Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
Also known as World's Highest Krishna Temple, Yulla Kanda Krishna Mandir, Yulla Kanda Lake Temple
Yulla Kanda Krishna Temple beside a glacial lake in Kinnaur's remote Rora valley is believed to be the world's highest Krishna shrine, busy at Janmashtami.
Photos of Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) at a Glance
| Location | Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh |
|---|---|
| Presiding deity | Krishna |
| Established | Not precisely recorded (ancient/legendary — associated with the Pandavas' exile) |
| Architecture | Simple stone-built shrine in traditional regional style, beside a high-altitude glacial lake at roughly 3,895 m |
| Timings | Accessible only in season (May-October, weather permitting); open daily, dawn to dusk during the trekking season |
| Address | Yulla Khas, Rora Kanda, Himachal Pradesh 172104 |
History of Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
Local legend holds the Krishna murti here is swayambhu (self-manifested) and that the Pandavas visited the site during their exile, placing Yulla Kanda within the wider Mahabharata-associated sacred geography found across Kinnaur, echoing similar Pandava legends at Kinner Kailash. The temple is reached only via a demanding roughly 12 km trek from Yulla Khas village through the Rora valley, which limits it to a seasonal pilgrimage from May to October. A distinctive local ritual has devotees float their Kinnauri caps upside-down on the lake surface as a personal omen for the coming year.
Festivals Celebrated at Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
- Janmashtami
How to Reach Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
Nearest airport: Shimla or Chandigarh. Nearest railhead: Shimla/Kalka. By road: NH-5 to the Nichar/Rora area then to Yulla Khas village, followed by a roughly 12 km trek — no vehicle access to the temple itself.
Temples Near Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
- Kalpa MonasteryHimachal Pradesh · about 12 km in a straight line
- Maa Chandika Devi Ji Kila, KalpaHimachal Pradesh · about 12 km in a straight line
- Narayana Temple, RoghiHimachal Pradesh · about 12 km in a straight line
- Shri Narayan Nagin Mata Temple, KalpaHimachal Pradesh · about 12 km in a straight line
- Khawangi MandirHimachal Pradesh · about 13 km in a straight line
- Maa Chandike Durga Ji Temple, KothiHimachal Pradesh · about 13 km in a straight line
More Krishna Temples to Visit
- Murlidhar Krishna Mandir, Naggar (Thawa)Himachal Pradesh
- Madhav Rai TempleHimachal Pradesh
- Shri Jagannath Temple, MandiHimachal Pradesh
- ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan TempleChandigarh
- ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Govind TempleUttar Pradesh
- ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi MandirDelhi
Frequently Asked Questions about Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)
Where is Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) located?
- Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) is located at Yulla Khas, Rora Kanda, Himachal Pradesh 172104, in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Who is the presiding deity at Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)?
- The presiding deity at Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) is Krishna (also known as Gopala, Govinda), worshipped in the Vaishnava tradition.
What are the timings of Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)?
- Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) is generally open Accessible only in season (May-October, weather permitting); open daily, dawn to dusk during the trekking season. Timings can vary on festival days and special occasions — verify with the temple before your visit.
When was Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) built?
- Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) was established Not precisely recorded (ancient/legendary — associated with the Pandavas' exile). Portions of the structure have been added and renovated by successive dynasties over the centuries.
What is the architectural style of Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)?
- Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) is built in the Simple stone-built shrine in traditional regional style, beside a high-altitude glacial lake at roughly 3,895 m style, characteristic of Krishna shrines of this region.
Which festivals are celebrated at Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)?
- The principal festivals celebrated at Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) include Janmashtami. These draw large crowds of pilgrims from across Himachal Pradesh and beyond.
How can I reach Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple)?
- Nearest airport: Shimla or Chandigarh. Nearest railhead: Shimla/Kalka. By road: NH-5 to the Nichar/Rora area then to Yulla Khas village, followed by a roughly 12 km trek — no vehicle access to the temple itself.
Why is Yulla Kanda (Lord Krishna Temple) significant?
- Yulla Kanda Krishna Temple beside a glacial lake in Kinnaur's remote Rora valley is believed to be the world's highest Krishna shrine, busy at Janmashtami.