Mathura and Vrindavan are two of the holiest cities in India. Situated in Uttar Pradesh, they are the birthplace and childhood city of Lord Krishna. Lakhs of tourists and devotees visit these sacred cities every year to experience the life and times of Krishna and imbibe the religious tranquility of the towns.
If you are going to visit Mathura and Vrindavan, the following are the top 10 places you need to visit. They will enable you to fathom the profound culture, history, and devotion that is associated with Krishna.
1. Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi – Mathura
This is the most significant location in Mathura. It is considered to be the very place where Lord Krishna was born. The temple stands on the prison where Devaki and Vasudev were imprisoned by King Kansa. A small room within the temple is claimed to be Krishna’s birthplace.
Security is strict here, and photography is prohibited. You can go for darshan in the morning or evening for a quiet time. Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna, is celebrated with special festivities.
Temple Timings:
Morning: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Closed during: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM for cleaning and resting.
Dwarkadhish Temple – Mathura
Situated in the middle of the city of Mathura, Dwarkadhish Temple is another place worth visiting.It is one of the most ancient and largest temples in Mathura. The temple is of Lord Krishna in his royal avatar Dwarkadhish.
The architecture of the temple is stunning, with carvings and colourful designs. Morning and evening aartis are the best time to visit. The temple becomes crowded during festivals such as Holi and Janmashtami.
Temple Timings:
Summer:
Morning: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Winter:
Morning: 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Evening: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
3. Vishram Ghat – Mathura
Vishram Ghat is a holy ghat (riverbank) on the Yamuna River. This is where Lord Krishna is said to have rested after killing Kansa. It is a place of quiet surroundings and best visited during sunset aarti.
You can go for a boat ride here and see the temples from the river. Several people also take a sacred bath in the Yamuna. The boatmen also tell stories about the life of Krishna while on the boat ride.
Timings: 24 hours a day for tourists
Best Time to Visit: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM for evening aarti and boat ride.
4. Banke Bihari Temple – Vrindavan
This is the most popular temple in Vrindavan. The temple is for Lord Krishna in his Banke Bihari incarnation, which is the “the charming child who bends in three places.” The Krishna idol here is highly beautiful and believed to possess magical charm.
The temple is always full of devotees singing bhajans and dancing in joy. The darshan timings are different in summer and winter, so it’s good to check the schedule before visiting. Photography is not allowed inside the temple.
Temple Timings:
Summer:
Morning: 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Winter:
Morning: 8:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Evening: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Read More: Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj – A True Devotee of Radha-Krishna
5. Prem Mandir – Vrindavan
Prem Mandir, or Temple of Love, is an imposing marble temple constructed in recent times. It is under the administration of the Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat. The temple has exquisite carvings from Krishna’s life and Radha’s love.
The temple is beautiful, especially in the evenings when it glows with colorful lights. There are nighttime light displays which show Krishna’s pastimes. The big garden and tidy environment make it an ideal location for families and children. Prem Mandir is the best places to visit in Mathura vrindavan.
Temple Timings:
Morning: 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Light Show Timing: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (daily)
6. ISKCON Temple – Vrindavan
The ISKCON temple is also referred to as Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir. It is a serene and hygienic temple operated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. It is devoted to Krishna and his older brother Balaram.
The temple conducts daily aartis, kirtans, and Bhagavad Gita classes. You can relax here and soak in the serenity or accompany the devotees in chanting Hare Krishna. There is a pure vegetarian restaurant and a gift shop within the campus as well.
Temple Timings:
Morning: 4:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Aarti Timings:
Mangala Aarti: 4:30 AM
Darshan Aarti: 7:15 AM
Sandhya Aarti: 6:30 PM
Read More: Popular Temples to Visit in Mathura and Vrindavan
7. Nidhivan – Vrindavan
Nidhivan is an enigmatic and holy forest in Vrindavan. People are of the belief that Lord Krishna visits here nightly to play Ras Leela with Radha and the other gopis. As a consequence of this belief, no one can go inside the forest past sunset.
The trees inside Nidhivan are small and twisted, and it is said that they turn into gopis at night. People say they have heard flute sounds and seen strange happenings here. Whether you believe in the stories or not, the place holds deep spiritual value. Nidhivan is the best places to visit in mathura vrindavan.
Visiting Hours:
Morning: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry Closed After Sunset: No one stays inside due to local beliefs.
8. Seva Kunj – Vrindavan
Another holy garden close to Nidhivan is Seva Kunj where Radha and Krishna used to rest and play. The place is small temple-situated and peaceful. Full of tulsi and trees, it is great for spending quiet time.
Devotees often come here to meditate or chant bhajans. It’s nice to drop by in the morning or early evening. The place is plain but emotional to Krishna lovers.
Visiting Time:
Morning: 5:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Evening: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
9. Radha Raman Temple-Vrindavan
This temple is dedicated to Radha Raman and represents a special form of Lord Krishna. The idol here is said to have appeared on its own (self-manifested), and the temple is one of the oldest in Vrindavan.
The priest in the temple continues with traditional rituals. The atmosphere is quiet and full of devotion. This being a relatively calm temple in comparison to busy and crowded temples, this is ideal for peaceful darshan. The architecture is beautiful and worth a visit.
Temple Timings:
Morning: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Evening: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
10. Gokul and Raman Reti – Close to Mathura
Gokul is the village where Vasudev brought infant Lord Krishna after birth and raised him by Yashoda and Nand Baba. You can go to Nand Bhawan where Krishna spent his childhood days. The area gives the feeling of going back in time.
Adjacent to this is Raman Reti, a serene area where Krishna played in the sand. Pilgrims visit here and roll in the sand as an act of devotion. It is a humble place with extreme spiritual attachment. You can sit, meditate or walk barefoot on the sand. Gokul is the best places to visit in Mathura Vrindavan.
Timings:
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or evening to escape heat and relax amidst peaceful ambiances.
Travel Advice for Tourists
Ideal Time to Visit: October to March would be the ideal time as the weather is nice. Summer should be avoided if at all possible.
How to Arrive:
By Road: Mathura and Vrindavan are easily accessible by road from Delhi (around 3 hours).
By Train: Mathura Junction is the nearest railway station with good connectivity.
By Air: Closest airport is in Agra (around 1-hour drive).
Local Transport: Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and taxis are easily found in both cities.
Dress Code: Wear good attire when visiting temples. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not allowed to be worn.
Food: Vegetarian food only is found in both locations. Try having some local sweets like peda and lassi.
Stay: Budget hotels, dharamshalas, and guesthouses are found in both Vrindavan and Mathura.
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