Mathura and Vrindavan, 12 km apart, are the heart of Braj, the land of Krishna. Vrindavan alone has thousands of temples, from the old Radha Raman and Banke Bihari to the lit-up marble Prem Mandir. Come for Holi, which here starts a week early with Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon, or for Janmashtami in August or September.
Highlights
- Banke Bihari temple, Vrindavan
- Prem Mandir lit up after dark
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram temple
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura
- Vishram Ghat aarti on the Yamuna
- Govardhan hill parikrama and Lathmar Holi at Barsana
What to eat
- Mathura peda
- Kachori and jalebi for breakfast
- Lassi and rabri
- Sattvik food at the ISKCON restaurant
Where to stay
Vrindavan has hotels and ashram guesthouses near ISKCON and the Chhatikara road; Mathura has more business hotels.
Getting there
Mathura Junction is on the main Delhi-Agra line (about 2 hours from Delhi by fast train). Agra is 60 km away and the Yamuna Expressway passes close by.
Tips
- Banke Bihari gets extremely crowded on weekends and festivals; hold children’s hands and keep valuables zipped away.
- Monkeys in Vrindavan snatch glasses and phones: keep them in your bag.
- Holi in Braj can be rough for visitors; join an organised group if you are not used to big crowds.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Vrindavan and Mathura
- Banke Bihari, Vrindavan Krishna as Banke Bihari
- Prem Mandir, Vrindavan Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir Krishna and Balaram
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura The birthplace of Krishna
- Govardhan Hill and Barsana Govardhan parikrama and Radha’s town of Barsana
Places to see in and around Vrindavan and Mathura
25 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Govardhan Hill and Barsana Temple, 25 km
- Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex Temple, 9 km
- Banke Bihari Temple Temple, 1 km
- Prem Mandir Temple, 3 km
- Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir Temple, 3 km
- ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan Temple, 2 km
- Nidhivan, Vrindavan Temple, 0 km
- Government Museum, Mathura Museum, 10 km
- Keetham Lake Lake, 39 km
- Radha Vallabh Temple Temple, 1 km
- Śrī Rādhā Rānī Temple Temple, 33 km
- Radha Ramana Temple, 1 km
- Madan Mohan Temple Temple, 1 km
- Jama Mosque Mosque, 8 km
- Deeg Palace Palace, 39 km
- Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan Temple, 2 km
- Dwarkadheesh temple Temple, 8 km
- Kankali Tila Ancient site, 10 km
- Tiruvaaippadi Temple, 15 km
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, 9 km
- Sacred Heart Church Temple, 11 km
- Daan-Ghati Temple, 25 km
- Shri Alkheswar Mahadev Mandir Temple, 27 km
- Kans Quila Fort, 8 km
And 1 more on our Uttar Pradesh map.
Food to try in and around Vrindavan and Mathura
Uttar Pradesh favourites to look out for.
- Dum biryani
- Kebabs
- Nahari kulcha
- Sheermal
- Roomali roti
- Warqi paratha
- Samosa
- Kachori
- Chaat
- Sheer qorma
- Zarda
- Hathras Hing GI: spice or chilli
The full food passport, state by state.
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