The holy town of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, India, is well-known worldwide for its captivating aura and grandeur. Famous for being the location where Lord Krishna spent his formative years during the Dwapar Yuga, Vrindavan is a globally recognized destination for pilgrims. In Sanskrit, the van signifies woodland or an area, while vardha denotes Tulsi or Basil.
Several locations in Vrindavan draw millions of devotees yearly for a rejuvenating vacation among the celestial ambience. With its stunning temples, holy places, marketplaces, and neighbourhood eateries offering delectable food, Vrindavan is guaranteed to capture your heart and spirit. You only need to explore the diverse Indian customs and culture to appreciate the timeless beauty of Sanatana fully.
10 Best Places to Visit in Vrindavan in 2024
1. Banke Bihari Mandir (Mathura)
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One of the greatest locations to experience the ultimate ecstasy of the all-powerful God is the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, which is well-known for its divine vibrations, sacred atmosphere, and the unwavering faith of Krishna believers everywhere. In the past, people thought that the idol was a hybrid of Radha and Krishna. There are no bells in the temple and no early morning aarti since Krishna is worshipped here like a kid. It is one of the things to do in Vrindavan in a single day.
Renowned musician and saint Swami Haridas, the mentor of well-known vocalist Tansen, materialized the idol. He was said to be the incarnation of Lalita Gopi, Krishna and Radha's close companion in Gouloka. An intriguing custom involves drawing the curtains in front of the main statue periodically to break up the darshan since it is said that if Bankey Bihari makes prolonged eye contact with the worshippers, he would go home with them after the temple closing. It is among the most well-known tourist destinations in Mathura, Vrindavan.
Timings: 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Summer) and 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Winter)
2. Nidhivan
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In Vrindavan, one of the most well-known tourist destinations is Nidhivan, often known as the Tulsi Forest. The stunning location marks the initial appearance of the Banke Bihari idol following the uttermost devotion of Swami Haridas. Subsequently, it was placed at the current Banke Bihari temple, which is located about six minutes' drive from Nidhivan. The entire complex is filled to overflowing with Tulsi trees, which have dry ground within and hollow stems that retain their green colour all year round.
It is thought that at night, these ground-touching holy basil trees transform into Gopis. Another surprise is that no one has been able to count them up to this point. Since no one, not even animals is permitted inside after dusk, devotees view this location as the living quarters of God, where he performs daily Raslila with Radha and other gopis. There are two more temples in the complex: the Rang Mahal Temple, where God rests, and the Bansichor Radharani Temple. If you want to have a heavenly encounter with the Almighty, come here.
Nidhivan Vrindavan opening time: 6 AM to 8 PM
3. Prem Mandir
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Prem Mandir is another important landmark in the holy city. It was constructed with the blessings and direction of Jagatguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj, a well-known Radha Krishna devotee. Visiting the Prem Mandir is the top choice when it comes to nighttime activities in Vrindavan. It took a team of 1000 artisans from Gujrat over 11 years to create this exquisite piece of art. Deeply rooted in Sanatana history, the temple is a must-see attraction. It is fashioned out of marble and made of the white Italian Carrara.
Discover the stunning sculptors, dexterous sculptures, and astoundingly realistic idols of God positioned among the lush vegetation with fountains that portray a glimpse of bygone eras. It is ideal to visit this temple after dusk because the majority of it is open. Among Vrindavan's top attractions are Prem Mandir's sparkling lights, fountain display, and evening arti. The nicest souvenirs may be found in a few stores located on the temple grounds.
Prem Mandir Vrindavan Timings: 8:30 AM to 12 PM and 4:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Light show in Prem Mandir: 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
4. ISKCON Temple
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Among the most well-known tourist destinations in Vrindavan, the ISKCON Temple is a must-see when visiting this heavenly city. The stunning temple exalts Lord Krishna with its stunning architecture, endearing atmosphere, serene atmosphere, and devotional environment. Under the direction of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the temple was founded in 1975 and is oriented towards Krishna awareness.
Also referred to as Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir, this temple holds great spiritual significance for followers of Lord Krishna and is one of the most well-known. The temple complex is a calm, heavenly location that draws visitors and followers from all over the world. At the temple, Goddess Radha and Lords Krishna and Balarama are the principal deities worshipped. It is among the top attractions in Vrindavan and Mathura.
Timings of ISKCON Vrindavan Temple: 4:10 AM to 8:15 PM
5. Radha Raman Temple
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For devotees of Lord Krishna and the Vaishnavite tradition, the Radha Raman Temple in Vrindavan is one of the most significant and ancient temples in the community. The name of the temple is Radha Raman, which means "the one who gives pleasure to Radha." Radha is the form that Lord Krishna is worshipped as. Radha Raman's god is self-manifested, which means that it materialized spontaneously as a holy shaligram stone rather than being crafted by human hands.
The Radha Raman Temple's history began in the sixteenth century when renowned saint and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu devotee Gopala Bhatta Goswami founded it. The temple draws people from all over the world because of its historical and religious significance.
The temple is one of the most distinctive locations to visit in Vrindavan since it is thought that the goddess Radha Raman has directly engaged with her followers. The Radha Raman Temple's architecture reflects the rich history of Vrindavan's temples with a stunning fusion of traditional features and elaborate embellishments. The main shrine, prayer rooms, courtyards, and surrounding gardens make up the temple complex, which offers guests a serene and spiritual atmosphere.
Timings of Radha Raman Temple, Vrindavan: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
6. Sri Rangnath Ji Mandir
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Located in Vrindavan, Sri Rangnath Ji Mandir is a South Indian-style temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, also known as Rangnath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. With great spiritual and cultural significance, the temple is one of the most important pilgrimage places for Hindu believers. A few South Indian businessmen who were ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu built the temple in the 1850s, beginning the history of Sri Rangnath Ji Mandir. The temple's architecture, which distinguishes it from the conventional North Indian temples in Vrindavan, is reminiscent of South Indian Dravidian architecture. It is one of the undiscovered gems of Vrindavan where you may discover the sophisticated and opulent South Indian culture.
Have you visited any of the South Indian temples? The primary deity of the temple, Lord Ranganatha, is seen lounging on the celestial snake Adishesha, looking a lot like them. The spectacular statue represents Lord Vishnu's cosmic form, Ananta-Shayana (the eternal reclining form), and is fashioned from a single black Saligram stone. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple radiates a holy atmosphere that beckons worshipers to have a close, personal encounter with the Almighty.
Timings of Sri Rangnath Ji Mandir, Vrindavan: 7 AM to 12 PM and 4 AM to 8 PM
7. Govind Devji Temple
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The lovely Govind Devji Temple, where Lord Krishna manifests as Govind Devji, is one of the must-see locations in Vrindavan. In the sixteenth century, Raja Man Singh of Amber, Jaipur, founded the hallowed shrine. He was a commander in Akbar's court and a great admirer of Krishna. The temple's main deity is a perfect duplicate of Rajasthan's Govind Devji temple.
The deity's captivating appearance enchants followers, and it is exquisitely decorated with colourful clothing and intricate jewels. Seek the blessings of the divine and take in the stunning architecture, which combines Mughal and Rajasthani traditions, as you visit the temple. Experience the heavenly and feel the peaceful vibrations by attending the aarti ritual, which is held multiple times a day here to worship the deity.
Timings of Govind Devji Temple: 9 AM to 9 PM
8. Gopeshwar Mahadev Temple
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One of the greatest sites to see in Vrindavan is the exquisite Gopeshwar Mahadev temple. Lord Shiva is the temple's patron, and it has a rich history. It is thought that at one point while performing his celestial role as Lord Krishna, he went undercover as a Gopi to join in on their revelry and dancing. As part of the 'Rasa Lila,' a holy dance that Krishna and the Gopis performed on the banks of the Yamuna River, he assumed the shape of Gopeshwari, a Gopi. They gave performances and danced in adoration of the supreme Lord Krishna.
Discover the breathtaking North Indian architecture, dig into the extensive history, and be mesmerized by the exquisite carvings for a tranquil experience. Come to this ancient Vrindavan temple to ask for Lord Shiva's and Lord Krishna's blessings. The heavenly shivalingam here was created by Vrajanabha, the great-grandson of Krishna, and is located near the Yamuna River. The Shiva Linga, a symbol of male power, is worshipped during the day (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM) at the temple, while Shiva Linga dressed as a gopi is worshipped at night (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM) during Raasleela. The temple is a blend of masculine and feminine powers of nature.
Timings of Gopeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Vrindavan: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
9. Maa Vaishno Devi Dham
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The temple has been inscribed in the Limca Book of World Records for its exquisite 141-foot-tall image of Goddess Durga with Lord Hanuman bending down, as well as its well-kept, lush green grounds. In addition to waterfalls and scenic splendour, the exquisite temple offers its followers a man-made cave. Built at Katra, Jammu, as a memorial to Maa Vaishno Devi's grace, the temple was commissioned by businessman J.C. Chaudhary. Devotees can enter the cave within and see the heavenly nine roops of Durga, which blooms every seven years.
Before exploring the cave, one must pay homage to the idols of Shiva and Ganga at this, one of Vrindavan's greatest temples. It is definitely forbidden to take pictures or handle leather objects on the temple grounds. The temple compound also has a prayer hall, free dispensary, and devotee library. Come to this temple for a once-in-a-lifetime heavenly encounter. Visiting Vrindavan is one of the top things to do in India because of its picturesque appeal and enchanted atmosphere.
Timings of Maa Vaishno Devi Temple: 7 AM – 1 PM, 4 AM – 8 PM
10. Keshi Ghat
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Keshi Ghat, a highly revered location in Vrindavan, lies tucked away on the Yamuna River's banks. The ghat is one of the top tourist destinations in Vrindavan because of its picturesque boat ride among many magnificent temples. On the Keshi Ghat, devotees from all over the world gather to adore Lord Krishna as well as unwind and practice meditation.
The Bhagwat Purana claims that Keshi was a demon dispatched by Krishna's maternal uncle, the evil King Kansa. He transformed into a massive horse and unleashed a devastating attack on Krishna because Kansa desired Krishna's death. The two engaged in an epic battle, which Krishna prevailed in and used to destroy the demon.
The ghat is particularly important during religious festivals and festivities when worshippers congregate to make prayers, conduct aarti rituals, and experience the holy aura of devotion. The Ghat is still used to commemorate Lord Krishna, the universe's rescuer, and it is said that taking a holy plunge here helps to cleanse the mind and spirit of dread. One of the nicest things to do in Vrindavan is boating amidst the breathtaking scenery.
Timings of Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan: Open 24 Hours
Timings of Aarti at Keshi Ghat: 4:30 PM onwards
Also Read: The Top 10 Places to Visit in Ayodhya in 2024
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Akanksha Sinha
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