My Journeys In India: Vrindavan

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 Sri Rangji Temple Vrindavan

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

Map of Gokul Mathura Vrindavan Nandagaon Barsana and 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.....