Vrindavan, Mathura, Govardhan, Gokul, Nandagaon and Agra

Interesting facts first: Vrindavan is the city of temples with 5000 temples for Lord Krishna and Radha. The underground prison where Lord Krishna is born is now a temple. The fire in temple kitchen at Sri Radha Raman temple started 435 years ago i.e. 15th century and still not put off. This is one place where Monkeys will steal your spectacles, purses or cameras for 100% sure to get food from you in exchange. Please don't try wearing it anywhere in this place, and I was the victim as well.

Before I start, I am sure when you read about Mathura and Vrindavan you will definitely like to hear about these discourses.

• You all must visit this Youtube channel and video series - "108 Divyadesam Introduction by Swamy Velukudi Krishnan".(Dwaraka), same on Gokulam. His discourses are so informative, detailed and divine. Though these are in Tamil language,  don't worry visit this for all his English discourses. https://velukkudidiscourses.com/#english

• Again, this Youtube channel is also a must visit - "108 Divya Desams by Swamy Dushyanth Sridhar" . Again visit his channel for lots and lots of discourses in multiple languages including Tamil, Kannada, English. They are so divine and so informative, you will be lost in it.

Paramapada Vasal at Ranganatha swamy (Rangji) temple

Brindavanam, Vrindavan and Brindavan are different names.  The word Vrinda means sacred Tulsi (basil) plant. Vana means forest. This is the place where Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood days. Demon King Kamsa prisoned his sister Devaki after he come to know one of Devaki's son would kill him. The prison is now the Keshava Deva temple. After Krishna is born, his father Vasudeva secretly carried him across the Yamuna river and exchanged him.

This is one of the most visited place in India along with Mathura. The day when Lord Krishna is born is celebrated as Janmashtami. This place will be heavily crowded those festival days. Also the Bramotsava festival is very famous at Ranganatha swamy temple here and attracts heavy crowd.

There are six main places that are to be covered, they are close to each other. The below map from Google will give an idea of how these places are located.... 

• Gokul
• Mathura
• Vrindavan
• Nandagaon
• Barsana
• Govardhan

Now you get an idea of these places and their location.... 

Distance chart for your quick reference

Source	Destination	Distance
Mathura	Vrindavan	10.5 Kms
Mathura	Gokul	12.5 Kms
Vrindavan	Gokul	29 Kms
Mathura	Govardhan Hill	26 Kms
Nandagaon	Govardhan Hill	32 Kms
Vrindavan	Nandagaon	51.5 Kms

Note: Barsana is on the way from Nandagaon to Govardhan Hill as you can see in map. 

Places to see in Vrindavan, Mathura, Gokul and Nandagaon

Note: Google map links are given for all the places. Use them to goto maps. 

There are too many temples and I have listed few old temples and the ones with good architecture. All of them are close to each other. You may take a battery auto or local taxi to visit if you cannot walk. But please make sure to secure your belongings to avoid monkeys stealing things in exchange for food.

• Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple complex, Mathura - This is the place where Lord Krishna is born. This is one of the 108 Divya Desams. 

• Government Museum Mathura - The museum is famous for ancient sculptures dating from 3rd century BC to 12th century AD

• Sri Rangaji Temple (or) Ranganatha swamy Temple - South Indian style temple with huge compound walls, huge prakarams and relatively big temple tower

• Brahmanda Ghat: ISKCON Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, https://iskconvrindavan.com/places/brahmanda-ghata-mahavan/

• Chandrodaya Mandir - Tallest religious monument in the world, under construction and partially ready, state of the art centralized Kitchen - Mega Kitchen called "Akshatya Patra" supplying high quality nutritious food to lakhs of underprivileged schools and children

• Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir - Built during 15th century, destroyed by Aurangzeb during 1690 and reconstructed.

• Sri Radha madan mohan mandir - Again built during 15th century.

• Sri Radha Raman Mandir - The Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's clothes and seat is still preserved since 15th century. Also the cooking fire in kitchen started since 435 years ago i.e. 1584 onwards 15th century.

• Prem Mandir - Built entirely on Italian Marble, 55 acre site and a beautiful temple. There is also a musical fountain. 

• Shahji Temple - well known for its architecture. 

• Mirabai Temple - Temple for Meera

• Pagal Baba Temple - Famous for the view of Vrindavan from topmost floor, built on white marble. 

• Sri Govind Dev Ji Temple - Redstone structure, 16th century temple, known for its beautiful architecture. 

• Nand Yashodha Bhavan Gokul - This is the place where Lord Krishna lived with his foster parents - Mother Yashodha and Father Nanda Maharaj. This temple seem to be the residence of Yashodha and Nanda maharaj with Lord Krishna. Gokul is just 10+ Kms from Mathura.

• Raman Reti, Gokul - This is the place where Lord Krishna played during his childhood. Devotees roll over the sand here to get blessings from Lord Krishna. 

• Nandagaon Nanda Bhavan Mandir - Nandagaon is close to 45+ kms from Vrindavan. This is the residence of Nanda Maharaj and Yashodha. 

Places to visit in Govardhan

Govardhan is 23 Kms from Mathura and Guru Poornima is one of the famous festival here and lakhs of devotees visit this place during that time. Guru Poornima seem to come a day after Diwali festival. Many devotees cook 56 to 108 variety of food and offer to Lord Krishna during this festival called "AnnaKuta - meaning mountain of food". This is distributed to all as Prasad.

Also devotees perform Govardhana Parikrama starting from Manasi Ganga Kund and covering 38 Kms around this Govardhan hill and reach back at same place Manasi Ganga Kund where they started. They roll on the ground during this Parikrama and this takes months together to complete.

• Govardhana Hill - This is just a sacred hill of 80 feet high, but 8 Km length. They say this hill is shaped like a Peacock. This is the hill which was lifted by Lord Krishna to save the people of village from the wrath of Indira. 
• Kusum Sarovar - Sandstone monument built during 17th century, near this monument there is a Narada Kund where Bhakti Sutras were written by Narada. 
• Mansi Ganga Lake - There are multiple temples around this sacred lake. 
• Daan Ghati Mandir - Here the deity is in the form of rock and it is going inside the earth few millimeters every year. 

Places to see in Agra

• Agra Fort and Sheesh Mahal - View of Taj Mahal from this fort is good. The Sheesh Mahal - "Palace of Mirrors" is here in this Fort. Here is where the whole of ceiling and walls are built using small pieces of glass which reflects the lights. When they lit a candle, it glows with the reflections elsewhere. 

• Taj Mahal - Built during 1643 to 1653, using ivory-white marble. Remember that Friday is a holiday and you cannot visit this. Read Wiki for lots of details. 

Planning Tips

There are multiple temples in and around Mathura, Vrindavan and Govardhan. You might need minimum of 3 to 3 days to see all the places listed here. Hire a battery auto or a local taxi to see all the places. Multiple places they might demand money for some Pooja, laying some stone inscription with your name ..etc.

We got to see only very few places in Mathura and Vrindavan. We have not got a chance to visit all the places listed here. Will update this blog again, once we visit these. 

Stay options

There are plenty of hotels in both Vrindavan and Mathura. You can stay in either place and use a local taxi to visit the temples. Use review sites to choose the best one that suits your budget. 

My other related blogs

This blog is the continuation of my other main blog "Delhi Mathura Vrindavan Agra and Nearby Places". Do visit that blog for lot more details. 

Also do visit the other part on Haridwar and Rishikesh. 

Moving on to the photos

Navamohana Krishna - Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple Mathura

Ranganatha swamy Temple (Rangji Mandir) - South Indian style Temple in Vrindavan

Entrance Arch - Ranganatha Swamy Temple (Rangji Mandir)

Temple Tower - Ranganatha Swamy Temple Vrindavan

Look at the huge walls, typical south Indian style

Another view of the Tower - Ranganatha Swamy Temple Vrindavan

It is too difficult to get to the center to take a perfect position.... there are too many photographers waiting to get that shot, Selfies ... etc etc.....

The Agra Fort, Agra. Do you see the View point or the tower from where you can watch Taj Mahal ? 

Huge Cloisture Mandap in Taj Mahal

Another huge Cloisture mandap in Taj Mahal 

Do you see the illusion on that pillar ? See the next picture...

Just an illusion....

Do you see the Yamuna River ? 

Hope you like this post. Share with friends, family and relatives and let them all know these beautiful places in India. 

Haridwar and Rishikesh

As usual, some interesting facts first. Do you know..... More than 1 crore people gather at Haridwar during Kumbh Mela which is one of the World's largest gathering? (Refer this site), Har-Ki-Pauri ghat was constructed during 1st century by King Vikramaditya?, Manasa Devi statue was established in 8th century by Adi Sankaracharya swamy, Rishikesh is a Pure Vegetarian City in India?, Rishikesh is the Yoga capital of the world?  .... Read on for more details and interesting pictures.

Hari-Dwar - Gateway to Hari (or) Hardwar - Gateway to Lord Shiva, one of the major pilgrim center of Hindus. People who seek Mukthi visit and take a dip in Ganga river. Almost everyone come here at least once in their lifetime. It is believed that the water is so pure here than other places where Ganga flows. Many collects the holy water in bottles and carry home for sacred rituals.

Haridwar is an entry point to one of the four main pilgrimage. The four places are (Char-Dham) are - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Haridwar is also a center of attraction for learning various arts, science, culture. IIT Roorkee, The Great Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev's ashram is here, many Gurukuls are also here. Patanjali Yogpeeth is a Yoga institution and research center.

There is a very famous Har-Ki-Pauri ("Footprint of Shiva/Vishnu") ghat where, Ganga Aarti is performed everyday evening at dusk. Large crowd gathers here to see this Aarti. It is so divine to be here and witness this fantastic event. It is a lifetime memory for us. Remember Hara is Shiva and Hari is Vishnu. This place is called Hardwar and also Haridwar.

Stay options at Haridwar

There are multiple options here. Some of them are Haveli Hari Ganga, Ganga Lahari, Hotel Devnadi, Radisson Blu, Le Grand...etc etc. Check review sites for more options. We stayed in Haveli Hari Ganga which was really good.

Rishikesh

Known as a Gateway to Himalayas, just 25 Kms from Haridwar. This is a strict vegetarian city in India. No non-vegetarian food and alcohol is allowed being the sacred pilgrimage for many Hindus. Lord Rama did a penance here for killing Ravana. Lakshman Jhula is the place where Lakshman crossed the river Ganga. This is also called the Yoga capital of the World. From all over the world, many throng here to learn Yoga.

There are multiple research centers for Yoga, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. Amazing isn't it ? The evening Ganga Aarthi happens at Parmath Ashram, Triveni Ghat and Lakshman Jhula.

You must visit Neelkanth Mahadev Temple which is on a hill (1330 meters) nearby Rishikesh. It is a one hour drive from Rishikesh. This is again a very holy place, which is visited by everyone coming to Rishikesh. Views from here are fantastic. This is assumed to be the place where the Lord Shiva consumed the poison came out of churning the sea. There is a natural spring where all devotees take a dip before worshiping the lord.

Parmarth Ashram, Sivanand Ashram, Gita Bhavan, Swarg Ashram are famous ashrams to visit here. Lakshman Jhula (Jhula means - Hanging bridge) and Ram Jhula are famous bridges. Shatrugana mandir, Bharat mandir and Lakshman mandir are ancient temples established by Adi Sankaracharya.


Stay options at Rishikesh

Many prefer to stay at Ashrams like Sivanand Ashram or Vanaprastha Ashram. You can also stay at Parmarth ashram, Swarg Ashram. Looks like no prior booking needed, but directly visit and stay.

There are plenty of resorts near Rishikesh on the beaches of Ganga river and on the way to Neelkanth Mahadev temple. Inside the city, there are too many options.  Use review sites to choose the option you need. Aloha on the Ganges, The Bungalows River front and Naturoville are from Leisure hotels group. Hotel Ishan, Ellbee Ganga view, Vedafive, Divine Resort, Kunwar residency are some other options. There are plenty of other options as well.


Nearest Airport

Dehradun is a closest airport to both Haridwar and Rishikesh. You can also reach Delhi and drive here. Delhi is 200+ Kms from Haridwar.


Places to see in Haridwar

• Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat and Aarthi here
• Manasa Devi Mandir
• Chandi Devi Mandir
• Gau Ghat
• Baba Ramdev Ashram
• Saptrishi Ashram
• Rajaji National Park
• Ram Ghat

Places to see in Rishikesh

• Neelkanth Mahadev Temple - On a Hill nearby
• Raghunath Temple
• Sivananda Ashram
• Parmarth Nikethan Ashram
• Vashishta Guha Temple
• Tryambakeshwar Temple
• Bhootnath Temple
• Sri Bharat Mandir - Ancient Temple
• Ram Jhula
• Lakshman Jhula
• Triveni Ghat
• Maa Kunjapuri Devi Temple - Adi Sankaracharya established temple
• Mahadev Mandir - small hill temple

My other related Blogs

• Please do visit my main blog on "Delhi Mathura Vrindavan Agra and Nearby Places" for all the places in Delhi. 

• Also visit my other Blog that covers Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Nandagaon, Barsana and Govardhan. 

Here is the Aarti video in Full HD (choose the quality while playing).

Shopping street near Har-Ki-Pauri

Planning Tips

• To see all the places listed in this blog, both in Haridwar and Rishikesh, you need minimum of 3 nights and 4 days. But many prefer to stay longer to relax, meditate, learn Yoga, participate in Aarthis daily, Volunteer at Ashrams, take a dip in Ganga daily.....etc. 
• Dehradun Airport is very close to both these places i.e. less than 25Kms, but if in case you don't get tickets you can hire a taxi from Delhi and reach here. It takes about 5.5 hours and 225 Kms. 
• Please don't get carried over by the local priests or pujari for performing Aarthi or for any special rituals at river Ganga. They demand very high money. 
• Be careful with your belongings in the crowd. Hold your kids tight and take care of them. 
• Be careful with street food. Anytime when you are sick and in need of medicines, Try the Google search for medical shops and I am sure it will lead you to the right shop for medicines. Hotel staff also will be able to help/guide.
• For the good fresh food, try the canteen inside any Ashram premises. 
• To visit Manasa Devi temple and Chandi Devi Temple by Cable car please visit https://www.udankhatola.com/ and book the ticket in advance. Choose the transport option as well to go from Mansa Devi temple to Chandi Devi temple and vice versa. This is very convenient. Remember one can also walk uphill to the temple. Please carry the printed online tickets when you visit. View from both these hills are awesome. 
• You may need to hire a taxi to visit Neelkant Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh. Plan to visit early in morning to avoid crowd. If you want to take a dip in the natural spring, carry additional dresses. 
• All these temples are open full day. 

About our Trip

We stayed in Haridwar for 2 nights, 3 days which was not enough to see every place listed here. 

Day 1: We reached Hariwar at 11:30 AM by Taxi from Delhi. We checked into Hotel, had lunch and got ready for Manasa Devi and Chandi Devi temple visit. We reached Manasa devi temple cable car starting point at 2:00PM. We already had the online booking which was useful. Cable car was great. After the Manasa Devi temple visit we came down and used the transport option to go to Chandi Devi Temple. Cable car again to go up. Once you come down by cable car, you can catch the transport option back to Manasa devi temple and walk to your hotel. 

After these hill temple visits, we headed towards Har-Ki-Pauri for the evening Ganga Aarti. Hotel staff took us near the Aarti area. It was wonderful. On the way you will see too many shops selling variety of items including handicrafts...etc etc. Photos below.

Day 2: We got up early in morning and took a dip in Ganga. It was pretty cold, but a great experience. :-) Water was clear and good. 

After the breakfast, we headed to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. It was almost 12:30 when we started to come down. We reached Rishikesh. Took a battery car from Lakshman Jhula to Parmarth Ashram. Had lunch at the Ashram canteen which was pretty good. We visited the Ashram, Gita Bhavan. From there to Swarg Ashram, Gita Press book shop. On the way Ram Jhula. Finally we headed back to Haridwar to the Aarti Point on other side of Har-Ki-Pauri. Had a nice darshan of Aarti and took good rest. 

Day 3: We headed back to Delhi for the flight, as there were no availability for us to come back directly from Dehradun. We visited Sarojini Nagar market for shopping and headed to airport. 

Moving onto the photos

Haridwar

It was such a divine experience..... 

View of Manasa Devi Temple

Some interesting details about this cable car

Awesome view of Ganga below 

View of the bridge on Ganga from the cable car

History of the Manasa Devi temple 

View of Manasa Devi Temple from Chandi Devi Temple

Do you see the Manasa Devi Temple on top ? 

Very colorful .... 

Goddess Ganga Devi

Clock tower in Har-Ki-Pauri

Beautiful evening...... 

Lord Shiva statue at Haridwar

When you go from Haridwar to Rishikesh, you go through Rajaji park

Do you the Archery shaped bridge? Ram Jhula of Haridwar

This time from the other side of Har-Ki-Pauri, sitting with the crowd to see the Aarti

It was an hour long ritual started with reciting Slogas, Vedas

View of Har-Ki-Pauri from the bridge. See the crowd :-)

Yes, this was so tasty. Sweet potato with chat masala and spices. 

Yes, it was served .... yummy.. 

Yes, it is dark and Aarti started all over the place on opposite area

Yes, it is again yummy, mix of vegetables, sprouts, masala and spices

hmm... keep your cash ready... all interesting handicrafts, artifacts, marble statues.... 

Beautiful statue of Lord Shiva on the way back to hotel

Battery car elsewhere. Also there are multiple medical shops if you are sick. 

Rishikesh

View of Rishikesh town - on the way to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Do you see the Lakshman Jhula ? 

Another beautiful view of Rishikesh 

River rafting happening here. But I have not seen many rapids.... 

Devas and Asuras churning the ocean with the help of Vasuki snake to get the Amrita

Beautiful view of the valley nearby from Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Another view of the valley

Durga Devi Pandal at Rishikesh, during Durga festival. 

View from middle of the Lakshman Jhula

The Lakshman Jhula

View of the Lord Shiva statue, Bhagawat Gita statue from Parmarth Nikethan Ashram

Closeup view, Lord Krishna as a Chariot and Arjuna standing

Lord Shiva statue at Parmarth Nikethan Ashram

Beautiful view of Parmarth Nikenthan Ashram

Inside Parmarth Ashram

Inside Parmarth Ashram

Another view of the Lord Shiva Statue where Aarti will happen every evening

Swarg Ashram, on your left is the Gita Press Book shop

Gita Press Book shop ...for all your spiritual book needs

Yet another view from front

Lord Hanuman showing Ram, Sita and Lakshman on his heart

Lord Hanuman, Lord Rama and Lord Shiva

Another view from different side

Gita Bhawan

Info Board of Udan Khatola, you can book tickets in advance online

Don't forget to visit my blog on Delhi, Mathura, Vrindavan, Agra and Nearby Places 

Also check my blogs on Jaipur and nearby places, Hot Air Balloon experience at Jaipur.... 

Click the photos below to open the blog

Also check this Rajasthan photo feature blog

Wish this was useful, feel free to share with your friends, family and relatives. Let them all know the beautiful places in India, explore and enjoy !!!