A serene Krishna shrine
ISKCON Surat is a peaceful and popular Krishna temple belonging to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness — the worldwide Hare Krishna movement. Its shrine enshrines the deities of Radha and Krishna, before whom devotees gather for daily aarti, kirtan (Devotional singing) and discourses on the Bhagavad Gita.
The temple is especially vibrant during festivals like Janmashtami and Rath Yatra, when it draws large crowds, and it usually offers pure-vegetarian prasad to visitors. A calm, welcoming space for devotion and reflection amid the busy city.
A working temple; modest dress, remove footwear.
The temple.
Daily devotion in a busy trading city
The shrine.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness — the worldwide Hare Krishna movement to which the temple belongs.
The shrine enshrines the deities of Radha and Krishna, the focus of daily worship.
Devotees gather for daily aarti, kirtan and discourses on the Bhagavad Gita.
The temple comes alive during festivals like Janmashtami and Rath Yatra.
Reasons to make the time
Krishna shrine
ISKCON temples follow a fixed daily programme, and Surat's is no exception — the rhythm of the day is the same here as at any centre worldwide.
Kirtan & aarti
Aarti, kirtan and a Bhagavad Gita discourse run every day, with the mangala aarti before dawn the first of several.
Clean halls
Visitors are actively welcomed rather than merely tolerated, which is unusual and makes this an easy first temple for anyone unfamiliar with the tradition.
Janmashtami
Janmashtami and Rath Yatra bring very large crowds, with the Rath Yatra procession taking the deities out through the city streets.
Prasad
Prasad is strictly vegetarian — no onion or garlic either, following the movement's standard — and is offered to visitors.
Peaceful
It is a genuinely quiet room in a loud, fast-moving trading city, which is much of its appeal to locals.
What to look for inside
THE SHRINERadha-Krishna
The deities of Radha and Krishna on the altar, dressed and ornamented afresh through the day and the seasons.
THE SPIRITKirtan
The daily cycle of aarti and kirtan, which anyone may sit in on or join.
How to spend an hour or two
Attend the aarti
Time your visit to an aarti. The temple is a different place during worship than between services.
Hear the kirtan
Sit for the kirtan — the call-and-response singing is the movement's most recognisable practice and visitors are welcome to join.
Seek darshan
Take darshan of Radha and Krishna, and look at the shringar, the dressing of the deities, which changes through the day.
Take prasad
Eat the prasad. It is strictly vegetarian, freely given, and taking it is part of the visit rather than an extra.
Come at Janmashtami
Come at Janmashtami or Rath Yatra for the temple at full strength, though expect substantial crowds.
Sense the calm
Otherwise visit mid-morning or early evening, when the hall is calm and you can sit as long as you like.
ISKCON Surat.
A Krishna temple
ISKCON Surat is a serene Krishna shrine of the Hare Krishna movement, enshrining Radha and Krishna, with daily aarti, kirtan and Gita discourse, and vivid festivity at Janmashtami and Rath Yatra. A calm, welcoming space amid the city.
Our Surat travel guide maps out the other places worth your time here.
A serene Krishna shrine
Daily kirtan & aarti
Vivid at Janmashtami
Pure-vegetarian prasad
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green and atmospheric after rain.
Hot and humid — start early.
⏰ Visit at aarti time in the cooler months; combine it with Surat's other sights.
Timings & entry
- Open at worship hours
- Morning & evening aarti
- Best in the cool season
- An easy Surat stop
- Free entry
- Modest dress; remove footwear
- Respect worshippers
- Photography may vary
Getting there
By Air
Surat airport (~15 km).
By Rail
Surat railway station.
By Road
In/around Surat.
At ISKCON Surat
FAITH & SONG
A serene Krishna temple
What to shoot
The altar and deities — check whether photography is permitted before shooting, as rules vary by temple.
Moment
Aarti and kirtan, where lamps and movement carry the frame; shoot from the back and stay unobtrusive.
Festival
Janmashtami, when the decoration and the crowds are at their most photogenic.
Best light
The morning aarti, when the light through the hall is soft and numbers are still low.
Know before you go
More to see close by
WETLANDGavier Lake & Tapi
Birdlife along the river and city lakes
Swaminarayan Temple
A vibrant community temple in the old city
NATURESarthana Nature Park
A riverside zoo & botanical garden
Dutch & Armenian Churches
Relics of Surat’s trading-port era
COLONIALEnglish & Dutch Tombs
Grand European merchant mausoleums
SEASIDESuvali Beach
A quieter stretch of the southern coast
Where to eat near ISKCON Surat
THALISurti meals
Sweet-savoury thalis.
LOCHOLocho & khaman
Surat's soft farsan.
STREETSurti street food
Ghari, undhiyu & more.
Foodie city
Famous for locho, undhiyu, ghari & ponk.
ISKCON Surat FAQ
What is ISKCON Surat?
ISKCON Surat is a peaceful and popular Krishna temple belonging to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness — the worldwide Hare Krishna movement. Its shrine enshrines the deities of Radha and Krishna, before whom devotees gather for daily aarti, kirtan (Devotional singing) and discourses on the Bhagavad Gita.
Where is it?
Surat.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When should I visit?
October to March; at aarti time.
What's nearby?
Surat's fort, beaches, lake and food streets.
How long does it take?
About an hour.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026