Shree Govindajee Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Imphal city in Manipur.The temple is simple in design with two gold plated domes, a paved court and a large, raised mandapa or congregation hall.The central chamber of the garbhagriha has the main deity of Govindaji, stated to be the incarnation of Lord Krishna, and his consort Radha.
Shrine’s History
Maharaja Nara Singh of the Manipur kingdom commissioned the temple on 16 January 1846 and dedicated it to Shree Govindaji, which was their royal deity. The temple and the deities were substantially damaged during an earthquake of 1868. Consequently, the temple was rebuilt to its original design during the reign of Maharaja Chandrakriti and was consecrated on 26 April 1876. However, during the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891, the idols of the temple were moved to Kongma. In 1908, after the Maharaja Churchand Singh took up residence at his new palace the idols were also moved and reconsecrated in the present temple. It is also said that Maharaja Jai Singh or Bhagya Chandra Karta, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, received an epiphany from the Lord to build a temple for him. Accordingly, he formally initiated the carving of the idol of the Lord Govindaji, in 1776, which was then completed and consecrated in November 1779 on the full moon day in a temple built by him in his palace. On this occasion, Ras Lila was performed for five days at Raas Mandal Pukhri at Langthabal.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The structure of this particular temple a rectangular late medieval brick-built temple with a portico or separate verandah to the front entrance. The whole structure is a double-celled type, along with an ambulatory passage running round the sanctum hall which measures 11.30 x 7.65 sq.m. Three flights of step lead to the sanctum hall from the northern, southern and eastern sides. The temple measures 16.95 m in length and is 18.63 m in breadth.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Imphal is connected by road with Guwahati through National Highway No. 39 and Silchar through National Highway No. 53.
By Rail
Dimapur, 215 km from Imphal, is the nearest railhead. Another railhead is Jiribaum, a small town 225 km from Imphal.
By Air
The nearest airport to Shree Shree Govindajee Temple is the tulihal airport , Imphal which is 6 km away from Shree Shree Govindajee Temple .
Shrine Timings
5:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Important festivals held with much fanfare are the Janmashtami, during the month of August, and Kang, during JuneJuly, which is attended by a very large number of devotees. Another important activity held in the precincts of the temple is the Ras Lila, a dance form of Manipur, held with great enthusiasm during Halangkar, Basant Purnima in February, and Kartik Purnima in October.
