Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna, stands as one of the oldest cities along the Ghats of the Yamuna River. Despite urbanization, the city remains a symbol of culture and learning. From morning till evening, the chants of “Radhe Krishna” resonate throughout Vrindavan, with devotees often seen dancing on the streets in devout passion. Over the years, Vrindavan has also become a sanctuary for widows abandoned in their homes, with more than 20,000 widows currently residing in the city.
Vrindavan has many temples and a famous festival called the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. There’s a daily evening aarti at 6pm on the steps leading down to the Yamuna River. The Kumbh Mela has a history filled with holy stories.

Spanning 56 acres, the Kumbh Mela attracts people of all ages. Pilgrims not only take holy baths during this event but also stay in the ashrams built near the riverbanks. Children particularly enjoy the fair as it features numerous swings.

How to reach Vrindavan? ( Bus Booking)

Vrindavan, situated 10 km from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is readily accessible by train or bus from Mathura. This accessibility is due to the limited number of trains arriving at the Brindavan railway station.. For those arriving by train, taking an auto-rickshaw from Mathura railway station is a convenient option, with direct autos available for Vrindavan. These autos typically cost between 50 to 60 rupees per person. If direct autos are not available, reaching the Deeg gate of Mathura where numerous autos are available is a good alternative, with fares as low as 30 rupees per person.

The best time to visit Vrindavan ( Ayodhya Guide)

The best time to visit Vrindavan is from October to March. Vrindavan remains crowded throughout the year, with long queues often seen on weekends and during the festive season. One of the best times to visit Vrindavan is during Holi when the town comes alive with colors and festivities that last several days. Vrindavan can get busy, so to skip the crowds, come visit on a weekday!

Where to stay in Vrindavan?

When planning your stay, consider booking a hotel either in Mathura or Vrindavan, based on your convenience. Ensure to check the availability of transportation in the area where you choose your hotel. 

You can book a hotel room in Vrindavan for a comfortable stay. You can do this online or by calling the hotel directly

Baal Gopal Holiday Home: Located around 5.5 km from the Banke Bihari Temple, offers free parking, a seating area, and a veranda for two adults at just 1100 rupees per night. The room features a city view, a bathroom, and a private balcony.

Hotel Vinayak Guesthouse Holidays homestay: Approximately 4.9 km from the Banke Bihari Temple, offers vegetarian meals and free access to a gym. A room for two adults costs only 1400 rupees per night. This hotel gets high marks for safety and cleanliness.

Sangam Palace Guest House: Located just 850 meters from the Prem Mandir, it offers amenities such as free Wi-Fi, free parking, a seating area, a lawn, and regular room service. This hotel provides a variety of rooms starting at just 900 rupees per night for two adults.

Note : The price don’t include taxes.

The average cost of a decent hotel in Vrindavan ranges from 800 to 1500 rupees per night for two adults. Alternatively, travelers can opt for a Dharamshala or ashram, which typically costs just 200 to 300 rupees per person per day. Some ashrams even offer free accommodation.

The celebration of Holi in Vrindavan

Vrindavan explodes with Holi celebrations, both inside and outside its many temples. The festival draws visitors from all over India and even abroad. You’ll find Holi festivities happening in almost every temple in town. One of the famous Holi celebrations in Vrindavan is Lathmar Holi, mainly celebrated in Barsana, the village of Lordess Radha, where women playfully beat men with sticks. Vrindavan also hosts a special Holi celebration called Laddoo Holi. During this event, laddoos (sweet treats) are thrown instead of colored powder. Phoolwali Holi, a recent addition, involves playing with flowers and throwing flower petals. 

The most anticipated Holi celebration in Vrindavan is at the Banke Bihari temple, held a day before the main Holi. Visitors can play Holi inside the temple premises at noon, using gulaals (colored powders) and watercolors. A highlight of this event is when the temple priest joins the crowd, throwing gulaals and colored water, creating a joyful atmosphere of celebration.

Celebrating Janmashtami in Vrindavan

The celebration of Janmashtami in Vrindavan begins 10 days before the main festival, featuring dramas and plays depicting the life of Krishna. Cultural events, Chappan bhog, and dahi handi events are widely celebrated in Vrindavan and neighboring areas. Scenes from the Mahabharata are also enacted, and people dance on the streets while singing hymns of Krishna. Renowned artists are invited to perform and enhance the festival’s ambiance.

Visiting Vrindavan during the Janmashtami celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. People from all corners of the country flock to Vrindavan during this time to partake in the festivities.

Places to visit in Vrindavan

Vrindavan is predominantly known for its temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. Before visiting the temples, you can purchase Prasad like Pedee, Makkhan, and Mishri from the lanes outside the temple. 

Day 1

Banke Bihari Mandir

The Banke Bihari Temple stands out as one of the most famous temples in Vrindavan. Visitors can purchase prasad, including pure white makhan (butter), from vendors outside the temple premises. The makkhan is priced at 400 rupees per kilogram. Entry to the temple is free, and it usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes to have the darshan (sight) of Lord Krishna. However, the majority of the time is spent waiting in queues. Despite the wait, the sense of calmness and satisfaction experienced after darshan is truly rewarding.

Radha Vallabh Mandir

Radha Vallabh Mandir is located within walking distance of the Banke Bihari Mandir and features architecture similar to its famous neighbor. Visitors can enter the temple free of charge.

Iskcon Temple

The ISKCON temple in Vrindavan offers a unique spiritual experience distinct from other temples in the area. Similar to other temples in Vrindavan, there are often long queues to enter the temple premises. However, there is no entry fee. The temple attracts a large number of foreign devotees of Lord Krishna.

Rang Ji Mandir (Rangmunnar Temple)

Rang Ji Mandir (Rangmunnar Temple) in Vrindavan boasts architectural similarities to Southern Indian temples, offering a serene atmosphere with no entry fee. Inside, the temple resonates with the ambiance of Southern Indian temples, accompanied by loud hymns in the regional language. The temple complex sprawls over a large area, featuring various shrines dedicated to different deities. Among these, the Sheesh Mahal stands out, with an entry ticket priced at just 5 rupees per person.

Nidhivan

Nidhivan, India, is widely regarded as one of the most mysterious and sacred places in Hinduism. According to belief, Lord Krishna and Radha visit this place every night. The gates of Nidhivan are closed after the evening aarti, and entry is prohibited. Several stories exist about the unique surroundings and tree structures here. Residents near Nidhivan close their doors and windows after the evening aarti.

On the first day in Vrindavan, visitors can also explore other small temples in Vrindavan. The evening can be spent wandering through the vibrant Vrindavan market.

Day 2

The second day begins with a hearty breakfast followed by visits to temples such as the Lotus Temple, Krishna Balram Mandir, and Radha Raman Temple.

Vaishno Devi Dham

A beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, Vaishno Devi Dham features nine tunnels devoted to the goddess. To maintain a cool temperature during the summer months, water is channeled into the tunnels. Visitors can enter for a fee of 20 rupees per person

Chandrodaya Mandir (Akshay Patra)

Chandrodaya Mandir (Akshay Patra), located within walking distance from Vaishno Devi Dham, is renowned for its beauty and tranquility. The temple’s Akshay Patra prepares food for around 1,20,000 children daily, as part of a government initiative. Visitors can tour the food plant, which is open to all.

Prem Mandir

Prem Mandir boasts magnificent carvings on its pillars, and the best time to visit is between 5 to 6 in the evening when the lights illuminate, enhancing the temple’s beauty.

How to travel in Vrindavan?

Rental scooters and bikes are available for just 500 rupees per day in Vrindavan. However, opting for local transport is more convenient, as the places to visit are located nearby.

Where to eat in Vrindavan?

Affordable restaurants and other eating joints are available outside the main temples of Vrindavan. Bhandaras, or community kitchens offering free or affordable meals, are common in Vrindavan. These can help you save money on food while exploring the area, and they are easy to locate throughout Vrindavan. 

Nearby places to Vrindavan

If you’re planning an extended trip to Vrindavan to explore the spiritual wonders, consider visiting nearby places that hold religious significance.

Nandgaon, located 47 km from Vrindavan, is a small town known for its temples like Yashoda Nandan, Nritya Gopal, Nand Nandan, and Gopinath. To reach Nandgaon from Vrindavan, take a public bus to Kosi, starting at 8:00 a.m., and then hire a tempo for the remaining 8 km journey.

About an hour away from Vrindavan is Barsana, the birthplace of Radha Rani, known for its grand celebration of Lathmar Holi. Barsana is well-connected by roads and features temples dedicated to Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna.

Another nearby destination is Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, located just 10 kilometers from Vrindavan. Mathura is steeped in history and spirituality, with attractions such as the Dwarkadeesh Mandir, Gita Mandir, and renowned pedas. Similar to Vrindavan, Mathura attracts tourists year-round for its holy places, evening aarti, and temples.

Other tips

• Plan your trip to Vrindavan accordingly, as the temples are closed in the afternoon from 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• If you aim to visit all the places in Vrindavan in a single day, start your trip between 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Idols of Lord Krishna and his dresses, along with dresses like Lord Krishna for children, are also available in the lanes of Vrindavan just outside the temple. 
• The price of sweets ranges from 200 to 1000 rupees per kilogram.

Budget to travel to Vrindavan

Vrindavan boasts over 5000 temples, but a two-day trip is sufficient to visit the most famous ones. A trip to Vrindavan is affordable, with a two-day itinerary for an individual as follows:

Hotel: 1000 rupees

Meals: 1000 rupees

Transportation: 500 rupees

To reduce transportation costs, consider sharing a vehicle. For budget-friendly meals, visit the Bhandaras. With these tips, a trip to Vrindavan can cost as little as 2500 rupees.