Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir)

The Basics

Visitors often stop at Krishna Temple as part of a larger guided Patan tour, as it’s one of several places of interest in and around the Patan Durbar Square. The temple was built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla in the Shikara style of Hindu temple architecture that’s more common in India. It has 21 golden pinnacles and features carvings of scenes from the Ramayana. Each floor houses a different Hindu god: Krishna, Shiva, and Lokeshwor. Krishna is a favorite god among women, and visitors may see women in particular performing worship (puja) here.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Non-Hindus cannot go inside the temple itself but can admire the building from the outside.

• Non-Nepalis must pay an entry fee to enter Patan Durbar Square. The price differs for citizens of SAARC countries and other nationalities.

• You will see many people around Krishna Temple trying to lure tourists into paid Durbar Square tours. If this interests you, check credentials first, and don’t feel pressured into paying for services that you don’t want.

How to Get There

Krishna Temple is in the middle of Patan Durbar Square. Get there from other parts of Kathmandu via taxi. For a more local experience, take a white Lalitpur Yatayat bus (No. 21, although the signs are in Nepali) from central Kathmandu (Jamal or Shahid Gate) to Patan Dhoka bus park. From there, Patan Durbar Square is a 10-minute walk through the streets of Old Patan.

When to Get There

There’s no bad time to visit Krishna Temple. Devotees perform worship ceremonies at dawn and dusk, so the atmosphere is especially charged at those times. Durbar Square gets quite busy on Saturday, Nepal’s day of rest. Every August, Krishna Temple is the focus of the Krishna Janmashtami festival, which celebrates Hindu Lord Krishna’s birthday. This is an exciting time to visit the temple, though it can be very crowded.

Eat at a Local Hole-in-the-Wall

Honacha restaurant is located just behind Krishna Temple. In fact, the local, authentic spot is often simply referred to as “the restaurant behind the temple.” Those with a strong stomach and an adventurous palate will want to try this decades-old favorite serving Newari food made by the ethnic group indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley.

Why is Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir) such an important landmark?

Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir) is an important landmark because it's one of Durbar Square’s most striking structures. Dating back to the 17th century, it features a tall central shikara (a thick spire used in Hindu architecture) and intricate religious carvings across three floors. The building is still used as a Hindu temple.

Can you enter Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir)?

Unfortunately, you can’t enter Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir). At least, non-Hindu visitors are not allowed inside. While Kathmandu and Patan temples, such as Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, allow non-Hindus to enter, access is sometimes restricted to Hindu worshippers. But you can still enjoy close-up exterior views of Krishna Temple’s centuries-old architecture.

Does Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir) have any specific features that shouldn’t be missed?

Yes. Each floor of Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir) is dedicated to a different Hindu god. The first features a Krishna icon, and the second is a Shiva linga (representation). Much of the ornamentation tells the story of The Ramayana, an ancient Sanskrit epic featuring Ram, a Hindu deity who, like Krishna, is an avatar of Vishnu.

What are Krishna Temple’s opening hours, and do visitors need a separate admission ticket?

You can visit outside Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir) during regular Patan Durbar Square opening hours—typically from early morning to sunset. You just need to buy a Patan Darbar admission ticket, which grants you access to everything inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are different prices for Nepalis and international visitors.

Are there any guided tours available of Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir?

Yes. Many private tour providers include a stop at Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir) in Patan’s Durbar Square, typically as part of a half or full-day itinerary covering top sights in Patan and Kathmandu. Visiting with a guide is a great way to understand the building’s cultural and religious significance to the city.

Is there any particular dress code to follow at Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir)?

There’s no need to remove your shoes since you can’t enter Krishna Temple (Krishna Mandir). But it’s a good idea to dress modestly out of respect for the building’s spiritual importance. Light, loose clothing offers protection from the harsh sun in summer, while the winter cold will have you covering up regardless.