ISKCON Temple Kathwada: Address, Timings, How to Reach

ISKCON Temple Kathwada offers Ahmedabad’s eastern side its own dedicated Krishna Consciousness centre, distinct from the city’s larger, more famous ISKCON campus on Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway. Known as Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Gaudham, this temple on Sardar Patel Ring Road has built a reputation not just for its worship but for its Hare Krishna Gaushala — a cow shelter that has been running for four decades. Here’s a complete guide to the temple’s address, timings, and how to reach it.

ISKCON Kathwada Overview

A Temple Known as Much for Its Gaushala as Its Deities

What sets ISKCON Kathwada apart from Ahmedabad’s other ISKCON temple is its long-running Hare Krishna Gaushala, which has been caring for cows for around 40 years — starting with just a handful and growing considerably since. This makes a visit here about more than just darshan; many visitors specifically come to spend time at the Gaushala alongside their temple visit, reflecting the deep cultural and religious respect for cows woven into the temple’s identity. The temple also enjoys a reputation for being particularly devotee-friendly compared to some of ISKCON’s grander metropolitan campuses.

Daily Aarti and Darshan Schedule

The temple runs a full daily program, though it’s worth noting that some sources report slightly different opening windows, so confirming current timings is worthwhile.

• Morning worship – opening around 4:30 AM
• Darshan windows through the morning – with breaks for internal rituals, generally up to around 11:30 AM–12:00 PM
• Rajbhog Aarti – around 12:30 PM, the midday offering
• Afternoon closure – a brief window before the evening reopening
• Utthapan Aarti – around 4:00–4:30 PM, marking the evening reopening
• Sandhya Aarti – evening worship, generally the most attended session
• Shayan Aarti – around 8:30 PM, closing the day
• Temple closes – around 8:30–9:00 PM

A few practical points to keep in mind:

• Since reported timings vary slightly across sources, calling the temple ahead is a good idea if you’re planning around a specific aarti.
• Photography is generally not allowed inside the temple premises, though it may be permitted outside — check with staff on arrival.
• Dress modestly and traditionally, as is customary at ISKCON temples.
• Janmashtami is specifically noted as the best time to visit for the fullest festive experience.

How to Reach ISKCON Temple Kathwada

By Air:

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport is the nearest, roughly 18–18.5 km away, about a 40-minute drive by taxi.

By Train:

• Ahmedabad Railway Station (Kalupur Junction) is roughly 13–15 km from the temple, about a 35-minute drive; autos and cabs are available for the journey.

By Metro:

• Vastral Gam Metro Station on the Blue Line is the nearest metro stop, roughly 9.4 km away, about a 25-minute onward drive by auto or cab.

By Bus:

• Gita Mandir and Paldi bus stops serve the area with both private and public bus connections, followed by a taxi or auto for the final stretch.

By Road:

• The temple sits on Bhuvaldi Road in Kathwada, near the Sardar Patel Ring Road, a route most local drivers will recognise.
• Private taxis and app-based cabs are the most straightforward way to reach the temple directly.

Tips for Visitors

• Since ISKCON Kathwada is a distinctly different temple from Ahmedabad’s larger ISKCON campus on SG Highway, be specific about “Kathwada” when arranging transport to avoid confusion between the two.
• Spend time at the Gaushala if you’re interested in ISKCON’s cow protection activities — it’s one of the temple’s most distinctive features.
• Given the temple’s distance from central Ahmedabad and the airport, factor in 30–40 minutes of travel time depending on where you’re coming from.
• If you’re visiting during Janmashtami, expect significantly larger crowds and a more festive atmosphere than a regular visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is ISKCON Temple Kathwada the same as the main ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad?

No, these are two separate temples — ISKCON Kathwada (Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar Gaudham) is on Bhuvaldi Road near Sardar Patel Ring Road, while the larger, more widely known ISKCON campus sits on Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway; make sure to specify “Kathwada” when arranging a cab to avoid ending up at the wrong location.

Q2. What makes the Gaushala at this temple significant?

The Hare Krishna Gaushala has been operating for around 40 years, growing from a small number of cows to a much larger shelter today, and many visitors specifically come to spend time here alongside their regular temple darshan.

Q3. Is photography allowed inside the temple?

Photography is generally not permitted inside the temple premises, though it may be allowed in outdoor areas — it’s best to check with temple staff on arrival for current rules.

Q4. What is the best time of year to visit for a livelier experience?

Janmashtami is specifically recommended as the best time to visit, when the temple hosts its most vibrant celebrations and draws the largest crowds of devotees.