Shree Govindajee Temple stands in Imphal, Manipur, honours Radha Krishna (Govindaji), with adjoining shrines to Krishna-Balarama and Jagannath-Subhadra-Balabhadra. It is also known as Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple, Govindajee Mandir.
The largest and most important Vaishnavite temple in Manipur, and the principal Hindu temple of the Meitei people, historically tied to the royal family as the seat of their tutelary deity. It remains the central venue for major Manipuri Vaishnavite festivals including Ras Leela. The temple was originally built in 1846 during the reign of Maharaja Nara Singh.
Manipur carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Home to Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal, the principal Vaishnavite temple and historic royal deity shrine of the Meitei people.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM (sources vary slightly, some cite 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM overall) |
| Evening | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Timings vary somewhat by source; visitors should confirm locally, especially around major festivals.
Poojas and daily rituals
Daily ritualistic worship (aarti) performed by temple priests
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Janmashtami | August (as per lunar calendar) | Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna |
| Rathayatra (Kang) | June-July | Chariot festival for Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra |
| Ras Lila | Around Holi/Basant Purnima (February) and Kartik Purnima (October) | Traditional Manipuri Vaishnavite dance-drama depicting Krishna's Raas with Radha and the gopis |
History and architecture
Architecture
Built on a square plan on a raised platform, with twin gold-plated domes, a sanctum sanctorum with a circumambulatory passage, an arcaded outer chamber, and a separate double-storeyed mandapa (pavilion)
History
The temple was originally built in 1846 during the reign of Maharaja Nara Singh. The 1868 earthquake caused significant damage to its idols and structure, and it was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1876 under Maharaja Chandrakirti. It stands next to the Sana Konung (royal palace) and is the principal seat of Vaishnavism in Manipur, historically the state deity temple of the Manipuri royal family. Vaishnavism had already spread among the Meitei people before the temple's construction.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in central Imphal next to the Kangla Fort/Sana Konung; accessible via National Highways 39, 53 and 150. Nearest railway station is Dimapur (about 215 km away); Imphal has its own airport with flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Silchar.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Core history and architecture are well documented, but exact timings and dress code details vary slightly between secondary sources and could not be confirmed against an official temple website