Vrindavan is one of the most famous places in India, and it’s not surprising given that it houses many temples. Vrindavan is a holy town in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, that attracts visitors from around the world. Talk about richness in spirituality and culture, and then you will be talking about Vrindavan. It’s a place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood and where many people look forward to celebrating the Holi festival with different bursts of colour and cultures. Aside from the spiritual importance this town holds, there are other things to do and places to see in Vrindavan. From the beauty of places like the Yamuna River to the food, architecture, fairs & festivals, and religious experiences, you are sure to enjoy your trip to the city.
1. Banke Bihari Temple
Being one of the top places to see in Vrindavan and one of the seven temples of Thakur of Vrindavan, the Banke Bihari Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple is at the centre of a cultural yet spiritual paradise that is easily accessible. It is open to both devotees and tourists seeking a religious experience. Also, it has been known to maintain the lifelong customs of Braj Bhoomi since its construction in 1862.
One of the unique things devotees and tourists look forward to is the temple’s structure. The architecture of Banke Bihari holds so much excellence and attention to detail. From the numerous pillars to the delicate arches, it’s a beautiful view to behold. Another thing that draws people's attention in the temple is the idol of Lord Banke. The Lord Banke idol is a spirit deity and a form of Lord Krishna in the tribhanga posture. This idol represents lord krishna’s charm, grace, and loveliness.
Regarding temple access, it varies by season and time. However, in summer, it ranges from 7:45 am – 12:00 pm and 5:30 – 9:30 pm, while in winter, it ranges from 8:45 am – 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm. The entry fee is free, as you don't have to pay for anything to enter the temple.
2. Prem Mandir
Translated as the temple of divine love, Prem Mandir is a significant pilgrimage site for the devotees of Radha Krishna. It is dedicated to Radha Krishna and Sita Ram and is located on the outskirts of Vrindavan near Mathura. Likewise, this temple was established by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and maintained by the Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
Prem Mandir is located on a 54-acre site on the outskirts of Vrindavan. It is a spiritually significant place attracting millions of visitors. It is also popularly known for its stunning white marble architecture and for how it depicts Krishna’s life. The presiding deities in this temple are Radha Krishna and Sita Ram.
Aside from the temple itself, Prem Mandir has many beautiful flower gardens and water fountains that you can explore. What’s visiting a spiritual site without meditation? On your visit to Prem Mandir, ensure you meditate to fully enjoy the experience.
4. Madan Mohan Temple
Madan Mohan Temple is one of the oldest and highly revered temples of Vrindavan. Likewise, it is known as the first of the seven Goswami temples. The temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture, using red sandstone. It has a distinct oval tower and shares a boundary with the Yamuna River. The presiding deity is Madan Mohan. This deity is a form of Lord Krishna who is present in the central altar of the temple with his consort goddess Radharani and Lalita Gopi, each on both sides of lord Krishna.
In the winter, the Madan Mohan temple is open between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm, and between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, which are usually good times to visit. The schedule is quite different during summer as the temple is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 am in the morning and 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm in the evening.
5. Yamuna River
There is no doubt that the Yamuna River is one of the best places to visit in Vrinidavan as it is one of the most holy rivers in India. Beyond the flowing waters is a river that carries so much history of the Hindu religion. For a deeper connection and religious experience with the Yamuna River, you can pray and have a bath in the sacred water. You can also explore the river via a boat ride.
Yamuna Aarti is another activity you can engage in at the Yamuna River. Engaging in Yamuna Aarti involves devotees offering lit lamps to the river while singing hymns. Aside from the Yamuna Aarti, another activity you can engage in is the Yamuna Jayanti. This involves devotees honouring the goddess Yamuna on the anniversary of her birth.
6. Govind DevJi Temple
This is another temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and one of the top places to see in Vrindavan, as it is associated with his childhood. Popularly known for its red sandstone architecture, the Govind Devji Temple carries so much history. It was built in 1590 and was initially a seven-story building. However, this story building was destroyed by Aurangzeb, leaving it with three stories.
If you’re planning on visiting for a deep religious experience, you can plan your visit based on the seven daily Aartis. These seven days, Aartis span from 4:30 am to 12:30 pm for morning visits and 5:30 to 9:30 pm for evening visits. Also know that during festivals and special occasions, the timing might vary.
7. Radha Raman Temple
Radha Raman Temple is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the revered and significant temples and places to see in Vrindavan. This is popular for its deep self-manifestation of the deity of Lord Krishna in the form of Radha Ramanji, which is Lord Krishna as the lover of Radha. Radha Raman Temple is one of the “Seven Goswami Temples” and holds one of the oldest, continuously worshipped images in Vrindavan, surviving Mughal invasions.
8. Nidhivan
Nidhivan is one of the most sacred and mysterious places in Vrindavan. Likewise, it's one of the best places to see in Vrindavan. It was believed that Lord Krishna visits Nidhivan every night to perform Raas Leela with Radha and the Gopis. Due to this belief, the temple is locked before sunset. Many visitors flood Nidhivan to have a first-hand experience of the spiritual energy of this temple. For winter and summer, the timing is between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm. However, it is usually closed between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Also, note that entry into this temple is absolutely free, so you should beware of anyone trying to sell you entry tickets.
9. Rangji Temple
One of the things that makes Rangji Temple unique is its blend of south indian and north indian styles. These styles are evident in its high walls and golden flagstaff. Built in 1851, it is one of the largest and the only temple built in the Dravidian style in Vrindavan. This makes it one of the must-see places in Vrindavan. This famous temple was built by Seth Govind and Seth RadhaKrishna under the guidance of Shri Rangdeshik Swam ji. After building, the Rangji Temple was dedicated to Lord Shri Goda-Rangamannar. Lord Shri Goda-Rangamannar is the presiding deity. This deity represents Lord Ranganatha, a form of Vishnu as the groom, with his bride, the Vaishnava saint Andal (Goda-devi), showing a unique depiction of the divine couple in a wedding setting. If this interests you, then you should visit the Rangji temple.
In the Rangji temple, all the traditions and rituals are done in line with the Vedic norms. This makes the temple one of the few temples that practice this. Aside from admiring the temple, there are a number of things that you can look forward to. This includes Dravidian architecture, South Indian traditions, and peaceful surroundings conducive to meditation. There is no entry fee to this temple, and you can visit between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm for morning visits. For evening visits, you can visit between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
10. Keshi Ghat
This is another popular ghat and is one of the places to see in Vrindavan, located just by the banks of the Yamuna River. Keshi Ghat was built in the 17th century by Queen Laxmi Devi of Bharatpur. What makes this spot popular is the belief that it’s the place Lord Krishna defeated a horse-shaped demon, Keshi. This divine victory in Vrindavan symbolises the triumph of good over evil, which is well celebrated in this town.
If you’re visiting, you can enjoy the serene environment and participate in the evening aarti, which begins at 4:30 pm. Likewise, this unique place is great for tourists looking for an ideal photography spot to capture the moments and seal memories. Another thing to look forward to when visiting Keshi Ghar is the festive period, like Holi, Janmashtami, and Radhashtami, where the whole ghat comes alive with celebration. Keshi Ghat is usually open all day long, but the best time to visit is between 6:00 am and 8 pm. However, you might want to avoid visiting during midday due to the extremely hot weather.
11. ISKCON Temple
Although popularly known as the ISKCON temple, it is officially known as the Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir. Founded by Swami Prabhupada, also known as Srila Prabhupada, the ISKCON temple has become a significant spiritual site that is open to devotees and tourists alike. The ISKCON temple is a beautiful and magnificent one in terms of its outlook, and it’s dedicated to Lord Krishna and Balaram, who are divine brothers, as it is believed that the ISKCON temple is where they once had their past times. The purpose behind this temple, according to Srila Prabhupada, is to encourage devotees.
Aside from taking in the beauty of the magnificent ISKCON Vrindavan temple, you can visit the Goshala in the temple, which is dedicated to cow care and great products from cows. One of the many things you can do at the Goshala is to spend time with the cows themselves; you can feed them, brush them, and donate towards their care. You can also listen to and engage in seminars and workshops as you learn about the sacred role of cows.
12. Seva Kunj
Here’s another grove and one of the places to visit in Vrindavan. If you want to find out about the divine love story of Radhna and Krishna, then you can visit Seva Kunj. It's a place where Radhna and Krishna had their pastime at night in their lifetime. Central to Vrindavan’s spiritual significance, Seva Kunj carries the strong spiritual presence of the couple. This grove houses an idol os the Radha Krishna. Right in this grove is the Lalita Kund, which is a place where Shri Radha bathes, hence holding great significance to the devotees of Radh-Krishna. The temple is usually open from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm daily.
13. Shahji Temple
The Shahji Temple is a very famous temple in Vrindavan, as its beauty draws people from far and near. It is built with beautiful Italian marble, Belgian glass chandeliers, and its 12 unique spiral pillars. The Shaji Temple architecture is a beautiful mix of Vreek, Hindu, and Mughal styles, giving it a unique architecture. Built in 1876 by Shah Kundan Lal, this infamous temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is open to Lord Krishna devotees visiting Vrindavan.
Inside this temple is the Basanti Kamra, known as the Durbar Hall of the deity or the yellow room, which is unique for its yellow colour and decoration. In the Durbar Hall are colourful paintings that tell stories from the different life events of Lord Krishana, which is something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Vrindavan.
While the Sahaji temple is open throughout the year, it is important to know that the Durbar hall is only open on two occasions. It opens during the Basant Panvahami, which is celebrated around January and February. The second occasion is the Jhulan Yatra, which is celebrated in July and August. If you want to see the Durbar Hall, you can plan your visit around that time. If you’re a Lord Krishna devotee, you can engage in the daily pujas, Aartim, and Archana. For morning visit, the time is between 8:00 am and 11:30 pm, evening visit is, however, between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
14. Jugal Kishore Temple
Here is another site that tells the story of the divine love of Shri Krishna and Radha ji. It was believed that Jugal Kishore was where the love of the couple unfolded. In this temple, the deity present is the divine couple in the form of Jugal, hence the temple's name. The Jugal Kishore Temple holds so much history as it is one of the oldest in the town, dating back to 300-400 years. The presiding idol in this temple, Thakur Ji (Lord Krishna), was discovered by Hariram Vyas in 1620.
It’s one of the temples in Vrindavan, built from red sandstone, giving a stunning appearance that you must see in the evenings, with the lamps glowing. There are quite a number of activities that you can engage in at the Jugal Kishore Temple. This includes the morning Darshan, which runs between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, and if you prefer the evening Darshan, it runs between 5:30 and 8:30 pm. There’s also the Mangla Aarti at 5:00 am, the Bhog Aarti at 6:30 am, and the Shayan Aarti at 12:00 pm.
15. Gita Mandir
Gita Mandir is one of the places to see in Vrindavan. It is located on the outskirts of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, on the road connecting Mathura and Vrindavan. Thanks to this strategic location, it has become one of the key spiritual sites that is easily accessible from both Mathura and Vrindavan. This temple is popular for the engravings of the Bhagavad Gita, which has an entire 700 verses popularly known as shlokas on its marble walls. Built by the Birla family, this spiritual landmark is dedicated to Lord Krishna and the teachings of the Gita.
Conclusion
Vrindavan is a town of spiritual significance, telling the stories and history of Lord Krishna through its temples and groves spread across the town. If you are visiting Vrindavan and want to learn about the life of Lord Krishna, the following sites are worth visiting, as they are open to both devotees and tourists alike.
