Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Mathura district, Vrindavan is a beautiful town that lies in the Braj region. It is also famous as Vraj. It is believed that Lord Krishna spent his childhood here and performed Raas Leela with young ladies or Gopis at this place. The town is located at a distance of just 10 km from Mathura, Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
Vrindavan Travel Guide is incomplete without a mention of its rich heritage. The town hosts hundreds of temples dedicated to Radha and Lord Krishna. It is considered a very sacred place by some religions such as Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Hinduism, and Vaishnavism. The name ‘Vrindavan’ has been derived from the term ‘Vrinda’, which is similar to the Tulsi plant that grows generously throughout the length and breadth of the city.
It is said that a few years ago, the entire surroundings were a Tulsi coppice. It is widely believed that in the 16th century, Vrindavan was “rediscovered” by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to Vrindavan in 1515 to discover the vanished holy places connected with Lord Krishna. He roamed through the diverse sacred forests of Vrindavan, and with his divine saintly power; he located all the sacred sites associated with Sri Krishna.
Events / Festivals
Festivals in Vrindavan are celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious sentiments. They are extremely colorful and promote unity and feeling of brotherhood.
Janmashtami: Janmashtami marks the birthday of Lord Krishna. It generally occurs during the month of August. There is a sense of euphoria in the entire city during the festival. The city remains immersed in chants and Bhajans dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is indeed a pleasure to be a part of the festivities during Janmashtami.
Halite “festival of colors” is celebrated in a very colorful and joyous manner in Vrindavan and is one of the biggest festivals for the natives. The atmosphere is charged up during the celebrations.
Basant Panchami: A famous festival of Hindus known as Basant Pancham is celebrated in all the country and is renowned for kite flying. This festival is celebrated at the time of the monsoon season.
Places to visit
Shahji Temple: Shahji Temple is one of the famous temples in Vrindavan, devoted to Lord Krishna. The temple possesses a Dravidian architectural style and fabulous marble sculptures, which fascinate a large number of tourists from all over the world. It was made by Shah Kundan Lal, a prosperous jeweler of Lucknow. The name knows the idol of Lord Krishna of Chhote Radha Raman.
Iskcon Temple: Located at Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Raman Reiti, Vrindavan, ISKCON temple is popularly known as Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir. One of the most magnificent temples of Vrindavan, it was inaugurated by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on Ram Navami Day (20 April 1975).
He also installed beautiful idols of Krishna Balaram, Sri Radha Shyamasundar, Gaura Nitai, Lalita Devi & Vishakha Devi in the temple.
Seva Kunj and Nidhuban: Seva Kunj and Nidhuban is a beautiful garden, majorly visited by Krishna disciples and scenic lovers. It is believed that Lord Krishna performed Raslila with Radha here. A small temple devoted to Radha-Krishna is situated inside the garden, and it is believed that Lord Krishna used to spend his time in this garden indulging in dances with the Gopis.
Madan Mohan temple: Has anyone ever wondered what in the pious town of Vrindavan which temple holds the distinction of being the oldest one? If not, then get set to know that it is the Madan Mohan Temple in Banke Bihari Colony of Vrindavan, where the original deity of Madan-Mohan was discovered by Advaita Acarya hundreds of years ago. It is not just a religious shrine, but a historical landmark that transcends one back to 16th century India. It was then that Saint Sanatan Goswami enshrined the deity of Madan Mohan after Advaita Acarya entrusted the worship of the Lord upon him.
The Madan Mohan Temple we see today on a hillock in Vrindavan is a rebuilt version of the original one. The towering red color structure led by multiple stairs and molded with spiritualism, devotion, and tranquility adds an extravagant dimension to one’s Vrindavan trip. The history of Vrindavan that is yet unearthed can now be discovered with a religious visit to Madan Mohan Temple.
Vrindavan’s beautiful scenery from the hillock again soothes the eyes of those who travel miles to take a sneak peek of this historical religious edifice.
Yamuna River: One of the most sacred rivers of India, Yamuna River, begins from Yamunotri. The river is regarded as being turned pure as it flows through the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. Thousands of devotees take a dip in this holy river.
Kesi Ghat: Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan, Mathura, is one of the most visited places in the area and is frequented by devotees and tourists alike. The Ghat, considered to be amongst the best in the country, is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna and is a massive hit amongst devotees of Lord Krishna.
According to popular belief, this is the Ghat where Lord Krishna took a bath after killing the demon Kesi. Since then, devotees rush in considerable numbers to seek blessings of the Lord. An elaborate Aarti is practiced every evening, as a ritual for Yamuna Devi. The Ghat is rich in scenic beauty and is a must-visit when in the area.
Bankey Bihari Temple: Officially known as Shri Bankey Bihari Mandir, the Bankey Bihari temple of Vrindavan is one of the holiest temples of Lord Krishna in India. Constructed in 1864, the temple houses the idol of Lord Krishna in the form of a child i.e., Nand Gopal.
Best time to visit
The best season to visit Vrindavan is the winter season. The temperature remains comfortable and is apt for visiting the monuments and other places of interest. The best months to visit are from September to March.
How to Reach
Air: The nearest International Airport from Vrindavan is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, about 144 km away and is a roughly four-hour drive from Vrindavan city.
Railways: Vrindavan has its own Railway Station, which is connected to almost all the major cities.
Road: There are many ways to reach Vrindavan road. Vrindavan is 11 km from Mathura, 57 Kms from Hathras, 70 Kms from Aligarh, 73 km from Agra, 139 Kms from Gurgaon, and 144 km from New Delhi.
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