The Complete Guide to Lord Krishna: Biography, Temples & Worship Methods

Lord Krishna is the eighth Vishnu avatar and one of the most popular and loved Hindu figures. Krishna is the divine cowherd, supreme being, and teacher of the Bhagavad Gita who is all about love, compassion, and divine wisdom. His biography, his teachings, and his mischievous nature have been able to inspire millions of followers worldwide for thousands of years.

The lives of Krishna, especially during his childhood in Vrindavan, depict him as a God, with fascinating leelas on the events involving both his humanness and godliness. Being both a naughty boy and later the object of love and affection of the gopis, Krishna showed the world that the divine is not unreachable and that it may be accessed using joy, love, and trivial future acts. His miracles made him a savior of dharma and righteousness.

In addition to his childhood stories, Krishna is the author of the great teachings he imparted in the Bhagavad Gita that is the axis of Hindu spiritual propensity. In the Kurukshetra battlefield, he gave eternal principles of duty and devotion to Arjuna which answered two kinds of basic life questions and spiritual emancipation. With his all-rounded personality, Krishna forms the ideal combination of human and divine.

Short History of Lord Krishna

Krishna was born in Mathura approximately in 3228 BCE, into the age of Dwapara, as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. He was born in the prison where his parents were jailed by the tyrant king Kamsa, who was frightened by a prophecy that Devaki would bear an eighth child who would kill him. On the same night Krishna was born, Vasudeva took the newborn infant and crossed the Yamuna River to a place of relative safety called Gokulam, where he was to be raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. The situations that surrounded Krishna in his childhood days in Gokulam and Vrindavan were filled with exaggerated leelas that portrayed his transcendence. He used to perform miraculous acts such as killing demons, raising Mount Govardhan to save the people of the villages, and taming the serpent Kaliya in his childhood.

His charismatic flute music, along with naughty tricks and celestial love with Radha, formed mythological accounts of the connection between the soul and the divine. Krishna, at an early age, killed Kamsa and subsequently rose to be an influential personality in the war of the Mahabharata. Krishna was the charioteer of Prince Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra. When Arjuna was hesitant to fight, Krishna narrated the excellent teachings of the Bhagavad Gita about duty and devotion.

Main Temples

  Temple of Dwarkadhish, Dwarka – capital and royal seat of Krishna

  Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura – his birthplace

  Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan – home of the leelas of Krishna’s childhood

  Jagannath Temple, Puri – temple where Krishna is worshipped as Jagannath

  Guruvayur Temple, Kerala – most famous South Indian Lord Krishna temple

  ISKCON Temples – worldwide centers spreading Krishna consciousness

  Krishna Temple in Udupi, Karnataka – famous for its distinctive worship customs

Famous Places

  Mathura – birthplace of Krishna

  Vrindavan – playground of his childhood and the land of Radha‑Krishna

  Gokul – foster‑family home with Nanda and Yashoda

  Dwarka, Gujarat – kingdom of Krishna

  Kurukshetra – battlefield where the Gita was spoken

  Govardhan Hill – raised by Krishna to save the people of the village

  Yamuna River – holy river closely connected to Krishna’s leelas

Festivals

 Janmashtami – the occasion of the birth of Krishna

 Radhashtami – the birth of Radha

 Govardhan Puja – a celebration of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill

 Holi – The festival of colors is connected with the playfulness of Krishna

 Kartik Purnima – festival in the devotional month of Kartik

 Gita Jayanti – the celebration of the Bhagavad Gita

 Annakut – proffering many kinds of food to Krishna

Prayer Methods

 Bhakti Yoga – devout, self-dissolving affection

  Kirtan and Bhajan – religious songs and chanting

  Contemplating on the form and leelas of Krishna

  Japa – chanting the mantra “Krishna” repeatedly

  Aarti – lamp and incense worship

  Seva – service to Krishna and Vaishnavas

  Study of scriptures – reading the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam

Krishna Statues & Types

Materials:

·         Brass Statues – Classic and long-lasting; ideal for temples.

·         Copper Varshik Statues – Auspicious metal; good for Grihbal Pir (transaction for home  worship).

·         Stone Statues – Marble, granite, and sandstone; suitable for temples.

·         Marble Statue – Antique white marble Lord Krishna statue.

·         Paintings – Antique single-piece and multi-colour Pichwais, Tanjore paintings, contemporary paintings.

Popular Forms:

·         Bal Krishna – God's child Krishna with butter.

·         Murlidhar – Krishna playing the flute.

·         Radha-Krishna – Divine couple.

·         Dwarkadhish – Also known as Royal Krishna.

·         Govardhan Giridhari – Krishna holding Mount Govardhan.

Krishna Pooja Shopping and Store

• Required Ingredients: Tulsi leaves, yellow (colored) flowers, butter, milk, peacock feathers

• Prasad: Makhan (butter), mishri (rock sugar), fruits

• Pitambara: Yellow cloth, flower garland, jewelry

• Stores: Local temple shops, devotional goods web stores, ISKCON gift stores

• Special Items: Flute, cow figurines, Radha-Krishna paintings

The Advantages of Worshiping Lord Krishna

• Spiritual Growth – Nurtures love, goodwill, and devotion

• Peace of Mind – Reduces stress and brings inner peace

• Wisdom – Life guidance through challenges with the help of Gita teachings

• Protection – Divine guarding from negative influences

• Joy and Happiness – Krishna’s light-hearted nature brings joy

• Relationship Harmony – Learn divine love through Radha-Krishna’s bond

• Material Prosperity – Brings good fortune through righteous living

How to Obtain the Blessings of Lord Krishna

• Pure Love and Devotion – Dedicate sincere love and submission

• Frequent Chanting – e.g., Hare Krishna mantra and other prayers

• Service to Others – Serve people in need like Krishna

• Read the Holy Books – Study the Bhagavad Gita

• Moral Living – Live according to dharma and truthfulness

• Fasting – Observe Ekadashi and other sacred fasts

• Visit to Temple – Attend daily prayers and festivals

Well-known Krishna Devotees

• Arjuna – Recipient of the Gita’s teachings

• Radha – Supreme devotee, divine consort

• Mirabai – Saint and poet-princess of Rajasthan

• Surdas – Blind poet-saint and singer of Krishna’s glory

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – Founder of contemporary Krishna consciousness

• Tulsidas – An Immense devotee and poet

• Narsi Mehta – Saint-poet of Gujarat

• Swami Prabhupada – Founder of ISKCON

Vedic Mentions

• Bhagavad Gita – Exhortations of Krishna to Arjuna

• Srimad Bhagavatam – Explains the life and doctrine of Krishna

• Mahabharata – Epic with the participation of Krishna in Kurukshetra

• Vishnu Purana – Refers to Krishna as an incarnation of Vishnu

• Harivamsa – Supplement of the Mahabharata on Krishna

• Brahma Vaivarta Purana – Contains the divine leelas of Krishna

Mantras

• Hare Krishna Maha Mantra:

  
  

  Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,

  
  

  Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

  
  

• Krishna Gayatri:

  
  

  Om Damodaraya Vidmahe, Rukmini Vallabhaya Dhimahi,

  
  

  Tanno Krishna Prachodayat

  
  

• One simple mantra: “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”

• Dwadasha Nama: Twelve names of Krishna to recite

Lord Krishna Boys’ and Girls’ Names

Boys’ Names: Krishna, Govind, Madhav, Keshav, Gopal, Murali, Girdhari, Banke, Dwarkesh, Parthasarathi

Girls’ Names: Radha, Rukmini, Yasoda, Devaki, Rohini, Vrinda, Gopi, Yamuna, Tulasi, Satyabhama

Quotes of Lord Krishna

• You have a right to do the prescribed duty, not to the fruits of action.

• I am the water, its taste, and the light in the moon and sun.

• “Let go of all forms of religion and simply give yourself up to Me.”

• The soul does not die, and neither is it born.

• Put thy heart upon thy work, and never on its price.

The Art of Icons and Legends

·         Butter Thief – Child Krishna growing up stealing butter

·         Govardhan Lifting – Saving the villagers against the wrath of Indra

·         Kaliya Daman – Taming of the serpent Kaliya

·         Rasa Lila – Play of God's graceful dance with the gopis

·         Protection of Draupadi – Supplying limitless saree when she was being disrobed

·         Sudama Friendship – Example of pure friendship

The Symbols, the Weapons, and the Vehicles of Krishna

• Flute (Murali) – His omnipotent instrument

• Peacock Feather – Worn on his crown

• Sudarshan Chakra – Divine discus weapon

• Garuda – His transport (eagle)

• Conch Shell – Panchajanya

• Lotus – Symbol of purity

• Cow – Cowherd symbol of his boyhood days

Fasting and Health Benefits

• Ekadashi Fasting – Twice a month

• Janmashtami Fasting – Total fasting up to midnight

• Health Advantages – Detoxifying effects, better digestion, purification of mind, and unclogging

• Kartik Month – Devotional practices during this holy month

• Healthy Breaking – Using Krishna prasadam and thanksgiving

Famous Krishna Pictures/Wallpapers

• Childhood Krishna – Butter-playing baby crawling

• Flute Master – Murlidhar with the peacock feather

• Radha-Krishna – Godly couple in different poses

• Govardhan Lifting – Krishna lifting the hill heroically

• Gita Updesh – Krishna teaching Arjuna

• Dwarkadish – Krishna as royal, wearing magnificent garments

Names / Logo / Original Representations

• ISKCON Logo – Symbol of the Hare Krishna movement

• Om with Flute – Spiritual symbol combining Om and Krishna's flute

• Footprints – The sacred footprints of Krishna

• Cow and Flute – Combined symbols

• Peacock Feather – Two-seat Krishna sign

Videos on Krishna

• Animation – Krishna animated films and shows

• Devotional Videos – Bhajans and kirtans

• Temple Darshan – Live temple broadcasts

• Spiritual Talks – Krishna consciousness discourse videos

• Festi Celebrations – Janmashtami and other festival videos

Krishna Above Score Songs

• Achyutam Keshavam – A popular bhajan

• Hare Krishna Hare Rama – Maha mantra kirtan

• Other Popular Bhajans – Govind Bolo Hari Gopal Bolo

• "Radhe Radhe Govinda" – Religious song

• Traditional Piece – Krishna Murari

Popular Books (PDF)

• Bhagavad Gita As It Is – by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

• The Story of Krishna's Life (Complete) – Srimad Bhagavatam

• The Beautiful Legend of God – Krishna – by Edwin Bryant

• The Complete Life of Krishna – by Vanamali

• All Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON publications

Avatars and Other Names

• 108 Names: Govinda, Madhava, Keshava, Narayana, Mukunda

• Names of the Regions: Kanhaiya, Banke Bihari, Ranchod, Dwarkesh

• Avatars: Bala Krishna, Govardhan Giridhari, Parthasarathi

• Other Names: Yogeshwar, Jagannath, Vasudeva, Damodara

Related Gods

• Radha – Divine consort and ultimate devotee

• Eighth Avatar – Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu

• Balarama – The elder brother of Krishna

• Principal Queen – Rukmini

• Satyabhama – Another main queen

• Gopis – The lady companions of Vrindavan

Krishna Likes: Colors, Fruits, etc.

• Colors: Pitambara (Yellow), his skin color (Blue), White

• Fruits: Butter, milk products, fruits presented with love

• Flowers: Tulsi, lotus, yellow flowers

• Food: Makhan (butter), mishri, kheer, fruits

• Season: Monsoon (linked with his birth)

• Time: Brahma Muhurta (early pre-dawn hours)

Krishna's Skills and Social Activities

• Abilities: Playing the flute, herding cows, negotiation, fighting, dancing

• Social Activities: Preservation of the innocent, upholding dharma, spiritual teaching

• Head of Kingdom: King of Dwarka, mentor in the war of Kurukshetra

• Arts: Inspiration in music, dance, and poetry

• Relationships: Ideal friend, instructor, and defender

Documentary Recommendations

• Historical Analysis – Krishna: History or Myth

• The Life of Krishna – General biography

• Vrindavan: The Land of Krishna – Geographical documentary

• Modern Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON: The Hare Krishna Movement

• Sacred Journeys: Krishna – A pilgrimage documentary

Historical Context

• Archaeological Findings – Dwarka and Mathura excavations

• Historical Dating – Alternative scholarly views on the dating of Krishna

• Cultural Impact – Indo-Greek contributions to Indian art, literature, and philosophy

• International Bull – Krishna consciousness movement around the world

• Academic Studies – Studies by scholars of Krishna in religious studies

Tamil Speech Community

• Tamil Literature – Krishna is present in Tamil devotional poetry

• Alvars – The saint-poets of Tamil who praised Krishna

• Divya Prabandham – Holy books in Tamil referring to Krishna

• Periyalvar – Tamil saint devoted to Krishna

• Andal – Tamil female saint who regarded Krishna as her husband

Famous Tamil Movies

• Karnan – Krishna epic films

• Kurukshetra – Tamil adaptations of Mahabharata

• Krishna Leela – Tamil religious movies

• Radha Krishna – Tamil mythological films

• Govinda – Krishna’s life in Tamil movies