Sri Krishna Kubja Temple is in the holy city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh. The temple lies close to the Vishram Ghat on the banks of the Yamuna River. Mathura is considered Lord Krishna’s birthplace and one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage spots.
The main deities worshipped in the temple are Lord Krishna and Kubja, a hunchbacked woman who was transformed by Krishna’s divine touch. In this temple. Lord Krishna is seen in his youthful form, and Kubja is worshipped as a devotee who attained spiritual liberation through her deep love and surrender to Krishna.
Interesting fact about this temple is that it is the only temple in the world where Lord Krishna’s idol does not stand with Goddess Radha Rani and is rather accompanied by a lady called Kubja.
The temple has a simple yet traditional North Indian architectural style, with a tall shikhara (spire) and beautifully carved walls. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idols of Lord Krishna and Kubja. The temple is modest in size but holds great spiritual significance. The entrance is adorned with carvings and paintings that depict various scenes from Lord Krishna’s life.
The Krishna Kubja Temple is believed to be very ancient, dating back to the Dwapara Yuga, the time of Lord Krishna. According to tradition, it marks the spot where Lord Krishna encountered Kubja, a hunchbacked maidservant of King Kamsa. Over the centuries, the temple has been renovated and maintained by various devotees and temple trusts.
The Sthalapurana of the Krishna Kubja Temple in Mathura is closely linked to a beautiful episode from the Bhagavata Purana and Krishna’s early life in the Dwapara Yuga.
When Lord Krishna and Balarama entered the city of Mathura for the first time, on their way to confront the evil king Kamsa, they encountered a hunchbacked woman named Kubja. Kubja was a servant of Kamsa and was carrying vessels of fragrant sandalwood paste and perfumes to the royal palace.
She was bent over due to a severe hunch on her back, but her heart was filled with love and devotion when she saw Krishna. Though deformed in body, she instantly recognized Krishna’s divinity and offered him the sandalwood paste with great reverence.
Krishna, pleased with her loving offering, decided to bless her. With his divine touch—he gently placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her shoulders—Kubja was miraculously transformed into a tall, beautiful woman. Her deformity vanished, and she stood upright for the first time in her life.
Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, Kubja requested Krishna to visit her home. Krishna smiled and promised her he would come later. It is believed that Krishna did visit her house, and Kubja was spiritually uplifted and liberated due to her unconditional devotion.
This episode is remembered as a powerful example of divine grace, showing that the Lord sees only the purity of the heart, not the physical form. Kubja’s devotion and Krishna’s compassion form the sacred essence of the Krishna Kubja Temple.
The temple stands at the believed location where this divine meeting occurred, and it continues to be a symbol of Krishna’s boundless mercy and love for his true devotees.
The Krishna Kubja Temple is also famous for healing any kind of skin disease. It is said that any person with any kind of skin disease can visit this temple and get healed.
The Krishna Kubja Temple in Mathura celebrates key festivals like *Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, with special poojas and devotional singing. **Radhashtami* and *Holi* are also observed with joy and traditional rituals. During *Kartika Purnima*, the temple is lit with lamps, and devotees offer prayers. These festivals attract pilgrims and reflect the temple’s deep spiritual and cultural significance.
