Pagal Baba Mandir is a white marble temple on the Mathura to Vrindavan road, about 3 km from Vrindavan Railway Station. A saint known as Pagal Baba built it out of devotion to Krishna. It rises through several storeys, and each floor has its own shrine. Walls and displays carry scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The upper levels look out over Vrindavan, its domes, the ghats and the Yamuna. The temple is calmer than many of the town's better-known shrines, and the ground-floor puppet show is worth seeing.
Who built it
Pagal Baba Mandir was built in the late twentieth century by a saint known as Pagal Baba, who put his devotion to Lord Krishna into the building.
The temple is run with a gaushala, a cow shelter, and a hospital. The samadhi shrine of the saint is inside the temple premises.
Inside the temple
The temple has many storeys, and each floor has its own shrine with its own priest. The deities include forms of Krishna and Ram, along with other Hindu gods on different floors.
The white marble walls carry carvings and murals of episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Displays of these stories are also set up in the building.
The floors become narrower as you climb. The top floor has very limited standing space, but the view from there is the reason many people make the climb. A small museum on the ground floor can be visited for a modest fee.
The puppet show and the views
The motorised puppet show on the ground floor shows scenes from Krishna's life and the Ramleela. It is short, easy to follow, and popular with children, so it suits a family stop.
From the upper levels, the town opens out below: domes, ghats, green fields and the Yamuna. Early in the day the light is good for photographs, and the quieter floors give time to take in the view.
Planning the visit
The temple is on the Mathura to Vrindavan road, about 3 km from Vrindavan Railway Station. Autos, taxis and e-rickshaws can take you there.
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible. Clothing is available onsite, and a shoe deposit is provided, so you can leave your footwear before going in.
Renovation work has been underway at times, which left marble dust around the premises. Check the timings before you go, as the hours have varied between sources.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee?
Darshan is free. The motorised puppet show on the ground floor costs ₹10 per person.
Can you go up to the top floor?
Yes, but the upper floors are reached by stairs, and the top floor has very limited standing space.
Do you need to book tickets in advance?
Booking tickets in advance is recommended.
How do you get to Pagal Baba Mandir?
It is on the Mathura to Vrindavan road, about 3 km from Vrindavan Railway Station. Autos, taxis and e-rickshaws can take you there.
Is the temple wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible.
