with detailed reliefs depicting 48 scenes from the Srimad Bhagavatam and Ramayana.
Surrounding the main temple building are beautifully landscaped gardens featuring life-sized statues depicting crucial events from Krishna's life, such as the lifting of Goverdhan Parvat, the Kaliya Naag Daman, and the Jhulan Leela. As night falls, the white marble temple is illuminated with dynamic multi-colored lighting that transforms every few minutes, creating a spellbinding spectacle. The musical fountain show in the evening further enhances the divine ambiance for visiting pilgrims and tourists.
History
The foundation stone of Prem Mandir was laid on January 14, 2001, by the fifth Jagadguru, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. The construction took over 11 years to complete, involving thousands of skilled artisans, craftsmen, and engineers under the guidance of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
Costing approximately 150 crore INR (over $20 million USD), the temple was constructed using more than 30,000 tons of high-grade Italian marble. It stands 125 feet high, 122 feet long, and 115 feet wide. The grand consecration ceremony (Inauguration) took place over three days from February 15 to February 17, 2012, amidst vast gatherings of devotees from around the world. Since then, it has become one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in Northern India.