Radha Vallabh Temple, Mathura: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

Radha Vallabh Temple is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.

• MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
• AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
• EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM

Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.

Dress Code & Temple Rules

• DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
• FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
• PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
• Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
• QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days

Old Radhavallabh Temple, presently known as Hith Mandir in Vrindavan, was constructed in 1585 A.D by Sundardas Bhatnagar, a disciple of Vanachandra, the son of Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu. At that time, Sundardas Bhatnagar of Deoband was employed by Abdul Rahim Khankhana, the chief head at Akbar's court. Through Abdul Rahim Khankhana, Sundardas Bhatnagar not only got the Royal permission to use red sandstone for the construction of temple, which was used only for construction of imperial buildings, royal palaces and forts at that time but also received monetary grant for this temple from Akbar. Descendants of Sundardas Bhatnagar at Deoband still have the temple documents with them.

It is said that King Maan Singh first decided to construct this temple. But on hearing a legend that whosoever construct this temple would die within a year, he backed out. Though later the legend did come true. Sundardas Bhatnagar who constructed the temple died within a year, soon after the construction of the temple was complete.

Legend & Significance

According to popular legend, the deity Radhavallabh was never made by any sculptor. The deity was given to a devotee named Atmadev by Shiva himself because of his arduous devotion and prayers. The Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu lived 31 years in place called Devavan. In the 32nd year of his age, he left for Vrindavan. On his way to Vrindavan, he was ordered by goddess Radha herself to marry the daughters of Atmadev and took the idol of Radha Vallabhji to Vrindavan with them. As ordered, Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu married the daughters of Atmadev and Atmadev gifted the idol of Radhavallabh ji to his daughters and Harivansh Mahaprabhu on their marriage.

Architecture of Radha Vallabh Temple

Shri Radha Vallabh Temple was situated near Gotam Nagar on the cliff near Bankey Bihari temple. This stands out due to its striking architecture and magnificence decor. Constructed in 1585, the Radha Vallabh temple is one of the oldest and long-living temples, majestically built using red sandstones at a time when they were used for building only high palaces, imperial buildings and royal forts. The wall of the temple is 10 feet thick and are pierced in 2 stages.

Festivals & Rituals at Radha Vallabh Temple

The Radha Vallabh temple is famous for its colorful and vibrant festivals. The major festivals of the temple are -

Hitotsav - It is a 11 days long festival commemorating the founder of Radha-vallabha tradition, Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu.

Radhashtami - It is a 9 days long grand festival which celebrated the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, the guru (mentor) of Radha-vallabha tradition.