Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal
Krishna as Govindajee, with Radha temple · Imphal, Imphal East, Manipur, India
Shree Shree Govindajee Temple in Imphal is a major Vaishnava temple of Manipur, dedicated to Krishna as Govindajee together with Radha. Manipur Tourism calls it a historic centre of the state's Vaishnavas, and the Imphal East district administration notes its golden twin domes, which draw devotees to daily worship.
The temple stands next to the palace of Manipur's former rulers, in the heart of Imphal. According to Incredible India, the Government of India's tourism portal, it was commissioned by Maharaja Nara Singh in 1846 and restored by Maharaja Chandrakirti in 1876 after the earthquake of 1868.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal
Govindajee was the royal deity of the Manipur kings, Wikipedia records, and the temple remains the focus of Manipur's Vaishnava festival year. Incredible India lists Basant Purnima, Rath Yatra, Janmashtami and Kartik Purnima among the occasions that bring crowds of pilgrims, and describes the Ras Lila, Manipur's devotional dance-drama on the life of Krishna, performed in the temple grounds at Holi.
During Rath Yatra, known in Manipur as Kang, the temple board pulls the large traditional chariot in front of the temple gate, the main event of the festival in Imphal, according to The Assam Tribune.
Wikipedia records a tradition that the image of Govindajee itself goes back to Maharaja Bhagyachandra (also called Jai Singh), who is said to have had the image carved after a vision of Krishna and consecrated it in 1779 on a full-moon day, an occasion marked by five days of Ras Lila. Manipur Tourism notes that the main image is carved from jackfruit wood.
Heritage
History of Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal
Incredible India and Wikipedia agree on the main dates. Maharaja Nara Singh commissioned the temple in 1846 and dedicated it to Govindajee. The earthquake of 1868 badly damaged the temple and its images, and Maharaja Chandrakirti rebuilt it, the restored temple being consecrated in 1876, according to Wikipedia.
Wikipedia adds that during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 the images were taken to Kongma for safety, and that in 1908, after Maharaja Churachand Singh moved into his new palace, they were brought back and reinstalled in the present temple beside it.
The temple was included in the 'Development of Spiritual Circuit in Manipur' project under the Government of India's Swadesh Darshan scheme in 2016–17, together with other Imphal temples such as Shri Bijoy Govindajee and Shri Gopinath, according to the Imphal East district administration.
Architecture and sacred features
Manipur Tourism describes a temple with two gold-plated domes, a paved courtyard and a large congregation hall (mandapa). Incredible India places it in the Nagara tradition and describes a white building set in gardens, with a small pond nearby and an open courtyard lined with tall trees.
According to Wikipedia, the temple faces east and stands on a high square platform, built of brick and mortar, with a circumambulatory passage around the sanctum. The sanctum has three chambers: Govindajee and Radha in the centre, Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on one side, and Krishna and Balarama on the other. An open, two-storey colonnaded mandapa stands in front of the temple within the enclosure.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Govindajee is an active temple with daily worship, and visitors are welcome to join, according to the district administration. Manipur Tourism notes that a vegetarian prasad meal is available to visitors. Crowds are largest during Rath Yatra, Janmashtami, Holi and Kartik Purnima. Dress modestly and confirm current timings and any arrangements with the temple board before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Temple board (as reported by The Assam Tribune) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal
Rath Yatra (Kang)
The temple board pulls the large traditional chariot in front of the temple gate, the main event of the festival in Imphal.
Ras Lila at Holi
Incredible India describes the Ras Lila dance performed in the temple grounds during Holi, which Incredible India gives under its Manipuri name, Halangkar.
Janmashtami
Krishna's birth festival is one of the temple's main celebrations, according to Incredible India.
Kartik Purnima
Listed by Incredible India among the festivals that draw large numbers of pilgrims to the temple.
Basant Purnima
Listed by Incredible India among the temple's major festivals.
Location
How to Reach Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal
The temple is in central Imphal, in the palace compound area. Incredible India gives Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal, as the nearest airport. The Imphal East district page names Dimapur in Nagaland as the nearest railway station, while Incredible India lists Imphal railway station; check which services are currently running before planning a rail journey.
Location: Imphal, Imphal East, Manipur, India
Nearest airport: Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal (per Incredible India)
Nearest railway station: Dimapur (per the Imphal East district administration); Incredible India lists Imphal
More in Hindu temples in Manipur · Krishna as Govindajee, with Radha temples
Questions
Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal: Frequently Asked Questions
Who built Shree Govindajee Temple in Imphal?
Maharaja Nara Singh commissioned it in 1846. After the earthquake of 1868 damaged it, Maharaja Chandrakirti rebuilt it, and it was consecrated again in 1876.
Which deities are in the Govindajee Temple?
Govindajee (Krishna) with Radha in the central chamber, with Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra in one side chamber and Krishna and Balarama in the other.
What is the main image made of?
Manipur Tourism says the main image of Radha-Krishna is carved from jackfruit wood.
Where is Shree Govindajee Temple?
In central Imphal, next to the palace of Manipur's former rulers, in Imphal East district.
Which festivals are celebrated at the temple?
Rath Yatra (Kang), Ras Lila at Holi, Janmashtami, Kartik Purnima and Basant Purnima are among the main festivals.
What does the temple look like?
It has two gold-plated domes, a paved courtyard and a large mandapa (congregation hall), set in gardens with a small pond nearby.
How do I reach Shree Govindajee Temple?
The nearest airport is Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal. The district administration names Dimapur as the nearest railway station; the temple is in the city centre.
Sources and attribution
- Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India — Shree Shree Govindajee Temple
- Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur — Culture and Heritage: Shree Shree Govindaji Temple
- Imphal East District Administration, Government of Manipur — Shree Shree Govindajee Temple
- The Assam Tribune — Rath Yatra celebration in Manipur
- Wikipedia — Shree Govindajee Temple
Further reading: Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Write to info@hindutone.com — see our editorial policy.
