Overview
About Vrindavan
Vrindavan, on the banks of the Yamuna in western Uttar Pradesh, is the town where Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his childhood and youth. Together with Mathura, Gokul, Govardhan, Barsana and Nandgaon, it forms the Braj region, and every lane, grove and ghat here is linked with stories of Krishna and Radha.
The town is said to hold thousands of temples, from tiny household shrines to grand complexes. Some, such as the Govind Dev and Madan Mohan temples, date back to the era of the Chaitanya movement and the Goswamis, while others like Prem Mandir and the ISKCON temple are modern landmarks. The sound of bells, kirtan and the greeting "Radhe Radhe" fills the air from dawn until late at night.
Vrindavan is at its most joyous during festivals. Holi in Braj stretches over many days, from the Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon to flower Holi in Vrindavan's temples, and Janmashtami celebrations draw huge crowds. Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, is just a short drive away, so most visitors explore the two together.
- Banke Bihari Temple
- Prem Mandir
- ISKCON temple
- Braj Holi
- Janmashtami
- Yamuna ghats
Sightseeing
Best Places to Visit in Vrindavan
Temples
Banke Bihari Temple
Vrindavan's most beloved temple, where the image of Krishna is hidden behind a curtain that is drawn open and closed every few moments during darshan. The narrow lanes around it get very crowded.
Prem Mandir
A large white marble temple with tableaux from Krishna's life in its gardens. It is especially beautiful in the evening, when the building is lit in changing colours.
ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir
The temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, with lively kirtans, a calm courtyard and many visitors from abroad.
Radha Raman Temple
A revered temple of the Gaudiya tradition, known for its elegant self-manifested image of Krishna and its traditional worship.
Govind Dev Temple
A massive red sandstone temple built in the Mughal era, admired for its architecture even though its upper storeys no longer stand.
Rangaji Temple
A temple in the South Indian style, with a tall gopuram and a gold-plated pillar, dedicated to Lord Ranganatha.
Groves & Ghats
Nidhivan and Seva Kunj
Sacred groves of twisted tulsi trees where devotees believe Krishna and Radha perform the raas leela at night. Both close to visitors after evening.
Keshi Ghat
The most picturesque ghat on the Yamuna in Vrindavan, with old sandstone pavilions and an evening aarti on the river.
Nearby Excursions
Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura
The temple complex in Mathura, about 12 km away, built around the spot revered as Krishna's birthplace.
Govardhan
The sacred hill that Krishna is said to have lifted to shelter the people of Braj. Pilgrims walk or ride the long parikrama around it.
Barsana and Nandgaon
The hometowns of Radha and of Krishna's foster family, with hilltop temples, famous for the playful Lathmar Holi celebrations.
Experiences
Top Things to Do in Vrindavan
- 1
Attend an aarti
Join the evening aarti at Keshi Ghat on the Yamuna, or a kirtan at the ISKCON temple, for a sense of Vrindavan's devotional life.
- 2
Take a Yamuna boat ride
Hire a boat at Keshi Ghat for a peaceful view of the ghats and temple spires from the river, especially around sunset.
- 3
Walk the parikrama
Follow the traditional circuit around Vrindavan on foot, passing ghats, groves and smaller temples along the way.
- 4
Celebrate Holi in Braj
Plan around the Holi season to see flower Holi at the temples, the Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon, and the colours of Vrindavan's lanes.
- 5
Visit Mathura and Govardhan
Spend a day at Krishna Janmabhoomi and Vishram Ghat in Mathura and the Govardhan parikrama nearby.
- 6
Taste Braj sweets
Try peda, rabri and makhan mishri from the sweet shops near the main temples.
Weather
Best Time to Visit Vrindavan
The best time to visit Vrindavan is October to March. Here is what each season is like.
Summer
April to June
25°C to 45°C
Very hot and dusty. Visit temples at dawn and late evening, when most darshan timings are anyway concentrated.
Monsoon
July to September
25°C to 35°C
Humid with moderate rain. Janmashtami usually falls in August or September and brings very large crowds to Vrindavan and Mathura.
Winter
October to March
6°C to 28°C
The most pleasant season for temple-hopping and parikrama. Holi in February or March is the highlight, though foggy December and January mornings can be very cold.
Getting there
How to Reach Vrindavan
By Air
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the most convenient major airport, about 150 km away, with taxis and buses onward via the Yamuna Expressway. Agra's airport is closer but has fewer flights.
By Rail
Mathura Junction, about 12 km from Vrindavan, is a major station on the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai routes. Autos, e-rickshaws and taxis connect it to Vrindavan.
By Road
Vrindavan is about 150 km from Delhi and about 70 km from Agra, linked by the Yamuna Expressway and the national highway. Buses run to nearby Mathura from Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and e-rickshaws are the easiest way to get around town.
Taste of the city
Famous Food of Vrindavan
Mathura peda
Rich milk sweets with a caramelised flavour, the most famous treat of Braj.
Kachori and jalebi
The classic Braj breakfast of hot kachoris with potato curry followed by crisp jalebis.
Makhan mishri
White butter with rock sugar, Krishna's favourite and a common temple offering.
Rabri
Thickened sweetened milk with layers of cream, sold in clay bowls near the temples.
Lassi
Thick yoghurt drink topped with malai, refreshing after a day of temple visits.
What to Buy in Vrindavan
- Dresses and ornaments for Laddu Gopal idols
- Tulsi beads and kanthi malas
- Brass idols and puja items
- Pedas and Braj sweets to take home
Travel Tips for Vrindavan
- Monkeys in Vrindavan are known for snatching spectacles, phones and bags, so keep them secured.
- Check darshan timings in advance, as most temples close for a few hours in the afternoon.
- Banke Bihari can be extremely crowded on weekends and festivals; avoid carrying valuables.
- Wear clothes you do not mind getting coloured if you visit during the Holi season.
FAQs
Vrindavan Travel FAQs
What is the best time to visit Vrindavan?
October to March is the best time to visit Vrindavan, with pleasant weather and festivals such as Holi. Janmashtami in the monsoon is special but very crowded.
How many days are enough for Vrindavan?
Two to three days is ideal to see Vrindavan's main temples and ghats and take a day trip to Mathura, Govardhan or Barsana.
What is Vrindavan famous for?
Vrindavan is famous as the childhood home of Lord Krishna and for its temples, especially Banke Bihari, Prem Mandir and ISKCON, as well as its Holi celebrations.
How far is Vrindavan from Mathura?
Vrindavan is about 12 km from Mathura. Autos, e-rickshaws and taxis connect the two towns throughout the day.
Which is the nearest railway station to Vrindavan?
Mathura Junction is the nearest major railway station, about 12 km from Vrindavan, with direct trains from Delhi, Mumbai and many other cities.
When is Holi celebrated in Vrindavan?
Holi in Braj is celebrated over several days around the main festival in February or March, including Lathmar Holi at Barsana and Nandgaon and flower Holi in Vrindavan.
